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Efremovite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About EfremoviteHide

09830020017271922766138.jpg
Ivan A. Yefremov
Formula:
(NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3
Colour:
Gray, white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.52 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named in honour of Dr. Ivan Antonovich Yefremov (Ива́н Анто́нович (Анти́пович) Ефре́мов) (22 April 1908, Vyritsa, St. Petersburg, Russian Empire – 5 October 1972, Leningrad, USSR), paleontologist and geologist at the Paleontological Institute, Moscow. He was also a science fiction writer.
Mg analogue of ferroefremovite.

A hygroscopic ammonium magnesium sulphate that hydrates to boussingaultite at room temperature.

Compare also Unnamed (NH4-Mg Sulphate Hydrate).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1355
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1355:6

IMA Classification of EfremoviteHide

Classification of EfremoviteHide

7.AC.10

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
28.4.4.3

28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : Miscellaneous
25.3.16

25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
EfrIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of EfremoviteHide

Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Opaque
Comment:
Aggregates dull, presumably vitreous as grains
Colour:
Gray, white
Hardness:
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.52 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of EfremoviteHide

Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.550(1)
Surface Relief:
Low (positive)
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

Chemistry of EfremoviteHide

Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O51.490 %
S25.798 %
Mg13.037 %
N7.513 %
H2.163 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
S
Mg
N
H

Crystallography of EfremoviteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
23 - Tetartoidal
Space Group:
P213
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.99(1) Å
Unit Cell V:
997.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
5.76 Å(35)
4.07 Å(70)
3.15 Å(100)
3.00 Å(35)
2.668 Å(50)
1.620 Å(25).

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates]
45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals]
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals<0.36
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56)

Type Occurrence of EfremoviteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Equant grains, 0.01-0.015 mm, in gray to white aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
From a fumarole at burning dumps at coal mine shafts
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of EfremoviteHide

Other Language Names for EfremoviteHide

Relationship of Efremovite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Langbeinite Group:
CalciolangbeiniteK2Ca2(SO4)3 Iso. 23 : P213
Ferroefremovite(NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3Iso. 23 : P213
LangbeiniteK2Mg2(SO4)3Iso. 23 : P213
ManganolangbeiniteK2Mn2(SO4)3Iso. 23 : P213

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Efremovite associated with Boussingaultite(NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O
2 photos of Efremovite associated with Pyracmonite(NH4)3Fe(SO4)3
1 photo of Efremovite associated with Chabazite-K(K2,Ca,Na2,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O
1 photo of Efremovite associated with QuartzSiO2
1 photo of Efremovite associated with Tschermigite(NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O
1 photo of Efremovite associated with AnataseTiO2
1 photo of Efremovite associated with Lonecreekite(NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O
1 photo of Efremovite associated with Sabieite(NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2
1 photo of Efremovite associated with Godovikovite(NH4)Al(SO4)2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.AC.Aluminopyracmonite(NH4)3Al(SO4)3Trig. 3 : R3
7.AC.AmgaiteTl+32Te6+O6Trig. 32 : P321
7.AC.05VanthoffiteNa6Mg(SO4)4Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.AC.08Pyracmonite(NH4)3Fe(SO4)3Trig. 3m : R3c
7.AC.10LangbeiniteK2Mg2(SO4)3Iso. 23 : P213
7.AC.10Ferroefremovite(NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3Iso. 23 : P213
7.AC.10ManganolangbeiniteK2Mn2(SO4)3Iso. 23 : P213
7.AC.15YavapaiiteKFe3+(S6+O4)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.AC.15EldfelliteNaFe3+(SO4)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.AC.20Sabieite(NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2Trig. 32 : P321
7.AC.20Godovikovite(NH4)Al(SO4)2Trig. 32 : P321
7.AC.20StekliteKAl(SO4)2Trig. 32 : P321
7.AC.35AphthitaliteK3Na(SO4)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
7.AC.35BelomarinaiteKNa(SO4)Trig. 3m : P31m
7.AC.35Natroaphthitalite KNa3(SO4)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
7.AC.35Möhnite(NH4)K2Na(SO4)2Trig. 3m : P3m1
7.AC.40ItelmeniteNa4Mg3Cu3(SO4)8Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
7.AC.45SaranchinaiteNa2Cu(SO4)2Mon. 2 : P21
7.AC.50MajzlaniteK2Na(ZnNa)Ca(SO4)4Mon. 2/m : B2/b
7.AC.60Philoxenite(K,Na,Pb)4(Na,Ca)2(Mg,Cu)3(Fe3+0.5Al0.5)(SO4)8Tric. 1 : P1
7.AC.75PetroviteNa12Cu2(SO4)8Mon. 2/m : P21/b

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Endothermic effect at 430-495°C, with weight loss of 35.8%.
Notes:
Soluble in water.

In air at ordinary temperatures, the mineral is hydrated to boussingaultite over the course of several days.
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 EfremoviteHide

References for EfremoviteHide

Localities for EfremoviteHide

Showing 17 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Czech Republic
 
  • Central Bohemian Region
Žáček et al. (1995)
      • Libušin
Hyrsl J. +2 other references
  • Moravian-Silesian Region
    • Ostrava-City District
      • Ostrava
Matýsek et al. (2022)
Košek (2018) +1 other reference
Germany
 
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Cologne
      • Aachen
        • Alsdorf
in: Stracher +1 other reference
  • Thuringia
    • Greiz District
      • Kauern
Witzke et al. (1998)
Hungary
 
  • Baranya County
    • Komló District
      • Komló
GEODA 2007/1
    • Pécs District
Szakáll et al. (2008)
Italy
 
  • Campania
    • Metropolitan City of Naples
      • Pozzuoli
        • Solfatara di Pozzuoli
Russo et al. (2017)
Japan
 
  • Hokkaidō Prefecture
    • Sorachi Subprefecture
      • Mikasa City
SHIMOBAYASHI et al. (2011)
Poland
 
  • Silesian Voivodeship
    • Rybnik County
      • Gmina Czerwionka-Leszczyny
Parafiniuk et al. (2009)
    • Wodzisław County
      • Radlin
Kruszewski (2012)
      • Rydułtowy
        • ROW Ruch Rydułtowy Mine
doi.org (n.d.) +1 other reference
Russia
 
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
Cesnokov et al. (1998)
    • Kopeysk
Pekov (1998)
Tajikistan
 
  • Sughd
    • Ayni District
      • Fan-Jagnob coal deposit
D.I.Belakovskiy data
    • Zeravshan Range
      • Yagnob River
Weiß (1992)
 
and/or  
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