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Althupite

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Kobokobo pegmatite, Lusungu River District, Sud-Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Luc Vandenberghe




Formula:
AlTh(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
5
O
 
2
 · 15H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Yellow
Hardness:3½ - 4
Name:Named in 1987 by Paul Piret and Michel Deliens for its constituent elements: Al, Th, U and P.
This page provides mineralogical data about Althupite.

Classification of Althupite

IMA status:Approved 1986
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/E.07-130
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.EC.25

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
C : UO2:RO4 = 3:2
Dana 8th edition ID:42.4.13.1

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.11.33

19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
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Type Occurrence of Althupite

Type Locality:Kobokobo pegmatite, Lusungu River District, Sud-Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, RMG6178.
Year of Discovery:1987
Geological Setting of type material:A secondary mineral in the uraniferous zone of an altered granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
UpaliteTrianguliteThreadgolditeRanunculitePhuralumite
MunditeMeta-autuniteColumbiteBeryl

Physical Properties of Althupite

Lustre:Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Yellow
Streak:Yellow
Hardness (Mohs):3½ - 4
Tenacity:Flexible
Density (measured):3.91 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.98 g/cm3

Crystallography of Althupite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Space Group Setting:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 10.953Å, b = 18.567Å, c = 13.504Å
α = 72.64°, β = 68.20°, γ = 84.21°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.59 : 1 : 0.727
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,433.54 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:As thin tabular crystals, flattened on {100} and terminated by {011} and {021}, to 0.1 mm, and in parallel groups.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
10.2 (100)
6.67 (40)
5.80 (50)
5.09 (70)
4.91 (40)
4.41 (50)
2.896 (50)

Optical Data of Althupite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.620 nβ = 1.661 nγ = 1.665
2V:Measured: 31° , Calculated: 34°
Birefringence:0.045
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.045

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r < v strong
Optical Extinction:Z ^ c = 15°, X ~ a
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = very pale yellow, Y = Z = yellow

Chemical Properties of Althupite

Formula:
AlTh(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
5
O
 
2
 · 15H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, H, O, P, Th, U
All elements listed in formula:Al, H, O, P, Th, U

Relationship of Althupite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.EC.05Françoisite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH) · 6H
 
2
O
8.EC.05Phuralumite
Al
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 13H
 
2
O
8.EC.05Upalite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
8.EC.05Françoisite-(Ce)
(Ce,Nd,Ca)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH) · 6H
 
2
O
8.EC.10Arsenuranylite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.EC.10Dewindtite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.EC.10Kivuite
(Th,Ca,Pb)(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 7H
 
2
O
8.EC.10Phosphuranylite
(H
 
3
O)
 
3
KCa(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
4
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EC.10Yingjiangite
K
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.EC.10Renardite
8.EC.15Dumontite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.EC.15Hügelite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.EC.20Metavanmeersscheite
U
6+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.EC.20Vanmeersscheite
U
6+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.EC.20Arsenovanmeersscheite
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.EC.30Mundite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5.5H
 
2
O
8.EC.35Phurcalite
Ca
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 7H
 
2
O
8.EC.40Bergenite
Ca
 
2
Ba
 
4
(UO
 
2
)
 
9
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
O
 
6
 · 16H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.11.1Lermontovite
U(PO
 
4
)(OH) · H
 
2
O
19.11.2Metavanmeersscheite
U
6+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.11.3Vanmeersscheite
U
6+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.11.4Chernikovite
(H
 
3
O)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.5Vyacheslavite
U(PO
 
4
)(OH) · nH
 
2
O
19.11.6Metanatroautunite
Na(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
) · 2-3H
 
2
O
19.11.7Yingjiangite
K
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.8Meta-ankoleite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.9Uramphite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.10Torbernite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
19.11.11Metatorbernite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.12Saléeite
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
19.11.13Ningyoite
CaU(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
19.11.14Meta-autunite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6-8H
 
2
O
19.11.15Autunite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 11H
 
2
O
19.11.16Pseudo-autunite
(H
 
3
O)
 
4
Ca
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.11.17Phurcalite
Ca
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.18Phosphuranylite
(H
 
3
O)
 
3
KCa(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
4
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.19Ulrichite
CaCu(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.11.20Bergenite
Ca
 
2
Ba
 
4
(UO
 
2
)
 
9
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
O
 
6
 · 16H
 
2
O
19.11.21Metauranocircite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.22Uranocircite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
19.11.23Ranunculite
HAl(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.11.24Triangulite
Al
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
5
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.11.25Mundite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5.5H
 
2
O
19.11.26Upalite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.27Furongite
Al
 
13
(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
13
(OH)
 
14
 · 58H
 
2
O
19.11.28Threadgoldite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.29Phuralumite
Al
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 13H
 
2
O
19.11.30Moreauite
Al
 
3
(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 13H
 
2
O
19.11.31Sabugalite
HAl(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 16H
 
2
O
19.11.32Uranospathite
(Al,☐)(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
F · 20(H
 
2
O,F)
19.11.34Françoisite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH) · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.35Kivuite
(Th,Ca,Pb)(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.36Parsonsite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.11.37Dewindtite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.11.38Dumontite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.11.39Przhevalskite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.11.40Lehnerite
Mn
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.41Bassetite
Fe
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.42Vochtenite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Fe
3+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH) · 12-13H
 
2
O

Other Names for Althupite

Synonyms:
IMA1986-003
Other Languages:
German:Althupit
Russian:Альтупит
Spanish:Althupita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Apparently not fluorescent
Other Information:radioactive
Health Warning: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.

References for Althupite

Reference List:

- +
Piret, P. and Deliens, M. (1987) Les phosphates d'uranyle et d'aluminium de Kobokobo. IX. L'althupite AlTh(UO2)[(UO2)3O(OH)(PO4)2]2 OH)3·15H2O, nouveau minéral; propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Mineralogie: 110: 65-72.

American Mineralogist (1988): 73: 189-190.

Bulletin de Mineralogie: 110: 65-72.

Burns, P.C. (2005) U 6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1839-1894.

Internet Links for Althupite

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    • Localities for Althupite

    The 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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    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Sud-Kivu
      • Lusungu River District
    		Bull.Mineral.(1987) 110, 65-72
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