Gwihabaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gwihabaite
Formula:
(NH4,K)NO3
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
1.77
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after its type locality at the Gcwihaba Cave (Drotsky's Caverns), Maun, North-West District, Botswana (NOTE: The name was altered slightly to aid pronounciation - c in name stands for click sound ! of San people).
This page provides mineralogical data about Gwihabaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
6983
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6983:6
IMA Classification of Gwihabaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(N3-H4)N5+O3
Approval year:
1994
First published:
1996
Classification of Gwihabaite
5.NA.15
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
A : Without OH or H2O
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
A : Without OH or H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
18.1.3.1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gwi | 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 Gwihabaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
1.77 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.80 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured in a mixture of tetrabromoethane and acetone.
Optical Data of Gwihabaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.458 nβ = 1.527 nγ = 1.599
2V:
Measured: 90° , Calculated: 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.141
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
Dispersion:
none
Comments:
X = b, Y = a, Z = c
Chemistry of Gwihabaite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4,K)NO3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Gwihabaite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.075 Å, b = 7.647 Å, c = 5.779 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.925 : 1 : 0.756
Unit Cell V:
312.66 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Slender prismatic crystals, divergent aggregates or "cave flowers".
Enlongated parallel to [001] and the forms are {110}, {100}, and {111}.
Enlongated parallel to [001] and the forms are {110}, {100}, and {111}.
Comment:
Space Group: P bnm
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010592 | Gwihabaite | Amoros J L, Arrese F, Canut M (1962) The crystal structure of the low-temperature phase of NH4NO3(V) at -150 deg C Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 117 92-107 |  | 1962 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.194 Å | (100) |
| 3.212 Å | (95) |
| 2.595 Å | (90) |
| 3.364 Å | (85) |
| 3.863 Å | (75) |
| 2.400 Å | (50) |
| 3.805 Å | (35) |
| 2.905 Å | (30) |
| 2.305 Å | (20) |
| 2.236 Å | (20) |
| 2.250 Å | (15) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Caves. In bioremediated soils.
Type Occurrence of Gwihabaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
slender needles and oulopholites, up to 5 mm. long, forming efflorescences on the walls, boulders, bat guano and earthy floor of the cave
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (formerly Transvaal Museum in Pretoria).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Caves. Bacterial decay of bat guano.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Gwihabaite
Other Language Names for Gwihabaite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.NA.05 | Nitratine | NaNO3 |
| 5.NA.10 | Niter | KNO3 |
| 5.NA.20 | Nitrobarite | Ba(NO3)2 |
| 5.NA.25 | Shilovite | Cu(NH3)4(NO3)2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water, deliquescent
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 Gwihabaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-6983.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Gwihabaite
Reference List:
Localities for Gwihabaite
Showing 13 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.
Botswana (TL) | |
| Martini (1996) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Varilová et al. (2011) |
Namibia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Russia | |
| Anatoly Kasatkin collection and photo |
South Africa | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Martini et al. (1978) | |
Spain | |
| Martínez-Arkarazo et al. (2007) |
Tajikistan | |
| D.I.Belakovskiy data |
| Belakovski et al. (1988) |
USA | |
| American Journal Science (1857) |
Venezuela | |
| BOLETÍN INFORMATIVO DE LA COMISIÓN DE GEOESPELEOLOGÍA (Federación Espeleológica de América Latina y el Caribe -FEALC-) |
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Ravat village, Yagnob River, Zeravshan Range, Sughd, Tajikistan