Schertelite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Schertelite
Formula:
(NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
1.83 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honour of Arnulf Schertel (24 February 1841, Munich, Germany - 11 March 1902, Dresden, Germany), Professor of Mineralogy, Freiberg Mining Academy, Saxony, Germany.
A phosphate mineral found in bat guano deposits.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3564
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3564:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8ab7b9c9-b5ea-4ae1-8e1a-beb1408d151a
IMA Classification of Schertelite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(NH4)2Mg(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O
First published:
1902
Classification of Schertelite
8.CH.30
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
39.3.2.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
She | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Schertelite
Optical Data of Schertelite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.508(2) nβ = 1.515(2) nγ = 1.523(2)
2V:
Measured: 90° , Calculated: 86°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Z = a; OAP = {001}.
Chemistry of Schertelite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Schertelite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.47 Å, b = 23.63 Å, c = 8.62 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.485 : 1 : 0.365
Unit Cell V:
2,336.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals small, indistinct, flat.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0009429 | Schertelite | Khan A A, Baur W H (1972) Salt hydrates. VIII. The crystal structures of sodium ammonium orthochromate dihydrate and magnesium diammonium bis(hydrogen orthophosphate) tetrahydrate and a discussion of the ammonium ion Acta Crystallographica B28 683-693 | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.94 Å | (100) |
2.97 Å | (43) |
5.21 Å | (37) |
2.80 Å | (29) |
3.02 Å | (22) |
3.46 Å | (21) |
4.31 Å | (19) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Schertelite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small indistinct flat crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Bat guano.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
MacIvor, R.W.E. (1902) On minerals occurring in Australian bat guano. The Chemical News and Journal of Industrial Science, London: 85: 181-182. (as muellerite)
Synonyms of Schertelite
Other Language Names for Schertelite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CH.05 | Walentaite | Fe3+3(P0.84As0.16O4)2(O,OH)6As3+2.56Ca0.42Na0.28Mn2+0.35Fe2+0.30O6.1(OH)0.9(H2O)0.9 |
8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CH.15 | Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
8.CH.20 | Dittmarite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O |
8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)(Mn2+,Mg)(PO4) · H2O |
8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
8.CH.25 | Taranakite | (K,NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH) · 9H2O |
8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
8.CH.40 | Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
8.CH.40 | Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O |
8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
8.CH.55 | Fahleite | CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O |
8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2O, forming a struvite residue.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Schertelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3564.html
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References for Schertelite
Reference List:
Catti, M., Franchini-Angela, M. (1976) Hydrogen bonding in the crystalline state. Structure of Mg3(NH4)2(HPO4)4·8H2O (hannayite), and crystal–chemical relationships with schertelite and struvite. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 32 (10) 2842-2848 doi:10.1107/s056774087600900x
Localities for Schertelite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia (TL) | |
| |
Poland | |
| |
South Africa | |
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Skipton Caves, Mount Widderin, Skipton, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia