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Merrillite

Formula:
Ca
 
18
Na
 
2
Mg
2+
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
14
System:TrigonalColour:colorless, white
Name:Named for George P. Merrill (1854-1929), Curator of Geology, U.S. National Museum (Smithsonian Institution) by Wherry (1917)


Whitlockite Group. Mg-dominant analogue of Ferromerrillite.

Merrillite was revalidated as a valid species in 1976.

Classification of Merrillite

IMA status:Approved 1976
Explanation of status:revalidated in 1976 (IMA 76-K) as not identical to whitlockite
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/A.05-55
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.AC.45

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:38.3.4.4

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
3 : (AB)3(XO4)2
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Occurrences of Merrillite

Geological Setting:Stony meteorites.

Physical Properties of Merrillite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:colorless, white
Tenacity:Very brittle
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
Hexagonal cleavage at times (indistinct).
Density (measured):3.1 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.88 g/cm3

Crystallography of Merrillite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:R3m
Cell Parameters:a = 10.362Å, c = 37.106Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 3.581
Unit Cell Volume:V 3450.34 ų
Z:6

Optical Data of Merrillite

Type:Uniaxial (-)

Chemical Properties of Merrillite

Formula:
Ca
 
18
Na
 
2
Mg
2+
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
14
Essential elements:
All elements listed in formula:Ca, Mg, Na, O, P

Relationship of Merrillite to other Species

Related to:
  • Whitlockite Group
    • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    8.AC.05Howardevansite
    NaCuFe
     
    2
    		(VO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Alluaudite
    (Na,Ca)Mn
    2+
     
    		(Fe
    3+
     
    		,Mn
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Arseniopleite
    NaCaMn
    2+
     
    		(Mn
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Caryinite
    (Na,Pb)(Ca,Na)((Ca,Mn
    2+
     
    		)(Mn
    2+
     
    		,Mg,Fe
    3+
     
    		)[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    8.AC.10Ferroalluaudite
    (Na,Ca)Fe
    2+
     
    		(Fe
    3+
     
    		,Mn
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Hagendorfite
    NaCaMn
    2+
     
    		Fe
    2+
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Johillerite
    Na(Mg,Zn)
     
    3
    		Cu[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    8.AC.10Maghagendorfite
    NaMn(Mg,Fe,Fe)
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Nickenichite
    Na
     
    0.8
    		Ca
     
    0.4
    		Cu
     
    0.4
    		(Mg,Fe)
     
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Varulite
    NaCaMn
    2+
     
    		Mn
    2+
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Ferrohagendorfite
    (Na,Ca)
     
    2
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		(Fe
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Bradaczekite
    NaCu
     
    4
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.10Yazganite
    NaFe
    3+
    2
    		(Mg,Mn
    2+
     
    		)[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    		 · H
     
    2
    		O
    8.AC.10Ferro-alluaudite
    8.AC.15Bobfergusonite
    Na
     
    2
    		Mn
     
    5
    		FeAl(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    6
    8.AC.15Ferrowyllieite
    (Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.15Qingheiite
    NaMn
    3+
     
    		Mg(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    8.AC.15Rosemaryite
    (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe
    2+
     
    		)(Fe
    3+
     
    		,Mg)Al(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.15Wyllieite
    (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.15Ferrorosemaryite
    []NaFe
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
     
    		Al(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.20Marićite
    NaFe
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
    8.AC.25Berzeliite
    NaCa
     
    2
    		(Mg,Mn
    2+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    8.AC.25Manganberzeliite
    (Ca,Na)
     
    3
    		(Mn
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    2
    		[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    8.AC.25Palenzonaite
    (Ca,Na)
     
    3
    		CaMn
    2+
    2
    		[VO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    8.AC.25Schäferite
    Ca
     
    2
    		NaMg
     
    2
    		[VO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    8.AC.30Brianite
    Na
     
    2
    		CaMg[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AC.35Vitusite-(Ce)
    Na
     
    3
    		(Ce,La,Nd)(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    8.AC.40Olgite
    Ba(NaSr)
     
    2
    		Na[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AC.40Bario-olgite
    Ba(Na,Sr,REE)
     
    2
    		Na[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AC.45Strontiowhitlockite
    Sr
     
    9
    		MgH[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    7
    8.AC.45Whitlockite
    Ca
     
    9
    		Mg[PO
     
    3
    		OH][PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    6
    8.AC.45Tuite
    Ca
     
    3
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AC.45Ferromerrillite
    Ca
     
    9
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		Na[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    7
    8.AC.50Chladniite
    {Ca}{Na
     
    8
    		}{Ca
     
    4
    		Na
     
    4
    		}{(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    43
    		}[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    36
    8.AC.50Fillowite
    {Mn
    2+
     
    		}{Na
     
    8
    		}{Ca
     
    4
    		Na
     
    4
    		}{(Mn
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    43
    		}[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    36
    8.AC.50Johnsomervilleite
    {Ca}{Na
     
    6
    		[ ]
     
    2
    		}{Ca
     
    6
    		Na
     
    2
    		}{(Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg,Mn
    2+
     
    		)
     
    43
    		}[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    36
    8.AC.50Galileiite
    {Fe
    2+
     
    		}{Na
     
    8
    		}{Fe
    2+
    4
    		Na
     
    4
    		}{Fe
    2+
    43
    		}[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    36
    8.AC.50Stornesite-(Y)
    {(Y, Ca)}{Na
     
    6
    		[ ]
     
    2
    		}{(Ca,Na)
     
    8
    		}{(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    43
    		}[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    36
    8.AC.50IMA2006-006
    Na
     
    4
    		Fe
    2+
    7
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    6
    8.AC.55Harrisonite
    Ca(Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    6
    		[PO
     
    4
    		|SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AC.60Kosnarite
    KZr
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    8.AC.65Panethite
    (Na,Ca)
     
    2
    		(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AC.70Stanfieldite
    Ca
     
    7
    		Ca
     
    2
    		Mg
     
    9
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    12
    8.AC.75Ronneburgite
    K
     
    2
    		MnV
     
    4
    		O
     
    12
    8.AC.80Tillmannsite
    (Ag
     
    3
    		Hg)[(VO
     
    4
    		, AsO
     
    4
    		)]
    8.AC.85Filatovite
    K[(Al,Zn)
     
    2
    		(As,Si)
     
    2
    		O
     
    8
    		]

    Other Names for Merrillite

    Synonyms:
    Merrillite-(Na)
    German names:
    Merrillit
    Spanish names:
    Merrillita

    Other Information

    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 Merrillite

    Reference List:Tschermak, G. (1883), Sitzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math-naturw. K1.88, Abt. 1: 347-371.

    Merrill, G.P. (1915), Proceedings National Academy of Sciences: 1: 302-308.

    Merrill, G.P. (1917) American Journal of Science: 43: 322.

    Wherry, E.T. (1917), American Mineralogist: 2: 119.

    Shannon and Larsen (1925) American Journal of Science: 9: 250.

    Barnes (1940) University of Texas Publication 3945: 623.

    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, 1124 pp.: 797.

    Fuchs, L.H. (1962), Science: 137: 425-426
    Mason, B. (1971), Mineralogical Record: 2: 277-279.

    Dowty, E. (1977), Earth and Planetary Science Letters: 35: 347-351.

    Hughes,John M., Bradley L. Jolliff, and Mickey E. Gunter (2006) The atomic arrangement of merrillite from the Fra Mauro Formation, Apollo 14 lunar mission: The first structure of merrillite from the Moon. American Mineralogist, 91, 1547-1552.

    Internet Links for Merrillite

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    • External Links:
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  • Look for Merrillite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Merrillite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Merrillite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
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    Localities for Merrillite

    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.
    Algeria
     
    • Lakhbi
    		www.meteoriticalsociety.org/bulletin/mb88.pdf.
    www.meteoriticalsociety.org/bulletin/mb89preview.pdf.
    Antarctica
     
    • Eastern Antarctica
      • Transantarctic Mtns
        • Pecora Escarpment
          • LaPaz Ice Field
    		http://aaa.wustl.edu/Work/pub_files/lap02205.html
    • Grove Mountains
    		Meyer, C. (2001) Mars Meteorite Compendium: XXIV-1-2.
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Martinho Campos
          • Ibitira
    		Lunar & Planetary Science 30, #1908 (1999)
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Saint-Robert
    		http://castaing.eps.mcgill.ca/meteoriteposter/poster.html.
    • Saskatchewan
      • Springwater
    		http://miac.uqac.ca/MIAC/iron.htm
    China
     
    • Guangdong Province
      • Shaoguan Prefecture
        • Wengyuan Co.
    		M. Chen and X. Xie, Eur. J. Mineral. , 1996, 8, pp. 325-333.
    • Hubei Province
      • Suizhou Prefecture
        • Zengdu District
          • Dayanpo
    		X. Xie, M. Minetti, M. Chen, H. Mao, D. Wang, J. Shu & Y. Fei (2003): Eur. Journ. Mineral. 15, 1001-1005
    • Jiangsu Province
      • Taizhou Prefecture
        • Taizhou City
          • Sixiangkou
    		Lunar and Planetary Science, volume 27, page 1373
    Finland
     
    • Nyland
      • Bjurbole Borga
    		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: 797.
    France
     
    • Rhône-Alpes
      • Drôme
        • Romans-sur-Isère
          • Saint-Jean-en-Royans
    		M. Christophe Michel-Lévy, Bull. Minéral. , 1987, 110, pp. 449-4
    Libya
     
    • Dar al Gani
    		Meteoritical Bulletin 84 (Aug.2000)
    Mexico
     
    • Chihuahua
      • Pueblito de Allende
    		LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE XV, P. 699-700. Abstract.
    Morocco
     
    • Meknès-Tafilalet Region
      • Er Rachidia Province
        • Erfoud (Erfud)
    		V. Moggi-Cecchi et al., 2005
    Meteoritical Bulletin 86: July, 2002
    www2.jpl.nasa.gov/snc/news51.html
    Poland
     
    • Mazowieckie
      • Warszawa
    		Manecki, 2001. in Geological Quarterly Vol. 45-03 (Polish Geological Institute)
    The Moon
    Mineralogical Record: 1: 22.
    Mineralogical Record: 1: 22.
    American Mineralogist: 91: 1547-1552.
    USA
     
    • Kansas
      • Mitchell Co.
        • Waconda
          • Unnamed ravine
    		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: 797.
    • Kentucky
      • Carroll Co.
    		www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/metsoc2003/pdf/5007.pdf.
    • Michigan
      • Allegan Co.
        • Allegan
          • Thomas Hill
    		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: 797.
    • Ohio
      • Clark Co.
        • Springfield
    		www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/metsoc2000/pdf/5135.pdf.
    • Texas
      • Kimble Co.
    		Barnes (1940) University of Texas Publication 3945: 623; 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: 797.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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