Metazeunerite

Metazeunerite
Metazeunerite

Metazeunerite crystals to 7 mm on smoky quartz, Erongo Region, Namibia
General
Category Phosphate minerals
Chemical formula Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O
Strunz classification 08.EB.10
Crystal symmetry Tetragonal dipyramidal
H-M symbol: 4/m
Space group: P42/n
Unit cell a = 7.1094 Å, c = 17.416 Å;
Z = 2
Identification
Color Varies from pale to green
Crystal habit Tabular rectangular crystals with two pinacoid faces; foliated or micaceous aggregates
Crystal system Tetragonal
Twinning Merohedrally twinned
Cleavage Perfect on {001}; distinct on {010}
Fracture Uneven
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 2-2.5
Luster Vitreous to dull
Streak Pale green
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 3.87
Optical properties Uniaxial(-)
Refractive index nw=1.643-1.651 nε=1.623-1.635
Birefringence .020
Pleochroism Weak
Other characteristics Radioactive
References [1][2]

Metazeunerite is an arsenate mineral with a chemical formula of Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O. The origin of this mineral comes from the dehydration process that metazeunerite must go through, and its association with zeunerite. As dehydration occurs, zeunerite loses an electron and is then metamorphosed into metazeunerite.[3] Its crystal system is tetragonal and its crystal class is 4/m, which is also called the tetragonal-dipyramidal class because it only has a vertical four-fold rotation axis that is perpendicular to the symmetry plane.[4][5] When looking at a thin section, metzeunerite is anisotropic, meaning that it has pleochroism. When a mineral is anisotropic, one can see whether it is unaixial or biaxial, depending on how fast the rays of light are moving through the mineral. This mineral is uniaxial negative due to the ordinary ray being slower than the extraordinary ray.[6]

Metazeunerite is an uncommon radioactive secondary mineral found in "arsenic bearing hydrothermal uranium deposits" across the world.[7] This widespread mineral occurs specifically in Europe, western North America, Australia, Brazil and Chili, Namibia, and Kazakhstan.[2] It is currently studied through thermal decomposition by calculating the different levels of dehydration, as zeunerite is transformed into metazeunerite.[8]

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • metazeunerite — meta·zeunerite …   English syllables

  • metazeunerite — | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ at meta + noun Etymology: meta + zeunerite : a mineral Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2.8H2O consisting of a hydrous arsenate of copper and uranium with less water than zeunerite …   Useful english dictionary

  • List of minerals K-M (complete) — It is currently not possible to have a complete list of minerals . The International Mineralogical Association is the international group that recognises new minerals and new mineral names, however minerals discovered before 1959 did not go… …   Wikipedia

  • Crystal twinning — Diagram of twinned crystals of Albite. On the more perfect cleavage, which is parallel to the basal plane (P), is a system of fine striations, parallel to the second cleavage (M). Crystal twinning occurs when two separate crystals share some of… …   Wikipedia

  • Zeunerit — (Kupferarsenuranit) Chemische Formel Cu[UO2|AsO4]2 • 10 12H2O …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Liste des mineraux (lettre M) — Liste des minéraux (lettre M) liste des minéraux A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Liste des minéraux (lettre M) — v · Liste des minéraux A • B • C • D • E • F • …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Liste des minéraux (lettre m) — liste des minéraux A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Minéraux composites (lettre M) — Liste des minéraux (lettre M) liste des minéraux A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Classification of minerals — This list gives an overview of the classification of minerals (non silicates) and includes mostly IMA recognized minerals and its groupings. This list complements the alphabetical list on List of minerals (complete) and List of minerals. Rocks,… …   Wikipedia

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