Adolfpateraite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Adolfpateraite
Adolf Patera
Formula:
K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O)
Colour:
Sulphur-yellow to greenish yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
4.24 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In honour of Adolf Patera (11 July 1819 Vienna - 26 June 1894), Austrian chemist, working in Bohemian countries, namely in Jáchymov. Patera introduced industrial processing of U-ores for winning of U colors (first was uranium yellow - urangelb); chemist and metallurgist.
Chemically related to geschieberite and zippeite.
Crystal structure contains pentagonal bipyramids of uranyl groups. They form chains extending along [010]. The bypiramids share vertices in which OH groups are located. The sulfate groups are located in the outer side of the chains, and there are bridging bidentate connections between the uranyl polyhedra. K and H-bonds link the chains. Water is located on the edges of the chains (Plášil et al., 2012).
Crystal structure contains pentagonal bipyramids of uranyl groups. They form chains extending along [010]. The bypiramids share vertices in which OH groups are located. The sulfate groups are located in the outer side of the chains, and there are bridging bidentate connections between the uranyl polyhedra. K and H-bonds link the chains. Water is located on the edges of the chains (Plášil et al., 2012).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
42458
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42458:9
IMA Classification of Adolfpateraite
Classification of Adolfpateraite
7.EC.
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Adp | 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 Adolfpateraite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Sulphur-yellow to greenish yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Around 2
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.24 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Adolfpateraite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.597(2) nγ = 1.659(2)
Birefringence:
0.062
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.062
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:
High (positive)
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
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Colorless (α), yellow (γ)
Comments:
Beta index could not be measured. Optical orientation remains unknown since the mineral has no visible cleavage and
no distinctive morphology
no distinctive morphology
Chemistry of Adolfpateraite
Mindat Formula:
K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Adolfpateraite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.0462(1) Å, b = 7.9256(1) Å, c = 11.3206(2) Å
β = 107.726(2)°
β = 107.726(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.015 : 1 : 1.428
Unit Cell V:
687.65 ų
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.658 Å | (76) |
| 5.386 Å | (100) |
| 5.218 Å | (85) |
| 3.718 Å | (46) |
| 3.700 Å | (37) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Adolfpateraite
General Appearance of Type Material:
forms hemispherical crystalline aggregates, up to 3 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Department of Mineralogy and Petrology of the National Museum in Prague, Václavské námestí 68, Praha 1 (Czech Republic), catalog number: P1P 3/2011
Geological Setting of Type Material:
formed from the dissolution of primary uraninite though is of recent supergene origin, forming in the environment of the old mining works
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Adolfpateraite
Other Language Names for Adolfpateraite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Adolfpateraite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Adolfpateraite associated with Mathesiusite | K5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EC. | Nitscheite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2] · 3H2O |
| 7.EC. | Beshtauite | (NH4)2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC. | Oldsite-(K) | K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC. | Libbyite | (NH4)2(Na2◻)[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]2 · 7H2O |
| 7.EC. | Seaborgite | LiK2Na6(UO2)(SO4)5(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.05 | Zinczippeite | Zn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Cobaltzippeite | Co(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Nickelzippeite | Ni2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Redcanyonite | (NH4)2Mn[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)4 |
| 7.EC.05 | Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Magnesiozippeite | Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Ammoniozippeite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Plavnoite | K0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Rabejacite | Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(K) | K2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.15 | Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Marécottite | Mg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 28H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Hubbardite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2O(OH)(SO4)]2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EC.20 | Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.40 | Bluelizardite | Na7(UO2)(SO4)4Cl(H2O)2 |
| 7.EC.45 | Meisserite | Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.45 | Fermiite | Na4(UO2)(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.45 | Oppenheimerite | Na2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Feynmanite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Plášilite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.55 | Geschieberite | K2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.60 | Ottohahnite | Na6(UO2)2(SO4)5(H2O)7 · 1.5H2O |
| 7.EC.65 | Péligotite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.70 | Klaprothite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.75 | Lussierite | Na10[(UO2)(SO4)4](SO4)2 · 3(H2O) |
| 7.EC.80 | Navrotskyite | K2Na10(UO2)3(SO4)9 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.85 | Pseudomeisserite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Na4[(UO2)2(SO4)5] · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.90 | Wetherillite | Na2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 54.0715% | 13,517,875 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 8.8817% | 2,753 | 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
Fluorescence of Adolfpateraite
Green fluorescence in long-wave ultraviolet radiation.
Other Information
Health Risks:
Radioactive.
Internet Links for Adolfpateraite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-42458.html
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External Links:
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References for Adolfpateraite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2011) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2011, CNMNC Newsletter No. 10. Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (5) 2549-2561 doi:10.1180/minmag.2011.075.5.2549
Localities for Adolfpateraite
Showing 2 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.
Czech Republic | |
| Plášil et al. (2012) |
| Williams et al. (2011) +2 other references |
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Svornost Mine, Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic