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Nitrocalcite

Formula:
Ca(NO
 
3
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:White, grey; colourless ...
Hardness:1 - 2
Name:In allusion to the composition, being a NITRate of CALCIum.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nitrocalcite.

Classification of Nitrocalcite

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

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
C : With H2O
Dana 7th edition ID:18.2.2.1
Dana 8th edition ID:18.2.2.1

18 : NORMAL NITRATES
2 : A(XO3)2·xH2O, where x can equal zero
Hey's CIM Ref.:13.5

13 : Nitrates
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Type Occurrence of Nitrocalcite

Type Locality:Nicajack Cave (Nicojack Cave), Marion Co., Tennessee, USA
Year of Discovery:1835

Occurrences of Nitrocalcite

Geological Setting:Efflorescences in limestone caves or upon calcareous rocks and soils.

Physical Properties of Nitrocalcite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:White, grey; colourless in transmitted light
Hardness (Mohs):1 - 2
Density (measured):1.9 g/cm3

Crystallography of Nitrocalcite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 14.47Å, b = 9.16Å, c = 6.28Å
β = 98.42°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.58 : 1 : 0.686
Unit Cell Volume:V 823.41 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Efflorescent crusts, tufts and masses. Artificial crystals long prismatic [001].

Optical Data of Nitrocalcite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.465 nβ = 1.498 nγ = 1.504
2V:Measured: 48° to 52°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.039

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

Chemical Properties of Nitrocalcite

Formula:
Ca(NO
 
3
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, N, O
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, N, O

Relationship of Nitrocalcite to other Species

Common Associates:
NiterNitromagnesite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.NC.05Nitromagnesite
Mg(NO
 
3
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
13.1Nitratine
NaNO
 
3
13.2Niter
KNO
 
3
13.3Gerhardtite
Cu
 
2
[(OH)
 
3
|NO
 
3
]
13.4Nitromagnesite
Mg(NO
 
3
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
13.6Nitrobarite
Ba(NO
 
3
)
 
2
13.7Buttgenbachite
Cu
 
19
[(OH)
 
32
|(NO
 
3
)
 
2
|Cl
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
13.8Sveite
KAl
 
7
[Cl|(OH)
 
8
|(NO
 
3
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
13.9Darapskite
Na
 
3
NO
 
3
SO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
13.10Humberstonite
Na
 
7
K
 
3
Mg
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
13.11Mbobomkulite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
12
|{(NO
 
3
)
 
2
,SO
 
4
}] · 3H
 
2
O
13.12Hydrombobomkulite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
12
|{(NO
 
3
)
 
2
,SO
 
4
}] · 13-14H
 
2
O
13.13Nickelalumite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
12
|{SO
 
4
,(NO
 
3
)
 
2
}] · 3H
 
2
O

Other Names for Nitrocalcite

Synonyms:
Calcium NitrateNitrate of lime
Other Languages:
French:Calcinitre
Nitrate de chaux
Nitre à base calcaire
German:Kalksalpeter
Nitrocalcit
Latin:Aphronatrum
Aphronitrum
Spanish:Nitrocalcita

Other Information

Other Information:Readily soluble in water.
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 Nitrocalcite

Reference List:de Lisle, R. (1783) Cristallographie, ou description des formes propres à tous les corps du regne minéral. 4 volumes, Paris: 1: 360 (as Nitre à base calcaire).

Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen: 858 (as Kalksalpeter).

Beudant, F.S. (1824), Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, Paris: 421 (as Nitrate de chaux).

Beudant, F.S. (1832), Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, second edition, 2 volumes: 2: 383.

Shepard C.U. (1835) Treatise on Mineralogy. First edition: vol. 1, New Haven (1832); vols. 2: 84.

Huot, J.J. (1841) Manuel de Minéralogie. 2 volumes, Paris: 2: 430 (Calcinitre).

Marignac (1856) Annales des mines: 9: 31.

Lacroix, A. (1901) Minéralogie de la France et des ses colonies, Paris. 5 volumes: vol. 3: 412.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 116 (artificial material).

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: 306-307.

Acta Crystallographica: B30: 1861-1866.

Internet Links for Nitrocalcite

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    Localities for Nitrocalcite

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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.
    Australia
     
    • Australian Capital Territory
      • Brindabella Mts
        • Cotter
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. IV
    Hungary
     
    • 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: 306.
    South Africa
     
    • Mpumalanga Province
      • Kromdraai 209 JR farm
    		Minerals of South Africa; Rocks & Minerals 83:5 pp 410-421
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Whetstone Mts
          • Whetstone District
    		www.cave.org; Hill, C.A. (1999) Mineralogy of Kartchner Caverns, Arizona, Journal of Cave and Karst Studies: 61(2): 73-78
      • Gila & Pinal Cos.
        • Winkelman area
    		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: 307; Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 56.
      • Pinal Co.
        • Casa Grande District
          • Casa Grande
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 314.
        • Silver Reef Mts
    		Anthony, Williams, Bideaux, 1982. Mineralogy of Arizona, rev. ed., p.147
    • Indiana
      • Crawford 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: 306.
    • Kentucky
      • Edmondson and Hart Cos.
        • Mammoth Cave National Park
    		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: 306.
    • New Mexico
      • Hidalgo 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: 306; Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Sierra Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • Tennessee
      • Marion Co.
    		Acta Cryst. B33 (1977), 1861
      • Sevier Co.
        • Great Smoky Mts
    		Coskren, T. D. & Lauf, R. J. (2000): The Minerals of Alum Cave Bluff, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee. Mineralogical Record, 31, 163-175.
    Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Mineral and/or Locality
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