Schertelite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Schertelite
Arnulf Schertel
Formula:
(NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
1.83 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honour of Arnulf Schertel (24 February 1841, Munich, Germany - 11 March 1902, Dresden, Germany), Professor of Mineralogy, Freiberg Mining Academy, Saxony, Germany.
A phosphate mineral found in bat guano deposits.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3564
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3564:0
IMA Classification of Schertelite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(N3-H4)2Mg(PO3OH)2·4H2O
First published:
1902
Classification of Schertelite
8.CH.30
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
39.3.2.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
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 |
|---|---|---|
| She | 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 Schertelite
Optical Data of Schertelite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.508(2) nβ = 1.515(2) nγ = 1.523(2)
2V:
Measured: 90° , Calculated: 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Z = a; OAP = {001}.
Chemistry of Schertelite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Schertelite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.47 Å, b = 23.63 Å, c = 8.62 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.485 : 1 : 0.365
Unit Cell V:
2,336.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals small, indistinct, flat.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009429 | Schertelite | Khan A A, Baur W H (1972) Salt hydrates. VIII. The crystal structures of sodium ammonium orthochromate dihydrate and magnesium diammonium bis(hydrogen orthophosphate) tetrahydrate and a discussion of the ammonium ion Acta Crystallographica B28 683-693 |  | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.94 Å | (100) |
| 2.97 Å | (43) |
| 5.21 Å | (37) |
| 2.80 Å | (29) |
| 3.02 Å | (22) |
| 3.46 Å | (21) |
| 4.31 Å | (19) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Schertelite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small indistinct flat crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Bat guano.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Schertelite
Other Language Names for Schertelite
Dutch:Scherteliet
German:Schertelit
Meullerit
Muellerit
Meullerit
Muellerit
Russian:Шертелит
Spanish:Meullerita
Muellerita
Schertelita
Muellerita
Schertelita
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.05 | Walentaite | Fe3+3(P0.84As0.16O4)2(O,OH)6As3+2.56Ca0.42Na0.28Mn2+0.35Fe2+0.30O6.1(OH)0.9(H2O)0.9 |
| 8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.15 | Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Dittmarite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)Mn2+(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Taranakite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Macivorite | (NH4)3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O |
| 8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Fahleite | CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2O, forming a struvite residue.
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 Schertelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3564.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Schertelite
Reference List:
Frazier, A. William, Lehr, James R., Smith, James P. (1963) The magnesium phosphates hannayite, schertelite and bobierrite. American Mineralogist, 48 (5-6) 635-641
Khan, A. A., Baur, W. H. (1972) Salt hydrates. VII. The crystal structures of sodium ammonium orthochromate dihydrate and magnesium diammonium bis(hydrogen orthophosphate) tetrahydrate and a discussion of the ammonium ion. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 28 (3) 683-693 doi:10.1107/s0567740872003024
Catti, M., Franchini-Angela, M. (1976) Hydrogen bonding in the crystalline state. Structure of Mg3(NH4)2(HPO4)4·8H2O (hannayite), and crystal–chemical relationships with schertelite and struvite. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 32 (10) 2842-2848 doi:10.1107/s056774087600900x
Localities for Schertelite
Showing 3 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.
Australia (TL) | |
| Mineralogical Magazine (1903) +2 other references |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski (2012) |
South Africa | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference |
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Skipton Caves, Mount Widderin, Skipton, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia