Stercorite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Stercorite
Formula:
(NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O
Colour:
Colourless (artificial material); white, pale yellow, brownish; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
1.574
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
From Latin "stercus", "dung", alluding to its discovery in guano.
This page provides mineralogical data about Stercorite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3765
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3765:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
2993bae9-8326-4b1c-8a1b-523bc1835d6b
IMA Classification of Stercorite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1850
Classification of Stercorite
8.CJ.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
39.3.1.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
19.1.6
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
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 |
---|---|---|
Stc | 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 Stercorite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless (artificial material); white, pale yellow, brownish; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
1.574 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.570 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
1.574 (artificial material).
Optical Data of Stercorite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.439 nβ = 1.442 nγ = 1.469
2V:
Measured: 35° , Calculated: 38°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
dispersion not observed
Optical Extinction:
Z ≃ ⊥ {001}; OAP ≃ ⊥ {010}.
Chemistry of Stercorite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O
Crystallography of Stercorite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.636(2) Å, b = 6.9187(14) Å, c = 6.4359(13) Å
α = 90.46(3)°, β = 97.87(3)°, γ = 7109.20(3)°
α = 90.46(3)°, β = 97.87(3)°, γ = 7109.20(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.537 : 1 : 0.93
Unit Cell V:
469.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals short prismatic (artificial); Pseudo-monoclinic. Crystalline masses and nodules (natural).
Twinning:
Repeated twinning of triclinic individuals on {010} simulates monoclinic symmetry. Reentrant angles are usually lacking.
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0009501 | Stercorite | Ferraris G, Franchini-Angela M (1974) Hydrogen bonding in the crystalline state. Crystal structure and twinning of NaNH4HPO4*4H2O (Stercorite) Acta Crystallographica B30 504-510 | 1974 | guano deposits | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
6.53 Å | (100) |
9.93 Å | (95) |
4.24 Å | (55) |
2.911 Å | (50) |
2.884 Å | (50) |
4.77 Å | (40) |
3.658 Å | (40) |
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 Stercorite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Transparent crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Guano deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Herapath, T.J. (1850) On some newly discovered substances from the African guano deposits. Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society: 2: 70-74.
Synonyms of Stercorite
Other Language Names for Stercorite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CJ. | Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
8.CJ. | Caesiumpharmacosiderite | CsFe4[(AsO4)3(OH)4] · 4H2O |
8.CJ. | Jeankempite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 7H2O |
8.CJ. | Airdite | Sr(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CJ. | Dobšináite | Ca2Ca(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CJ.10 | Mundrabillaite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
8.CJ.10 | Swaknoite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
8.CJ.15 | Nabaphite | NaBaPO4 · 9H2O |
8.CJ.15 | Nastrophite | Na(Sr,Ba)PO4 · 9H2O |
8.CJ.20 | Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O |
8.CJ.25 | Vladimirite | Ca4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH) · 4H2O |
8.CJ.25 | Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O |
8.CJ.27 | Churchite-(Dy) | (Dy,Sm,Gd,Nd)PO4 · 2H2O |
8.CJ.30 | Ferrarisite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
8.CJ.35 | Machatschkiite | (Ca,Na)6(AsO4)(HAsO4)3(PO4,SO4) · 15H2O |
8.CJ.35 | Fulbrightite | Ca(VO)2(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CJ.40 | Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
8.CJ.40 | Rauenthalite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.CJ.45 | Brockite | (Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O |
8.CJ.45 | Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O |
8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O |
8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(La) | La(PO4) · H2O |
8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O |
8.CJ.45 | Tristramite | (Ca,U,Fe)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O |
8.CJ.45 | Smirnovskite | (Th,Ca)PO4 · nH2O |
8.CJ.45 | Štěpite | U(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
8.CJ.47 | Vysokýite | U4+[AsO2(OH)2]4 · 4H2O |
8.CJ.50 | Ardealite | Ca2(PO3OH)(SO4) · 4H2O |
8.CJ.50 | Brushite | Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O |
8.CJ.50 | Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · 2H2O |
8.CJ.55 | Mcnearite | NaCa5(AsO4)(HAsO4)4 · 4H2O |
8.CJ.60 | Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
8.CJ.65 | Sincosite | Ca(VO)2(PO4)2 · 5H2O |
8.CJ.65 | Bariosincosite | Ba(VO)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CJ.70 | Catalanoite | Na2(PO3OH) · 8H2O |
8.CJ.75 | Guérinite | Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O |
8.CJ.85 | Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Melting point 79°. Soluble in water.
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 Stercorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3765.html
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References for Stercorite
Reference List:
Localities for Stercorite
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.
Antarctica | |
Australia | |
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Chile | |
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Kenya | |
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Namibia (TL) | |
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Peru | |
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Punta Patache, Puerta Patillos, Iquique, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile