Elkinstantonite

Elkinstantonite /ˌɛlkɪnzˈtæntənaɪt/ is a mineral with formula Fe4(PO4)2O that was first generated in a laboratory in the 1980s[1] and first identified from natural origins in 2022, when the official mineral designation was also given. It is monoclinic, with space group P21/c (space group 14).[2]

Elkinstantonite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)		Fe4(PO4)2O
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Space groupP21/c (no. 14)

History

Elkinstantonite was first identified in nature by scientists from the University of Alberta who were given a 70-gram piece of an ancient 15-ton El Ali meteorite that landed in Somalia and was first noticed by the international scientific community in 2020.[3] Elkinstantonite was named after NASA scientist Lindy Elkins-Tanton.[3]

The mineral was identified by Andrew Locock who is employed by the university as the head of its electron microprobe laboratory,[4] and classified by geologist Chris Herd.[5] Locock also identified the first natural specimen of elaliite in the same sample.[6]

Synthetic versions of elkinstantonite were produced in a French laboratory in the 1980s, but could not be categorised as a mineral until they were found in nature.[4]

References
  1. Bouchdoug, M. et al."Preparation et etude d'un oxyphosphate Fe4(PO4)2O". J. Solid State Chem. (1982) 42, p. 149-157 10.1016/0022-4596(82)90261-4 
  2. Chris Herd (Nov 21, 2022). "The El Ali Meteorite: Ancient History and New Minerals"., talk given at the Space Exploration Symposium 2022, University of Alberta.
  3. "Somalia meteorite: Joy as scientists find two new minerals". BBC News. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  4. "In meteorite, Alberta researchers discover 2 minerals never before seen on Earth | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  5. "U of A scientists help identify two new minerals found in 'curious' meteorite". edmontonjournal. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  6. "Researchers discover two new minerals on meteorite grounded in Somalia". the Guardian. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
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