Magnesioleydetite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Magnesioleydetite
Jean-Claude Leydet
Formula:
Mg(UO2)(SO4)2 · 11H2O
Colour:
Pale green–yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.463 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for being the Mg analogue of leydetite, with Mg replacing Fe2+. The root name is for Jean-Claude Leydet (18 April 1961 - 21 November 2018), an amateur mineralogist from Brest (France) and collector of uranium minerals.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
52172
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:52172:1
IMA Classification of Magnesioleydetite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Mg(U6+O2)(S6+O4)2(H2O)7·4H2O
Approval year:
2017
First published:
2019
Classification of Magnesioleydetite
7.EB.15
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
B : With medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
B : With medium-sized 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mley | 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 Magnesioleydetite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pale green–yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}.
On {001}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.463 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Density could not be measured.
Chemistry of Magnesioleydetite
Mindat Formula:
Mg(UO2)(SO4)2 · 11H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Magnesioleydetite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.3513(3) Å, b = 7.7310(2) Å, c = 21.7957(15) Å
β = 102.387(7)°
β = 102.387(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.468 : 1 : 2.819
Unit Cell V:
1,868.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Blades are flattened on {001}.
Twinning:
Commonly twinned by 180° rotation on [1_10] as indicated by single-crystal XRD. The composition plane appears to be {111}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.66 Å | (100) |
| 6.31 Å | (78) |
| 5.85 Å | (38) |
| 5.32 Å | (49) |
| 5.06 Å | (61) |
| 3.759 Å | (36) |
| 3.390 Å | (59) |
| 3.193 Å | (50) |
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] |
Type Occurrence of Magnesioleydetite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Irregular aggregates (to ~0.5 mm) of blades (to ~0.2 mm).
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue numbers 66647, 66648, 66649 and 66650 (cotypes).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Efflorescent mineral, formed in the humid underground workings of an abandoned mine in a sandstone-hosted uranium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Magnesioleydetite
Other Language Names for Magnesioleydetite
Dutch:Magnesioleydetiet
German:Magnesioleydetit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Magnesioleydetite associated with Strassmannite | Al(UO2)(SO4)2F · 16H2O |
| 1 photo of Magnesioleydetite associated with Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EB. | Bobcookite | NaAl(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
| 7.EB. | Zincorietveldite | Zn(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5 |
| 7.EB. | Chenowethite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2] · 5H2O |
| 7.EB.I | Shinarumpite | [Co(H2O)6][(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)] · 4H2O |
| 7.EB. | Alwilkinsite-(Y) | Y(UO2)3(SO4)2O(OH)3(H2O)7 · 7H2O |
| 7.EB. | Gurzhiite | Al(UO2)(SO4)2F · 10H2O |
| 7.EB.05 | Johannite | Cu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EB.05 | Meitnerite | (NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.EB.10 | Rietveldite | Fe(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5 |
| 7.EB.10 | Deliensite | Fe[(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2](H2O)7 |
| 7.EB.15 | Strassmannite | Al(UO2)(SO4)2F · 16H2O |
| 7.EB.15 | Leydetite | Fe(UO2)(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.EB.20 | Greenlizardite | (NH4)Na(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.EB.25 | Markcooperite | Pb2(UO2)(TeO6) |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 34.7677% | 8,691,925 | 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 Magnesioleydetite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Easily soluble in room-temperature H2O and dehydrates readily even at moderate relative humidity.
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 Magnesioleydetite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-52172.html
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References for Magnesioleydetite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2017) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2017, CNMNC Newsletter No 39. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (5) 1279-1286 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.072
Localities for Magnesioleydetite
Showing 2 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 (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2017) +3 other references |
| Desor (12/2020) |
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Widowmaker Mine, Fry Mesa, White Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA