Marthozite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Marthozite
Aimé Marthoz
Formula:
Cu2+(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 8H2O
Colour:
Yellowish-green to greenish-brown
Specific Gravity:
4.4
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Aimé Marthoz (13 September 1894, Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium — 12 June 1962, Brussels, Belgium), former director-general of the Union Minière du Haut Katanga (UMHK), who worked in Katanga in the D.R. Congo, a Belgian colony at that time.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Marthozite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2582
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2582:5
IMA Classification of Marthozite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+(U6+O2)3(Se4+O3)2O2·8H2O
Approval year:
1968
First published:
1969
Classification of Marthozite
4.JJ.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
J : Selenites with additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
J : Selenites with additional anions, with H2O
34.7.4.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
7 : Hydrated Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
7 : Hydrated Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
28.1.8
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mhz | 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 Marthozite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellowish-green to greenish-brown
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect {100}, imperfect {010}
Perfect {100}, imperfect {010}
Density:
4.4 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.37 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Marthozite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
Dispersion:
extreme
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = yellow-brown, Y = greenish-yellow
Comments:
X = a, Y = b.
Chemistry of Marthozite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2+(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 8H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Marthozite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.4537(10) Å, b = 17.2229(10) Å, c = 6.9879(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.955 : 1 : 0.406
Unit Cell V:
1,980.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Type material:
Flattened on (100); that face is striated parallel to [001].
Forms include {100}, {010}, {011}, {230} large, {101}, {201}, {301}, {211}, {210}, {230} vicinal.
Flattened on (100); that face is striated parallel to [001].
Forms include {100}, {010}, {011}, {230} large, {101}, {201}, {301}, {211}, {210}, {230} vicinal.
Comment:
Space Group: P21bn.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005722 | Marthozite | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C (2001) Structure topology and hydrogen bonding in mathozite, Cu[(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2](H2O)8, a comparison with guilleminite, Ba[(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2](H2O)3 The Canadian Mineralogist 39 797-807 |  | 2001 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.65 Å | (medium strong) |
| 8.23 Å | (very very strong) |
| 4.44 Å | (medium strong) |
| 3.54 Å | (medium strong) |
| 3.42 Å | (medium strong) |
| 3.22 Å | (very strong) |
| 3.09 Å | (very very strong) |
| 3.02 Å | (strong) |
| 2.900 Å | (very strong) |
| 1.935 Å | (medium strong) |
| 1.9222 Å | (medium strong) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Marthozite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Millimeter-sized crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.
Université de Paris, Paris, France.
Université de Paris, Paris, France.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Marthozite
Other Language Names for Marthozite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 17 photos of Marthozite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 13 photos of Marthozite associated with Guilleminite | Ba(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 3H2O |
| 11 photos of Marthozite associated with Digenite | Cu9S5 |
| 2 photos of Marthozite associated with Derriksite | Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Marthozite associated with Demesmaekerite | Pb2Cu5(UO2)2(SeO3)6(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Marthozite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Marthozite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 1 photo of Marthozite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JJ. | Kristekite | Cu2(H2O)4(UO2)(SeO3)3 · 4H2O |
| 4.JJ.X | Larisaite | Na(H3O)(UO2)3(SeO3)O2 · 4H2O |
| 4.JJ. | Borzęckiite | Pb(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 3H2O |
| 4.JJ. | Petermegawite | Al6(Se4+O3)3[SiO3(OH)](OH)9 · 10H2O |
| 4.JJ. | Amurselite | (NH4)2(UO2)5(SeO3)3O2(OH)2(H2O) · 8H2O |
| 4.JJ.10 | Guilleminite | Ba(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 3H2O |
| 4.JJ.15 | Piretite | Ca(UO2)3(SeO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 4.JJ.20 | Demesmaekerite | Pb2Cu5(UO2)2(SeO3)6(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 4.JJ.25 | Haynesite | (UO2)3(Se4+O3)2(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.JJ.30 | Favreauite | PbBiCu6O4(SeO3)4(OH) · H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 54.7753% | 13,693,825 | 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
Other Information
Notes:
Dissolves in HNO3 (1+1) and in dilute HCl.
Dehydrates at room temperature to a meta-phase.
Dehydrates at room temperature to a meta-phase.
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 Marthozite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2582.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 Marthozite
Reference List:
Cesbron, Fabien, Oosterbosch, Robert, Pierrot, Roland (1969) Une nouvelle espèce minérale : la marthozite. Uranyl-sélénite de cuivre hydraté. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 92 (3) 278-283 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1969.6357
Cooper, M. A., Hawthorne, F. C. (2001) Structure topology and hydrogen bonding in marthozite, Cu2+[(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2](H2O)8, a comparison with guilleminite, Ba[(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2](H2O)3. The Canadian Mineralogist, 39 (3) 797-807 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.39.3.797
Localities for Marthozite
Showing 6 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 | |
| Morello (2016) |
Czech Republic | |
| Plášil et al. (2026) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Cesbron et al. (1969) +2 other references |
France | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Quick NavTopAbout MarthoziteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo