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Natron

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Atlin, Atlin Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
© 2008, JGW

Show Natron Photos (2)
Formula:
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless to white, ...
Hardness:1 - 1½
Name:In allusion to its sodium content (Latin = NATRium).
This page provides mineralogical data about Natron.

Classification of Natron

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/D.02-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.CB.10

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
Dana 8th edition ID:15.1.2.1

15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.1.7

11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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Occurrences of Natron

Geological Setting:In solution in soda lakes.

Physical Properties of Natron

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colourless to white, greyish, yellowish; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):1 - 1½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {001} distinct; on {010} imperfect; on {110} in traces.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):1.478 g/cm3

Crystallography of Natron

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P2/m {P1 1 2/m} {P2/m} {P1 2/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 12.75Å, b = 9Å, c = 12.6Å
β = 115.85°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.417 : 1 : 1.4
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,301.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Occurs naturally only as crystalline, granular, and columnar crusts. Artificial crystals somewhat tabular {010} with varying development of the [100] and [001] zones.
Twinning:On {001}.

Optical Data of Natron

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.405 nβ = 1.425 nγ = 1.440
2V:Measured: 71° , Calculated: 80°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.035

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

Chemical Properties of Natron

Formula:
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:C, H, Na, O
Analytical Data:Effloresces rapidly in dry air, yielding thermonatrite, the monohydrate.
Relationship of Natron to other Species
Common Associates:
ThermonatriteTronaGaylussiteCalcite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- + 
5.CB.05Thermonatrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
5.CB.15Trona
Na
 
3
H(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
5.CB.20Monohydrocalcite
CaCO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
5.CB.25Ikaite
CaCO
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
5.CB.30Pirssonite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
5.CB.35Gaylussite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O
5.CB.40Chalconatronite
Na
 
2
Cu(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·3H
 
2
O
5.CB.45Baylissite
K
 
2
Mg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
5.CB.50Tuliokite
Na
 
6
BaTh(CO
 
3
)
 
6
·6H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- + 
11.1.1Zabuyelite
Li
 
2
CO
 
3
11.1.2Natrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
11.1.3Nahcolite
NaHCO
 
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
11.1.8Kalicinite
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 Natron
Synonyms:
Carbonate of SodaNatronite (of Foshag et al.)Sodium CarbonateSodium carbonate decahydrateSubcarbonate of Soda
Other Languages:
Catalan:Natró
Dutch:Natron
French:Natron
Cristaux d'alkali fixe minéral
Soude carbonatée
German:Hemiprismatisches Natronsalz
Greek:Νάτρον
Νιτρου
Italian:Natron
Polish:Natron
Portuguese:Natrão
Spanish:Natrón
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:Melting Point: 34.5°.
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 Natron
Reference List:de Lisle, Romé (1783) Cristallographie, ou description des formes propres à tous les corps du regne minéral. 4 volumes, Paris: 1: 149 (as Cristaux d'alkali fixe minéral).



Haüy, R.J. (1801) Traité de minéralogie. First edition: in 4 volumes with atlas in fol., Paris: 2: 374 (as Souda carbonatée).



Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition: 832 (as Soda).



Brooke (1823) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 6: 287 (as Subcarbonate of Soda)



Mohs, F. (1824) Grundriss der Mineralogie. 2 volumes, Dresden: 2: 27 (as Hemiprismatisches Natronsalz).



Zippe, F.X.M. (1839) Physiographie des Mineralreichs. Vienna: 2: 29.



Weisbach, Albin (1875) Synopsis mineralogical, systematische Übersicht des Mineralreiches. 78 pp., Freiberg: 7 (as Natrit).



Goldschmidt, V. (1886) Index der Krystallformen der Mineralien. 3 volumes, vol. 3, 420p.: 139.



Hintze, Carl (1916) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: I(3A): 2778.



Goldschmidt, V. (1922) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text, vol. 8: 63.



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: 230-231.



Acta Crystallographica (1969): B25: 2656-2658.


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    Localities for Natron
    






    


    

    
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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.

    Bolivia
     
    

    • Potosí Department
    

      • Nor Lípez Province
    

        • San Juan
    
    		USGS Bulletin # 1975, (1992)
    Canada
     
    

    • British Columbia
    

      • Nicola Mining Division
    
    		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: 231.
    

    • Québec
    

      • Montérégie
    

        • Rouville RCM
    

          • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    
    		Horváth, L and Gault, R.A. (1990), The mineralogy of Mont Saint-Hilaire Quebec. Mineralogical Record: 21: 284-359.
    Egypt
     
    

    • Western Desert
    
    		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: 231.
    Ethiopia
     
    

    • Showa Province
    
    		No reference listed
    Hungary
     
    

    • Bács-Kiskun Co.
    

      • Great Hungarian Plain
    
    		Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral Species of Hungary, 2006
    

    • Csongrád 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: 231.
    

    • Hajdú-Bihar 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: 231.
    

    • Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg Co.
    

      • Great Hungarian Plain
    
    		Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral Species of Hungary, 2006
    Italy
     
    

    • Campania
    

      • Naples Province
    

        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    
    		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: 231; www.dinet.it/Mineral-GMC/AMI/vesuvio.html.
    

    • Sicily
    

      • Catania Province
    

        • Etna Volcanic Complex
    
    		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: 231.
    Mongolia
     
    

    • Gobi Desert
    

      • Eastern Gobi Desert
    
    		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: 231.
    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
    




          • Lovozero Massif
    
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    






              • Umbozero Mine
    
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    





            • Kedykverpakhk Mt
    
    		Mineralogical Record: 36(4): 397-416.
    Switzerland
     
    

    • Vaud (Waadt)
    

      • Bex
    
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 288.
    UK
     
    

    • England
    

      • Cornwall
    

        • St Just District
    

          • Botallack - Pendeen Area
    

            • Botallack
    

              • Botallack Mine
    
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    

    • California
    

      • Inyo Co.
    

        • Owens Valley
    
    		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: 231; Chatard, T.M. (1890b), Natural soda; Its occurrence and utilization: USGS Bulletin 60: 75; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 277-278.
    


      • Lake Co.
    

        • Clear Lake Oaks
    

          • Clear Lake
    
    		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: 231.
    

    • Colorado
    

      • Costilla Co.
    

        • San Luis Valley
    
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    

    • Nevada
    

      • Churchill Co.
    

        • Soda Lake District
    
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    



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: 231; NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    



NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    


      • Humboldt Co.
    
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    


      • Mineral Co.
    
    		USBM Inf Circ 6941 (1938) 
    

    • Oregon
    

      • Lake Co.
    

    

    • Washington
    
    		www.dnr.wa.gov/geology/okanogan.htm.
    

    


    

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