Xiangjiangite

(repeating unit)(Fe3+, Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH)·22(H2O)IMA symbolXjg[1]Strunz classification8.EB.05Crystal systemTetragonal
Unknown space groupUnit cell1,142.31IdentificationFormula mass453.91 g/molColorYellowCrystal habitMicroscopic crystals; PlatyMohs scale hardness1–2LusterSilkyStreakLight yellowDiaphaneitySemitransparentSpecific gravity3.47Optical propertiesBiaxial(−)Refractive indexnα = 1.558
nβ = 1.576
nγ = 1.593Birefringence0.035PleochroismWeak2V angle87DispersionWeakOther characteristics RadioactiveReferences[2][3][4]

Xiangjiangite is a phosphate mineral discovered near and named for the Xiang Jiang River in China. It was approved by the IMA in 1978, and was named after its locality.[5]

Properties

Xiangjiangite is a pleochroic mineral, which is an optical phenomenon, meaning that depending on the axis it is viewed on, it appears as it changes colors. On both the X and Y axis, it can be seen in a yellow color, while on the Z axis it appears to be weak yellow color. This mineral is very strongly radioactive, and has a 3,845,084.01 radioactivity measured in GRapi.

It mainly consists of uranium (49.67%) and oxygen (39.23%), but otherwise contains sulphur (3.35%), phosphorus (3.23%), hydrogen (2.37%), iron (1.46%) and aluminum (0.70%).[5]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Xiangjiangite mineral data from Webmineral
  3. ^ Mindat.org
  4. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy
  5. ^ a b "Xiangjiangite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 2022-03-09.


  • v
  • t
  • e