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Bobierrite

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Zheleznyi Mine (Iron Mine), Kovdor Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
© Germano Fretti

Show Bobierrite Photos (18)



Formula:
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colorless to gray-white; ...
Hardness:2 - 2½
Name:Named by James Dwight Dana in 1868 in honor of French agricultural chemist Pierre Adolphe Bobierre (May 7, 1823 Paris, France - September 18, 1881 Nantes, France), who first described the mineral.
Dimorph of:Barićite


Closely related to the Vivianite Group.

Classification of Bobierrite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/C.13-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.CE.35

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
Dana 8th edition ID:40.3.7.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.3.19

19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
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Type Occurrence of Bobierrite

Type Locality:Mejillones peninsula, Mejillones, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1868
Geological Setting of type material:Guano deposit.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
ScherteliteHannayite

Occurrences of Bobierrite

Geological Setting:Guano deposits.
Phosphatic fossils.
Late stage phosphate mineralization in granite pegmatite.

Physical Properties of Bobierrite

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:Pearly cleavages
Colour:Colorless to gray-white; colorless in transmitted light.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½
Tenacity:Sectile
Cleavage:Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
Density (measured):2.195 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.17 g/cm3
Comment:Measured density value is on artificial material.

Crystallography of Bobierrite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/b {B1 1 2/b} {C2/c} {C1 2/c 1}
Space Group Setting:C2/c
Cell Parameters:a = 4.667Å, b = 27.926Å, c = 10.067Å
β = 105.01°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.167 : 1 : 0.36
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,267.27 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals acicular or fibrous, minute, elongated [001] and flattened {010}. Also forms rosette-like flattened aggregates; lamellar; crystalline agglomerations; masive.
Comment:Takagi, S., Mathew, M., and Brown, W. E., 1986, Crystal Structures of Bobierrite and Synthetic Mg3(PO4)2.8H2O, American Mineralogist, 71: 1229-1233.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
9.96 (100)
8.04 (18)
3.02 (10)
2.94 (27)
2.81 (13)
2.41 (12)
2.13 (10)
Comments:Synthetic

Optical Data of Bobierrite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.510 - 1.547 nβ = 1.520 - 1.553 nγ = 1.543 - 1.582
2V:Measured: 53° to 71°, Calculated: 52° to 73°
Birefringence:0.032
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.033 - 0.035

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:r
Optical Extinction:Y=b, Z^c = 27°-29°
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Bobierrite

Formula:
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, Mg, O, P
All elements listed in formula:H, Mg, O, P

Relationship of Bobierrite to other Species

Chemically related to group(s):
Vivianite Group
Common Associates:
LithiophiliteFluorapatiteCollinsite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.CE.05Chudobaite
(Mg,Zn)
 
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.CE.05Geigerite
Mn
2+
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.CE.10Newberyite
Mg(HPO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
8.CE.15Brassite
Mg(HAsO
 
4
) · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.20Phosphorrösslerite
Mg(HPO
 
4
) · 7H
 
2
O
8.CE.20Rösslerite
Mg(HAsO
 
4
) · 7H
 
2
O
8.CE.25Metaswitzerite
Mn
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.25Switzerite
(Mn,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Lindackerite
CuCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8-9H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Ondrušite
CaCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Veselovskýite
ZnCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Pradetite
CoCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Klajite
MnCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 9-10H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Annabergite
Ni
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Arupite
Ni
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Barićite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Erythrite
Co
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Ferrisymplesite
Fe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Hörnesite
Mg
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Köttigite
Zn
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Manganohörnesite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Parasymplesite
Fe
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Vivianite
Fe
2+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Pakhomovskyite
Co
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.45Symplesite
Fe
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.50Cattiite
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 22H
 
2
O
8.CE.55Koninckite
Fe
3+
 
PO
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.CE.60Kaňkite
FeAsO
 
4
 · 3.5H
 
2
O
8.CE.65Steigerite
Al(VO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
8.CE.70Metaschoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
) · 6H
 
2
O
8.CE.70Schoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
) · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Malhmoodite
FeZr(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Zigrasite
MgZr(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Zigrasite)
CaZr[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.80Santabarbaraite
Fe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.CE.85Metaköttigite
(Zn,Fe,Fe)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CE.85Metavivianite
Fe
2+
3-x
Fe
3+
x
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)x · (8-x)H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.3.1Moraesite
Be
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH) · 4H
 
2
O
19.3.2Beryllonite
NaBePO
 
4
19.3.3Hurlbutite
CaBe
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
19.3.4Hydroxylherderite
CaBe(PO
 
4
)(OH,F)
19.3.5Glucine
CaBe
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 0.5H
 
2
O
19.3.6Fransoletite
Ca
 
3
Be
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.3.7Uralolite
Ca
 
2
Be
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.3.9Pahasapaite
Li
 
8
(Ca,Li,K)
 
10.5
Be
 
24
(PO
 
4
)
 
24
 · 38H
 
2
O
19.3.10Tiptopite
K
 
2
(Na,Ca)
 
2
Li
 
3
Be
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
19.3.11Gainesite
Na(Na,K)(Be,Li)Zr
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 1.5-2H
 
2
O
19.3.12Roscherite
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
5
Be
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.3.13Faheyite
(Mn,Mg,Na)Be
 
2
Fe
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.3.14Farringtonite
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
19.3.15Holtedahlite
Mg
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
19.3.16Althausite
Mg
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH,F)
19.3.17Newberyite
Mg(HPO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
19.3.18Phosphorrösslerite
Mg(HPO
 
4
) · 7H
 
2
O
19.3.20Barićite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.3.21Panethite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
19.3.22Dittmarite
(NH
 
4
)Mg(PO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
19.3.23Struvite
(NH
 
4
)Mg(PO
 
4
) · 6H
 
2
O
19.3.24Hannayite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Mg
 
3
H
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 8H
 
2
O

Other Names for Bobierrite

Synonyms:
Hautefueillite
Other Languages:
French:Hautefeuillite
Phosphate de Magnésie tribasique et Hydraté
German:Bobierrit
Russian:Бобьерит
Spanish:Bobierrita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent.
Other Information:Readily soluble 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 Bobierrite

Reference List:

- +
Bobierre (1868) Les Mondes, April 1868: 691 (as Phosphate de Magnésie tribasique et Hydraté).

Dana, J.D. (1868) System of Mineralogy, 5th. Edition, New York: 795.

Lacroix (1888) Comptes rendus de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 106: 631.

de Schulten (1903) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 26: 81.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 49.

Barth (1937) American Mineralogist: 22: 325.

Hutton (1941) New Zealand Journal of Scientific Technology, Section B: 23: 9.

Gruner and Stauffer (1943) American Mineralogist: 28: 339.

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.: 753-754.

Takagi, S., Mathew, M., and Brown, W. E., 1986, Crystal Structures of Bobierrite and Synthetic Mg3(PO4)2.8H2O, American Mineralogist, 71: 1229-1233.

Internet Links for Bobierrite

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    • Localities for Bobierrite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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
     
    • Western Australia
      • Pilbara Region
        • Wodgina
    		Mason, B. & Dunn, P.J. (1974): An unusual occurrence of Bobierrite at Wodgina, Western Australia. Mineralogical Record 5 (6): 265
    Canada
     
    • Yukon Territory
      • Dawson Mining District
    		[Mineralogical Record Vol 23 No.4 pp 36]
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • Antofagasta Province
        • Mejillones
    		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: 754.
    New Zealand
     
    • South Island
    		Railton, G.L. & Watters, W.A., Minerals of New Zealand, New Zealand Geological Survey Bull. #104 (1990).
    Norway
     
    • Telemark
      • Bamble (Bamle)
    		Michel (1893); Barth (1937, pp. 337-338); 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: 754; Neumann (1985, p. 125); Raade (1996, p. 41).; Michel (1893)
    Portugal
     
    • Guarda District
      • Sabugal
    		Schnorrer-Köhler (1991), Mineral Occurrences.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Chitinskaya Oblast'
          • Krasnyi Chikoy
            • Malkhan pegmatite field (Malchan)
    		[Lapis 1993:1 p13-15]
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Kovdor Massif
    		[World of Stones 95:5-6, p64]; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Ukraine
     
    • Crimea Oblast'
      • Crimea peninsula
    		Chukanov, N. V. (2005).
          • Novoselovka Village area
    		Shnykov E.F. at al.(1971) Mud Volcanism and Ore Formation (Gryazevoi Vulkanizm i Rudoobrazovanie). Kiev:Naukova Dumka. 332 p. (Rus.)
    USA
     
    • Minnesota
      • Pipestone 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: 754.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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