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Natron

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Atlin, Atlin Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
© 2008, JGW

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Formula:
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless to white, ...
Hardness:1 - 1½
Name:In allusion to its sodium content (Latin = NATRium).
This page provides mineralogical data about Natron.

Classification of Natron

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/D.02-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.CB.10

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
Dana 8th edition ID:15.1.2.1

15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.1.7

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

Geological Setting:In solution in soda lakes.

Physical Properties of Natron

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colourless to white, greyish, yellowish; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):1 - 1½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {001} distinct; on {010} imperfect; on {110} in traces.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):1.478 g/cm3

Crystallography of Natron

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P2/m {P1 1 2/m} {P2/m} {P1 2/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 12.75Å, b = 9Å, c = 12.6Å
β = 115.85°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.417 : 1 : 1.4
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,301.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Occurs naturally only as crystalline, granular, and columnar crusts. Artificial crystals somewhat tabular {010} with varying development of the [100] and [001] zones.
Twinning:On {001}.

Optical Data of Natron

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.405 nβ = 1.425 nγ = 1.440
2V:Measured: 71° , Calculated: 80°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.035

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

Chemical Properties of Natron

Formula:
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:C, H, Na, O
Analytical Data:Effloresces rapidly in dry air, yielding thermonatrite, the monohydrate.
Relationship of Natron to other Species
Common Associates:
ThermonatriteTronaGaylussiteCalcite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- + 
5.CB.05Thermonatrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
5.CB.15Trona
Na
 
3
H(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
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
11.1.6Trona
Na
 
3
H(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
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 Natron
Synonyms:
Carbonate of SodaNatronite (of Foshag et al.)Sodium CarbonateSodium carbonate decahydrateSubcarbonate of Soda
Other Languages:
Catalan:Natró
Dutch:Natron
French:Natron
Cristaux d'alkali fixe minéral
Soude carbonatée
German:Hemiprismatisches Natronsalz
Greek:Νάτρον
Νιτρου
Italian:Natron
Polish:Natron
Portuguese:Natrão
Spanish:Natrón
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:Melting Point: 34.5°.
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 Natron
Reference List:de Lisle, Romé (1783) Cristallographie, ou description des formes propres à tous les corps du regne minéral. 4 volumes, Paris: 1: 149 (as Cristaux d'alkali fixe minéral).



Haüy, R.J. (1801) Traité de minéralogie. First edition: in 4 volumes with atlas in fol., Paris: 2: 374 (as Souda carbonatée).



Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition: 832 (as Soda).



Brooke (1823) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 6: 287 (as Subcarbonate of Soda)



Mohs, F. (1824) Grundriss der Mineralogie. 2 volumes, Dresden: 2: 27 (as Hemiprismatisches Natronsalz).



Zippe, F.X.M. (1839) Physiographie des Mineralreichs. Vienna: 2: 29.



Weisbach, Albin (1875) Synopsis mineralogical, systematische Übersicht des Mineralreiches. 78 pp., Freiberg: 7 (as Natrit).



Goldschmidt, V. (1886) Index der Krystallformen der Mineralien. 3 volumes, vol. 3, 420p.: 139.



Hintze, Carl (1916) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: I(3A): 2778.



Goldschmidt, V. (1922) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text, vol. 8: 63.



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: 230-231.



Acta Crystallographica (1969): B25: 2656-2658.


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