Soddyite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Soddyite
Frederick Soddy
Formula:
(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
Colour:
Canary-yellow, amber-yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy, Dull
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.63 - 4.70
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Frederick Soddy (2 September 1877, Eastbourne, Sussex, England – 22 September 1956, Brighton, Sussex, England), physicist and radiochemist. He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work on radioactive decay and isotopes.
See also: http://www.mindat.org/article.php/2163/Note+on+soddyite
See also: http://www.mindat.org/article.php/2163/Note+on+soddyite
A triclinic(?) uranyl silicate mineral with a powder XRD pattern close to soddyite was reported by Stohl & Smith (1981).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3702
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3702:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1c12c668-c515-444f-aad3-59017e45c769
IMA Classification of Soddyite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(UO2)2(SiO4)(H2O)2
First published:
1922
Classification of Soddyite
9.AK.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
53.3.3.1
53 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions or Complex Cations
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions of Complex Cations with (UO2)
53 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions or Complex Cations
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions of Complex Cations with (UO2)
14.16.3
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
16 : Silicates of U
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
16 : Silicates of U
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sod | 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 Soddyite
Vitreous, Greasy, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Canary-yellow, amber-yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}, good on {111}
Perfect on {001}, good on {111}
Density:
4.63 - 4.70 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.09 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Soddyite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.650 - 1.654 nβ = 1.685 nγ = 1.699 - 1.715
2V:
Measured: 70° to 84°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.049 - 0.061
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:
High
Dispersion:
r > v; negligible to strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = colorless; Y = very pale yellow; Z = pale yellow-green
Chemistry of Soddyite
Mindat Formula:
(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Soddyite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Fddd
Setting:
Fddd
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.3097(3) Å, b = 11.2205(4) Å, c = 18.6576(11) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.741 : 1 : 1.663
Unit Cell V:
1,739.62 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Cell parameters from Plášil (2018) with R1=1.92%.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010268 | Soddyite | Demartin F, Gramaccioli C M, Pilati T (1992) The importance of accurate crystal structure determination of uranium minerals. II. Soddyite (UO2)2(SiO4)*2H2O Acta Crystallographica C48 1-4 |  | 1992 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.32 Å | (100) |
| 4.48 Å | (90) |
| 6.14 Å | (80) |
| 2.69 Å | (70) |
| 2.47 Å | (60) |
| 1.855 Å | (50) |
| 2.09 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Soddyite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Minute prismatic crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 122.122/3.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Schoep, A. (1922) La soddite, nouveau minéral radioactif. Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences de la terres et des plantètes: 174: 1066-1067.
Synonyms of Soddyite
Other Language Names for Soddyite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 37 photos of Soddyite associated with Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| 21 photos of Soddyite associated with Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 15 photos of Soddyite associated with Swamboite-(Nd) | Nd0.333[(UO2)(SiO3OH)](H2O)~2.5 |
| 14 photos of Soddyite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 11 photos of Soddyite associated with Rutherfordine | (UO2)CO3 |
| 9 photos of Soddyite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 9 photos of Soddyite associated with Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 9 photos of Soddyite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 8 photos of Soddyite associated with Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
| 8 photos of Soddyite associated with Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AK. | Orlite | Pb3(UO2)3(Si2O7)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.10 | Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.10 | Oursinite | Co(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.10 | Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Kasolite | Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Natroboltwoodite | Na(UO2)(SiO3OH) · H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 9.AK.20 | Swamboite-(Nd) | Nd0.333[(UO2)(SiO3OH)](H2O)~2.5 |
| 9.AK.25 | Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.25 | Metahaiweeite | Ca(UO2)2Si6O15 · nH2O |
| 9.AK.30 | Weeksite | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
| 9.AK.30 | Coutinhoite | ThxBa(1-2x)(UO2)2Si5O13 · (H2O)1+y (0 < x < 0.5 and 0 < y < (2+x)) |
| 9.AK.35 | Magnioursilite | Mg4(UO2)4(Si2O5)5(OH)6 · 20H2O |
| 9.AK.35 | Calcioursilite | Ca4(UO2)4(Si2O5)5(OH)6 · 15H2O |
| 9.AK.40 | Uranosilite | UO3 · 7SiO2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Before the blowpipe it is infusible; in the closed tube it blackens, losing H2O and O. It dissolves in HCl with gelatinization.
Health Risks:
Contains uranium - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas.
Internet Links for Soddyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3702.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Soddyite
Reference List:
Gorman, D. H. (1952) Studies of radioactive compounds: V--Soddyite. American Mineralogist, 37 (5-6) 386-393
Stohl, Frances V., Smith, Deane K. (1981) The crystal chemistry of the uranyl silicate minerals. American Mineralogist, 66 (5-6) 610-624
Biwer, Bruce M., Ebert, William L., Bates, John K. (1990) The Raman spectra of several uranyl-containing minerals using a microprobe. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 175 (3). 188-193 doi:10.1016/0022-3115(90)90205-2
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Frost, Ray L., Čejka, Jiří, Weier, Matt L., Martens, Wayde, Kloprogge, J. Theo (2006) A Raman and infrared spectroscopic study of the uranyl silicates—Weeksite, soddyite and haiweeite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 64 (2) 308-315 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2005.07.028
Frost, Ray L., Čejka, Jiří, Weier, Matt L., Martens, Wayde (2006) A Raman and infrared spectroscopic study of the uranyl silicates—Weeksite, soddyite and haiweeite: Part 2. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 63 (2) 305-312 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2005.05.015
Localities for Soddyite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| E. Linares y R. O. Toubes (1960) | |
| E. Linares y R. O. Toubes (1960) | |
| E. Linares y R. O. Toubes (1960) | |
| E. Linares y R. O. Toubes (1960) | |
Australia | |
| Anenburg et al. (2018) |
| Henry et al. (2005) |
| Henry et al. (2005) | |
| Brugger et al. (2003) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2014) |
Bulgaria | |
| Kalaidjiev et al. (2009) |
Canada | |
| Wilson (1991) |
| Robertson (1976) |
Czech Republic | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš et al. (2007) |
| věd. Brno. +1 other reference |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens +1 other reference |
| Schoep (1922) +1 other reference |
| Deliens +1 other reference | |
| Deliens +1 other reference |
| Deliens |
| J.W. Anthony et al. (2003) |
| J.W. Anthony et al. (2003) | |
| Deliens (1992) | |
| Wilson (2018) |
Egypt | |
| El-Naby (2009) |
| Yehia H. Dawood (2011) |
| Kamar et al. (2022, August) | |
| Hussein et al. (1988) | |
France | |
| Collection Frédéric Bonnet |
| [Le Cahier des Micromonteurs |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Iran | |
| Iranmanesh et al. (2018) |
Italy | |
| Olmi F. |
Japan | |
| Matsubara and Miyawaki (2006) |
Mexico | |
| Murphy (2006) |
| Wong et al. (1999, January) +1 other reference | |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu P. et al. (2004) |
Russia | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
South Africa | |
| Gevers +2 other references |
Spain | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
USA | |
| - (1958) +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Am Min 50:909-923 +1 other reference |
| Cook (1978) |
| Cook (1978) | |
| Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology NBMG ... +1 other reference |
| Korzeb +3 other references |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology ... | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| McLemore et al. (2009) | |
| USGS Prof Paper 455A p57 |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
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Swambo Hill, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo