Meitnerite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Meitnerite
Photo of Lise Meitner
Formula:
(NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Colour:
slightly greenish yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.320 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in honour of Lise Meitner (Vienna 7 November 1878 – Cambridge 27 October 1968), an Austrian-Swedish physicist who worked on radioactivity and nuclear physics. Otto Hahn and Meitner led the small group of scientists who first discovered nuclear fission of uranium. Her exclusion from the 1944 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for nuclear fission (that was awarded exclusively to her long-time collaborator Otto Hahn) is considered unfair nowadays.
Structurally related to johannite.
Contains uranyl sulfate sheets based on the phosphuranylite anion topology. The interlayer region contains an NH4+ group and two H2O groups.
Contains uranyl sulfate sheets based on the phosphuranylite anion topology. The interlayer region contains an NH4+ group and two H2O groups.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
52180
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:52180:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
0421f71a-bb35-4576-91b6-424637f1fb3c
IMA Classification of Meitnerite
Approved
Approval year:
2017
First published:
2018
Classification of Meitnerite
7.EB.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
B : With medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
B : With medium-sized cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mne | 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 Meitnerite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
slightly greenish yellow
Streak:
very pale yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{011}
{011}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.320 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Meitnerite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.568(2) nβ = 1.589(2) nγ = 1.607(2)
2V:
Measured: 84° (1)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.039
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:
r > v, moderate
Comments:
X nearly colourless, Z pale green yellow, Y light green yellow
Comments:
The optical orientation is X∧b=26°, Y∧a=15°, Z∧c=53°.
Chemistry of Meitnerite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Crystallography of Meitnerite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.7964(2) Å, b = 8.0738(3) Å, c = 9.2997(7) Å
α = 113.284(8)°, β = 99.065(7)°, γ = 105.289(7)°
α = 113.284(8)°, β = 99.065(7)°, γ = 105.289(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.842 : 1 : 1.152
Unit Cell V:
431.96 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
flattened on {011}
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.15 Å | (100) |
| 6.36 Å | (30) |
| 5.85 Å | (36) |
| 5.038 Å | (21) |
| 3.569 Å | (19) |
| 3.451 Å | (18) |
| 3.340 Å | (20) |
| 3.075 Å | (21) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Meitnerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
intergrowths of tabular crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
In the mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 66623
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Kampf, A.R., Plášil, J., Nash, B.P., Marty, J. (2018) Meitnerite, (NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH)·2H2O, a new uranyl-sulfate mineral with a sheet structure. European Journal of Mineralogy: 30: 999-1006.
Synonyms of Meitnerite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Meitnerite associated with Ammoniozippeite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EB. | Bobcookite | NaAl(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
| 7.EB. | Alwilkinsite-(Y) | Y(UO2)3(SO4)2O(OH)3(H2O)7 · 7H2O |
| 7.EB. | Gurzhiite | Al(UO2)(SO4)2F · 10H2O |
| 7.EB.I | Shinarumpite | [Co(H2O)6][(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)] · 4H2O |
| 7.EB. | Zincorietveldite | Zn(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5 |
| 7.EB. | Chenowethite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2] · 5H2O |
| 7.EB.05 | Johannite | Cu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EB.10 | Deliensite | Fe[(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2](H2O)7 |
| 7.EB.10 | Rietveldite | Fe(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5 |
| 7.EB.15 | Leydetite | Fe(UO2)(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.EB.15 | Magnesioleydetite | Mg(UO2)(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.EB.15 | Straßmannite | Al(UO2)(SO4)2F · 16H2O |
| 7.EB.20 | Greenlizardite | (NH4)Na(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.EB.25 | Markcooperite | Pb2(UO2)(TeO6) |
Fluorescence of Meitnerite
greenish-white fluorescence in 405 nm light
Other Information
Notes:
At room temperature, the mineral is slowly soluble in H2O and very rapidly soluble in dilute HCl
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 Meitnerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-52180.html
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References for Meitnerite
Reference List:
Kampf, Anthony R., Plášil, Jakub, Nash, Barbara P., Marty, Joe (2018) Meitnerite, (NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH)·2H2O, a new uranyl-sulfate mineral with a sheet structure. European Journal of Mineralogy, 30 (5) 999-1006 doi:10.1127/ejm/2018/0030-2760
Localities for Meitnerite
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.
Germany | |
| |
USA (TL) | |
|
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Krunkelbach Valley Uranium deposit, Menzenschwand, St Blasien, Waldshut, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany