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Heisenbergite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About HeisenbergiteHide

03012740017271951638822.jpg
Werner Karl Heisenberg
Formula:
U6+O2(OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
Yellow, yellow brown or orange brown
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
5.14 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Werner Carl Heisenberg [Würzburg 5 December 1901 - Munich 1 February 1976], professor of physics and pioneer in the field of quantum mechanics.
Unknown structure type


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
42635
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42635:6

Similar NamesHide

IMA Classification of HeisenbergiteHide

Classification of HeisenbergiteHide

4.00.25

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
0 :
0 :

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
HsbIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of HeisenbergiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Yellow, yellow brown or orange brown
Streak:
Yellow
Hardness:
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
Not observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
5.14 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Density could not be measured

Chemistry of HeisenbergiteHide

Mindat Formula:
U6+O2(OH)2 · H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
U73.909 %
O24.839 %
H1.252 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of HeisenbergiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.10(1) Å, b = 13.76(1) Å, c = 14.50(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.952 : 1 : 1.054
Unit Cell V:
2,613.71 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
As anhedral particles or long prismatic crystals up to about 15 μm in length and only a few μm in thickness.
Posssible space groups: P212121, Pna21, Pnma
Comment:
the dimensions of an orthorhombic unit cell were derived from the indexed powder data

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals]

Type Occurrence of HeisenbergiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
In crusts, on barite, consisting of prismatic crystals (up to 15 μm in length and a few micrometers thick) and anhedral grains.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The collections of the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde
Stuttgart, Germany
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral in a uranium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of HeisenbergiteHide

Other Language Names for HeisenbergiteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Heisenbergite associated with QuartzSiO2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.00.Ferrotaaffeite-6N'3S(Be,Zn,Mg)FeAl4O8Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.00.Mapiquiroite(Sr,Pb)(U,Y)Fe2(Ti,Fe3+,Cr3+)18O38Trig. 3 : R3
4.00.'UM2004-19-O:AlCeGdZr'(Gd,Ce)4Al2Zr4O17
4.00.AlmeidaitePbZn2(Mn,Y)(Ti,Fe3+)18O37(OH,O)Trig. 3 : R3
4.00.VapnikiteCa2CaUO6Mon. 2/m
4.00.Microlite GroupA2-mTa2X6-wZ1-nIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.00.'UM2004-21-O:CaFeGdZr'Ca2Gd4Fe5ZrO15
4.00.'UM2004-27-O:GdTi'Gd2Ti4O11
4.00.Písekite-(Y)(Y,As,Ca,Fe,U)(Nb,Ti,Ta)O4
4.00.Pyrochlore GroupA2Nb2(O,OH)6Z
4.00.20Yttrotungstite-(Nd)NdW2O7(OH) · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:
Element % Content Activity (Bq/kg) Radiation Type
Uranium (U) 73.9088% 18,477,200 α, β, γ
Thorium (Th) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Potassium (K) 0.0000% 0 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:

DistanceDose rateRisk
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 HeisenbergiteHide

Not fluorescent

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Easily soluble in HCl 1:1 and HNO3 1:1
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 HeisenbergiteHide

References for HeisenbergiteHide

Localities for HeisenbergiteHide

Showing 4 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
 
  • Northern Territory
    • West Arnhem Region
      • South Alligator River
Threadgold (1960) +1 other reference
Czech Republic
 
  • Karlovy Vary Region
    • Karlovy Vary District
Ondruš et al. (1997) +1 other reference
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Ortenaukreis
        • Oberwolfach
EDS-
      • Waldshut
        • St Blasien
          • Menzenschwand
Williams et al. (2011) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
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