Chemistry:Lansfordite

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Lansfordite
General
CategoryCarbonates
Formula
(repeating unit)
MgCO3·5H2O
Strunz classification5/D.01-30
Dana classification15.1.6.1
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Space groupP21/c (No. 14)
Unit cella=7.3458 Å, b=7.6232 Å, c=12.4737 Å, β=101.722°
Identification
Formula mass174.39
ColourColourless, white after exposure
Crystal habitCrystals, stalactites terminated by crystal faces, efflorescences, parallel growths.
CleavagePerfect, Distinct
Mohs scale hardness2.5
|re|er}}Vitreous (if fresh)
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTranslucent, opaque after exposure
Specific gravity1.6
Density1.6
Birefringence0.042

Lansfordite is a hydrated magnesium carbonate mineral with composition: MgCO3·5H2O.[2] Landsfordite was discovered in 1888 in a coal mine in Lansford, Pennsylvania. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P21/c[3]) and typically occurs as colorless to white prismatic crystals and stalactitic masses.[4] It is a soft mineral, Mohs hardness of 2.5, with a low specific gravity of 1.7. It is transparent to translucent with refractive indices of 1.46 to 1.51.[5] The mineral will effloresce at room temperature, producing nesquehonite.[6]

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine 85 (3): 291–320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. Bibcode2021MinM...85..291W. 
  2. "Lansfordite Mineral Data". http://www.webmineral.com/data/Lansfordite.shtml. 
  3. Liu, B.N.; Zhou, X.T.; Cui, X.S.; Tang, J.G. (1990). "Synthesis of lansfordite MgCO3*5H2O and its crystal structure investigation". Science in China B33: 1350–1356. 
  4. "LANSFORDITE". http://euromin.w3sites.net//mineraux/LANSFORDITE.html. 
  5. "Lansfordite". https://www.mindat.org/min-2324.html. 
  6. "Lansfordite". http://www.handbookofmineralogy.com/pdfs/lansfordite.pdf.