Chemistry:Tyuyamunite

From HandWiki
Short description: Uranium mineral
Tyuyamunite
General
CategoryVanadate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ca(UO2)2V2O8·(5–8)H2O
Strunz classification4.HB.25
Dana classification40.2a.26.1
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnna
Unit cella = 10.63 Å, b = 28.36 Å
c = 20.4 Å; Z = 4
Identification
ColourCanary yellow, lemon-yellow; greenish yellow (upon exposure to sunlight)
Crystal habitPlaty crystals often in radiating sprays, coatings, massive
CleavagePerfect on {001}, micaceous; distinct on {100} & {010}
Mohs scale hardness​1 1⁄2 – 2
Adamantine, waxy, pearly on {101}, dull|re|er}}Adamantine, waxy, pearly on {101}, dull
StreakYellow
DiaphaneityTranslucent to opaque
Specific gravity3.57 – 4.35
Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)
Refractive indexnα = 1.675 nβ = 1.860 – 1.870 nγ = 1.885 – 1.895
Birefringence0.210 – 0.220
Pleochroismweak: X = nearly colourless, Y = pale canary yellow, Z = canary yellow
2V angle30° to 45°
Dispersionnone
Other characteristics Radioactive
References[1][2][3][4]

Tyuyamunite (pronounced tuh-YOO-ya-moon-ite) is a very rare uranium mineral with formula Ca(UO2)2V2O8·(5–8)H2O. It is a member of the carnotite group. It is a bright, canary-yellow color because of its high uranium content. Also, because of tyuyamunite's high uranium content, it is radioactive.[6] It was named by Konstantin Avtonomovich Nenadkevich, in 1912, after its type locality, Tyuya-Muyun, Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan.[2]

Formation and transformation

Tyuyamunite is formed by the weathering of uraninite, a uranium-bearing mineral. Tyuyamunite, being a hydrous mineral, contains water. Yet when it is exposed to the atmosphere it loses its water. This process changes tyuyamunite into a different mineral known as metatyuyamunite[6] Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2·3-5H2O.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Handbook of Mineralogy
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tyuyamunite at Mindat
  3. ↑ Tyuyamunite data on Webmineral
  4. ↑ Tyuyamunite at Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery
  5. ↑ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine 85 (3): 291–320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. Bibcode: 2021MinM...85..291W. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lynch, Dan R. and Bob Lynch, "Tyuyamunite," Ed. Brett Ortler, Michigan Rocks & Minerals, Adventure Publications, 2010 ISBN 978-1591932390
  7. ↑ Metatyuyamunite on Mindat