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Nuragheite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About NuragheiteHide

04939330017271952168950.jpg
Nuraghe Su Nuraxi

Sardinia, Italy
Formula:
Th(MoO4)2 · H2O
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Adamantine, Pearly
Specific Gravity:
5.147 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The name is related to “nuraghe”, the main type of ancient megalithic building found in Sardinia, Italy
New structure type. The second thorium molybdate reported in nature.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
46000
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46000:4

IMA Classification of NuragheiteHide

Classification of NuragheiteHide

7.GB.75

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
G : Molybdates, Wolframates and Niobates
B : With additional anions and/or H2O

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

Physical Properties of NuragheiteHide

Adamantine, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness Data:
Could not be measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
parallel to (100)
Density:
5.147 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of NuragheiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Th(MoO4)2 · H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Th40.711 %
Mo33.672 %
O25.264 %
H0.354 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of NuragheiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.358(2) Å, b = 10.544(3) Å, c = 9.489(2) Å
β = 91.88(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.698 : 1 : 0.9
Unit Cell V:
735.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Thin {100} tabular crystals, up to 200 μm in length.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23)

Type Occurrence of NuragheiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin tabular crystals, up to 200 µm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Museo di Storia Naturale, Universita` di Pisa, Calci (Pisa), Italy, catalogue number 19680.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Quartz molybdenite veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of NuragheiteHide

Other Language Names for NuragheiteHide

German:Nuragheit

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Nuragheite associated with IchnusaiteTh(MoO4)2 · 3H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.GB.Stunorthropite(NH4)4[Mo2O6(MoO4)2]Tric. 1 : P1
7.GB.HartkoppeiteCa4Mn2+Mo6+6As5+4O32(OH)2(H2O)14 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.GB.WangpuiteK3(PO4)(Mo12O36)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
7.GB.AlexearliteHg3S2(MoO4)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
7.GB.OotanniteTh4+2W6+4O16 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.GB.NatromolybditeNa2MoO4 · 2H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
7.GB.Marsaalamite-(Y)Y(MoO4)(OH)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.GB.05LindgreniteCu3(MoO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
7.GB.10SzenicsiteCu3(MoO4)(OH)4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
7.GB.15'UM1999-38-WO:CrV'(V, Cr, W, O, H) [V:Cr:W ratio about 2:1:3]
7.GB.15HueniteCu4(MoO4)3(OH)2Trig. 3m : P31c
7.GB.15CuprotungstiteCu2(WO4)(OH)2Tet. 422 : P41212
7.GB.20Phyllotungstite(H2O,M)x(W,Fe)(O,OH)3 · yH2O (M = Ca, Cs, Pb or K)Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
7.GB.25RankachiteCa0.5(V4+,V5+)(W6+,Fe3+)2O8(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.GB.30FerrimolybditeFe2(MoO4)3 · nH2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
7.GB.35MpororoiteWAlO3(OH)3 · 2(H2O)Tric.
7.GB.35AnthoiniteAlWO3(OH)3Tric. 1
7.GB.40Obradovicite-KCu[K2(H2O)17Cu(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna
7.GB.45Paramendozavilite[KAl4(H2O)30][Mo12P6Fe3+6O60(OH)13]Mon.
7.GB.45Mendozavilite-NaFe[Na2(H2O)15Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O35(OH)2]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.GB.45Obradovicite-NaCuNa2(H2O)17Cu(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna
7.GB.45Obradovicite-NaNa[Na2(H2O)16Na(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O33(OH)4] Orth.
7.GB.50Tancaite-(Ce)FeCe(MoO4)3 · 3H2O Trig. 3 : R3
7.GB.50Mendozavilite-NaCu[Na2(H2O)15Cu(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.GB.50Mendozavilite-KCa[K2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.GB.60PeterandreseniteMn4Nb6O19 · 14H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.GB.60HansesmarkiteCa2Mn2Nb6O19 · 20H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.GB.60MelcheriteBa2Na2Mg[Nb6O19] · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.GB.65IchnusaiteTh(MoO4)2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.GB.70MarkascheriteCu3(MoO4)(OH)4Mon. 2/m : P21/m
7.GB.80OphiriteCa2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2] · 46H2OTric. 1 : P1

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:
Element % Content Activity (Bq/kg) Radiation Type
Uranium (U) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Thorium (Th) 40.7107% 1,628,428 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

Other InformationHide

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 NuragheiteHide

References for NuragheiteHide

Localities for NuragheiteHide

Showing 2 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.
Austria
 
  • Salzburg
    • Zell am See District
      • Krimml
        • Rainbach valley
Steiner et al. (2020)
Italy (TL)
 
  • Sardinia
    • Metropolitan City of Cagliari
      • Sarroch
Williams et al. (2013) +2 other references
 
and/or  
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