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Heinrichite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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02581830017271923648300.jpg
Heinrichite

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
02379100017271923677290.jpg
Heinrichite

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
05474090017271923726709.jpg
Heinrichite

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
02581830017271923648300.jpg
Heinrichite

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
02379100017271923677290.jpg
Heinrichite

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
05474090017271923726709.jpg
Heinrichite

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
02581830017271923648300.jpg
Heinrichite

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
02379100017271923677290.jpg
Heinrichite

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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About HeinrichiteHide

09331070017271923787570.jpg
Eberhardt W. Heinrich
Formula:
Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O
Hardness:
2½
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Autunite Group
Name:
Named in honor of Eberhardt "Abe" William Heinrich (10 February 1918, Braunschweig, Germany - 8 July 1991, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA), mineralogist at the University of Michigan, USA.
Autunite Group.

Unstable at room temperature and dehydrates fairly rapidly to metaheinrichite (Walenta, 1965) which may be fully transparent. Most of the specimens shown on the photos here are probably metaheinrichite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1848
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1848:3

Classification of HeinrichiteHide

00572780017683530272384.jpg
The autunite-type sheet

The autunite-type sheet found in members of the autunite group.

IMA Classification of HeinrichiteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ba(U6+O2)2(As5+O4)2·10H2O
First published:
1958
Type description reference:
Gross, E. B., Corey, A. S., Mitchell, R. S., Walenta, K. (1958) Heinrichite and metaheinrichite, hydrated barium uranyl arsenate minerals. American Mineralogist, 43 (11-12) 1134-1143
Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.EB.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
Dana 8th ed.:
40.2a.4.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
Hey's CIM Ref.:
20.7.12

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
7 : Arsenates of U

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

Physical Properties of HeinrichiteHide

Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale

Optical Data of HeinrichiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.605 nε = 1.573
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.032
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate (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
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic (convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.

For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.

Chemistry of HeinrichiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
U41.930 %
O31.002 %
As13.198 %
Ba12.095 %
H1.776 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
U
O
As
Ba
H
Elements listed:
As, Ba, H, O, U - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of HeinrichiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/b
Setting:
P2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.1548(11) Å, b = 7.1340(11) Å, c = 21.290(3)(21) Å
β = 104.171(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.003 : 1 : 2.984
Unit Cell V:
1053.6 ų
Z:
2
Comment:
Data for synthetic material. Pseudotetragonal lattice.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0006009HeinrichiteLocock A J, Burns P C, Flynn T M (2005) Structures of strontium- and barium-dominant compounds that contain the autunite-type sheet The Canadian Mineralogist 43 721-73320050293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.57 Å(100)
8.89 Å(80)
5.03 Å(80)
3.38 Å(70)
2.25 Å(50)
2.11 Å(50)
2.53 Å(20)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of HeinrichiteHide

Synonyms of HeinrichiteHide

Other Language Names for HeinrichiteHide

Relationship of Heinrichite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Autunite Group
Other Members of Autunite Group:
AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
BassetiteFe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
HydronováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
KahleriteFe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/m : P42/n
NováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
RauchiteNi(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OTric. 1 : P1
SabugaliteHAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
UranocirciteBa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OTet.
UranospiniteCa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
ZeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
16 photos of Heinrichite associated with ArseniosideriteCa2Fe3+3(AsO4)3O2 · 3H2O
14 photos of Heinrichite associated with BaryteBaSO4
13 photos of Heinrichite associated with AbernathyiteK(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O
9 photos of Heinrichite associated with ErythriteCo3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
6 photos of Heinrichite associated with HematiteFe2O3
6 photos of Heinrichite associated with QuartzSiO2
4 photos of Heinrichite associated with GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
4 photos of Heinrichite associated with ZeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O
3 photos of Heinrichite associated with MetaheinrichiteBa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
1 photo of Heinrichite associated with EmplectiteCuBiS2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.EB.Meta-autunite GroupA1-2(UO2)2(TO4)2 · 5-10H2O
8.EB.05RauchiteNi(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.05UranocirciteBa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OTet.
8.EB.05UranospiniteCa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.05ZeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
8.EB.05MetarauchiteNi(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.05KahleriteFe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/m : P42/n
8.EB.05HydronováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.05TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
8.EB.05NováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
8.EB.05AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
8.EB.05SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
8.EB.05Xiangjiangite(Fe3+,Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH) · 22H2OTet.
8.EB.10BassetiteFe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
8.EB.10LehneriteMn2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m
8.EB.10Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m)
8.EB.10MetasaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
8.EB.10MetauranocirciteBa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 7H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.EB.10MetauranospiniteCa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTet. 4/m : P42/n
8.EB.10MetaheinrichiteBa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.EB.10MetakahleriteFe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.10MetakirchheimeriteCo(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.10MetanováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTet. 4/m : P4/n
8.EB.10MetanatroautuniteNa(UO2)(PO4)(H2O)3Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/ncc
8.EB.10MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2OTet. 4/m : P4/n
8.EB.10MetazeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTet. 4/m : P42/n
8.EB.10PrzhevalskitePb2(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 3H2OTet.
8.EB.10'Pseudo-autunite'(H3O)4Ca2(UO2)2(PO4)4 · 5H2OOrth.
8.EB.15AbernathyiteK(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/ncc
8.EB.15Uramphite(NH4)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15Meta-ankoleiteK2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15NatrouranospiniteNa2(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 5H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15Trögerite(H3O)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15Chernikovite(H3O)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15Uramarsite(NH4)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/mmm
8.EB.20ChistyakovaiteAl(UO2)2(AsO4)2(F,OH) · 6.5H2OMon.
8.EB.20ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2OMon.
8.EB.25Uranospathite(Al,◻)(UO2)2(PO4)2F · 20(H2O,F)Orth. mm2 : Pnn2
8.EB.25ArsenuranospathiteAl(UO2)2(AsO4)2F · 20H2OOrth. mm2 : Pnn2
8.EB.30Vochtenite(Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH) · 12-13H2OMon.
8.EB.35CoconinoiteFe3+2Al2(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2 · 20H2OMon.
8.EB.40RanunculiteHAl(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.EB.45TrianguliteAl3(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)5 · 5H2OTric.
8.EB.50FurongiteAl13(UO2)7(PO4)13(OH)14 · 58H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.55ArsenosabugaliteH0.5Al0.5(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.55SabugaliteHAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
8.EB.60Horákite(Bi7O7OH)[(UO2)4(PO4)2(AsO4)2(OH)2] · 3.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b

RadioactivityHide

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
Radioactive.

Internet Links for HeinrichiteHide

References for HeinrichiteHide

Localities for HeinrichiteHide

Showing 25 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.
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Allier
      • Vichy
        • Échassières
          • Montmins mining district
Cuchet et al. (2000)
  • Grand Est
    • Haut-Rhin
      • Thann-Guebwiller
        • Kruth
- (1998)
  • Nouvelle-Aquitaine
    • Corrèze
      • Ussel
        • Davignac
Queneau (n.d.)
    • Creuse
      • Guéret
        • Guéret
  • Occitanie
    • Hérault
      • Lodève
        • Le Bosc
- (1998)
        • Le Puech
Caubel (1997) +1 other reference
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald
Walenta (1992)
      • Ortenaukreis
        • Seelbach
          • Seelbach
            • Weiler
Scharrer et al. (2020) +1 other reference
      • Rottweil
        • Schenkenzell
Walenta (1992)
            • Burgfelsen
            • Heubach Valley
Walenta (1992)
      • Waldshut
        • St Blasien
          • Menzenschwand
Steffen Möckel probed 23/10/2005
    • Karlsruhe Region
      • Baden-Baden
Walenta (1992)
      • Freudenstadt
        • Alpirsbach
Walenta (1992)
  • Bavaria
    • Lower Franconia
      • Aschaffenburg District
        • Haibach
          • Dörrmorsbach
Lorenz (1998) +1 other reference
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Kusel
      • Lauterecken-Wolfstein
Heidtke (2001)
  • Saxony
    • Erzgebirgskreis
      • Schlettau
        • Dörfel
Trinkler (2010)
Lapis 30 (7/8)
Greece
 
  • Attica
    • East Attica
      • Lavreotiki
        • Km 3
          • Km 3 mines
Rieck et al. (1999)
        • Plaka
          • Paliokamariza Mines (Paleokamariza Mines)
Simon et al. (2017)
Poland
 
  • Lower Silesian Voivodeship
    • Karkonosze County
      • Kowary
        • Podgórze
Syczewski et al. (2023)
Spain
 
  • Catalonia
    • Lleida
      • Pallars Jussà
        • La Vall Fosca
          • La Torre de Cabdella
            • Castell-estaó
MTI Mineralogía Topográfica Ibérica
USA (TL)
 
  • Oregon
    • Lake County
      • Lakeview
Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology NBMG ... +1 other reference
  • Utah
    • Emery County
      • Temple Mountain Mining District
Anthony et al. (2000)
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