Plášilite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Plášilite
Jakub Plášil
Formula:
Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Colour:
Greenish yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
3.726 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honour of Jakub Plášil (born 1984), crystallographer at the Department of Structure Analysis, Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, for his significant work on the crystal chemistry of hydrated oxysalts and hexavalent uranium minerals and compounds.
This page provides mineralogical data about Plášilite.
Name Encoding
Latin-1:
Plásilite
ASCII-7:
Plasilite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46145
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46145:6
Similar Names
| Plasolite | A synonym of 'Hibschite' | |
| Plazolite | A variety of Grossular | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 |
IMA Classification of Plášilite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na(U6+O2)(S6+O4)(OH)·2H2O
Approval year:
2014
First published:
2015
Classification of Plášilite
7.EC.50
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pšl | 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 Plášilite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Greenish yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Probably between 2 and 3
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Two perfect cleavages, {010} and {001}.
Two perfect cleavages, {010} and {001}.
Density:
3.726 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Plášilite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.556(1) nβ = 1.581(1) nγ = 1.608(1)
2V:
Measured: 88° , Calculated: 89°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.052
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 (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
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
Dispersion is moderate, r < v.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = nearly colourless, Y = very pale yellow, Z = pale yellow; X < Y < Z.
Chemistry of Plášilite
Mindat Formula:
Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Plášilite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.7122(6) Å, b = 13.8368(4) Å, c = 7.0465(2) Å
β = 112.126(8)°
β = 112.126(8)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.63 : 1 : 0.509
Unit Cell V:
786.89 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
As long, thin blades, elongated on [001] and flattened on {100}; rarely as prisms, also elongated on [001]. Forms observed : {100}, {010} and {011}.
Twinning:
Commonly twinned on {100}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.90 Å | (100) |
| 5.85 Å | (99) |
| 4.024 Å | (57) |
| 3.492 Å | (82) |
| 3.136 Å | (40) |
| 2.690 Å | (25) |
| 2.618 Å | (34) |
| 1.9212 Å | (30) |
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 Plášilite
General Appearance of Type Material:
In and on sandstone. A low-temperature, secondary mineral formed by the post-mining weathering of uraninite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
In the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue numbers 64126, 64127, 64128, 64129 and 64130, and the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian
Academy of Sciences,
Academy of Sciences,
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Sandstone
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Plášilite
Other Language Names for Plášilite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Plášilite associated with 'Mudstone' | |
| 2 photos of Plášilite associated with Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Plášilite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 1 photo of Plášilite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Plášilite associated with Svornostite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4(H2O)8 |
| 1 photo of Plášilite associated with Hexahydrite | Mg(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 1 photo of Plášilite associated with Johannite | Cu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O |
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. | Adolfpateraite | K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O) |
| 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.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) | 53.8383% | 13,459,575 | 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: –
| 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 Plášilite
Fluoresces bluish white under both long-wave and short-wave UV
Other Information
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 Plášilite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46145.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Plášilite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014, CNMNC Newsletter No 21. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (4) 797-804 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.4.03
Localities for Plášilite
Showing 5 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.
USA | |
| Joe Marty Collection |
| Williams et al. (2014) +3 other references |
| Kampf et al. (2017) | |
| Kampf et al. (2018) | |
| Collection of Alex Earl |
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Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA