Hazenite
Hazenite is a hydrous phosphate mineral with chemical formula of KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14 H2O, therefore a hydrous alkali magnesium phosphate. It is a member of the struvite group.[4]
| Hazenite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Phosphate mineral Struvite group |
| Formula (repeating unit) | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14 H2O |
| IMA symbol | Hz[1] |
| Strunz classification | 8.CH.40 |
| Dana classification | 40.01.01.03 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H–M Symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Space group | Pmnb |
| Unit cell | a = 6.9349, b = 25.1737 c = 11.2189 [Å]; Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 276.331 g/mol |
| Color | Colorless |
| Crystal habit | Radiating elongated tabular or prismatic clusters or single bladed tabular crystals |
| Cleavage | {001} Good |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2 - 2.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 1.91 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | nα =1.494(1), nβ = 1.498(1), nγ = 1.503(1) |
| 2V angle | 41° |
| Dispersion | Strong r < v |
| Solubility | In water |
| References | [2][3][4] |
It was first described for an occurrence adjacent to Mono Lake, California, and named after Robert M. Hazen of the Carnegie Institute.[5] It was approved as a new mineral on February 28, 2008 by the Commission on New Minerals of the International Mineralogical Association.
It occurs as crystal clusters associated with decomposed cyanobacteria remnants on calcite or aragonite.[4] It is precipitated by microbes when the lake has been dry for so long that phosphorus levels build up, poisoning the microbes. They dispose of the excess phosphorus by excreting hazenite crystals.[6] The crystals disappear when it rains or the lake level rises.[7]
References
- Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- "Hazenite". mindat.org. Hudson Institute of Mineralogy. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- Yang, H.; Sun, H. J.; Downs, R. T. (21 March 2011). "Hazenite, KNaMg2(PO4)2{middle dot}14H2O, a new biologically related phosphate mineral, from Mono Lake, California, U.S.A.". American Mineralogist. 96 (4): 675–681. doi:10.2138/am.2011.3668. S2CID 97332746.
- Barthelmy, Dave. "Hazenite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- "New mineral to be named "Hazenite" after Robert Hazen". Geophysical Laboratory. Carnegie Institution of Washington. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- Hazen told the Los Angeles Times, "They're basically microbial poop. People tell me, 'Hazenite happens.'" (Netburn, Deborah (13 February 2016). "Way beyond diamonds: A look at some of the rarest minerals in the world". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 May 2018.)
- Wernick, Adam (21 May 2017). "Evidence that we are in the Age of Man: Scientists catalog more human-made minerals". 90.5 WESA. World Media Foundation. Retrieved 15 May 2018.