Zincorietveldite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Zincorietveldite
Formula:
Zn(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5
Colour:
Yellow to orange-yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
3.32
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Zincorietveldite is named as the zinc analogue of rietveldite with Zn dominant in each of the two octahedrally coordinated cation sites.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
470378
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:470378:1
IMA Classification of Zincorietveldite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Zn2+(U6+O2)(S6+O4)2(H2O)5
Approval year:
2022
First published:
2023
Classification of Zincorietveldite
7.EB.
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
B : With medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
B : With medium-sized cations
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Zrvd | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Zincorietveldite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow to orange-yellow
Streak:
Very pale yellow
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
Excellent on {010}, good on {100} and fair on {001}.
Excellent on {010}, good on {100} and fair on {001}.
Comment:
Fracture is curved.
Density:
3.32 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.376 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Zincorietveldite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.568(2) nβ = 1.577(2) nγ = 1.595(2)
2V:
Measured: 70° (1), Calculated: 71.2°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.027
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
Strong r > v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = yellow, Y = colourless, Z = light yellow.
Chemistry of Zincorietveldite
Mindat Formula:
Zn(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5
Element Weights:
Chemical Analysis
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Zn0.72Mg0.11Fe0.09Mn0.05Co0.04)Σ1.00(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA | via EPMA |
Crystallography of Zincorietveldite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.8712(9) Å, b = 8.3148(4) Å, c = 11.2959(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.548 : 1 : 1.359
Unit Cell V:
1,208.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Merohedral twinning is likely.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.35 Å | (37) |
| 6.42 Å | (62) |
| 5.09 Å | (58) |
| 4.67 Å | (100) |
| 4.23 Å | (38) |
| 3.916 Å | (46) |
| 3.429 Å | (47) |
| 3.340 Å | (39) |
Type Occurrence of Zincorietveldite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Subparallel groups of blades up to about 1 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue numbers 76262, 76264, 76265, 76266, and 76267.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary assemblage.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Zincorietveldite
Other Language Names for Zincorietveldite
Dutch:Zincorietveldiet
German:Zincorietveldit
Relationship of Zincorietveldite to other Species
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Zincorietveldite associated with Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Zincorietveldite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 1 photo of Zincorietveldite associated with Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Zincorietveldite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Zincorietveldite associated with Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EB. | Bobcookite | NaAl(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
| 7.EB. | Chenowethite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2] · 5H2O |
| 7.EB.I | Shinarumpite | [Co(H2O)6][(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)] · 4H2O |
| 7.EB. | Alwilkinsite-(Y) | Y(UO2)3(SO4)2O(OH)3(H2O)7 · 7H2O |
| 7.EB. | Gurzhiite | Al(UO2)(SO4)2F · 10H2O |
| 7.EB.05 | Johannite | Cu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EB.05 | Meitnerite | (NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.EB.10 | Rietveldite | Fe(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5 |
| 7.EB.10 | Deliensite | Fe[(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2](H2O)7 |
| 7.EB.15 | Strassmannite | Al(UO2)(SO4)2F · 16H2O |
| 7.EB.15 | Leydetite | Fe(UO2)(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.EB.15 | Magnesioleydetite | Mg(UO2)(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.EB.20 | Greenlizardite | (NH4)Na(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.EB.25 | Markcooperite | Pb2(UO2)(TeO6) |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 38.5404% | 9,635,100 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Fluorescence of Zincorietveldite
none
Other Information
Notes:
The mineral is easily soluble in room-temperature H2O.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Zincorietveldite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-470378.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Zincorietveldite
Localities for Zincorietveldite
Showing 2 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.
USA (TL) | |
| Miyawaki et al. (2022) +1 other reference |
| Kampf et al. (2023) |
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Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA