Ikaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ikaite
Formula:
CaCO3 · 6H2O
Colour:
Brown
Specific Gravity:
1.77
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the type locality Ikka Fjord, Greenland (formerly spelled Ika).
Type Locality:
Readily dehydrates to calcite above 8°C.
The resulting pseudomorph of calcite after ikaite is also called "glendonite."
Compare Unnamed (Amorphous Calcium Carbonate).
The resulting pseudomorph of calcite after ikaite is also called "glendonite."
Compare Unnamed (Amorphous Calcium Carbonate).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2007
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2007:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
bd9ac53f-cc3f-452a-be56-99d7079dd930
IMA Classification of Ikaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca(CO3) · 6H2O
First published:
1963
Type description reference:
Classification of Ikaite
5.CB.25
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
15.1.4.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)·xH2O
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)·xH2O
11.4.5
11 : Carbonates
4 : Carbonates of Ca
11 : Carbonates
4 : Carbonates of Ca
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 |
---|---|---|
Ika | 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 Ikaite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brown
Tenacity:
Fragile
Density:
1.77 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.833 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ikaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.455 - 1.460 nβ = 1.535 - 1.538 nγ = 1.545
2V:
Measured: 38° to 45°, Calculated: 30°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.090
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:
Low
Dispersion:
distinct
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = 17°.
Chemistry of Ikaite
Mindat Formula:
CaCO3 · 6H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ikaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.87 Å, b = 8.23 Å, c = 11.02 Å
β = 110.2°
β = 110.2°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.078 : 1 : 1.339
Unit Cell V:
754.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals tabular {001} or pseudomorphous after a rhombohedral carbonate mineral.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0010853 | Ikaite | Hesse K F, Kuppers H, Suess E (1983) Refinement of the structure of ikaite, CaCO3*6(H2O) Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 163 227-231 | 1983 | Bransfield Strait, Antarctica | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.171 Å | (100) |
2.643 Å | (85) |
2.629 Å | (70) |
2.804 Å | (50) |
2.464 Å | (33) |
4.162 Å | (29) |
2.774 Å | (27) |
Comments:
Synthetic, ICDD 37-416.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
18 : Minerals formed by freezing |
Geological Setting:
Forms in sea water and lake water in anaerobic, organic-rich periglacial and glaciomarine environments near 0°C, readily converting to calcite at higher temperatures.
Type Occurrence of Ikaite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Forms in cold water near freezing point.
Reference:
Pauly, H. (1963): Ikaite, nyt mineral der danner skaer. Naturens Verdens 1963, 168-192.
Synonyms of Ikaite
Other Language Names for Ikaite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
5.CB. | Paulišite | Ca2Zn(CO3)3 · 2H2O |
5.CB.05 | Thermonatrite | Na2CO3 · H2O |
5.CB.10 | Natron | Na2CO3 · 10H2O |
5.CB.15 | Trona | Na3H(CO3)2 · 2H2O |
5.CB.20 | Monohydrocalcite | CaCO3 · H2O |
5.CB.30 | Pirssonite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 2H2O |
5.CB.35 | Gaylussite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 5H2O |
5.CB.40 | Chalconatronite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 · 3H2O |
5.CB.45 | Baylissite | K2Mg(CO3)2 · 4H2O |
5.CB.50 | Tuliokite | Na6BaTh(CO3)6 · 6H2O |
Other Information
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Readily dehydrates to calcite above 8 °C.
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 Ikaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2007.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Ikaite
Localities for Ikaite
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 | |
| Dieckmann et al. (2008) |
| AmMin 86:1530-1533 (2001) |
Whiticar et al. (2022) | |
Dieckmann et al. (2008) | |
Arctic Ocean | |
Schultz et al. (2023) | |
Australia | |
| Keith F Compton collection |
Canada | |
| Last et al. (2013) |
Czech Republic | |
| Žák K. et al. (2010) |
Greenland | |
| Stockmann et al. (2022) |
Pauly (1963) +3 other references | |
Japan | |
| Genko. 91 (6) |
Norway | |
Palache et al. (1951) | |
Pacific Ocean | |
Schultz et al. (2023) | |
| Greinert et al. (2004) |
Romania | |
| Bogdan P. Onac (2017) |
| Slavoaca |
Russia | |
| Actually 'glendonite' |
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands | |
Schultz et al. (2023) | |
UK | |
| Field et al. (2017) |
USA | |
| Schultz et al. (2023) |
Kennedy et al. (1987, October) | |
| Geology 21:971-974. +1 other reference |
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Olenitsa River, White Sea Coast, Murmansk Oblast, Russia