Liebigite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Liebigite
Justus von Liebig
Formula:
Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O
Colour:
Apple-green, siskin-green, yellowish green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.41
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Justus Freiherr von Liebig (12 May 1803, Darmstadt, Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt, Holy Roman Empire - 18 April 1873, Munich, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire), chemist who is considered one of the principal founders of analytical and organic chemistry. He made major contributions to agricultural and biological chemistry, and has been called the "father of the fertilizer industry".
Type Locality:
A secondary uranium mineral.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2398
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2398:2
IMA Classification of Liebigite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca2(U6+O2)(CO3)3(H2O)8·3H2O
First published:
1848
Classification of Liebigite
5.ED.20
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
15.3.2.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lbi | 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 Liebigite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavage {100}
Colour:
Apple-green, siskin-green, yellowish green
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {100}.
On {100}.
Density:
2.41 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.41 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Liebigite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.494 - 1.501 nβ = 1.498 - 1.505 nγ = 1.535 - 1.542
2V:
Measured: 37° to 42°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.041
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:
Low (negative)
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:
moderate r > v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Nearly colourless
Y = Light yellowish green
Z = Light yellowish green
Y = Light yellowish green
Z = Light yellowish green
Chemistry of Liebigite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Liebigite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.699(3) Å, b = 17.557(3) Å, c = 13.697(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.951 : 1 : 0.78
Unit Cell V:
4,015.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals equant or short prismatic [001], normally indistinct with rounded edges and convex or vicinal faces. Commonly granular or scaly aggregates and thin crusts; botryoidal.
Comment:
Space Group: Bba2.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Display Options
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
Stop | Start
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015691 | Liebigite | Mereiter K (1982) The crystal structure of liebigite, Ca2UO2(CO3)3*~11H2O Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 30 277-288 | 1982 | Joachimsthal, Bohmen | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.81 Å | (100) |
| 8.68 Å | (90) |
| 5.40 Å | (90) |
| 4.55 Å | (60) |
| 3.10 Å | (60) |
| 3.33 Å | (50) |
| 3.31 Å | (50) |
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] |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral formed by alkteration of uraninite in alkaline carbonate solutions.
Type Occurrence of Liebigite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Mammillary concretion.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA, 16847.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Liebigite
Other Language Names for Liebigite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 23 photos of Liebigite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 16 photos of Liebigite associated with Voglite | Ca2Cu(UO2)(CO3)4 · 6H2O |
| 7 photos of Liebigite associated with Zellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 5H2O |
| 7 photos of Liebigite associated with Bayleyite | Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O |
| 6 photos of Liebigite associated with Ewingite | Mg8Ca8(UO2)24(CO3)30O4(OH)12(H2O)138 |
| 4 photos of Liebigite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 3 photos of Liebigite associated with Rabbittite | Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O |
| 3 photos of Liebigite associated with Schröckingerite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SO4)F · 10H2O |
| 3 photos of Liebigite associated with Nickeline | NiAs |
| 3 photos of Liebigite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
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.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.60 | Leószilárdite | Na6Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6 · 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
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 32.6793% | 8,169,825 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 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 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/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: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
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 Liebigite
Green to blue green fluorescence (LW & SWUV).
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2SO4 with effervescence.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Liebigite loses 10 of its 11 water molecules in the range between 25 and 150°C (Vochten et al., 1993).
Health Risks:
Radioactive
Internet Links for Liebigite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2398.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 Liebigite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1917) The probable identity of uranothallite and liebigite. American Mineralogist, 2 (7) 87
Evans, Howard T., Frondel, and Clifford (1950) Studies of uranium minerals (II): Liebigite and uranothallite. American Mineralogist, 35 (3-4) 251-254
Urbanec, Zdeněk, Čejka, Jiří (1979) Infrared spectra of liebigite, andersonite, voglite and schroeckingerite. Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications, 44. 10-23 doi:10.1135/cccc19790010
Alwan, Alwan K., Williams, Peter A. (1980) The aqueous chemistry of uranium minerals. Part 2. Minerals of the liebigite group. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (329) 665-667 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.329.17
Mereiter, K. (1982) The crystal structure of Liebigite, Ca2UO2(CO3)3·11H2O. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 30 (4) 277-288 doi:10.1007/bf01087173
Localities for Liebigite
Showing 102 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.
Argentina | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
Australia | |
| |
Austria | |
| MEIXNER (1979) +1 other reference |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) | |
| Strasser (1989) | |
Canada | |
| Tyson (1989) |
| Analysis: XRD Thomas Witzke | |
| Rich et al. (1977) |
China | |
| Shao et al. (2024) |
| Zhang Jianguo et al. (2004) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Plášil |
| Plášil J. et al. (2008) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Roll et al. (2024) | |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| Plášil et al. (2017) | |
| Specimen from Jakub Plasil. In the ... |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| 70 (in German) +2 other references | |
| Bradna |
| Sejkora et al. (2007) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Jakub Kristek |
| Sejkora (1994) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Petr Pauliš | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) | |
DR Congo | |
| KBIN et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
France | |
| - (1998) |
| Caubel (1997) +1 other reference |
| - (1998) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Lorenz (1996) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Hans-Jürgen Haas collection |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
Italy | |
| Campostrini et al. (2005) |
Japan | |
| Matsubara (1976) |
| K. Watanabe (1976) |
| S. Matsubara & R. Miyawaki (2006) |
Namibia | |
| Schreiber (2005) |
Norway | |
| Raade (1972) +2 other references |
| - (2017) |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Syczewski et al. (2023) |
Portugal | |
| Museu Alfredo Bensaude |
Russia | |
| Gurzhiy et al. (2025) |
Sweden | |
| |
| |
| Welin (1958) |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet S.; Meisser N. (2025) |
Turkey (TL) | |
| Smith (1848) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| MRDS database Dep. ID #10027544 |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| www.minsocam.org (n.d.) |
| Anita Moore-Nall and David R. Lageson (2015) |
| Anita Moore-Nall and David R. Lageson (2015) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology ... |
| NMBMMR Memoir 38 Geology and Technology ... +1 other reference |
| Leonard S.Wiener and Sigrid Ballew | |
| Lapham et al. (1965) |
| Young et al. (1960) |
| King (n.d.) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Joe Marty Collection |
| Bullock (1981) |
| |
| George E. Becraft and Paul L. Weis (1963) +1 other reference |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) |
| Hausel et al. (2001) |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| Hausel et al. (2001) |
| - (2005) | |
| Am Min 51:1567-1578 +3 other references | |
| Hausel et al. (2001) | |
| - (2005) |
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Les Mares III, Saint-Martin, Le Bosc, Lodève, Hérault, Occitanie, France