Saléeite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Saléeite
Achille Léon Salée
Formula:
Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Colour:
Lemon-yellow, straw-yellow, greenish yellow
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
3.27
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1932 by Jacques Thoreau and Johannes F. Vaes in honor of canon Achille Léon Salée [September 6, 1883 Spa, Belgium - March 13, 1932 Isavi, Ruanda (not, as some sources say, in Astrida, Belgium)], Professor at Universitè Catholique de Louvain, Louvain, Belgium. Salée was a geologist and systematic paleontologist. He authored a geologic map of Rwanda. A river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is named for him as is a street in his home town of Spa.
Isostructural with:
Autunite Group. The phosphate analogue of nováčekite-II. Chemically similar to metasaléeite (the lower hydrate), and the two minerals are the only ones with the Mg-U-P combination.
A secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of uranium-bearing polymetallic hydrothermal, and sedimentary, mineral deposits.
A secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of uranium-bearing polymetallic hydrothermal, and sedimentary, mineral deposits.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3508
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3508:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f799bb26-5a34-49fc-9b67-58d6363dc929
IMA Classification of Saléeite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2(H2O)10
Classification of Saléeite
8.EB.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
40.2a.11.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
19.11.12
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slé | 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 Saléeite
Sub-Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Lemon-yellow, straw-yellow, greenish yellow
Streak:
Yellow-white
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
[001] Perfect, [010] Indistinct, [110] Indistinct
[001] Perfect, [010] Indistinct, [110] Indistinct
Fracture:
Micaceous
Density:
3.27 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.21 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Saléeite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.554 - 1.559 nβ = 1.570 - 1.582 nγ = 1.571 - 1.585 nω = 1.571 - 1.585 nε = 1.544 - 1.565
Birefringence:
0.017
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.027
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
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Colourless
Z = Pale greenish yellow
Z = Pale greenish yellow
Comments:
Typically nearly uniaxial -, sectored.
Chemistry of Saléeite
Mindat Formula:
Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Crystallography of Saléeite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.951(1) Å, b = 19.942(1) Å, c = 6.967(1) Å
β = 90.58(1)°
β = 90.58(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.349 : 1 : 0.349
Unit Cell V:
965.69 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Saleeite is pseudotetragonal, the last few water molecules distort the structure. Forms square plates, composite, flattened on {001}, and exhibiting {001}, {100}, {120}, and {012}. Subparallel lamellar aggregates common.
Comment:
P21/n; originally given cell: a = 6.951, b = 19.947, c = 9.896 Å, β = 135.17°. The structure consists of UO2PO4 sheets between which are located Mg2+ ions and water molecules. The Mg2+ ions are octahedrally coordinated to 6 of the 10 interlayer waters, but the last 4 water molecules are not bound to Mg.
Epitaxial Relationships of Saléeite
Epitaxial Minerals:
| Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
Epitaxy Comments:
Oriented growths on Torbernite with parallel axes.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.85 Å | (100) |
| 4.95 Å | (80) |
| 4.51 Å | (40) |
| 3.49 Å | (90) |
| 3.23 Å | (50) |
| 2.95 Å | (50) |
| 2.45 Å | (60) |
| 2.19 Å | (70) |
Comments:
ICDD 8-313. See also 29-874 (synthetic)
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] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of polymetallic uranium-bearing hydrothermal deposits and sedimentary uranium deposits.
Type Occurrence of Saléeite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium: #HT:K 1.812.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Saléeite
Other Language Names for Saléeite
Relationship of Saléeite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Bassetite | Fe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Heinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Hydronováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Kahlerite | Fe(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
| Nováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Rauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
| Uranocircite | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Tet. |
| Uranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
| Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 20 photos of Saléeite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 13 photos of Saléeite associated with Leucophosphite | KFe3+2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
| 11 photos of Saléeite associated with Cyrilovite | NaFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 8 photos of Saléeite associated with Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 6 photos of Saléeite associated with Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| 6 photos of Saléeite associated with Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Saléeite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Saléeite associated with Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| 4 photos of Saléeite associated with Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 4 photos of Saléeite associated with Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.EB. | Meta-autunite Group | A1-2(UO2)2(TO4)2 · 5-10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Heinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Kahlerite | Fe(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Hydronováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Uranocircite | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Uranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Xiangjiangite | (Fe3+,Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH) · 22H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Metarauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Nováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Rauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Bassetite | Fe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Lehnerite | Mn2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Meta-autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metasaléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metauranocircite | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metauranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metaheinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metakahlerite | Fe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metakirchheimerite | Co(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metanováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metazeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Przhevalskite | Pb2(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Pseudo-autunite | (H3O)4Ca2(UO2)2(PO4)4 · 5H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metanatroautunite | Na(UO2)(PO4)(H2O)3 |
| 8.EB.15 | Abernathyite | K(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Chernikovite | (H3O)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Meta-ankoleite | K2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Natrouranospinite | Na2(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Trögerite | (H3O)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Uramphite | (NH4)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Uramarsite | (NH4)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.EB.20 | Threadgoldite | Al(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.20 | Chistyakovaite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2(F,OH) · 6.5H2O |
| 8.EB.25 | Arsenuranospathite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2F · 20H2O |
| 8.EB.25 | Uranospathite | (Al,◻)(UO2)2(PO4)2F · 20(H2O,F) |
| 8.EB.30 | Vochtenite | (Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH) · 12-13H2O |
| 8.EB.35 | Coconinoite | Fe3+2Al2(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 8.EB.40 | Ranunculite | HAl(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3 · 4H2O |
| 8.EB.45 | Triangulite | Al3(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 8.EB.50 | Furongite | Al13(UO2)7(PO4)13(OH)14 · 58H2O |
| 8.EB.55 | Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
| 8.EB.60 | Horákite | (Bi7O7OH)[(UO2)4(PO4)2(AsO4)2(OH)2] · 3.5H2O |
Fluorescence of Saléeite
Bright lemon-yellow (LW UV); pale yellow (SW UV).
Other Information
Notes:
Radioactive.
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 Saléeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3508.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Saléeite
Reference List:
Mrose, Mary E. (1950) Studies on uranium minerals (III): Saléeite from Schneeberg, Saxon. American Mineralogist, 35 (7-8) 525-530
(1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin Vol. 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064 pp.177-183
Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel (1980) Nouvelles données sur la saléeite holotype de Shinkolobwe. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 103 (6) 630-632 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1980.7430
Miller, S. A., Taylor, J. C. (1986) The crystal structure of saleeite, Mg[UO2PO4]2· 10H2O. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 177 (3) 247-253 doi:10.1524/zkri.1986.177.3-4.247
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Localities for Saléeite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| O. Morello y C. N. Reyes Encinas (1990) |
| O. Morello y C. N. Reyes Encinas (1990) | |
| M. E. Saulnier y F. Greco (1988) | |
Australia | |
| |
| Geosciences +1 other reference | |
| D A Berkman (1968) | |
| D.A.Berkman (1968) | |
| Economic Geology of Australia and papua ... |
| Waite & Payne (1993) +2 other references | |
| Henry et al (1999) +2 other references | |
| Henry et al. (1999) | |
| P Haas collection |
| Henry et al. (2005) | |
| Uwe Kolitsch (powder X-ray diffraction & SEM-EDS) |
| W.D.Birch. Phosphate Minerals of ... |
| Henry et al. (1988) +3 other references |
| Judy Rowe collection |
Austria | |
| F. Brandstätter (1998) |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1982) |
| Baijot et al. (2014) | |
| Sergio Varvello collection +1 other reference | |
| Atencio et al. (2004) | |
| Tony Nikischer |
| Cassedanne et al. (1981) |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
| Cassedanne et al. (1999) | |
| Chukanov et al. (2007) |
| Luis Menezes +1 other reference | |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
Canada | |
| BOYLE et al. (1981) |
| Carruzzo (2003) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Plášil J. et al. (Giant) +2 other references |
| Pauliš (1999) |
| Sejkora et al. (2012) | |
| M.E. Ciriotti |
| Sejkora |
| Jakub Kristek Collection |
| Jakub Kristek Collection | |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Thoreau et al. (1932) +4 other references |
| In the collection of Chuck Adan. EDS by ... |
| Wilson (2018) |
| |
France | |
| - (1998) |
| R. Pierrot | |
| R. Pierrot +1 other reference | |
| AFM 1-2002 |
| AFM 1-2002 p.17 |
| Jean-Marc Johannet collection |
| Collection Laurent GAYRAUD |
| - (1998) |
| Caubel (1997) |
| [Le Cahier des Micromonteurs |
| - (1998) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1998) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| DILL et al. (1986) +2 other references |
| Dill et al. (2010) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
| Mrose (1950) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll Sándor et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Koch: Minerals of Hungary |
| Szakáll:Minerals of Hungary |
Italy | |
| Vignola P. et al. (2011) |
| Guastoni A. et al. (2016) |
| Garavelli et al. (1959) +2 other references |
| Ref: Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti ... +1 other reference |
| EDS G. Blass (M.E. Ciriotti, 2007) |
| Ravagnani (1974) |
New Zealand | |
| Christie et al. (2000) |
Poland | |
| Siuda R. (Rudawy Janowickie Mts., Poland) |
| Syczewski et al. (2023) |
| Syczewski et al. (2023) +1 other reference | |
| Domańska-Siuda J. 2010: New data on secondary uranium minerals from the Western Sudetes (Poland) +1 other reference | |
Portugal | |
| International Geological Congress (2008) |
| Cabral Pinto (2008) |
| |
| LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia ... |
| LNEG Siorminp database |
| LNEG / Siorminp database +1 other reference |
| |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu P. et al. (2004) |
Slovakia | |
| Ferenc Š. et al. (2019) |
Slovenia | |
| Dolenec (1985) |
Spain | |
| Arribas (1962) |
| Carles Curto Mila collection |
| Grupo Mineralogista de Madrid (1994) |
| Pierre Cléroux Collection |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Alysson Rowan collection |
USA | |
| Granger (1969) +1 other reference |
| Granger (1969) +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology NBMG ... |
| Roberts et al. (1965) |
| Roberts et al. (1965) |
| Roberts et al. (1965) | |
| Rocks & Minerals: 68 (6) |
| Bullock (1981) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Quick NavTopAbout SaléeiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Epitaxial Relationships X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
La Commanderie mine, Le Temple, Mauléon, Bressuire, Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France