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Nahcolite

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California, USA
© Rob Lavinksy

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Formula:
NaHCO
 
3
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, white, ...
Lustre:Vitreous, ResinousHardness:2½
Name:In allusion to the composition, containing sodium (NA), hydrogen (H), and carbonate (CO) + -lite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nahcolite.

Classification of Nahcolite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/B.01-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.AA.15

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
A : Alkali carbonates
Dana 8th edition ID:13.1.1.1

13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.1.3

11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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Type Occurrence of Nahcolite

Type Locality:Mt. Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
Year of Discovery:1928
Geological Setting of type material:In a lava tunnel.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
ThenarditeHalite

Physical Properties of Nahcolite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white, greyish; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Cleavage:Perfect
On {101} perfect; on {111} good; on {100} distinct.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.21 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.16 g/cm3

Crystallography of Nahcolite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 7.47Å, b = 9.68Å, c = 3.48Å
β = 93.38°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.772 : 1 : 0.36
Unit Cell Volume:V 251.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals prismatic [001] with {110} and {010} dominant. Normally terminated by {101} and minor {111}; also by {111} and {101} in equal development. Porous masses, friable crystal aggregates.
Twinning:Very common, with {101} as the twin and composition plane. Both contact and penetration twins, often as reticulated groups, and flattened {010}.

Optical Data of Nahcolite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.377 nβ = 1.503 nγ = 1.583
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.206

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

Chemical Properties of Nahcolite

Formula:
NaHCO
 
3
Essential elements:C, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:C, H, Na, O
Analyical Data:Readily soluble in water. Soluble in glycerine.
Relationship of Nahcolite to other Species
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
5.AA.05Zabuyelite
Li
 
2
CO
 
3
5.AA.10Natrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
5.AA.10Gregoryite
(Na
 
2
,K
 
2
,Ca)CO
 
3
5.AA.20Kalicinite
KHCO
 
3
5.AA.25Teschemacherite
(NH
 
4
)HCO
 
3
5.AA.30Wegscheiderite
Na
 
5
H
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
11.1.1Zabuyelite
Li
 
2
CO
 
3
11.1.2Natrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
11.1.4Wegscheiderite
Na
 
5
H
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
11.1.5Thermonatrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
11.1.6Trona
Na
 
3
H(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
11.1.7Natron
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
11.1.8Kalicinite
KHCO
 
3
11.1.9Shortite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
11.1.10Nyerereite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.11Natrofairchildite
11.1.12Zemkorite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.13Pirssonite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
11.1.14Gaylussite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O
11.1.15Baylissite
K
 
2
Mg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
11.1.16Fairchildite
K
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.17Bütschliite
K
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.18Teschemacherite
(NH
 
4
)HCO
 
3
Other Names for Nahcolite
Synonyms:
Sodium BicarbonateThermokalite
German names:
Nahcolit
Russian names:
Нахколит
Spanish names:
Nahcolita
Other Information
Other Information:Readily soluble in water and glycerine.
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 Nahcolite
Reference List:Playfair and Joule (1845) Mem. Chem. Soc.: 2: 401.



Schabus (1855) Best. Krystallgest., Preiss. Ak. Wien: 97.



Stolba (1866) Journal für praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 97: 503.



Schröder (1878) Ber.: 11: 2018.



Groth, P. (1908) Chemische Krystallographie. Leipzig. 5 volumes: vol. 2: 191.



Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 134.



Bannister (1928) Mineralogical Magazine: 22: 53.



Merwin in: Winchell (1931): 198.



Zachariasen (1933) Journal of  Chemical Physics, Lancaster, PA: 1: 634.



Foshag, William Frederick (1938), Sodium bicarbonate from Searles Lake, California …(abstract): American Mineralogist: 23: 169.



Foshag, William Frederick (1940), Sodium bicarbonate (nahcolite) from Searles Lake, California: American Mineralogist: 25: 769-778.



Ertle (1947) American Minealogist: 32: 117.



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: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 134-136.



Mineralogical Magazine (1974): 39: 564.


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    Localities for Nahcolite
    
	






    


    

    
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    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the  symbol to view information about a locality. 
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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.

    Belgium
     
    

    • Luxembourg Province
    

      • Bastogne
    

        • Mardasson
    
    		A. Darimont et al., Bull. Minéral. , 1988, 111, pp. 321-330.
    Canada
     
    

    • Québec
    

      • Jacques Cartier Co.
    

        • Montréal
    

          • St. Michel District
    
    		Mineralogical Record (2006): 37: 5-60.
    Chile
     
    

    • Tarapacá Region
    

      • Iquique Province
    

        • Iquique
    
    		Schlüter, J. and Pohl, D.- N. Jb. MH. 182/1. 2005, 11-14
    China
     
    

    • Gansu (Ganzu) Province
    

      • Jiuquan Prefecture
    

        • Yumen Co.
    
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    

    • Henan Province
    

      • Nanyang Prefecture
    

        • Tongbai Co.
    

          • Biyang basin
    
    		http://my.opera.com/nielsol/blog/show.dml/501418
    Finland
     
    

    • Lapin (Lapland) Lääni
    

      • Tulppio
    
    		http://gac.esd.mun.ca/gac_2004/search_abs/sub_program.asp?sess=98&form=10&abs_no=136
    France
     
    

    • Auvergne
    

      • Allier
    

        • Bellerive-sur-Allier
    

          • Abrest
    

    Germany
     
    

    • Lower Saxony
    

      • Harz Mts
    

        • Goslar
    

          • Grane Reservoir
    
    		No reference listed
    Greenland
     
    

    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
    

      • Narsaq
    
    		No reference listed
    Italy
     
    

    • Campania
    

      • Naples Province
    

        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    
    		Bannister F.A. (1928): Nature, 122, 866; 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: 135.
    




Russo, M., Punzo, I. (2004): I minerali del Somma-Vesuvio, AMI
    Kenya
     
    
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: 135.
    

    • Rift Valley Province
    

      • Gregory Rift
    
    		G. Périnet, J.J. Tiercelin, C.E. Barton : "Présence de kanémite dans les sédiments récents du lac Bogoria, Rift Gregory, Kenya", Bull. Minéral., 1982, 105, 633-639.
    


      • South Rift Valley
    
    		No reference listed
    Mexico
     
    

    • Coahuila
    
    		Levresse, G., Tritlla, J., Villareal, J., Gonzalez-Partida, E., 2006. The “el pilote” fluorite skarn: a crucial deposit to understand the origin and mobilizacion of the F from northern Mexico deposits Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 89, 1-3, 205-209.
    Mozambique
     
    

    • Zambezia Province
    
    		Mineralogical Magazine, Feb. 2002, V. 66, N° 1, pp. 201-213.
    Namibia
     
    

    • Kunene Region
    

      • Damaraland District
    

        • Omaruru
    
    		American Mineralogist, Vol. 84, pp. 1117-1125, 1999.
    Romania
     
    

    • Harghita Co.
    

      • Ditrau
    
    		http://www.geol.vt.edu/research/gsrs/gsrs2005/Abstracts/afall%201115AM%20F.doc
    Russia
     
    

    • Northern Region
    

      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
    

        • Kola Peninsula
    

          • Khibiny Massif
    
    		Pekov, I.V. & Podlesnyi, A.S. (2004): Kukisvumchorr Deposit: Mineralogy of Alkaline Pegmatites and Hydrotermalites. Mineralogical Almanac, vol. 7, 140 pages + xxiv photo's pages
    



www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/lovo.htm
    Sweden
     
    

    • Medelpad
    

      • Sundsvall
    
    		No reference listed
    

    • Västerbotten
    

      • Skellefteå
    

        • Kåge
    
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    

    • California
    

      • San Bernardino Co.
    
    		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: 135.
    

    • Colorado
    
    		Harvard Museum of Natural History specimen no. 98943
    



        • Rifle
    
    		Ertle (1947) American Mineralogist: 32: 117; 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: 135.
    

Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
    


      • Mesa Co.
    
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    


      • Rio Blanco Co.
    
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    



        • Piceance Basin
    
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    




          • Green River Formation
    
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    



        • Piceance Creek Basin
    
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    



Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    

    • Utah
    

      • Duchesne Co.
    
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    


http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2002AM/finalprogram/abstract_45510.htm.
    


Am Min 45:188-199
    


Am Min 58:211-217
    


      • Uintah Co.
    
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    


Am Min 41:672
    


Am Min 46:379-393
    

    • Wyoming
    

      • Sweetwater Co.
    

        • Green River Basin
    
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    



U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    



U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    



        • Green River Formation
    
    		Am Min 48:400-403
    



Am Min 48:400-403
    



Am Min 48:400-403
    

    


    

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