Antarcticite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Antarcticite
Formula:
CaCl2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
1.715
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
For its occurrence on the continent of Antarctica.
A highly hygroscopic mineral. May dehydrate to mesohydride under certain conditions.
A synthetic Sr analogue is known.
A synthetic Sr analogue is known.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
251
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:251:8
IMA Classification of Antarcticite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaCl2·6H2O
Approval year:
1965
First published:
1965
Classification of Antarcticite
3.BB.30
3 : HALIDES
B : Simple halides, with H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
3 : HALIDES
B : Simple halides, with H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
9.2.6.1
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
8.4.9
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atc | 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 Antarcticite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {0001}, good to perfect on one prism face
on {0001}, good to perfect on one prism face
Density:
1.715 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.7 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Antarcticite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.55 nε = 1.49 - 1.5
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.050 - 0.060
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:
None to Very Low
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 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.
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 Antarcticite
Mindat Formula:
CaCl2 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Antarcticite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
32 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P321
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.9 Å, c = 3.95 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.5
Unit Cell V:
213.49 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Crystal Structure
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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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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010027 | Antarcticite | Agron P A, Busing W R (1986) Calcium and strontium dichloride hexahydrates by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica C42 141-143 |  | 1986 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009607 | Antarcticite | Leclaire A, Borel M (1977) Le dichlorure et le dibromure de calcium hexahydrates _cod_database_code 1001770 Acta Crystallographica B33 2938-2940 | | 1977 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018193 | Antarcticite | Jensen A (1940) On the structure of Sr Cl2 (H2 O)6 _cod_database_code 1011356 Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Matematisk-Fysike Meddelelser 17 1-27 | 1940 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.44 Å | (24) |
| 2.80 Å | (23) |
| 2.16 Å | (23) |
| 2.60 Å | (22) |
| 3.98 Å | (18) |
| 2.28 Å | (13) |
| 6.92 Å | (9) |
Reference:
Comments:
Recorded on material from the type locality
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 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) |
Geological Setting:
Stratified fresh to brackish to salt water columns in onshore "blue holes" (Bahamas);
Component of inclusions in quartz in a zoned mafic pegmatoid (Bushveld Complex)
Component of inclusions in quartz in a zoned mafic pegmatoid (Bushveld Complex)
Type Occurrence of Antarcticite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Aggregates of acicular crystals with poor terminations, to 15 cm
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Precipitate from highly saline brines under very arid conditions
Synonyms of Antarcticite
Other Language Names for Antarcticite
Dutch:Antarcticiet
French:Antarcticite
German:Antarcticit
Antarkticit
Antarkticit
Norwegian:Antarcticitt
Russian:Антарктицит
Simplified Chinese:南极石
Spanish:Antarcticita
Antarkticita
Antarkticita
Traditional Chinese:南極石
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.BB. | Králíkite | BaCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.05 | Eriochalcite | CuCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.10 | Rokühnite | FeCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.15 | Bischofite | MgCl2 · 6H2O |
| 3.BB.20 | Nickelbischofite | NiCl2 · 6H2O |
| 3.BB.25 | Sinjarite | CaCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.35 | Tachyhydrite | CaMg2Cl6 · 12H2O |
| 3.BB.35 | Aravaipaite | Pb3AlF9 · H2O |
| 3.BB.40 | Ghiaraite | CaCl2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
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 Antarcticite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-251.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Antarcticite
Reference List:
Torii, T., Ossaka, J. (1965) Antarcticite: A New Mineral, Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate, Discovered in Antarctica. Science, 149 (3687). 975-977 doi:10.1126/science.149.3687.975
Torii, T., Ossaka, J. (1965) Antarcticite: A New Mineral, Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate, Discovered in Antarctica. Science, 149 (3687). 975-977 doi:10.1126/science.149.3687.975
Dunning, G. E., Cooper, J. F. (1969) A second occurrence of antarcticite from Bristol Dry Lake, California. American Mineralogist, 54 (7-8) 1018-1025
Agron, P. A., Busing, W. R. (1986) Calcium and strontium dichloride hexahydrates by neutron diffraction. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 42 (2) 141-143 doi:10.1107/s0108270186097007
Sutjahja, I M; A U, S Rahayu; Kurniati, Nia; Pallitine, Ivyalentine D; Kurnia, D (2016) The role of chemical additives to the phase change process of CaCl2.6H2O to optimize its performance as latent heat energy storage system. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 739. 012064 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/739/1/012064
Localities for Antarcticite
Showing 15 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.
Antarctica | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Torii et al. (1965) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| Kwak et al. (1987) |
Bahamas | |
| Eckstein Y. et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Taner et al. (1998) |
Chile | |
| De Waele et al. (2017) |
China | |
| Shaoxiu (1991) |
| Bingxiao Li and Kejun Wang (1986) +3 other references |
Mexico | |
| GONZALEZPARTIDA et al. (2003) |
Norway | |
| Hans-Jørgen Berg |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Mazurov et al. (2007) |
| Chaykovsky et al. (2011) |
South Africa | |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
USA | |
| Dunning et al. (1969) +4 other references |
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Bristol Dry Lake pit [1], Saltus, San Bernardino County, California, USA