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Letovicite

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Carola Mine (Königin Carola Mine; Paul Berndt Mine), Freital, Dresden, Saxony, Germany
© Thomas Witzke

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Formula:
(NH
 
4
)
 
3
H(SO
 
4
)
 
2
System:TriclinicColour:Colourless, white; ...
Hardness:1 - 2
Name:After the type locality, Letovice (Lettowitz), Moravia, Czech Republic.


This species was described and named based on an anthropogenic origin (burning coal mine dumps) but has since been identified in nature.

Classification of Letovicite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/A.06-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.AD.20

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:28.1.3.1

28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
1 : Anhydrous Acid Sulfates
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.1.9

25 : Sulphates
1 : Sulphates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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Type Occurrence of Letovicite

Type Locality:Vísky, Letovice (Lettowitz), South Moravia Region, Moravia (Mähren; Maehren), Czech Republic
Year of Discovery:1932
Geological Setting of type material:Burning coal mine waste heaps.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
Sulphur

Physical Properties of Letovicite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light
Hardness (Mohs):1 - 2
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {001}.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):1.83 g/cm3

Crystallography of Letovicite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 5.87Å, b = 10.17Å, c = 8.27Å
α = 101.1°, β = 111.1°, γ = 89.9°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.577 : 1 : 0.813
Unit Cell Volume:V 450.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Tiny pseudo-hexagonal plates on {001}. Granular massive.
Twinning:Lamellar, common.

Optical Data of Letovicite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.501 nβ = 1.516 nγ = 1.525
2V:Measured: 75° , Calculated: 74°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.024

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:relatively strong

Chemical Properties of Letovicite

Formula:
(NH
 
4
)
 
3
H(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Essential elements:H, N, O, S
All elements listed in formula:H, N, O, S

Relationship of Letovicite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.AD.05Arcanite
K
 
2
SO
 
4
7.AD.05Mascagnite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
SO
 
4
7.AD.10Mercallite
KHSO
 
4
7.AD.15Misenite
K
 
8
H
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
7
7.AD.25Glauberite
Na
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
7.AD.30Anhydrite
CaSO
 
4
7.AD.35Anglesite
PbSO
 
4
7.AD.35Baryte
BaSO
 
4
7.AD.35Celestine
SrSO
 
4
7.AD.35Olsacherite
Pb
 
2
(SeO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)
7.AD.40Kalistrontite
K
 
2
Sr(SO
 
4
)
 
2
7.AD.40Palmierite
(K,Na)
 
2
Pb(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
25.1.1Thenardite
Na
 
2
SO
 
4
25.1.2Matteuccite
NaHSO
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
25.1.3Mirabilite
Na
 
2
SO
 
4
 · 10H
 
2
O
25.1.4Arcanite
K
 
2
SO
 
4
25.1.5Mercallite
KHSO
 
4
25.1.6Misenite
K
 
8
H
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
7
25.1.7Aphthitalite
(K,Na)
 
3
Na(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.1.8Mascagnite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
SO
 
4
25.1.10Ammonioalunite
(NH
 
4
)Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6

Other Names for Letovicite

Other Languages:
German:Letovicit
Spanish:Letovicita

Other Information

Other Information:Readily soluble in water. Volatile.
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 Letovicite

Reference List:

- +
Marignac (1857) Annales des mines: 12: 523 (artificial crystals).

Wyrouboff (1880) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 3: 209 (artificial crystals).

Gossner (1903) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 38: 158.

Groth, P. (1908) Chemische Krystallographie. Leipzig. 5 volumes: vol. 2: 317 (artificial).

Sekanina (1932) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 83: 117.

American Mineralogist (1933): 18: 180.

Rost (1937) Ak. Česká Roz.: 47(11).

Rost (1938) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: I: 360.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 397.

American Mineralogist (1985): 70: 1334.

Acta Crystallographica: B41: 209-213.

Journal of Applied Crystallography (1984): 17: 331-333.

Internet Links for Letovicite

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  • Letovicite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Letovicite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
    		Zacek, V., Oplustil, S., Mayova, A. & Meyer, F. R. (1995): Die Mineralien von Kladno in Mittelböhmen, Tschechische Republik. Mineralien-Welt 6 (1), 13-30 (in German).
      • Hradec Králové Region
        • Trutnov (Trautenau)
          • Radvanice
    		Žáček, V., Ondruš, P.: Mineralogy of recently formed sublimates from Kateřina colliery in Radvanice, Eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic. Bulletin of the Czech geological survey, 1998, vol. 73, no. 2, s. 289-302.
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • South Moravia Region
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 397.
    Zeitschr.Krist.(1932) 83, 117-122
    Germany
     
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Aachen
        • Alsdorf
    		Blaß, G. and Strehler, H. (1993): Mineralbildungen in einer durch Selbstentzündung brennenden Bergehalde des Aachener Steinkohlenreviers. Mineralien-Welt 4 (4), 35-42. (in German)
    • Saxony
      • Dresden
        • Freital
    		T. Witzke (1995): Neufunde aus Sachsen (IV): Neue Nachweise der seltenen Minerale Chernikovit, Ktenasit, Letovicit, Ramsbeckit, Ravatit und Znucalit. - Lapis 20, 9, 35-36
    Hungary
     
    • Baranya Co.
      • Mecsek Mts.
        • Pécs
    		SZAKÁLL, S. & KRISTÁLY, F. (2008) Ammonium sulphates from burning coal dumps at Komló and Pécs-Vasas, Mecsek Mts., South Hungary. Mineralogia. Special Papers 32,
    • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co.
      • Borsodi Mts.
    South Africa
     
    • Free State Province
    		International Journal of Coal Geology 72 (2007) 124–140
    • Mpumalanga Province
      • Witbank
    		International Journal of Coal Geology 72 (2007) 124–140
    Tajikistan
     
    • Viloyati Sogd (Viloyati Sughd; Viloyati Khodzhent; Viloyati Leninabad)
      • Zeravshan Range
        • Yagnob River
    		D.I.Belakovskiy data
    Belakovski D.I.. Die Mineralien der brennenden Kohlefloze von Ravat in Tadshikistan, Lapis, 1990, N 12 p.21-26. (in German)
    USA
     
    • California
      • Sonoma Co.
        • Mayacmas Mts (Mayacamas Mts)
          • West Mayacmas District
    		Vonsen, Magnus (1941) Preliminary report on minerals of The Geysers of Sonoma County, California. Mineralogist: 9: 246, 279; Vonsen, Magnus (1946), Minerals at “The Geysers,” Sonoma County, California: California Division Mines Report 42: 288; Dunning, Gail E. and J.F. Cooper (1969a) Letovicite from The Geysers, Sonoma County, California. California Division Mines and Geology Mineral Information Service: 22: 135; Dunning, G. S. & Cooper, J. F. (1993): History and minerals of The Geysers Sonoma County, California. Mineralogical Record 24(5): 339-352.
    • Oklahoma
      • Okmulgee Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals: 72(4): 252-264.
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2012. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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