Magnesiovoltaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Magnesiovoltaite
Formula:
K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O
Colour:
Yellow, brownish-yellow, pale yellowish-green
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.51
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
For the mineral voltaite and its magnesium content.
The Mg analogue of voltaite. Also the K analogue of ammoniomagnesiovoltaite. Chemically related to pertlikite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
47023
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:47023:2
IMA Classification of Magnesiovoltaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(S6+O4)12(H2O)18
Approval year:
2016
Type description reference:
Chukanov, Nikita V., Aksenov, Sergey M., Rastsvetaeva, Ramiza K., Möhn, Gerhard, Rusakov, Vyacheslav S., Pekov, Igor V., Scholz, Ricardo, Eremina, Tatiana A., Belakovskiy, Dmitriy I., Lorenz, Joachim A. (2016) Magnesiovoltaite, K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12·18H2O, a new mineral from the Alcaparrosa mine, Antofagasta region, Chile. European Journal of Mineralogy, 28 (5) 1005-1017 doi:10.1127/ejm/2016/0028-2565
Classification of Magnesiovoltaite
7.CC.25
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mvlt | 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 Magnesiovoltaite
Colour:
Yellow, brownish-yellow, pale yellowish-green
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.51(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.506 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Magnesiovoltaite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
nα = 1.584(2) nβ = 1.587(2) nγ = 1.588(2) nω = 1.588(2) nε = 1.584(2)
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Comments:
anomalously anisotropic, uniaxial ( ε = 1.584(2) and ω = 1.588(2),) or biaxial (-) (α, β and γ applied)
Chemistry of Magnesiovoltaite
Mindat Formula:
K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Mn,Zn,(Na)
Crystallography of Magnesiovoltaite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m(4/m32/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fd3c
Setting:
Fd3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 27.161(1) Å
Unit Cell V:
20037.2 ų
Z:
16
Morphology:
main forms: {111}, {100}; subordinate forms: {110}, {211}
Comment:
isostructural with other group members
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.56 Å | (29) |
| 6.77 Å | (37) |
| 5.53 Å | (61) |
| 3.532 Å | (68) |
| 3.392 Å | (100) |
| 3.034 Å | (45) |
| 2.845 Å | (30) |
| 2.531 Å | (24) |
Reference:
Chukanov, Nikita V., Aksenov, Sergey M., Rastsvetaeva, Ramiza K., Möhn, Gerhard, Rusakov, Vyacheslav S., Pekov, Igor V., Scholz, Ricardo, Eremina, Tatiana A., Belakovskiy, Dmitriy I., Lorenz, Joachim A. (2016) Magnesiovoltaite, K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12·18H2O, a new mineral from the Alcaparrosa mine, Antofagasta region, Chile. European Journal of Mineralogy, 28 (5) 1005-1017 doi:10.1127/ejm/2016/0028-2565
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] |
Geological Setting:
Alcaparrosa mine, second association
Type Occurrence of Magnesiovoltaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
isometric crystals, up to 2 mm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration numbers 4780/1 (holotype) and 4780/2 (cotype)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
oxidation of pyritic masses under increasingly arid conditions.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Chukanov, Nikita V., Aksenov, Sergey M., Rastsvetaeva, Ramiza K., Möhn, Gerhard, Rusakov, Vyacheslav S., Pekov, Igor V., Scholz, Ricardo, Eremina, Tatiana A., Belakovskiy, Dmitriy I., Lorenz, Joachim A. (2016) Magnesiovoltaite, K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12·18H2O, a new mineral from the Alcaparrosa mine, Antofagasta region, Chile. European Journal of Mineralogy, 28 (5) 1005-1017 doi:10.1127/ejm/2016/0028-2565
Synonyms of Magnesiovoltaite
Other Language Names for Magnesiovoltaite
Dutch:Magnesiovoltaiet
German:Magnesiovoltait
Relationship of Magnesiovoltaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Voltaite Group:
| Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c |
| Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c |
| Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2(Mg,Fe3+)4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd |
| Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c |
| Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Magnesiovoltaite associated with Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 2 photos of Magnesiovoltaite associated with Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Magnesiovoltaite associated with Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Magnesiovoltaite associated with Metavoltine | K2Na6Fe2+Fe3+6O2(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 1 photo of Magnesiovoltaite associated with Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 1 photo of Magnesiovoltaite associated with Rhomboclase | (H5O2)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Magnesiovoltaite associated with Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 1 photo of Magnesiovoltaite associated with Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CC. | Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC. | Andychristyite | PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
| 7.CC. | Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 |
| 7.CC.05 | Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.10 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2(Mg,Fe3+)4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.30 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.35 | Ferrinatrite | Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.CC.40 | Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Nickelblödite | Na2Ni(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Leonite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Mereiterite | K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.65 | Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.70 | Leightonite | K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.75 | Amarillite | NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.80 | Konyaite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 7.CC.85 | Wattevilleite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?) |
| 7.CC.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.90 | Eckhardite | (Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 4.1788% | 1,295 | 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
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
spectrum is given
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 Magnesiovoltaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-47023.html
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References for Magnesiovoltaite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2016) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2015 and 2016, CNMNC Newsletter No 29. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (1) 199-205 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.080
Chukanov, Nikita V., Aksenov, Sergey M., Rastsvetaeva, Ramiza K., Möhn, Gerhard, Rusakov, Vyacheslav S., Pekov, Igor V., Scholz, Ricardo, Eremina, Tatiana A., Belakovskiy, Dmitriy I., Lorenz, Joachim A. (2016) Magnesiovoltaite, K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12·18H2O, a new mineral from the Alcaparrosa mine, Antofagasta region, Chile. European Journal of Mineralogy, 28 (5) 1005-1017 doi:10.1127/ejm/2016/0028-2565
Zhitova, Elena S., Sheveleva, Rezeda M., Kupchinenko, Anastasia N., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Pekov, Igor V., Nuzhdaev, Anton A., Davydova, Vesta O., Vlasenko, Natalia S., Plutakhina, Ekaterina Y., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Schweigert, Peter E., Semenova, Tatiana F. (2023) The Crystal Chemistry of Voltaite-Group Minerals from Post-Volcanic and Anthropogenic Occurrences. Symmetry, 15 (12) 2126 doi:10.3390/sym15122126
Localities for Magnesiovoltaite
Showing 9 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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2016) +2 other references |
China | |
| Luo et al. (2019) |
Germany | |
| SEM-EDS by Joy Desor |
Italy | |
| Russo et al. (2017) |
| Russo et al. (2017) | |
| Mauro (2020) |
| Mauro D. (2016) | |
USA | |
| Kampf et al. (2024) |
| Collection of Alex Earl |
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Alcaparrosa Mine, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile