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Metatorbernite

Formula:
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
· 8H
 
2
O
System:TetragonalColour:Pale green to dark green
Hardness:
Name:Named "meta" indicating a lower hydration level and its relationship to torbernite.


Metatorbernite Group.

A secondary mineral resulting from the weathering/dehydration of Torbernite. Forms also directly above 75° C.

Classification of Metatorbernite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/E.02-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.EB.10

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:40.2a.13.2

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.11.11

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

Type Locality:Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Year of Discovery:1786

Occurrences of Metatorbernite

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral in weathering uranium-bearing deposits.

Physical Properties of Metatorbernite

Lustre:Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:Lustre pearly on {010}
Colour:Pale green to dark green
Comment:May exhibit anomalous interference colours.
Streak:pale green
Hardness (Mohs):
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {001}
indistict on {010}
Density (measured):3.52 - 3.7 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.7(5) g/cm3

Crystallography of Metatorbernite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:P4/n
Cell Parameters:a = 6.9756(5) Å, c = 17.349(2) Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.487
Unit Cell Volume:V 844.2 ų
Z:2
Morphology:Commonly as pseudomorphs after torbernite, square tabular crystals, flattened on {001} and modified by {011}, in lamellar or subparallel to sheaflike aggregates, rosettes.
Twinning:Merohedral twinning.
Comment:Data for synthetic crystal.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Metatorbernite

Type:Uniaxial (+/-)
RI values: nω = 1.618 - 1.631 nε = 1.622 - 1.628
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.004

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v extreme
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:O = Green
E = Pale green to blue
Comments:Anomalously biaxial in sectors.

Chemical Properties of Metatorbernite

Formula:
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
· 8H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cu, H, O, P, U
All elements listed in formula:Cu, H, O, P, U
Common Impurities:Ca,Ba,Mg

Relationship of Metatorbernite to other Species

Related to:
  • Meta-autunite Group
  • Common Associates:
    TorberniteMeta-autunite
    Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    8.EB.05Autunite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·11H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Heinrichite
    Ba(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·10H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Kahlerite
    Fe(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·12H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Nováčekite
    Mg(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·12H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Saléeite
    Mg(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·10H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Torbernite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·12H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Uranocircite
    Ba(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 10H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Uranospinite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    )(AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·10H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Xiangjiangite
    (Fe
    3+
     
    ,Al)(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    4
    [OH|(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    |(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 22H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.05Zeunerite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·12H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Bassetite
    Fe
    2+
     
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Lehnerite
    Mn
    2+
     
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Meta-autunite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 6-8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Metasaléeite
    Mg(UO
     
    2
    )(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Metauranocircite
    Ba(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 7H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Metauranospinite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Metaheinrichite
    Ba(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Metakahlerite
    Fe
    2+
     
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Metakirchheimerite
    Co(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Metanováčekite
    Mg(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 4-8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Metazeunerite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Przhevalskite
    Pb
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 3H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.10Meta-lodèvite
    8.EB.15Abernathyite
    K
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 6H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.15Chernikovite
    (H
     
    3
    O)
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 6H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.15Meta-ankoleite
    K
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 6H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.15Natrouranospinite
    (Na
     
    2
    ,Ca)(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 5H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.15Trögerite
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·12H
     
    2
    O (?)
    8.EB.15Uramphite
    (NH
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 6H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.15Uramarsite
    (NH
     
    4
    ,H
     
    3
    O)
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [(AsO
     
    4
    ,PO
     
    4
    )]
     
    2
    · 6H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.20Threadgoldite
    Al(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [OH|(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 8H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.20Chistyakovaite
    Al(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [(F,OH)|(AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 6.5H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.25Arsenuranospathite
    HAl(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    4
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ·40H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.25Sabugalite
    HAl(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    4
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ·16H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.25Uranospathite
    HAl(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    4
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ·40H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.30Vochtenite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    ,Mg)Fe
    3+
     
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    4
    [OH|(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ] · 12-13H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.35Coconinoite
    Fe
    3+
    2
    Al
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |SO
     
    4
    |(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ] · 20H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.40Ranunculite
    HAlUO
     
    2
    PO
     
    4
    (OH)
     
    3
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.45Triangulite
    Al
     
    3
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    4
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    (OH)
     
    5
    ·5H
     
    2
    O
    8.EB.50Furongite
    Al
     
    13
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    7
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    13
    (OH)
     
    14
    · 58H
     
    2
    O
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
    19.11.1Lermontovite
    UPO
     
    4
    ·OH·H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.2Metavanmeersscheite
    U
    4+
     
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 2H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.3Vanmeersscheite
    U
    4+
     
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 4H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.4Chernikovite
    (H
     
    3
    O)
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    2
    [PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 6H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.5Vyacheslavite
    UPO
     
    4
    (OH)·nH
     
    2
    O
    19.11.6Metanatroautunite
    NaUO
     
    2
    PO
     
    4
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.7Yingjiangite
    (K,Ca)(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [OH|(H
     
    2
    O,OH)|(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 3H
     
    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
    19.11.12Saléeite
    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
    [O|PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 7H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.18Phosphuranylite
    (H
     
    3
    O)
     
    3
    KCa(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    7
    [O|PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    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
    )
     
    3
    O
     
    2
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ]
     
    3
    ·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
    HAlUO
     
    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
    [(OH)
     
    3
    |(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 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
    [OH|(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 8H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.29Phuralumite
    Al
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    3
    ] · 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
    HAl(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    4
    (PO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ·40H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.33Althupite
    AlTh(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    7
    [O
     
    2
    |(OH)
     
    5
    |(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ] · 15H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.34Françoisite-(Nd)
    (Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [O|OH|(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 6H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.35Kivuite
    H
     
    2
    Th(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [O|OH|(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 6H
     
    2
    O (?)
    19.11.36Parsonsite
    Pb
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )[PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 2H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.37Dewindtite
    Pb(UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [OH|PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 3H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.38Dumontite
    Pb
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 3H
     
    2
    O
    19.11.39Przhevalskite
    Pb
     
    2
    (UO
     
    2
    )
     
    3
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 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
    [OH|(PO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ] · 12-13H
     
    2
    O

    Other Names for Metatorbernite

    Synonyms:
    Meta-chalcoliteMeta-torbernite I
    German names:
    MetakupferuranitMetatorbernit
    Russian names:
    Метаторбернит
    Spanish names:
    Metatorbernita

    Other Information

    Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent. (Epitaxial intergrowths with other uranyl mica may fluoresce, however.)
    Other Information:Radioactive. Soluble in acids.
    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 Metatorbernite

    Reference List:Pisani (1861) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 52: 817.

    Rinne (1901) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 618 (as Metakupferuranit).

    Buchholz (1903) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 362.

    Hallimond (1916) Mineralogical Magazine: 17: 326.

    Stočes (1918) Rozpr. České Ak.: 27:, no. 27.

    Bowen (1919) American Journal of Science: 48: 195.

    Hallimond (1920) Mineralogical Magazine: 19: 43.

    Buttgenbach (1924) Société géologique de Belgique, Liége, Bulletin, Annales: 47 (annex): 31C.

    Hess (1924) US Geological Survey Bulletin 750D: 70.

    Pelloux (1934) Atti Soc. Ligustica Sc. Lett. Genova: 13: 137.

    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, 1124 pp.: 991-992.

    Frondel, C. (1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. U.S. Geol. Sur. Bull. 1064, 208–211.

    Ross, M., H.T. Evans, Jr., and D.E. Appleman (1964) Studies of the torbernite minerals (II): the crystal structure of meta-torbernite. American Mineralogist: 49: 1603–1621.

    Bollettino della Societa dei Naturalisti in Napoli: 53: 99-104.

    Stergiou, A.C., P.J. Rentzeperis, and S. Sklavounos (1993) Refinement of the crystal structure of metatorbernite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1993): 205: 1-7.

    Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 211: 701-702.

    Atti della Societa Italiana di Scienze Naturali e del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano: 84: 134-138.

    Locock, A. J. & Burns, P. C. (2003): Crystal structures and synthesis of the copper-dominant members of the autunite and meta-autunite groups: torbernite, zeunerite, metatorbernite and metazeunerite. Canadian Mineralogist: 41: 489-502.

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

    Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 364.

    Internet Links for Metatorbernite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Metatorbernite

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