Chemistry:Metatorbernite

Metatorbernite
General
Category	Phosphate minerals
Formula (repeating unit)	Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8(H2O)
Strunz classification	8.EB.10
Crystal system	Tetragonal
Crystal class	Dipyramidal (4/m) (same H-M symbol)
Space group	P4/n
Identification
Colour	Light to dark green
Crystal habit	Flat plates
Cleavage	Perfect
Fracture	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	2.5
Vitreous, adamantine|re|er}}	Vitreous, adamantine
Streak	Light green
Specific gravity	3.7–3.8
Refractive index	1.624–1.626
Other characteristics	Radioactive
References

Metatorbernite (or meta-torbernite) is a radioactive phosphate mineral, and is a dehydration pseudomorph of torbernite. Chemically, it is a copper uranyl phosphate and usually occurs in the form of green platy deposits. It can form by direct deposition from a supersaturated solution, which produces true crystalline metatorbernite, with a dark green colour, translucent diaphaneity, and vitreous lustre. However, more commonly, it is formed by the dehydration of torbernite, which causes internal stress and breakage within the crystal lattice, resulting in crystals composed of microscopic powder held together using electrostatic force, and having a lighter green colour, opaque diaphaneity, and a relatively dull lustre. As with torbernite, it is named after the Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman. It is especially closely associated with torbernite, but is also found amongside autunite, meta-autunite and uraninite.

References

• Uranium minerals

Metatorbernite from the Margabal Mine, Entraygues-sur-Truyère, France. Size: 4 x 3 x 1.8 cm.