Mereiterite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mereiterite
Formula:
K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Pale yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.36
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after Prof. Dr. Kurt Mereiter (1945-), Technical University of Vienna, in honour of his contributions to the crystal chemistry of various iron sulfates.
The iron analogue of Leonite.
May possibly appear as a dehydration product of the (unstable at room temperature) picromerite-type hexahydrate (a Tutton salt).
May possibly appear as a dehydration product of the (unstable at room temperature) picromerite-type hexahydrate (a Tutton salt).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2649
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2649:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
fa3527fe-9db0-4e85-92ee-bf3b7800dd6d
Classification of Mereiterite
Approved
7.CC.55
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
28.4.3.3
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : Miscellaneous
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : Miscellaneous
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 |
---|---|---|
Mtr | 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 Mereiterite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Pale yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.36(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.358 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mereiterite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.497(1) nβ = 1.501(1) nγ = 1.509(1)
2V:
Measured: 73° , Calculated: 72°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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:
very weak: r > v
Chemical Properties of Mereiterite
Formula:
K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O
IMA Formula:
K2Fe2+(SO4)2 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Mereiterite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.844(1) Å, b = 9.556(1) Å, c = 9.947(1) Å
β = 94.87°
β = 94.87°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.239 : 1 : 1.041
Unit Cell V:
1,121.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0002733 | Mereiterite | Hertweck B, Giester G, Libowitzky E (2001) The crystal structures of the low-temperature phases of leonite-type compounds, K2Me(SO4)2.4H2O (Me=Mg,Mn,Fe) American Mineralogist 86 1282-1292 | 2001 | 0 | 185 | ||
0002734 | Mereiterite | Hertweck B, Giester G, Libowitzky E (2001) The crystal structures of the low-temperature phases of leonite-type compounds, K2Me(SO4)2.4H2O (Me=Mg,Mn,Fe) American Mineralogist 86 1282-1292 | 2001 | 0 | 293 | ||
0006597 | Mereiterite | Giester G, Rieck B (1995) Mereiterite, K2Fe[SO4]2.4H2O, a new leonite-type mineral from the Lavrion Mining District, Greece European Journal of Mineralogy 7 559-566 | 1995 | Lavrion Mining District, Greece | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.440 Å | (100) |
3.505 Å | (52) |
3.490 Å | (49) |
3.331 Å | (48) |
4.778 Å | (30) |
2.405 Å | (30) |
3.051 Å | (29) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] |
Type Occurrence of Mereiterite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals are subhedral, strongly etched, to 1 cm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, 6C/18-035#1; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 170971.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Giester, G. and Rieck, B. (1995) Mereiterite, K2Fe[SO4]2•4H2O, a new leonite-type mineral from the Lavrion mining district, Greece. European Journal of Mineralogy 7, 559-566.
Synonyms of Mereiterite
Other Language Names for Mereiterite
Relationship of Mereiterite to other Species
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
7.CC. | Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC. | Andychristyite | PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
7.CC. | Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
7.CC.05 | Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
7.CC.10 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CC.15 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CC.20 | Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
7.CC.20 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
7.CC.20 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
7.CC.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
7.CC.20 | Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
7.CC.25 | Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
7.CC.25 | Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
7.CC.25 | Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2Mg4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/acd |
7.CC.25 | Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
7.CC.25 | Magnesiovoltaite | K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
7.CC.30 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.35 | Ferrinatrite | Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
7.CC.40 | Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
7.CC.50 | Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.50 | Nickelblödite | Na2(Ni,Mg)(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.50 | Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.55 | Leonite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
7.CC.60 | Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.60 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.60 | Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.60 | Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.60 | Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
7.CC.60 | Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.60 | Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.65 | Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 |
7.CC.70 | Leightonite | K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CC.75 | Amarillite | NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CC.80 | Konyaite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CC.85 | Wattevilleite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?) | Orth. |
7.CC.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
7.CC.90 | Eckhardite | (Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O) | Mon. 2/m |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2O
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Mereiterite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Giester, G. and Rieck, B. (1995) Mereiterite, K2Fe[SO4]2•4H2O, a new leonite-type mineral from the Lavrion mining district, Greece. European Journal of Mineralogy 7, 559-566.
Mineralogical Record 27: 304.
Internet Links for Mereiterite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2649.html
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Localities for Mereiterite
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.
Canada | |
| Schindler, M., Mantha, N., Kyser, K. T., Murayama, M., & Hochella Jr, M. F. (2012). Shining light on black rock coatings in smelter-impacted areas. Geoscience Canada, 39(3). |
Greece (TL) | |
| Giester, G. and Rieck, B. (1995) Mereiterite, K2Fe[SO4]2•4H2O, a new leonite-type mineral from the Lavrion mining district, Greece. European Journal of Mineralogy 7, 559-566.; Mineralogical Record 27: 304.; Giester, G. and Rieck, B. (1995) Mereiterite, K2Fe[SO4]2•4H2O, a new leonite-type mineral from the Lavrion mining district, Greece. European Journal of Mineralogy 7, 559-566. |
Italy | |
| Russo, M., Campostrini, I., Demartin, F. (2017): I minerali di origine fumarolica dei Campi Flegrei: Solfatara di Pozzuoli (Napoli) e dintorni. Micro, 15, 122-192.; Mormone, A., Piochi, M., Balassone, G., Strauss, H., Troise, C., & De Natale, G. (2015, April). Mineralogical and sulfur isotopic characterization of the sulfur-bearing mineralization from the active degassing area of Campi Flegrei caldera (southern Italy). In EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts (Vol. 17). |
Nicaragua | |
| Hynek, B. M., McCollom, T. M., Marcucci, E. C., Brugman, K., & Rogers, K. L. (2013). Assessment of environmental controls on acid‐sulfate alteration at active volcanoes in Nicaragua: Applications to relic hydrothermal systems on Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 118(10), 2083-2104. |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski, Ł., Fabiańska, M.J., Segit, T., Kusy, D., Motyliński, R., Ciesielczuk, J., Deput, E., (2019): Carbon-nitrogen compounds, alcohols, mercaptans, monoterpenes, acetates, aldehydes, ketones, SF6, PH3, and other fire gases in coal-mining waste heaps of Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland) – a re-investigation by means of in situ FTIR external database approach. Science of The Total Environment (in press) |
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Hilarion Mine, Kamariza Mines, Agios Konstantinos, Lavrion Mining District, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece