Leószilárdite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Leószilárdite
Leo Szilard
Formula:
Na6Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6 · 6H2O
Colour:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
2
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Leó Szilárd (11 February 1898, Budapest, Hungary – 30 May 1964, La Jolla, California, USA), physicist, inventor, and biologist. He conceived the idea of an electron microscope and the nuclear chain reaction. He patented ideas for a nuclear reactor, a linear accelerator, and a cyclotron.
New structure type. Unique combination of elements.
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Leoszilardite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
47785
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:47785:5
IMA Classification of Leószilárdite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Na6Mg(U6+O2)2(CO3)6(H2O)6
Approval year:
2015
Approval history:
Approved by IMA in 2015 with the name leoszilardite (IMA 2015-128). Renamed as leószilárdite by IMA in 2016.
Type description reference:
Olds, Travis A., Sadergaski, Luke R., Plášil, Jakub, Kampf, Anthony R., Burns, Peter C., Steele, Ian M., Marty, Joe, Carlson, Shawn M., Mills, Owen P. (2017) Leószilárdite, the first Na,Mg-containing uranyl carbonate from the Markey Mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (5) 1039-1050 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.149
Classification of Leószilárdite
5.ED.60
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lsz | 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 Leószilárdite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
along {001}
along {001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Optical Data of Leószilárdite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.504(1) nβ = 1.597(1) nγ = 1.628(1)
2V:
Measured: 57° , Calculated: 57.1°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.124
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:
r > v, slight
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = colorless, Y and Z = light yellow; X < Y ≈ Z.
Chemistry of Leószilárdite
Mindat Formula:
Na6Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Leószilárdite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.609(2) Å, b = 6.784(1) Å, c = 15.106(3) Å
β = 91.378(3)°
β = 91.378(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.711 : 1 : 2.227
Unit Cell V:
1189.4 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Aggregates of bladed crystals flattened on {001} and elongated along [010]; Forms observed: {110}, {001}, {100}, {101}, and {-101}. As pearlescent masses to 2 mm consisting of very small plates.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.59 Å | (36) |
| 5.46 Å | (100) |
| 4.64 Å | (28) |
| 3.82 Å | (30) |
| 3.383 Å | (33) |
| 3.105 Å | (25) |
| 2.864 Å | (31) |
| 2.028 Å | (28) |
Reference:
Olds, Travis A., Sadergaski, Luke R., Plášil, Jakub, Kampf, Anthony R., Burns, Peter C., Steele, Ian M., Marty, Joe, Carlson, Shawn M., Mills, Owen P. (2017) Leószilárdite, the first Na,Mg-containing uranyl carbonate from the Markey Mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (5) 1039-1050 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.149
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Leószilárdite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA (catalogue number 65645)
Chemical Analysis of Type Material:
| Na2O | 14.54 % |
|---|---|
| MgO | 3.05 % |
| UO3 | 47.95 % |
| H2O | 9.51 % |
| CO2 | 22.13 % |
| Total: | 97.18 % |
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Olds, Travis A., Sadergaski, Luke R., Plášil, Jakub, Kampf, Anthony R., Burns, Peter C., Steele, Ian M., Marty, Joe, Carlson, Shawn M., Mills, Owen P. (2017) Leószilárdite, the first Na,Mg-containing uranyl carbonate from the Markey Mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (5) 1039-1050 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.149
Synonyms of Leószilárdite
Other Language Names for Leószilárdite
Dutch:Leószilárdiet
German:Leószilárdit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Leószilárdite associated with Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5.33H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.ED. | Szilagyiite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SeO3)F(H2O)6 |
| 5.ED. | Pendevilleite-(Y) | Mg2Y3Al(UO2)2(CO3)7(OH)6(H2O)16 |
| 5.ED. | Paramarkeyite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5H2O |
| 5.ED.05 | Bayleyite | Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O |
| 5.ED.10 | Swartzite | MgCa(UO2)(CO3)3 · 12H2O |
| 5.ED.15 | Albrechtschraufite | Ca4Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6F2 · 17-18H2O |
| 5.ED.20 | Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| 5.ED.25 | Rabbittite | Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O |
| 5.ED.30 | Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5.33H2O |
| 5.ED.35 | Grimselite | K3Na(UO2)(CO3)3 · H2O |
| 5.ED.40 | Widenmannite | Pb2(OH)2[(UO2)(CO3)2] |
| 5.ED.45 | Znucalite | Zn10Ca0.83(UO2)0.83(CO3)4(OH)15.31(H2O)5.48 |
| 5.ED.50 | Agricolaite | K4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
| 5.ED.50 | Čejkaite | Na4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
| 5.ED.55 | Línekite | K2Ca3[(UO2)(CO3)3]2 · 8H2O |
| 5.ED.55 | Braunerite | K2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Pseudomarkeyite | Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)12 · 21H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Natromarkeyite | Na2Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 27H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Markeyite | Ca9(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 28H2O |
| 5.ED.70 | Paddlewheelite | MgCa5Cu2(UO2)4(CO3)12(H2O)33 |
Radioactivity
Fluorescence of Leószilárdite
Fluoresces green under both LW and SW UV
Other Information
Notes:
Readily 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 Leószilárdite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-47785.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Leószilárdite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2016) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2016, CNMNC Newsletter no 31. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (4) 691-697 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.083
Olds, Travis A., Sadergaski, Luke R., Plášil, Jakub, Kampf, Anthony R., Burns, Peter C., Steele, Ian M., Marty, Joe, Carlson, Shawn M., Mills, Owen P. (2017) Leószilárdite, the first Na,Mg-containing uranyl carbonate from the Markey Mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (5) 1039-1050 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.149
Localities for Leószilárdite
Showing 3 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 | |
| Carnegie Museum of Natural History ... +1 other reference |
| Joe Marty Collection |
| Mineralogical Magazine +3 other references |
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Markey Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA