Akaganeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Akaganeite
Formula:
(Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O
Colour:
Yellowish brown, rusty brown
Lustre:
Earthy
Specific Gravity:
3.52 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after the Akagane mine, Japan, the discovery locality. The diacritic mark was removed in 2008 by the IMA, changing the name from akaganéite to akaganeite (Burke, 2008).
The presence of akaganeite indicates high concentrations of chloride in an acidic environment (Ståhl et al. 2003). Chemically similar to droninoite. Also compare muonionalustaite; paratacamite-(Ni).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
67
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:67:9
IMA Classification of Akaganeite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25·nH2O
Approval year:
1962
First published:
1962
Classification of Akaganeite
4.DK.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
K : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; tunnel structures
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
K : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; tunnel structures
6.1.6.1
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
1 : XO(OH)
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
1 : XO(OH)
7.20.6
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
20 : Oxides of Fe
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
20 : Oxides of Fe
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Akg | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Akg | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Akaganeite
Earthy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellowish brown, rusty brown
Streak:
Brownish yellow
Density:
3.52 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Akaganeite
Type:
Biaxial
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Akaganeite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Akaganeite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.560(4) Å, b = 3.0268(12) Å, c = 10.512(4) Å
β = 90.050(15)°
β = 90.050(15)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.489 : 1 : 3.473
Unit Cell V:
336.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Comment:
Space Group: I2/m ; from Muonionalusta iron (IVA) meteorite
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001349 | Akaganeite | Post J E, Buchwald V F (1991) Crystal structure refinement of akaganeite American Mineralogist 76 272-277 |  | 1991 | corrosion crust on the Camp del Cielo meteorite | 0 | 293 |
| 0003079 | Akaganeite | Post J E, Heaney P J, Von Dreele R B, Hanson J C (2003) Neutron and temperature-resolved synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study of akaganeite American Mineralogist 88 782-788 | | 2003 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 1.6434 Å | (35) |
| 2.2952 Å | (35) |
| 2.5502 Å | (55) |
| 2.6344 Å | (25) |
| 3.333 Å | (100) |
| 5.276 Å | (30) |
| 7.467 Å | (40) |
Reference:
Comments:
Pattern of synthetic β-FeO(OH)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 42 : Sea-floor Mn nodules | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| 47i : [Terrestrial weathering of meteorites] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
Geological Setting:
in oxidation zones of pyrrhotite-bearing iron sulphide deposits, as an important constituent of some soils, in certain geothermal brines and in sea-floor nodules, also formed as corrosion product of some meteorites
Type Occurrence of Akaganeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
fine-grained to powdery masses, consisting of bundles of tiny spindle-like crystals up to 5 µm in length
Geological Setting of Type Material:
oxidation zone of a pyrrhotite-bearing iron sulphide deposit, apparently formed from pyrrhotite by ferric-sulphate-bearing solutions
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Akaganeite
Other Language Names for Akaganeite
Dutch:Akaganeiet
French:Akganéite
German:Akaganeit
Japanese:赤金鉱
Norwegian:Akaganeitt
Russian:Акаганеит
Spanish:Akaganeita
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Akaganeite associated with Schreibersite | (Fe,Ni)3P |
| 5 photos of Akaganeite associated with Lawrencite | (Fe2+,Ni)Cl2 |
| 5 photos of Akaganeite associated with 'Limonite' | |
| 4 photos of Akaganeite associated with 'Plessite' | |
| 4 photos of Akaganeite associated with Taenite | (Ni,Fe) |
| 3 photos of Akaganeite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 3 photos of Akaganeite associated with 'Kamacite' | (Fe,Ni) |
| 2 photos of Akaganeite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 1 photo of Akaganeite associated with Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 1 photo of Akaganeite associated with 'Slag' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DK.K | Thalliomelane | Tl(Mn4+7.5Cu2+0.5)O16 |
| 4.DK. | Ferrihollandite | Ba(Mn4+6Fe3+2)O16 |
| 4.DK. | Kopernikite | K(Ti4+7Cr3+)O16 |
| 4.DK.4.DK. | Ferricoronadite | Pb(Mn4+6Fe3+2)O16 |
| 4.DK.05a | Manjiroite | Na(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| 4.DK.05b | Mannardite | Ba(Ti4+6V3+2)O16 |
| 4.DK.05b | Redledgeite | Ba(Ti4+6Cr3+2)O16 |
| 4.DK.05a | Coronadite | Pb(Mn4+6Mn3+2)O16 |
| 4.DK.05a | Hollandite | Ba(Mn4+6Mn3+2)O16 |
| 4.DK.05a | Cryptomelane | K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| 4.DK.05a | Strontiomelane | Sr(Mn4+6Mn3+2)O16 |
| 4.DK.05b | Henrymeyerite | Ba(Ti4+7Fe2+)O16 |
| 4.DK.05b | Priderite | K(Ti4+7Fe3+)O16 |
| 4.DK.10 | Romanèchite | (Ba,H2O)2(Mn4+,Mn3+)5O10 |
| 4.DK.10 | Todorokite | (Na,Ca,K,Ba,Sr)1-x(Mn,Mg,Al)6O12 · 3-4H2O |
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 Akaganeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-67.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Akaganeite
Reference List:
Weiser, Harry B., Milligan, W. O. (1935) x-Ray Studies on the Hydrous Oxides. V. Beta Ferric Oxide Monohydrate. Journal Of The American Chemical Society, 57 (2) 238-241 doi:10.1021/ja01305a003
Kratky, O., Nowotny, H. (1939) Kürzere Originalmitteilungen und Notizen. Zur Kristallstruktur von ß-FeOOH. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 100 (1) 356 doi:10.1524/zkri.1939.100.1.356
Mackay, A. L. (1960) β-Ferric Oxyhydroxide. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 32 (250) 545-557 doi:10.1180/minmag.1960.032.250.04
Mackay, A. L. (1962) β-Ferric oxyhydroxide—akaganéite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (259) 270-280 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.259.02
Mackay, A. L. (1962) β-Ferric oxyhydroxide—akaganéite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (259) 270-280 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.259.02
Chandy, K.C. (1965) Thermal transformation of β-ferric oxyhydroxide. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 35 (272) 666-669 doi:10.1180/minmag.1965.035.272.14
Nambu, Matsuo (1968) New mineral Akaganeite, β-FeOOH, from Akagane Mine, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The Journal of the Japanese Association of Mineralogists, Petrologists and Economic Geologists, 59 (4) 143-151 doi:10.2465/ganko1941.59.143
Murad, E. (1979) Mössbauer and X-ray data on β-FeOOH (akaganéite) Clay Minerals, 14 (4) 273-283 doi:10.1180/claymin.1979.014.4.04
Paterson, E., Swaffield, R., Clark, D.R. (1982) Thermal decomposition of synthetic akaganeite (β-FeOOH). Thermochimica Acta, 54. 201-211 doi:10.1016/0040-6031(82)85079-x
Gonzalez-Calbet, J.M., Franco, M.A.Alario (1982) A thermogravimetric and electron microscopy study of the decomposition of akaganeite. Thermochimica Acta, 58. 45-51 doi:10.1016/0040-6031(82)87138-4
Buchwald, Vagn F., Clarke, Roy S., Jr., (1989) Corrosion of Fe-Ni alloys by Cl-containing akaganeite (β-FeOOH): The Antarctic meteorite case. American Mineralogist, 74 (5-6) 656-667
Cornell, R. M. (1990) Transformation of Akaganéite into Goethite and Hematite in Alkaline Media. Clays and Clay Minerals, 38 (5). 469-476 doi:10.1346/ccmn.1990.0380502
Post, Jeffrey E., Buchwald, Vagn F. (1991) Crystal structure refinement of akaganéite. American Mineralogist, 76 (1-2) 272-277
Post, Jeffrey E., Heaney, Peter J., Von Dreele, Robert B., Hanson, Jonathan C. (2003) Neutron and temperature-resolved synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study of akaganéite. American Mineralogist, 88 (5) 782-788 doi:10.2138/am-2003-5-607
Ståhl, Kenny, Nielsen, Kurt, Jiang, Jianzhong, Lebech, Bente, Hanson, Jonathan C., Norby, Poul, van Lanschot, Jettie (2003) On the akaganéite crystal structure, phase transformations and possible role in post-excavational corrosion of iron artifacts. Corrosion Science, 45. 2563-2575 doi:10.1016/s0010-938x(03)00078-7
Holtstam, Dan (2006) Akaganéite as a corrosion product of natural, non-meteoritic iron from Qeqertarsuaq, West Greenland. GFF, 128 (1) 69-71 doi:10.1080/11035890601281069
Rémazeilles, C., Refait, Ph. (2007) On the formation of β-FeOOH (akaganéite) in chloride-containing environments. Corrosion Science, 49. 844-857 doi:10.1016/j.corsci.2006.06.003
Burke, Ernst A. J. (2008) Tidying up mineral names: an IMA-CNMNC scheme for suffixes, hyphens and diacritical marks. The Mineralogical Record, 39 (2) 131-135
Bishop, J. L., Murad, E., Dyar, M. D. (2015) Akaganeite and schwertmannite: Spectral properties and geochemical implications of their possible presence on Mars. American Mineralogist, 100 (4) 738-746 doi:10.2138/am-2015-5016
Scheck, Johanna, Lemke, Tobias, Gebauer, Denis (2015) The Role of Chloride Ions during the Formation of Akaganéite Revisited. Minerals, 5 (4). 778-787 doi:10.3390/min5040524
Peretyazhko, T.S., Fox, A., Sutter, B., Niles, P.B., Adams, M., Morris, R.V., Ming, D.W. (2016) Synthesis of akaganeite in the presence of sulfate: Implications for akaganeite formation in Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 188. 284-296 doi:10.1016/j.gca.2016.06.002
Localities for Akaganeite
Showing 78 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.
Antarctica | |
| Buchwald et al. (1989) |
| Kuebler (2013) |
Argentina | |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Bogdanov et al. (2008) |
| Bogdanov et al. (2008) | |
| Bogdanov et al. (2008) | |
Austria | |
| Ertl et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
Belgium | |
| Jockin (en collaboration avec l'université de Liège) +5 other references |
Brazil | |
| Mandarino (1997) |
Canada | |
| personal correspondence with Giles ... |
| Walker et al. (2009) |
| Walker et al. (2009) | |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
Chile | |
| samples analysed by Anthony Kampf +1 other reference |
China | |
| Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD data |
Czech Republic | |
| Matýsek et al. (2026) |
| Skála R. |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) +1 other reference |
| |
| Schnorrer (1993) | |
| Blaß et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Tony Nikischer and Luis Menezes |
| www.emc2012.org.uk (2020) |
Greece | |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| 58. +1 other reference | |
| |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Greenland | |
| Holtstam (2006) |
India | |
| Organizing Committee IMA-IMAGOD meetings '70. Editorial Committee (1970) |
Italy | |
| Fioretti et al. (2004) |
| Ara D. et al. (2013) |
| Int. Assoc. of Collectors of Slag Minerals (2) |
| Jansen et al. (1998) |
| Cerutti et al. (1995) |
Japan (TL) | |
| Mackay (1962) +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan | |
| Sharygin (2019) |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
New Zealand | |
| Johnston (1977) +1 other reference |
| Rod Martin et al. (NZ) |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2025) |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2025) | |
Poland | |
| Gurdziel et al. (2016) |
| Musiał J. 1996: Results of preliminary ... |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD data (to be published soon) +1 other reference |
Red Sea | |
| Anthony +2 other references | |
Russia | |
| Sharygin (IIAB) +1 other reference |
| Pavel Kartashov specimen +1 other reference |
| Pekov et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| [World of Stones 12:49] | |
Slovakia | |
| Duda et. all. |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Ryback et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| an abandoned uranium mine +1 other reference |
| Simon et al. (2018) |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
| Tindle (2008) | |
Ukraine | |
| Chukhrov F.V. et al. (1987) |
| Arbuzov V.A. et al. (1967) |
USA | |
| Merritt Stephen Enders (2000) |
| Eidel et al. (1968) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Cerato |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
| Bernard et al. (2004) |
| Buchwald (1975) |
Mars | |
| Grotzinger et al. (2015) |
| Several papers on: Science Express |
| Grotzinger et al. (2015) | |
| Grotzinger et al. (2015) | |
The Moon | |
| curator.jsc.nasa.gov (n.d.) |
| Mokhov A.V. et al. (2007) |
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Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany