Stercorite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Stercorite
Formula:
(NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O
Colour:
Colourless (artificial material); white, pale yellow, brownish; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
1.574
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
From Latin "stercus", "dung", alluding to its discovery in guano.
This page provides mineralogical data about Stercorite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3765
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3765:1
IMA Classification of Stercorite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(N3-H4)Na(PO3OH)·4H2O
First published:
1850
Classification of Stercorite
8.CJ.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
39.3.1.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
19.1.6
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stc | 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 Stercorite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless (artificial material); white, pale yellow, brownish; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
1.574 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.570 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
1.574 (artificial material).
Optical Data of Stercorite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.439 nβ = 1.442 nγ = 1.469
2V:
Measured: 35° , Calculated: 38°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
dispersion not observed
Optical Extinction:
Z ≃ ⊥ {001}; OAP ≃ ⊥ {010}.
Chemistry of Stercorite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Stercorite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.636(2) Å, b = 6.9187(14) Å, c = 6.4359(13) Å
α = 90.46(3)°, β = 97.87(3)°, γ = 7109.20(3)°
α = 90.46(3)°, β = 97.87(3)°, γ = 7109.20(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.537 : 1 : 0.93
Unit Cell V:
469.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals short prismatic (artificial); Pseudo-monoclinic. Crystalline masses and nodules (natural).
Twinning:
Repeated twinning of triclinic individuals on {010} simulates monoclinic symmetry. Reentrant angles are usually lacking.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009501 | Stercorite | Ferraris G, Franchini-Angela M (1974) Hydrogen bonding in the crystalline state. Crystal structure and twinning of NaNH4HPO4*4H2O (Stercorite) Acta Crystallographica B30 504-510 |  | 1974 | guano deposits | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.53 Å | (100) |
| 9.93 Å | (95) |
| 4.24 Å | (55) |
| 2.911 Å | (50) |
| 2.884 Å | (50) |
| 4.77 Å | (40) |
| 3.658 Å | (40) |
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 Stercorite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Transparent crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Guano deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Stercorite
Other Language Names for Stercorite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CJ. | Airdite | Sr(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Dobšináite | Ca2Ca(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Caesiumpharmacosiderite | CsFe3+4[(AsO4)3(OH)4] · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Jeankempite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Swaknoite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Mundrabillaite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nabaphite | NaBaPO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nastrophite | Na(Sr,Ba)PO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.20 | Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Vladimirite | Ca4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.27 | 'Churchite-(Dy)' | (Dy,Sm,Gd,Nd)PO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.30 | Ferrarisite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Fulbrightite | Ca(V4+O)2(As5+O4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Machatschkiite | (Ca,Na)6(AsO4)(HAsO4)3(PO4,SO4) · 15H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Rauenthalite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Brockite | (Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Smirnovskite | (Th,Ca)PO4 · nH2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(La) | La(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Tristramite | (Ca,U4+,Fe3+)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Štěpite | U(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.47 | Vysokýite | U4+[AsO2(OH)2]4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Brushite | Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Ardealite | Ca2(PO3OH)(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | 'Churchite-(Nd)' | Nd(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.55 | Mcnearite | NaCa5(AsO4)(HAsO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.60 | Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Sincosite | Ca(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Bariosincosite | Ba(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.70 | Catalanoite | Na2(PO3OH) · 8H2O |
| 8.CJ.75 | Guérinite | Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O |
| 8.CJ.85 | Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Melting point 79°. 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 Stercorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3765.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Stercorite
Reference List:
Ferraris, G., Franchini-Angela, M. (1974) Hydrogen bonding in the crystalline state. Crystal structure and twinning of NaNH4HPO4·4H2O (stercorite) Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 30 (2) 504-510 doi:10.1107/s0567740874003062
Frost, Ray L.; Palmer, Sara J. (2011) Raman spectroscopy of stercorite H(NH4)Na(PO4)·4H2O – A cave mineral from Petrogale Cave, Madura, Eucla, Western Australia. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 79 (5). 1215-1219 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2011.04.045
Frost, Ray L., Xi, Yunfei, Palmer, Sara J., Millar, Graeme J., Tan, Keqin, Pogson, Ross E. (2011) Vibrational spectroscopy of synthetic stercorite H(NH4)Na(PO4)·4H2O—A comparison with the natural cave mineral. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 84 (1) 269-274 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2011.09.040
Localities for Stercorite
Showing 7 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 | |
Australia | |
| |
| Bridge (1977) |
Chile | |
| forum.amiminerals.org (2016) |
Kenya | |
| Bowell et al. (1996) |
Namibia (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Peru | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Quick NavTopAbout StercoriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Punta Patache, Iquique, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile