Liebigite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Liebigite
Formula:
Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O
Colour:
Apple-green, siskin-green, yellowish green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.41
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Justus Freiherr von Liebig (12 May 1803, Darmstadt, Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt, Holy Roman Empire - 18 April 1873, Munich, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire), chemist who is considered one of the principal founders of analytical and organic chemistry. He made major contributions to agricultural and biological chemistry, and has been called the "father of the fertilizer industry".
Type Locality:
A secondary uranium mineral.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2398
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2398:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7601ccd9-3773-4d26-94bd-db7a2effb67b
IMA Classification of Liebigite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1848
Classification of Liebigite
5.ED.20
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
15.3.2.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
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 |
---|---|---|
Lbi | 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 Liebigite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavage {100}
Colour:
Apple-green, siskin-green, yellowish green
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {100}.
On {100}.
Density:
2.41 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.41 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Liebigite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.494 - 1.501 nβ = 1.498 - 1.505 nγ = 1.535 - 1.542
2V:
Measured: 37° to 42°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.041
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:
moderate r > v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Nearly colourless
Y = Light yellowish green
Z = Light yellowish green
Y = Light yellowish green
Z = Light yellowish green
Chemistry of Liebigite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O
Crystallography of Liebigite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.699(3) Å, b = 17.557(3) Å, c = 13.697(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.951 : 1 : 0.78
Unit Cell V:
4,015.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals equant or short prismatic [001], normally indistinct with rounded edges and convex or vicinal faces. Commonly granular or scaly aggregates and thin crusts; botryoidal.
Comment:
Space Group: Bba2.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0015691 | Liebigite | Mereiter K (1982) The crystal structure of liebigite, Ca2UO2(CO3)3*~11H2O Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 30 277-288 | 1982 | Joachimsthal, Bohmen | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
6.81 Å | (100) |
8.68 Å | (90) |
5.40 Å | (90) |
4.55 Å | (60) |
3.10 Å | (60) |
3.33 Å | (50) |
3.31 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral formed by alkteration of uraninite in alkaline carbonate solutions.
Type Occurrence of Liebigite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Mammillary concretion.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA, 16847.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Smith, J.L. (1848) Two new minerals, - medjidite (sulphate of uranium and lime) - liebigite (carbonate of uranium and lime). American Journal of Science and Arts: 5: 336-338.
Synonyms of Liebigite
Other Language Names for Liebigite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
15 photos of Liebigite associated with Voglite | Ca2Cu(UO2)(CO3)4 · 6H2O |
15 photos of Liebigite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
6 photos of Liebigite associated with Ewingite | Mg8Ca8(UO2)24(CO3)30O4(OH)12(H2O)138 |
5 photos of Liebigite associated with Zellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 5H2O |
3 photos of Liebigite associated with Nickeline | NiAs |
3 photos of Liebigite associated with Bismuth | Bi |
3 photos of Liebigite associated with Rabbittite | Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O |
2 photos of Liebigite associated with Bayleyite | Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O |
2 photos of Liebigite associated with Schröckingerite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SO4)F · 10H2O |
2 photos of Liebigite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
5.ED. | Paramarkeyite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5H2O |
5.ED. | Pendevilleite-(Y) | Mg2Y3Al(UO2)2(CO3)7(OH)6(H2O)16 |
5.ED.05 | Bayleyite | Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O |
5.ED.10 | Swartzite | MgCa(UO2)(CO3)3 · 12H2O |
5.ED.15 | Albrechtschraufite | Ca4Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6F2 · 17-18H2O |
5.ED.25 | Rabbittite | Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O |
5.ED.30 | Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
5.ED.35 | Grimselite | K3Na(UO2)(CO3)3 · H2O |
5.ED.40 | Widenmannite | Pb2(OH)2[(UO2)(CO3)2] |
5.ED.45 | Znucalite | Zn10Ca0.83(UO2)0.83(CO3)4(OH)15.31(H2O)5.48 |
5.ED.50 | Čejkaite | Na4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
5.ED.50 | Agricolaite | K4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
5.ED.55 | Línekite | K2Ca3[(UO2)(CO3)3]2 · 8H2O |
5.ED.55 | Braunerite | K2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
5.ED.60 | Leószilárdite | Na6Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6 · 6H2O |
5.ED.65 | Pseudomarkeyite | Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)12 · 21H2O |
5.ED.65 | Markeyite | Ca9(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 28H2O |
5.ED.65 | Natromarkeyite | Na2Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 27H2O |
5.ED.70 | Paddlewheelite | MgCa5Cu2(UO2)4(CO3)12(H2O)33 |
Fluorescence of Liebigite
Green to blue green fluorescence (LW & SWUV).
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2SO4 with effervescence.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Liebigite loses 10 of its 11 water molecules in the range between 25 and 150°C (Vochten et al., 1993).
Health Risks:
Radioactive
Internet Links for Liebigite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2398.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Liebigite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1917) The probable identity of uranothallite and liebigite. American Mineralogist, 2 (7) 87
Evans, Howard T., Frondel, and Clifford (1950) Studies of uranium minerals (II): Liebigite and uranothallite. American Mineralogist, 35 (3-4) 251-254
Mereiter, K. (1982) The crystal structure of Liebigite, Ca2UO2(CO3)3·11H2O. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 30 (4) 277-288 doi:10.1007/bf01087173
Localities for Liebigite
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.
Argentina | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
Australia | |
| |
Austria | |
| MEIXNER (1979) +1 other reference |
| Strasser (1989) |
Strasser (1989) | |
Strasser (1989) | |
Canada | |
| Tyson (1989) |
Analysis: XRD Thomas Witzke | |
| Rich et al. (1977) |
China | |
| Zhang Jianguo et al. (2004) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Plášil |
Plášil J. et al. (2008) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Lapis 2002 (7/8) | |
Plášil et al. (2017) | |
| Specimen from Jakub Plasil. In the ... |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
70 (in German) +2 other references | |
| Bradna |
| Sejkora et al. (2007) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Jakub Kristek |
| Sejkora (1994) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
Petr Pauliš et al. (2007) | |
Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) | |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
France | |
| - (1998) |
| Caubel (1997) +1 other reference |
| - (1998) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
Weiß (1990) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| collection H.J. Haas |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
Italy | |
| Campostrini et al. (2005) |
Japan | |
| Matsubara (1976) |
| K. Watanabe (1976) |
| S. Matsubara & R. Miyawaki (2006) |
Namibia | |
| Schreiber (2005) |
Norway | |
| Geological Survey of Norway. The Ore ... |
| Raade (1972) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Syczewski et al. (2023) |
Portugal | |
| Museu Alfredo Bensaude |
Sweden | |
| |
| |
Turkey (TL) | |
| Smith (1848) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| MRDS database Dep. ID #10027544 |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
Eckel et al. (1997) | |
Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| www.minsocam.org (n.d.) |
| Anita Moore-Nall and David R. Lageson (2015) |
Anita Moore-Nall and David R. Lageson (2015) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology ... |
| NMBMMR Memoir 38 Geology and Technology ... +1 other reference |
Leonard S.Wiener and Sigrid Ballew | |
| Lapham & Geyer |
| Young et al. (1960) |
| King (n.d.) |
Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| |
| George E. Becraft and Paul L. Weis (1963) +1 other reference |
| - (2005) |
- (2005) | |
| - (2005) |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:385 |
- (2005) | |
- (2005) | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 |
- (2005) | |
Am Min 51:1567-1578 +3 other references | |
Rocks & Minerals 76:386 | |
| - (2005) |
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Les Mares III, Saint-Martin, Le Bosc, Lodève, Hérault, Occitanie, France