Albrechtschraufite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Albrechtschraufite
Albrecht Schrauf (marble relief)
Formula:
Ca4Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6F2 · 17-18H2O
Colour:
Yellow-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.6
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in 1984 by Kurt Mereiter in honor of Albrecht Schrauf [December 14, 1837, Wien (Vienna), Austria – November 29, 1897, Wien (Vienna), Austria] in recognition of his contributions to the knowledge of uranyl carbonate minerals at the discovery locality. Schrauf was professor of Mineralogy and curator of the Imperial Hofmineralien Cabinet, University of Vienna. Schrauf was an internationally important morphological crystallographer and author. He wrote "Atlas der Krystallformen des Mineralreiches" and the much honored textbook "Lehrbuch der physikalischen Mineralogie". He worked with Gustav Tschermak in editing the journal "Mineralogische Mitteilungen". Schrauf was blinded in his left eye in 1893 when he was making crystallographic measurements and the full intensity of the sun's rays accidentally were directed to his eye.
Visually similar to liebigite and other secondary U minerals.
First abstracted in 1983 but not described until 2013.
First abstracted in 1983 but not described until 2013.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
97
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:97:6
IMA Classification of Albrechtschraufite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca4Mg(U6+O2)2(CO3)6F2·17H2O
Approval year:
1983
First published:
2013
Classification of Albrechtschraufite
5.ED.15
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
16b.7.11.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
12.1.25
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Asf | 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 Albrechtschraufite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellow-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.6 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.67 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured by flotation in dibromomethane/1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane mixtures.
Optical Data of Albrechtschraufite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
Dispersion:
r < v, weak
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X almost colourless, Y and Z pale yellowish green
Comments:
nX=1.511(2), nY=1.550(2), nZ=1.566(2)
X^a=122°, X^b=100°, X^c=19°, Y^a=140°
Y^b=105°, Y^c=96°, Z^a=111°, Z^b=18°, Z^c=108°
X^a=122°, X^b=100°, X^c=19°, Y^a=140°
Y^b=105°, Y^c=96°, Z^a=111°, Z^b=18°, Z^c=108°
Chemistry of Albrechtschraufite
Mindat Formula:
Ca4Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6F2 · 17-18H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Albrechtschraufite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.569(2) Å, b = 13.419(2) Å, c = 11.622(2) Å
α = 115.82(1)°, β = 107.61(1)°, γ = 92.84(1)°
α = 115.82(1)°, β = 107.61(1)°, γ = 92.84(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.011 : 1 : 0.866
Unit Cell V:
1774.6 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Type material: Short prismatic in habit and incompletely developed due to intergrowths. Forms include : {001}, {101}, {100}, {110}, and {111}.
Comment:
Structural cell, not reduced.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018906 | Albrechtschraufite | Mereiter K (2013) Description and crystal structure of albrechtschaufite, MgCa4F2[UO2(CO3)3]2*17-18H2O Mineralogy and Petrology 107 179-188 | 2013 | Joachimsthal, Bohemia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 11.811 Å | (98) |
| 10.283 Å | (32) |
| 9.739 Å | (100) |
| 7.841 Å | (8) |
| 6.628 Å | (46) |
| 6.527 Å | (42) |
| 6.321 Å | (82) |
| 6.215 Å | (52) |
| 6.138 Å | (48) |
| 5.927 Å | (46) |
| 5.844 Å | (25) |
| 5.759 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Albrechtschraufite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small grain-like crystals, ≤ 0.2 mm, forming a thin incrustation. The crystals resemble liebigite in appearance.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Vienna, Austria, A.a. 6740 (schröckingerite specimen on which the mineral was discovered).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
On a museum specimen of schröckingerite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Albrechtschraufite
Other Language Names for Albrechtschraufite
Dutch:Albrechtschraufiet
French:Albrechtschraufite
German:Albrechtschraufit
Norwegian:Albrechtschraufitt
Spanish:Albrechtschraufita
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Albrechtschraufite associated with Schröckingerite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SO4)F · 10H2O |
| 1 photo of Albrechtschraufite associated with Zellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.ED. | Szilagyiite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SeO3)F(H2O)6 |
| 5.ED. | Pendevilleite-(Y) | Mg2Y3Al(UO2)2(CO3)7(OH)6(H2O)16 |
| 5.ED. | Paramarkeyite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5H2O |
| 5.ED.05 | Bayleyite | Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O |
| 5.ED.10 | Swartzite | MgCa(UO2)(CO3)3 · 12H2O |
| 5.ED.20 | Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| 5.ED.25 | Rabbittite | Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O |
| 5.ED.30 | Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5.33H2O |
| 5.ED.35 | Grimselite | K3Na(UO2)(CO3)3 · H2O |
| 5.ED.40 | Widenmannite | Pb2(OH)2[(UO2)(CO3)2] |
| 5.ED.45 | Znucalite | Zn10Ca0.83(UO2)0.83(CO3)4(OH)15.31(H2O)5.48 |
| 5.ED.50 | Agricolaite | K4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
| 5.ED.50 | Čejkaite | Na4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
| 5.ED.55 | Línekite | K2Ca3[(UO2)(CO3)3]2 · 8H2O |
| 5.ED.55 | Braunerite | K2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
| 5.ED.60 | Leószilárdite | Na6Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6 · 6H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Pseudomarkeyite | Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)12 · 21H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Natromarkeyite | Na2Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 27H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Markeyite | Ca9(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 28H2O |
| 5.ED.70 | Paddlewheelite | MgCa5Cu2(UO2)4(CO3)12(H2O)33 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 33.3145% | 8,328,625 | 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 Albrechtschraufite
Under LW or SW UV the mineral fluoresces light-bluish green, similar to schröckingerite but less intense.
Other Information
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Radioactive - Contains uranium - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas.
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 Albrechtschraufite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-97.html
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References for Albrechtschraufite
Reference List:
Mereiter, K. (1984) The crystal structure of albrechtschraufite, MgCa4F2[(UO2)(CO3)3]2·17H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography, 40 (a1). C247 doi:10.1107/s010876738409259x
Localities for Albrechtschraufite
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.
Czech Republic (TL) | |
| Mereiter (1984) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Desor (05/2020) +1 other reference |
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Uranus Mine, Kleinrückerswalde, Annaberg-Buchholz, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany