Nitratine
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Nitratine
Formula:
NaNO3
Colour:
Colourless, white, lightly tinted by impurities (red-brown, grey, yellowish); colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
In allusion to the composition, being a NITRATe.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Nitratine, sodium nitrate, is found as an efflorescence in hot dry regions.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2916
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2916:8
IMA Classification of Nitratine
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaN5+O3
Classification of Nitratine
5.NA.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
A : Without OH or H2O
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
A : Without OH or H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
18.1.1.1
18.1.1.1
18 : NORMAL NITRATES
1 : AXO3·xH2O, where x can equal zero
18 : NORMAL NITRATES
1 : AXO3·xH2O, where x can equal zero
13.1
13 : Nitrates
13 : Nitrates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ntt | 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 Nitratine
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, white, lightly tinted by impurities (red-brown, grey, yellowish); colourless in transmitted light
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {1011} perfect; on {0112} and {0001} reported as imperfect.
On {1011} perfect; on {0112} and {0001} reported as imperfect.
Parting:
Twin gliding noted with K1 {0112}, K2 {0111}.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Optical Data of Nitratine
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.33 - 1.336 nε = 1.58 - 1.587
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.250 - 0.251
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:
Very High (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 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 Nitratine
Mindat Formula:
NaNO3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nitratine
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.06 Å, c = 16.82 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.324
Unit Cell V:
372.96 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals rhombohedral {1011}. Massive granular, incrustations.
Twinning:
1. On {0112}, often elongated along the common rhombohedral edge; 2. On {0001}, as penetration twins; 3. On {0221}, as aggregates of three or six individuals at times; 4. On {1011}, rare.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009454 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 |  | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009453 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009452 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009451 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009450 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009449 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009448 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009447 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009446 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009445 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009444 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009443 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009442 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009441 | Nitratine | Paul G L, Pryor A W (1972) The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B28 2700-2702 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0012858 | Nitratine | Ahtee M, Nurmela M, Suortti P, Jarvinen M (1989) Correction for preferred orientation in Rietveld refinement Journal of Applied Crystallography 22 261-268 | 1989 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017935 | Nitratine | Elliott N (1937) A Redetermination of the Carbon - Oxygen Distance in Calcite and the Nitrogen - Oxygen Distance in Sodium Nitrate _cod_database_code 1011029 Journal of the American Chemical Society 59 1380-1382 | 1937 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Nitratine
Epitaxial Minerals:
| 'Barytocalcite' | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 'Calcite' | CaCO3 |
| 'Dolomite' | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 'Muscovite' | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Epitaxy Comments:
Forms overgrowths on calcite quite readily. The crystal axes of the two phases ordinarily parallel. Also oriented growths on the additional species listed.
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 |
|---|---|
| 3.03 Å | (100) |
| 2.311 Å | (25) |
| 2.81 Å | (16) |
| 1.898 Å | (16) |
| 2.53 Å | (10) |
| 2.125 Å | (10) |
| 1.880 Å | (8) |
Comments:
Synthetic. The data are from Swanson et al. (1956).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Geological Setting:
Surficial deposits in arid regions; efflorescences on soils, or in sheltered environments.
Type Occurrence of Nitratine
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Nitratine
Other Language Names for Nitratine
Varieties of Nitratine
| Azufrado | Spanish language name for yellow or orange variety of massive nitratine rock, colored by admixed dietzeite or other chromates. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Nitratine associated with Iquiqueite | K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O |
| 9 photos of Nitratine associated with Lautarite | Ca(IO3)2 |
| 6 photos of Nitratine associated with Betpakdalite-NaCa | [Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 6 photos of Nitratine associated with Bandylite | Cu[B(OH)4]Cl |
| 6 photos of Nitratine associated with Hexahydrite | Mg(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 6 photos of Nitratine associated with Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Nitratine associated with Humberstonite | Na7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
| 3 photos of Nitratine associated with Möhnite | (NH4)K2Na(SO4)2 |
| 3 photos of Nitratine associated with Natroxalate | Na2(C2O4) |
| 3 photos of Nitratine associated with Salammoniac | NH4Cl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.NA.10 | Niter | KNO3 |
| 5.NA.15 | Gwihabaite | (NH4,K)NO3 |
| 5.NA.20 | Nitrobarite | Ba(NO3)2 |
| 5.NA.25 | Shilovite | Cu(NH3)4(NO3)2 |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Diamagnetic
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting Point 306.8°C. Thermal conductivity greatest parallel to [0001].
Notes:
Slightly deliquescent. Readily soluble in water.
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 Nitratine
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2916.html
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References for Nitratine
Reference List:
Breithaupt, August (1823) Vollständige Charakteristik des Mineral-Systems (1st ed.). Arnoldischen Buchhandlung.p.171 - as Zootinsalz
Haidinger, Wilhelm (1845) Handbuch der bestimmenden Mineralogie, enthaltend die Terminologie, Systematik, Nomenklatur und Charakteristik der Naturgeschichte des Mineralreiches (1st ed.) Braumüller & Seidel, Vienna. p.488 - as Nitratin
Kreutz, Stefan (1909) Contributions to the study of parallel growths of different substances. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 15 (70) 232-237 doi:10.1180/minmag.1909.015.70.05
Whitehead, Walter Lucius (1920) The Chilean nitrate deposits. Economic Geology, 15 (3) 187-224 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.15.3.187
Palache, Charles; Berman, Harry; Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons.pp.300-302 - as Soda-Niter
Ericksen, George E., Mrose, Mary E. (1970) Mineralogical studies of the nitrate deposits of Chile. II. Darapskite,. American Mineralogist, 55 (9-10) 1500-1517
Localities for Nitratine
Showing 110 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.
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Tarapacá, Chile