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Bobtraillite

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Formula:
(Na,Ca)
 
13
Sr
 
11
(Zr,Y,Nb)
 
14
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
10
(H
 
2
BSi
 
2
O
 
9
)
 
6
 · 12H
 
2
O
System:TrigonalColour:grey to brown
Hardness:5½
Name:
Honouring Robert ("Bob") James Traill (1921-2011) mineralogist and former head of the Mineralogy Section at the Geological Survey of Canada (1953–1980).


A complex zirconium silicate, consisting of isolated (ZrO6) octahedra that are linked by trisilicate (Si3O9) rings to form a pinwheel-like motif similar to that found in Wadeite. Additional trisilicate (Si3O9) and boro-trisilicate (H2BSi2O9) rings complete a two-dimensional, giant pinwheel motif along [001]. Bonding between the rings and the (ZrO6) octahedra along [001] completes the structure in three dimensions. Channels along [001] are occupied by Na and Sr ions and water molecules.

Classification of Bobtraillite

IMA status:Approved 2001
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/E.0-
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.CA.30

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
A : [Si3O9]6- 3-membered single rings (dreier-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
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Type Occurrence of Bobtraillite

Type Locality:Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire), Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
General Appearance of Type Material:generally isolated single crystals with a maximum length of 2 mm or simple parallel intergrowths with two or three members, rarely in small (<0.1 mm) rosettes
Geological Setting of type material:The mineral is found in igneous breccias and nepheline syenite pegmatites. It is paragenetically late, arising from unusual, hydrous fluids enriched in B, Sr, Na and Zr.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TitanitePyrrhotitePyriteMicroclineMica Group
Donnayite-(Y)Clinopyroxene SubgroupCalciteAnniteAnalcime
AlbiteAegirine

Physical Properties of Bobtraillite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:grey to brown
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density (calculated):3.16 g/cm3

Crystallography of Bobtraillite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:P3 1c {P3 1 2/c}
Cell Parameters:a = 19.72Å, c = 9.9788Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.506
Unit Cell Volume:V 3360.7 ų
Z:1
Morphology:Commonly blocky to prismatic, elongate along [001].
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.752 (100)
3.13 (70)
3.96 (51)
3.76 (49)
6.46 (38)
5.43 (33)
Comments:Format: d (I) (hkl). Only the six strongest lines are given.

Optical Data of Bobtraillite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.627 nε = 1.645
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.018

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Bobtraillite

Formula:
(Na,Ca)
 
13
Sr
 
11
(Zr,Y,Nb)
 
14
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
10
(H
 
2
BSi
 
2
O
 
9
)
 
6
 · 12H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, H, Na, O, Si, Sr, Zr
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, H, Na, Nb, O, Si, Sr, Y, Zr
Analytical Data:The values are averages of seven analyses on one crystal. The B2O3 and H2O contents were calculated. The empirical formula is based on the assumption that there are 156 oxygen atoms present per formula unit.
Na2O (5.62)
CaO (1.11)
SrO (17.76)
BaO (0.40)
B2O3 (3.38)
Y2O3 (1.15)
SiO2 (40.51)
ZrO2 (25.32)
HfO2 (0.48)
Nb2O5 (1.32)
H2O (5.25)

total (102.30)
Empirical Formula:
(Na
 
11.20
Ca
 
1.22
)
 
12.42
(Sr
 
10.59
Ba
 
0.16
)
 
10.75
(Zr
 
12.69
Y
 
0.63
Nb
 
0.61
Hf
 
0.14
)
 
14.07
Si
 
41.64
B
 
6
O
 
132
(OH)
 
12
 · 12H
 
2
O
Common Impurities:Ba,Hf

Relationship of Bobtraillite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.CA.05Bazirite
BaZr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
9.CA.05Benitoite
BaTi(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
9.CA.05Pabstite
Ba(Sn,Ti)(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
9.CA.10Wadeite
K
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
9.CA.15Calciocatapleiite
CaZr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · 2H
 
2
O
9.CA.15Catapleiite
Na
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · 2H
 
2
O
9.CA.20Pseudowollastonite
CaSiO
 
3
9.CA.25Margarosanite
Pb(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
9.CA.25Walstromite
BaCa
 
2
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)

Other Names for Bobtraillite

Synonyms:
IMA2001-041Unnamed (MSH UK-69)
Other Languages:
German:Bobtraillit
Russian:Бобтраилит

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:none
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 Bobtraillite

Reference List:

- +
McDONALD, A.M., and CHAO, G.Y. (2005) Bobtraillite, (Na,Ca)13Sr11(Zr,Y,Nb)14Si42B6O132(OH)12•12H2O, a new mineral species from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec: description, structure determination and relationship to benitoite and wadeite. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 747-758.

Internet Links for Bobtraillite

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    • Localities for Bobtraillite

    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.
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Montérégie
        • Rouville RCM
          • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    		McDONALD, A.M., and CHAO, G.Y. (2005) Bobtraillite, (Na,Ca)13Sr11(Zr,Y,Nb)14Si42B6O132(OH)12•12H2O, a new mineral species from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec: description, structure determination and relationship to benitoite and wadeite. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 747-758.
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