Meitnerite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Meitnerite
Photo of Lise Meitner
Formula:
(NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Colour:
slightly greenish yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.320 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in honour of Lise Meitner (7 November 1878, Vienna, Austria â 27 October 1968, Cambridge, England, UK), an Austrian-Swedish physicist who worked on radioactivity and nuclear physics. Otto Hahn and Meitner led the small group of scientists who first discovered nuclear fission of uranium. Her exclusion from the 1944 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for nuclear fission (that was awarded exclusively to her long-time collaborator Otto Hahn) is considered unfair nowadays.
Structurally related to johannite.
Contains uranyl sulfate sheets based on the phosphuranylite anion topology. The interlayer region contains an NH4+ group and two H2O groups.
Contains uranyl sulfate sheets based on the phosphuranylite anion topology. The interlayer region contains an NH4+ group and two H2O groups.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
52180
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:52180:0
Similar Names
| Meierite | A valid IMA mineral species | Ba44Si66Al30O192Cl25(OH)33 |
| Meisserite | A valid IMA mineral species | Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| Meixnerite | A valid IMA mineral species | Mg6Al2(OH)16(OH)2 · 4H2O |
IMA Classification of Meitnerite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(N3-H4)(U6+O2)(S6+O4)(OH)·2H2O
Approval year:
2017
First published:
2018
Classification of Meitnerite
7.EB.05
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 IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mne | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Meitnerite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Slightly greenish yellow
Streak:
Very pale yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{011}
{011}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.320 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Meitnerite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.568(2) nβ = 1.589(2) nγ = 1.607(2)
2V:
Measured: 84° (1)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.039
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 Âĩm 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 Âĩm 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, moderate
Comments:
X nearly colourless, Z pale green yellow, Y light green yellow
Comments:
The optical orientation is Xâ§b=26°, Yâ§a=15°, Zâ§c=53°.
Chemistry of Meitnerite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Meitnerite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.7964(2) Å, b = 8.0738(3) Å, c = 9.2997(7) Å
α = 113.284(8)°, β = 99.065(7)°, γ = 105.289(7)°
α = 113.284(8)°, β = 99.065(7)°, γ = 105.289(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.842 : 1 : 1.152
Unit Cell V:
431.96 Ã
Âģ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
flattened on {011}
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.15 Ã | (100) |
| 6.36 Ã | (30) |
| 5.85 Ã | (36) |
| 5.038 Ã | (21) |
| 3.569 Ã | (19) |
| 3.451 Ã | (18) |
| 3.340 Ã | (20) |
| 3.075 Ã | (21) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (Uâķâš) minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Meitnerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
intergrowths of tabular crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
In the mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 66623
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Meitnerite
Other Language Names for Meitnerite
Dutch:Meitneriet
German:Meitnerit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Meitnerite associated with Ammoniozippeite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EB. | Bobcookite | NaAl(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
| 7.EB. | Zincorietveldite | Zn(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5 |
| 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.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) | 54.4481% | 13,612,025 | Îą, Îē, Îģ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | Îą, Îē, Îģ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | Îē, Îģ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000â3,000 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 ÂĩSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 ÂĩSv/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: â
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1âŊcm | ||
| 10âŊcm | ||
| 1âŊm |
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 Meitnerite
greenish-white fluorescence in 405 nm light
Other Information
Notes:
At room temperature, the mineral is slowly soluble in H2O and very rapidly soluble in dilute HCl
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 Meitnerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-52180.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Meitnerite
Reference List:
HÃĨlenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2017) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2017, CNMNC Newsletter No 40. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (6) 1577-1581 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.096p.1579
Localities for Meitnerite
Showing 3 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Germany | |
| Mangold et al. (10/21) |
USA | |
| Joe Marty Collection |
| HÃĨlenius et al. (2017) +2 other references |
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Krunkelbach Valley Uranium deposit, Menzenschwand, St Blasien, Waldshut, Freiburg Region, Baden-WÞrttemberg, Germany