Althupite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Althupite
Formula:
AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)5O2 · 15H2O
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.91
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1987 by Paul Piret and Michel Deliens for its constituent elements: Al, Th, U and P.
This page provides mineralogical data about Althupite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
149
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:149:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
54320fb2-89ae-4fec-bd85-9b385c2284cc
IMA Classification of Althupite
Classification of Althupite
8.EC.25
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
C : UO2:RO4 = 3:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
C : UO2:RO4 = 3:2
42.4.13.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
19.11.33
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
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 |
---|---|---|
Ahp | 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 Althupite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
Yellow
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Density:
3.91 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.98 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Althupite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.620 nβ = 1.661 nγ = 1.665
2V:
Measured: 31° , Calculated: 34°
Birefringence:
0.045
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.045
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:
r < v strong
Optical Extinction:
Z ^ c = 15°, X ~ a
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = very pale yellow, Y = Z = yellow
Chemistry of Althupite
Mindat Formula:
AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)5O2 · 15H2O
Crystallography of Althupite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.953 Å, b = 18.567 Å, c = 13.504 Å
α = 72.64°, β = 68.20°, γ = 84.21°
α = 72.64°, β = 68.20°, γ = 84.21°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.59 : 1 : 0.727
Unit Cell V:
2,433.54 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
As thin tabular crystals, flattened on {100} and terminated by {011} and {021}, to 0.1 mm, and in parallel groups.
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0012087 | Althupite | Piret P, Deliens M (1987) Les phosphates d'uranyle et d'aluminium de Kobokobo IX. L'althupite AlTh(UO2)[(UO2)3O(OH)PO4)2]2(OH)3*15H2O, nouveau mineral; proprietes et structure cristalline Bulletin de Mineralogie 110 65-72 | 1987 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
10.2 Å | (100) |
6.67 Å | (40) |
5.80 Å | (50) |
5.09 Å | (70) |
4.91 Å | (40) |
4.41 Å | (50) |
2.896 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Althupite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, RMG6178.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral in the uraniferous zone of an altered granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Althupite
Other Language Names for Althupite
Relationship of Althupite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Bergenite | Ca2Ba4(UO2)9(PO4)6O6 · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Dewindtite | H2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmma |
Dumontite | Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Françoisite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,Ca)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Françoisite-(Nd) | (Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Hügelite | Pb2(UO2)3(AsO4)2O2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
Phuralumite | Al2[(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH)](OH)3(H2O)9 | Mon. 2/m |
Phurcalite | Ca2(UO2)3(PO4)2O2 · 7H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca |
Upalite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Vanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Yingjiangite | K2Ca(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.EC.05 | Françoisite-(Nd) | (Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O |
8.EC.05 | Phuralumite | Al2[(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH)](OH)3(H2O)9 |
8.EC.05 | Upalite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 7H2O |
8.EC.05 | Françoisite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,Ca)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O |
8.EC.10 | Arsenuranylite | Ca(UO2)4(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 6H2O |
8.EC.10 | Dewindtite | H2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O |
8.EC.10 | Kivuite | Th(UO2)4(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 7H2O |
8.EC.10 | Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
8.EC.10 | Yingjiangite | K2Ca(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2O |
8.EC.10 | Renardite | Pb(UO2)4(PO4)2(OH)4 · H2O |
8.EC.15 | Dumontite | Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O |
8.EC.15 | Hügelite | Pb2(UO2)3(AsO4)2O2 · 5H2O |
8.EC.20 | Metavanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 2H2O |
8.EC.20 | Vanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
8.EC.20 | Arsenovanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(AsO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
8.EC.30 | Mundite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5.5H2O |
8.EC.35 | Phurcalite | Ca2(UO2)3(PO4)2O2 · 7H2O |
8.EC.40 | Bergenite | Ca2Ba4(UO2)9(PO4)6O6 · 16H2O |
Fluorescence of Althupite
Apparently not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
radioactive
Health Risks:
Contains uranium - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas.
Internet Links for Althupite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-149.html
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References for Althupite
Reference List:
Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel (1987) Les phosphates d'uranyle et d'aluminium de Kobokobo. IX. L'althupite AlTh(UO2)[(UO2)3O(OH)(PO4)2]2(OH)3·15H2O, nouveau minéral ; propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 110 (1) 65-72 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1987.8026
Localities for Althupite
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.
DR Congo (TL) | |
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Kobokobo pegmatite, Shabunda Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo