Witzkeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Witzkeite
Thomas Witzke
Formula:
Na4K4Ca(NO3)2(SO4)4 · 2H2O
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.40
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In honour of Dr. Thomas Witzke (b. 1963), German mineralogist, for his work on new, mainly secondary, mineral species. He has authored/coauthored descriptions of 18 new minerals as of 2021.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Witzkeite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
42408
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42408:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7682c63e-ef7d-43ac-bc2b-e58ee483919f
IMA Classification of Witzkeite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na4K4Ca(NO3)2(SO4)4 · 2H2O
Approval year:
2011
First published:
2012
Type description reference:
Classification of Witzkeite
7.DG.60
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Wzk | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Witzkeite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
on {001}.
on {001}.
Parting:
None
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.40(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.403 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Witzkeite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.470(5) nβ = 1.495(5) nγ = 1.510(5)
2V:
Measured: 50° to 70°, Calculated: 74°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
Weak.
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y ~ a; Z = c.
Chemistry of Witzkeite
Mindat Formula:
Na4K4Ca(NO3)2(SO4)4 · 2H2O
Crystallography of Witzkeite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 24.902(2) Å, b = 5.3323(4) Å, c = 17.246(1) Å
β = 94.281(7)°
β = 94.281(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 4.67 : 1 : 3.234
Unit Cell V:
2283.6 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Tabular crystals up to 140 μm in length.
Twinning:
Twinning not observed.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.377 Å | (100) |
| 4.134 Å | (19) |
| 3.100 Å | (24) |
| 2.989 Å | (7) |
| 2.851 Å | (6) |
| 2.689 Å | (9) |
| 2.482 Å | (12) |
| 2.068 Å | (54) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Witzkeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tabular crystals up to 140 μm in length
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Mineralogical Museum of the University of Padova, Padova, Italy, catalogue number MMP M10009.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
The oxidation zone of a guano mining field
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Nestola, F., Cámara, F., Chukanov, N.V., Atencio, D., Coutinho, J.M.V., Contreira Filho, R.R., Farber, G. (2012): Witzkeite: A new rare nitrate-sulphate mineral from a guano deposit at Punta de Lobos, Chile. American Mineralogist: 97: 1783-1787.
Synonyms of Witzkeite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DG. | Mathesiusite | K5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O |
| 7.DG.05 | Darapskite | Na3(SO4)(NO3) · H2O |
| 7.DG.10 | Clinoungemachite | (Na, K, Fe, SO4) |
| 7.DG.10 | Humberstonite | Na7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DG.10 | Ungemachite | K3Na8Fe(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Bentorite | Ca6Cr2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Charlesite | Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Ettringite | Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Jouravskite | Ca3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Sturmanite | Ca6Fe3+2(SO4)2.5[B(OH)4](OH)12 · 25H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Thaumasite | Ca3(SO4)[Si(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Carraraite | Ca3(SO4)[Ge(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Buryatite | Ca3(Si,Fe3+,Al)(SO4)B(OH)4(OH,O)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Birunite | Ca18(SiO3)8.5(CO3)8.5SO4 · 15H2O(?) |
| 7.DG.15 | Hielscherite | Ca3Si(SO4)(SO3)(OH)6 · 11H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Kottenheimite | Ca 3Si(SO4)2(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Imayoshiite | Ca3Al(CO3)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Tatarinovite | Ca3Al(SO4)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Siwaqaite | Ca6Al2(CrO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Chiyokoite | Ca3Si(CO3)[B(OH)4]O (OH)5 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.20 | Rapidcreekite | Ca2(SO4)(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 7.DG.25 | Tatarskite | Ca6Mg2(SO4)2(CO3)2(OH)4Cl4 · 7H2O |
| 7.DG.30 | Nakauriite | Cu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2O |
| 7.DG.35 | Chessexite | (Na,K)4Ca2(Mg,Zn)3Al8(SO4)10(SiO4)2 · 40H2O |
| 7.DG.40 | Carlosruizite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SeO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.40 | Fuenzalidaite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.45 | Chelyabinskite | (Ca,Mg)3(SO4,CO3)2[Si(OH)6] · 9H2O (?) |
| 7.DG.55 | Ramazzoite | [Mg8Cu12(PO4)(CO3)4(OH)24(H2O)20][(H0.33SO4)3(H2O)36] |
Other Information
Notes:
Dissolves in water (slowly at 20 °C and more rapidly at 50 °C).
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Witzkeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-42408.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Witzkeite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2012) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2012. CNMNC Newsletter No 12. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (1) 151-155 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.1.151
Localities for Witzkeite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Chile (TL) | |
| Nestola et al. (2012) |
Quick NavTopAbout WitzkeiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Punta de Lobos, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile