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Fontanite

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[CO
 
3
]
 
4
· 3H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Bright yellow
Hardness:3
Name:For French mineralogist Francois Fontan
This page provides mineralogical data about Fontanite.

Classification of Fontanite

IMA status:Approved 1991
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/F.02-45
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.EC.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
C : UO2:CO3 < 1:1 - 1:2
Dana 8th edition ID:15.3.6.1

15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
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Type Occurrence of Fontanite

Type Locality:Rabejac, Lodève, Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Year of Discovery:1992

Physical Properties of Fontanite

Colour:Bright yellow
Hardness (Mohs):3

Crystallography of Fontanite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 15.33Å, b = 17.05Å, c = 6.93Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.899 : 1 : 0.406
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,811.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Fontanite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.603 nβ = 1.690 nγ = 1.710
2V:Measured: 50° , Calculated: 48°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.107

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:r > v

Chemical Properties of Fontanite

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[CO
 
3
]
 
4
· 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, Ca, H, O, U
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, H, O, U

Relationship of Fontanite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.EC.10Metazellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
2
· 3H
 
2
O
5.EC.10Zellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
2
· 5H
 
2
O

Other Names for Fontanite

Synonyms:
IMA1991-034
Other Languages:
German:Fontanit
Russian:Фонтанит
Spanish:Fontanita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Fontanite

Reference List:New Minerals (1997), New Minerals 1990-1994.

European Journal of Mineralogy: 4: 1271-1274.

Hughes, K.-A. and Burns, P.C. (2003a) A new uranyl carbonate sheet in the crystal structure of fontanite, Ca[(UO2)3(CO3)2O2](H2O)6. American Mineralogist: 88: 962-966.

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

Articles/Blogs about Fontanite

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    Localities for Fontanite

    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.
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
        • Lodève
    [Eur.J.Mineral.(1992) 4, 1271-1274; Le Règne Minéral 1997, 13, p.5-18]
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