Snottite
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Name:
From its tactile consistency, resembling nasal mucous ("snot" in colloquial english).
Although it resembles a mineral name, this is really a semi-serious term invented in 1986 and used by microbiologists, geologists and cave explorers for organic speleothems - bacterial stalactites and biofilms that excrete sulphuric acid, pH 1 to 0, and play a big role in cave formation, especially in volcanic environments where native sulphur or pyrite are present, but also in limestone caves where a source of sulphur or hydrogen sulphide is present (eg: from gypsum or hydrocarbons), and as a post-mining growth in deep wet mines. Snottites can be composed of anywhere from ten to over 1,000 species of microbes, and may contain native sulphur and gypsum crystals too.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
40196
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:40196:8
Similar Names
Other Information
Health Risks:
Stings horribly if accidentally rubbed into the eyes.
Internet Links for Snottite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-40196.html
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References for Snottite
Localities for Snottite
Showing 4 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Iceland | |
| www.strahlen.org (n.d.) |
Italy | |
| Macalady et al. (2007) |
Mexico | |
| www.caveslime.org |
UK | |
| www.reference.com/browse/snottite?s=t |
