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Teschemacherite

Formula:
(NH
 
4
)HCO
 
3
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless, white, light ...
Hardness:1½
Name:Named after Frederick Edward Teschemacher (1761-1863), English chemist who first described the mineral.
This page provides mineralogical data about Teschemacherite.

Classification of Teschemacherite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/B.01-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.AA.25

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
A : Alkali carbonates
Dana 8th edition ID:13.1.3.1

13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.1.18

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

Type Locality:Saldanha Bay, Western Cape Province, South Africa
Year of Discovery:1868
Geological Setting of type material:In a guano deposit.

Physical Properties of Teschemacherite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white, light yellow; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):1½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
On {110}.

Crystallography of Teschemacherite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pccn (P21/c 21/c 2/n)
Cell Parameters:a = 7.25Å, b = 10.7Å, c = 8.74Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.678 : 1 : 0.817
Unit Cell Volume:V 678.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Compact crystalline masses. Crystals short prismatic (artificial material).

Optical Data of Teschemacherite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.423 nβ = 1.536 nγ = 1.555
2V:Measured: 41° , Calculated: 40°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.132

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

Chemical Properties of Teschemacherite

Formula:
(NH
 
4
)HCO
 
3
Essential elements:C, H, N, O
All elements listed in formula:C, H, N, O

Relationship of Teschemacherite 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.15Nahcolite
NaHCO
 
3
5.AA.20Kalicinite
KHCO
 
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
11.1.3Nahcolite
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
11.1.7Natron
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

Other Names for Teschemacherite

Synonyms:
Ammonium acid carbonateAmmonium hydrocarbonateBicarbonate of Ammonia
Other Languages:
German:Teschemacherit
Russian:Тешемахерит
Spanish:Teschemacherita

Other Information

Other Information:Slowly decomposes in humid atmosphere. Soluble in water. Soluble with effervescence in dilute acid.
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 Teschemacherite

Reference List:Rose (1839) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 46: 401.

Teschemacher (1846) Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: 28: 548 (as Bicarbonate of Ammonia).

Ulex (1847) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 61: 44.

Schiff (1858) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 107: 64.

Lang (1862) Konigliche Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, Sitzber: 45(II): 112.

Dana, J.D. (1868) System of Mineralogy, 5th. Edition, New York: 705.

Hintze, Carl (1889) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [3A]: 2751.

Goldschmidt, V. (1922) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text, vol. 8: 123.

Mellor, J.W. (1922) A Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry. 16 volumes, London: 2: 787.

Mooney (1932) Physical Review, a Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics: 39: 861.

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: 137-138.

American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1304.

Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 29: 67-74.

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    Localities for Teschemacherite

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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. 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.
    Argentina
     
    • Patagonia
    		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: 137.
    Azerbaijan
    www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/32_folder/32_articles/32_minerals.html.
    www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/32_folder/32_articles/32_minerals.html.
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
    		American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1304.
    Peru
     
    • La Libertad Department
    		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: 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: 137.
    South Africa
     
    • Western Cape Province
    		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: 137; American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1304.
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