Zeunerite
Zeunerite is a green copper uranium arsenate mineral with formula Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2•(10-16)H2O. It is a member of the autunite group. The associated mineral metazeunerite is a dehydration product of zeunerite.
| Zeunerite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Arsenate mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2•(10-16)H2O |
| IMA symbol | Zeu[1] |
| Strunz classification | 8.EB.05 |
| Dana classification | 40.02a.14.01 |
| Crystal system | Tetragonal |
| Crystal class | Ditetragonal dipyramidal (4/mmm) H-M symbol: (4/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Space group | P4/nnc |
| Identification | |
| Color | Yellow-green, emerald-green |
| Crystal habit | Crystals flat tabular on {001}, commonly subparallel to micaceous |
| Cleavage | {001} perfect, {100}, distinct |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | pale green |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent, becoming translucent on dehydration |
| Specific gravity | 3.2 - 3.4 |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nω = 1.610 - 1.613 nε = 1.582 - 1.585 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.028 |
| Pleochroism | Visible |
| Other characteristics |  Radioactive |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Zeunerite occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidized weathering zone of hydrothermal uranium ore deposits which contain arsenic. Olivenite, mansfieldite, scorodite, azurite and malachite are found in association with zeunerite.[2]
It was first described in 1872 for an occurrence in the Schneeberg District, Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany. It was named for Gustav Anton Zeuner (1828–1907).[3]
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.
- Handbook of Mineralogy
- Mindat
- Webmineral data
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