Wegscheiderite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Wegscheiderite
Rudolph Wegscheider
Formula:
Na5H3(CO3)4
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.341
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named by Joseph J. Fahey, K.P Yorks, and Daniel E. Appleman in 1961 in honor of Rudolf Wegscheider (8 October 1859, Großbetschkerek, Austrian Empire - 8 January 1935, Vienna, Austria), chemist. In 1913, he first produced the synthetic compound.
Type Locality:
Chemically related to nahcolite; also similar to trona, 'UM1974-04-CO:HNa'.
In chemistry, the synthetic equivalent is called Wegscheider salt.
In chemistry, the synthetic equivalent is called Wegscheider salt.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4256
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4256:3
IMA Classification of Wegscheiderite
Approved
Approval year:
1967
First published:
1961
Classification of Wegscheiderite
5.AA.30
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
A : Alkali carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
A : Alkali carbonates
13.1.6.1
13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
11.1.4
11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Weg | 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 Wegscheiderite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct prismatic cleavage
Distinct prismatic cleavage
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.341 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.334 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Wegscheiderite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.433 nβ = 1.519(2) nγ = 1.528
2V:
Measured: 32° , Calculated: 34°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.095
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:
weak r < v
Chemistry of Wegscheiderite
Mindat Formula:
Na5H3(CO3)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Wegscheiderite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.04(3) Å, b = 15.56(4) Å, c = 3.466(10) Å
α = 91.92°, β = 95.82°, γ = 108.67°
α = 91.92°, β = 95.82°, γ = 108.67°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.645 : 1 : 0.223
Unit Cell V:
509.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Acicular to bladed crystals to 5cm, fibrous, aggregates.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009841 | Wegscheiderite | Fernandes N G, Tellgren R, Olovsson I (1990) Structure and electron density of pentasodium trihydrogentetracarbonate Acta Crystallographica B46 466-474 |  | 1990 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.954 Å | (100b) |
| 3.68 Å | (60) |
| 2.642 Å | (60) |
| 2.214 Å | (60) |
| 2.793 Å | (50) |
| 2.662 Å | (42) |
| 2.831 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Wegscheiderite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Randomly oriented bladed crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 117710.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Lacustrine deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Wegscheiderite
Dutch:Wegscheideriet
German:Wegscheiderit
Russian:Вегшайдерит
Simplified Chinese:碳氢钠石
Spanish:Wegscheiderita
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AA.05 | Zabuyelite | Li2CO3 |
| 5.AA.10 | Natrite | Na2CO3 |
| 5.AA.10 | Gregoryite | (Na2,K2,Ca)CO3 |
| 5.AA.15 | Nahcolite | NaHCO3 |
| 5.AA.20 | Kalicinite | KHCO3 |
| 5.AA.25 | Teschemacherite | (NH4)HCO3 |
Other Information
Notes:
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 Wegscheiderite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4256.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Wegscheiderite
Reference List:
Wegscheider, Rudolf; Mehl, Josef (1928) Über Systeme Na2CO3-NaHCO3-H2O und das Existenzgebiet der Trona. Monatshefte für Chemie, 49 (1-2). 283-315 doi:10.1007/bf01518402
Fahey, Joseph J., Yorks, K. P. (1963) Mineralogical Notes: Wegscheiderite (Na2CO3·3NaHCO3), a new saline mineral from the Green River formation, Wyoming. American Mineralogist, 48 (3-4) 400-403
Appleman, D. E. (1963) X-ray crystallography of wegscheiderite (Na2CO3·3NaHCO3) American Mineralogist, 48 (3-4) 404-406
IMA (1967) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 131-136 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.20
Localities for Wegscheiderite
Showing 11 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.
China | |
| Qingtang Yang (1987) +1 other reference |
| ZHANG et al. (2018) +3 other references |
Russia | |
| ... |
| Łukasz Kruszewski collection +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Tank (1972) +1 other reference | |
| gsa.confex.com (n.d.) |
| U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report ... | |
| Fahey et al. (1963) |
| Fahey et al. (1963) |
| Fahey et al. (1963) |
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Alluaiv Mountain, Lovozersky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia