Manganoblödite
Manganoblödite is a rare manganese mineral with the formula Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O.[2][3] Somewhat chemically similar mineral is D'Ansite-(Mn).[4] Manganoblödite was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, US, which is known for several relatively new secondary uranium minerals[5] In the mine, manganoblödite occurs intimately intergrown with manganese-, cobalt- and nickel-enriched blödite and a yet another new mineral - cobaltoblödite. Manganoblödite, as suggested by its name is a manganese-analogue of blödite. It is also analogous to changoite, cobaltoblödite and nickelblödite - all three are members of the blödite group.[3]
Manganoblödite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Sulfate mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | P21/a |
Unit cell | a = 11.14, b = 8.28, c = 5.54 [Å], β = 100.42° (approximated); Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Color | Colorless (grains), reddish-pink (aggregates) |
Crystal habit | Anhedral grains, in aggregates |
Cleavage | None |
Fracture | Uneven |
Mohs scale hardness | 2.5 |
Luster | Vitreous |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent |
Specific gravity | 2.25 (measured), 2.34 (calculated) (approximated) |
Optical properties | Biaxal (-) |
Refractive index | nα=1.50, nβ=1.50, nγ=1.51 (approximated) |
Common impurities | Mg, Co, Ni |
References | [1][2][3] |
Notes on chemistry
Manganoblödite is impure, containing admixtures of magnesium, cobalt and nickel.[2]
Association and origin
Besite blödite and cobaltoblödite, other minerals associated with manganoblödite include chalcanthite, gypsum, johannite, sideronatrite, a feldspar group mineral and quartz.[2]
References
- Mineralienatlas
- Kasatkin, A.V., Nestola, F., Plášil, J., Marty, J., Belakovskiy, D.I., Agakhanov, A.A., Mills, S.J., Pedron, D., Lanza, A., Favaro, M., Bianchin, S., Lykova, I.S., Goliáš, V., and Birch, W.D., 2013. Manganoblödite, Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O, and cobaltoblödite, Na2Co(SO4)2·4H2O: two new members of the blödite group from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, US. Mineralogical Magazine 77(3), 367-383
- "Manganoblödite: Manganoblödite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
- "D'Ansite-(Mn): D'Ansite-(Mn) mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
- "Blue Lizard Mine, Chocolate Drop, Red Canyon, White Canyon District, San Juan County, Utah, USA - Mindat.org". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.