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Uranoclite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About UranocliteHide

Formula:
(UO2)2(OH)2Cl2(H2O)4
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
4.038 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for the composition, being a uranyl chloride mineral.
Known synthetic analogue. Second U-Cl mineral after bluelizardite. Second actinide halogenide mineral after cabvinite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
55322
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55322:5

Similar NamesHide

IMA Classification of UranocliteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
(U6+O2)2(OH)2Cl2(H2O)4
Approval year:
2021
First published:
2021

Classification of UranocliteHide

3.D0.

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
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
UroIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of UranocliteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
Very pale yellow.
Hardness:
1½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.038 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of UranocliteHide

Mindat Formula:
(UO2)2(OH)2Cl2(H2O)4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
U66.392 %
O22.313 %
Cl9.889 %
H1.406 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
U
O
Cl
H

Crystallography of UranocliteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.763(8) Å, b = 6.156(8) Å, c = 17.798(8) Å
β = 95.656(15)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.748 : 1 : 2.891
Unit Cell V:
1,173.50 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Spacegroup: P21/n

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
8.85 Å(38)
5.340 Å(100)
5.051 Å(63)
4.421 Å(83)
3.781 Å(38)
3.586 Å(57)
2.828 Å(33)
2.005 Å(37)

Type Occurrence of UranocliteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Tightly intergrown aggregates of irregular yellow crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue numbers 75101 and 75102.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of UranocliteHide

Other Language Names for UranocliteHide

German:Uranoclit

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Uranoclite associated with GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

3.D0.Gajardoite-(NH4)(NH4)As3+4O6Cl2(Ca0.50.5)(H2O)5Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm
3.D0.CabviniteTh2F7(OH) · 3H2OTet. 4/m : I4/m

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:
Element % Content Activity (Bq/kg) Radiation Type
Uranium (U) 66.3923% 16,598,075 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 UranocliteHide

Bright green–white under 405 nm ultraviolet light.

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Soluble in H2O.
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 UranocliteHide

References for UranocliteHide

Localities for UranocliteHide

Showing 1 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.
USA (TL)
 
  • Utah
    • San Juan County
      • Red Canyon Mining District
Kampf et al. (2021) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
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