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Trona

Big Photo

Owens Lake, Inyo Co., California, USA
© Th. Krassmann

Show Trona Photos (11)
Formula:
Na
 
3
H(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, gray-white, ...
Hardness:2½
Name:Trona is a Swedish term, deriving ultimately from the Arabic "natrum", native salt.


Thermonatrite-Natron Group.

Classification of Trona

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/D.02-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.CB.15

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
Dana 8th edition ID:13.1.4.1

13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.1.6

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

Geological Setting:Saline lakes and their evaporites; efflorecences on soils in arid regions.

Physical Properties of Trona

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Colourless, gray-white, light yellow; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Cleavage:Perfect
On {100} perfect; on {111} and {001} in traces.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.14 g/cm3

Crystallography of Trona

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 20.1Å, b = 3.49Å, c = 10.33Å
β = 103.05°
Ratio:a:b:c = 5.759 : 1 : 2.96
Unit Cell Volume:V 705.92 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals elongated [010], also flattened {001}. {h0l} faces striated parallel to [010]. Fibrous or massive columnar common.
Crystal Atlas:
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Trona no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Trona no.9 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Trona

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.412 nβ = 1.492 nγ = 1.540
2V:Measured: 72° , Calculated: 70°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.128

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

Chemical Properties of Trona

Formula:
Na
 
3
H(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:C, H, Na, O

Relationship of Trona to other Species

Common Associates:
NatronThermonatriteHaliteGlauberiteThenardite
MirabiliteGypsum
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
5.CB.05Thermonatrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
5.CB.10Natron
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·10H
 
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
11.1.7Natron
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 Trona

Synonyms:
Tronite
French names:
Urao
German names:
Ägyptisches NatriumNatrum von TripoleStralige NatrumTronit
Latin names:
Alkali orientale impurum terrestre
Russian names:
Трона
Spanish names:
Tronita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in water. Effervesces in acids.
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 Trona

Reference List:Wallerius, J.G (1747) Mineralogia, eller Mineralriket. Stockholm: 174 (as Alkali orientale impurum terrestre).

Bagge (1773) Svenska Vetenskapsakademien, Stockholm, Handlingar: 35: 140.

Klaproth, M.H. (1802) Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörpers. vol. 3: 83 (as Stralige Natrum).

Boussingault (1826) Annales des mines: 12: 278 (as Urao).

Zepharovich (1887) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 13: 135.

Ayres (1889) American Journal of Science: 38: 65.

Chatard (1889) American Journal of Science: 38: 59.

Chatard (1890) USGS Bulletin 60: 27.

Doelter, C. (1911) Handbuch der Mineral-chemie (in 4 volumes divided into parts): 1: 186.

Hintze, Carl (1916) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1(3A): 2759, 2770.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 146.

Walther (1922) American Mineralogist: 7: 86.

Goldschmidt, V. (1923) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 9 (1923). Heidelberg: 11.

Piazza (1931) Periodico de Mineralogia-Roma: 2: 17.

Larsen, E.S. and Berman, H. (1934) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, Second edition, USGS Bulletin 848.

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: 138-140.

Murdoch, Joseph (1951), Notes on California minerals: nuevite = samarskite; trona, and hanksite; Gaylussite: American Mineralogist: 36: 358-361.

Pabst, Adolf (1959), On the hydrates of sodium carbonate, a correction, and the crystallography of trona. American Mineralogist: 44: 274-281.

Acta Crystallographica (1982): B38: 2874-2876.

Internet Links for Trona

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
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  • Trona details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Trona

    Hide Locality List
    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
     
    • Salta
    Bolivia
     
    • Potosí Department
      • Nor Lípez Province
        • San Juan
    		Ahlfeld & Muñoz Reyes (1955) Las Especies Minerales de Bolivia (Banco Minero de Bolivia)
      • Sud Lípez Province
    		USGS Bulletin # 1975, (1992)
    USGS Bulletin # 1975, (1992)
    USGS Bulletin # 1975, (1992)
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Rouville Co.
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    		Horváth, L and Gault, R.A. (1990), The mineralogy of Mont Saint-Hilaire Quebec. Mineralogical Record: 21: 284-359.
    Chad
     
    • Lake Chad
      • Kanem (Khanem) Region
        • Eguéi (Eguei; Eguéï; Egai) Region
    		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: 955.
    Chile
     
    • Tarapacá Region
      • Iquique Province
        • Iquique
    		Schlüter, J. and Pohl, D.- N. Jb. MH. 182/1. 2005, 11-14
    China
     
    • Henan Province
      • Nanyang Prefecture
        • Tongbai Co.
          • Biyang basin
    		http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb048/is_199809/ai_hibm1G153067227
    Zhen-Qi Zhou, Qing-Shui Dong, Gang-Fu Hou, Sheng-Chuan Xu, and Chang-Sheng Miao (2006): Journal of Jilin University (Earth Science Edition) 36(6), 1001-1005.
    • Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
      • Xilin Gol (Xilinguole) League
        • Sonid Right Banner
    		Yu, G., Harrison, S.P., and Xue, B. (2001): Lake status records from China: Data Base Documentation. MPI-BGC Technology Report No. 4, pp. 46-49.
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Nagchu (Naqu) Prefecture
        • Xainza (Shenzha) Co.
    		Yuan, H.R., Zheng, M.P., and Si, D.X. (2005): Abstracts of the IX. International Conference on Salt Lake Research, September 26-30, Perth, Australia.
    Egypt
     
    • Upper Egypt
      • Giza
    		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: 139.
    • Western Desert
    		Collection Elmar Lackner
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
        • Ilimaussaq complex
    Hungary
     
    • Bács-Kiskun Co.
      • Great Hungarian Plain
    		Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral Species of Hungary, 2006
        • Petőfiszállás
    		Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral Species of Hungary, 2006
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Phlegrean Fields
          • Pozzuoli
    		Sinno R. – (1957) Trona, thenardite e mirabilite nei Campi Flegrei. Periodico di Mineralogia – Roma pp. 1-12.
        • 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: 139; Russo, M., 2006: I minerali di formazione fumarolica della grande eruzione vesuviana del 1906
    • Sicily
      • Catania Province
        • Etna Volcanic Complex
          • Mt Etna
    		www.cse.speleo.it
    Kenya
     
    • 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
    		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: 139.
      • Suswa Volcano
    		Forti, P. et al. (2004), "Minerogenesis of volcanic caves of Kenya". Int. J. Speleol. 32, 3-18
    Libya
     
    • Fezzan
    		Piazza M. (1931): Trona del Lago Mandara (Fezzan). Periodico di Mineralogia - Roma, pp. 17-23.
    Namibia
     
    Foshag, Wm. F. (1933) Sulfohalite and Other Minerals from the Otjiwalundo Salt Pan, South West Africa. American Mineralogist: 18: 431-434; 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: 549.
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
            • Kukisvumchorr Mt
    		No reference listed
          • Lovozero Massif
            • Alluaiv Mt
              • Umbozero Mine
    South Africa
     
    • Gauteng Province
      • Pretoria
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Martigny
        • Mont Chemin
    Tanzania
     
    • Arusha Region
    		www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/other.htm
    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: 139.
    Turkey
     
    • Marmara Region
      • Balikesir Province
        • Biga peninsula
    UK
     
    • England
      • Devon
        • East Devon
    		Brian Craik-Smith collection
    USA
     
    • California
      • Inyo 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: 139.
      • 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: 139, 235, 373.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Fort Irwin Area
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    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: 139, 340, 629; Mineralogical Record (2007): 38: 212.
    • Colorado
      • Alamosa Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Chaffee Co.
        • Chalk Creek District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • Costilla Co.
        • San Luis Valley
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • Mesa Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Rio Blanco Co.
        • Piceance Basin
          • Green River Formation
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • Saguache Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    • Michigan
      • Marquette Co.
        • Marquette iron range
          • Palmer
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    • Nevada
      • Churchill Co.
        • Ragtown
          • Carson Sink
    		USBM Inf Circ 7093 (1939)
    USBM Inf Circ 7093 (1939)
      • Mineral 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: 139; NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada.
    NBMG Bull 58 Geology and Mineral Resources of Mineral County, Nevada
    NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye 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: 139; NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada.
    • New Mexico
      • Cibola Co.
    		10th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium
      • Colfax Co.
        • Springer
          • Point of Rocks Mesa (Pecks Mesa)
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd. rev. ed. (1996)
      • McKinley Co.
        • Valle de San Miguel
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • Utah
      • Duchesne Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2002AM/finalprogram/abstract_45510.htm.
    Am Min 58:211-217
    • Washington
      • Grant Co.
        • Moses Lake
    		Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, p.63
    www.dnr.wa.gov/geology/okanogan.htm.
    • Wyoming
      • Albany Co.
        • Laramie
    		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: 139.
    [Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index"]
        • 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.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    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: 139, 279.
    Am Min 48:400-403
    Am Min 26:646-650
    Am Min 48:400-403
    Am Min 48:400-403
    Am Min 46:420-429
    Am Min 49:778-781
    Venezuela
     
    • Zulia
    		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: 139.
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