Spheniscidite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Spheniscidite
Formula:
(NH4,K)(Fe3+,Al)2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O
Colour:
Brownish, colorless
Lustre:
Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
3.08 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
The name is from 'Sphenisciformes', the order name for penguins. The mineral is formed by reaction of penguin guano and the phyllitic soil of Elephant Island, British Antarctic Territory, Antarctica, the discovery locality.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3728
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3728:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
af30af33-b269-4282-9d45-50beff62b557
IMA Classification of Spheniscidite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(NH4)Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O
Approval year:
1977
First published:
1976
Classification of Spheniscidite
8.DH.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 < 1:1
42.11.6.3
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
11 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
11 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
19.14.8
19 : Phosphates
14 : Phosphates of Fe and other metals
19 : Phosphates
14 : Phosphates of Fe and other metals
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 |
---|---|---|
Snc | 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 Spheniscidite
Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brownish, colorless
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Comment:
Very soft
Density:
3.08 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Spheniscidite
Type:
Biaxial
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Comments:
Refractive indices close to 1.7
Chemistry of Spheniscidite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4,K)(Fe3+,Al)2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O
Crystallography of Spheniscidite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.75(1) Å, b = 9.63(2) Å, c = 9.70(1) Å
β = 102.57°
β = 102.57°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.012 : 1 : 1.007
Unit Cell V:
888.93 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Space Group: [P21/n] (by analogy to leucophosphite).
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0010294 | Spheniscidite | Cavellec M, Riou D, Ferey G (1994) Synthetic spheniscidite Acta Crystallographica C50 1379-1381 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
6.79 Å | (100) |
5.99 Å | (90) |
3.053 Å | (45) |
7.62 Å | (40) |
4.75 Å | (35) |
4.26 Å | (35) |
3.358 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Spheniscidite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fine-grained, brown aggregates concentrated mainly in the 75-2000 um fraction.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Aberdeen, Scotland.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In the soil profile in an area of nesting penguins. The till is derived from dark grey and green chloritic
phyllites.
Reference:
Wilson, M.J., Bain, D.C. (1976) Occurrence of leucophosphite in a soil from Elephant Island, British Antarctic Territory. American Mineralogist: 61(9-10): 1027-1028.
Synonyms of Spheniscidite
Other Language Names for Spheniscidite
Relationship of Spheniscidite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Ammoniotinsleyite | (NH4)Al2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Leucophosphite | KFe3+2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Tinsleyite | KAl2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O | Mon. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Spheniscidite associated with Mitridatite | Ca2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.DH. | Ferroberaunite | Fe2+Fe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2O |
8.DH. | Rowleyite | [Na(NH4,K)9Cl4][V5+,4+2(P,As)O8]6 · n[H2O,Na,NH4,K,Cl] |
8.DH. | Ammoniotinsleyite | (NH4)Al2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
8.DH. | Thebaite-(NH4) | (NH4)3Al(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O) |
8.DH. | Dendoraite-(NH4) | (NH4)2NaAl(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)2 |
8.DH. | Whiteite-(MnMnMn) | Mn2+Mn2+Mn2+2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH. | Whiteite-(CaMnFe) | CaMnFe2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH. | Hochleitnerite | Mn2Ti3(PO4)4O2(H2O)2 · 14H2O |
8.DH. | Regerite | KFe6(PO4)4(OH)7(H2O)6 · 4H2O |
8.DH. | Hydroxylbenyacarite | (H2O)2Mn2(Ti2Fe)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10 · 4H2O |
8.DH. | Macraeite | K(H2O)Mn2(Fe2Ti)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10 · 4H2O |
8.DH.05 | Minyulite | KAl2(PO4)2F · 4H2O |
8.DH.10 | Leucophosphite | KFe3+2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
8.DH.10 | Tinsleyite | KAl2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(CaMnFe) | {Ca}{Mn2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(CaMnMg) | {Ca}{Mn2+}{(Mg,Fe2+)2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(CaMnMn) | {Ca}{Mn2+}{Mn2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Keckite | CaMn2+(Fe3+Mn2+)Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)3 · 7H2O |
8.DH.15 | Rittmannite | {(Mn2+,Ca)}{Mn2+}{(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2}{(Al,Fe3+)2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Whiteite-(CaFeMg) | {Ca}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Whiteite-(CaMnMg) | {Ca}{Mn2+}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Whiteite-(MnFeMg) | {(Mn2+,Ca)}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(MnMnMn) | {Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Mn2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Kaluginite | (Mn2+,Ca)MgFe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(CaFeFe) | {Ca}{Fe2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(NaFeMg) | NaFe3+Mg2Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(NaMnMg) | {(Na,Ca)}{(Mn2+,Fe3+)}{(Mg,Fe3+)2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(CaMgMg) | {Ca}{Mg}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Whiteite-(CaMnMn) | {Ca}{Mn2+}{Mn2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Whiteite-(MnMnMg) | MnMnMg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(MnMnMg) | Mn2+Mn2+Mg2Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(CaFeMg) | CaFe2+Mg2Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(MnMnFe) | Mn2+Mn2+Fe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Whiteite-(CaMgMg) | CaMg3Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(MnMnZn) | Mn2+Mn2+Zn2Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(NaMnMn) | NaMn2+(Mn2+Fe3+)Σ2Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.15 | Jahnsite-(CaMnZn) | CaMn2+Zn2Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.20 | Lun'okite | (Mn,Ca)(Mg,Fe,Mn)Al(PO4)2OH · 4H2O |
8.DH.20 | Manganosegelerite | (Mn2+,Ca)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
8.DH.20 | Overite | CaMgAl(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
8.DH.20 | Segelerite | Ca2 Mg2 Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
8.DH.20 | Wilhelmvierlingite | CaMnFe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
8.DH.20 | Juonniite | CaMgSc(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
8.DH.25 | Calcioferrite | Ca2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH) · 7H2O |
8.DH.25 | Kingsmountite | Ca3MnFeAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
8.DH.25 | Montgomeryite | Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
8.DH.25 | Zodacite | Ca4Mn2+Fe3+4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
8.DH.25 | Fanfaniite | Ca4MnAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
8.DH.30 | Arseniosiderite | Ca2Fe3+3(AsO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
8.DH.30 | Kolfanite | Ca2Fe3+3O2(AsO4)3 · 2H2O |
8.DH.30 | Mitridatite | Ca2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
8.DH.30 | Pararobertsite | Ca2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
8.DH.30 | Robertsite | Ca2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
8.DH.30 | Sailaufite | (Ca,Na,◻)2Mn3+3(AsO4)2(CO3)O2 · 3H2O |
8.DH.35 | Mantienneite | KMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O |
8.DH.35 | Paulkerrite | K(Mg,Mn2+)2(Fe3+,Al,Ti,Mg)2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O |
8.DH.35 | Benyacarite | (H2O)2Mn2Ti2Fe3+(PO4)4(OF)(H2O)10 · 4H2O |
8.DH.40 | Xanthoxenite | Ca4Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 3H2O |
8.DH.45 | Mahnertite | NaCu3(AsO4)2Cl · 5H2O |
8.DH.50 | Andyrobertsite | KCdCu5(AsO4)4(H2AsO4) · 2H2O |
8.DH.50 | Calcioandyrobertsite | KCaCu5(AsO4)4(H2AsO4) · 2H2O |
8.DH.55 | Englishite | K3Na2Ca10Al15(PO4)21(OH)7 · 26H2O |
8.DH.60 | Bouazzerite | Bi6(Mg,Co)11Fe3+14(AsO4)18(OH)4O12 · 86H2O |
8.DH.65 | Galliskiite | Ca4Al2(PO4)2F8 · 5H2O |
8.DH.70 | Joteite | Ca2CuAl(AsO4)[AsO3(OH)]2(OH)2 · 5H2O |
8.DH.75 | Kampelite | Ba6Mg3Sc8(PO4)12(OH)6 · 7H2O |
8.DH.80 | Kapundaite | NaCaFe4(PO4)4(OH)3 · 5H2O |
8.DH.85 | Vaniniite | Ca2Mn2+3Mn3+2O2(AsO4)4 · 2H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Two marked endothermic peaks at 110 and 195°C associated with loss of water of crystallization, and two exothermic reactions at 538 and 572 °C which are presumed to be due to decomposition and recrystallization.
Notes:
Soluble in acids but insoluble in water.
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 Spheniscidite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3728.html
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References for Spheniscidite
Localities for Spheniscidite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica (TL) | |
| Wilson et al. (1976) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
Brazil | |
| Piló et al. (2023) |
Piló et al. (2023) | |
| Piló et al. (2023) |
Figueira et al. (2019) | |
France | |
| Audra et al. (2019) |
Hungary | |
| Audra et al. (2019) |
Iran | |
| Amin et al. (2022) |
Italy | |
| Baldoni et al. (2013) +2 other references |
Malaysia | |
| Wurster et al. (2015) |
Philippines | |
| Wurster et al. (2015) |
Wurster et al. (2015) | |
Choa et al. (2014) | |
Poland | |
| Cu +2 other references |
Ukraine | |
| Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen: Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry et al. (5) +1 other reference |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
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