Letovicite

Letovicite (/lɛtˈvɪst/) is an ammonium sulfate mineral with composition (NH4)3H(SO4)2 (IUPAC: triammonium sulfate hydrogensulfate, Nickel–Strunz classification 07.AD.20).

Letovicite
White crystals of ammonium sulfate mineral letovicite from the Anna 2 Mine, Aachen, North Rhine - Westphalia, Germany.
General
CategorySulfate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
(NH4)3H(SO4)2
Strunz classification07.AD.20
Dana classification28.1.3.1
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
Space groupC2/c (no. 15)
Identification
ColorColorless, white
Crystal habitTiny pseudo-hexagonal plates, granular
TwinningLamellar twinning
CleavageDistinct on {001}
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness1-2
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity1.83
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-), colorless (transmitted light)
2V angle75° (calc.)
SolubilitySoluble in water
References[1]

It is a rare colorless or white monoclinic secondary mineral formed during the burning of waste coal heaps and as a deposit in hot springs. It was first described from the Letovice region of Moravia in 1932. Geologic occurrences also include Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, South Africa, Tajikistan and the United States.

References

  1. Leclaire, A.; Ledésert, M.; Monier, J. C.; Daoud, A.; Damak, M. (1 August 1985). "Structure du disulfate acide de triammonium. Une redétermination. Relations des chaînes de liaisons hydrogène avec la morphologie et la conductivité électrique". Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science. 41 (4): 209–213. doi:10.1107/S0108768185002002.

Bibliography

  • Palache, P.; Berman H.; Frondel, C. (1960). "Dana's System of Mineralogy, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. (Seventh Edition)" John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, pp. 397.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.