Mössbauerite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mössbauerite
Rudolf Ludwig Mössbauer
Formula:
Fe3+6O4(OH)8[CO3] · 3H2O
Colour:
Blue-green
Lustre:
Earthy
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.950 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after Professor Rudolf Ludwig Mössbauer ( 31 January 1929 Munich – 14 September 2011 Grünwald, Germany) who discovered the resonance of γ rays that bears his name, for which he was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize in physics. Without this technique, the very existence of this mineral in gleysols and the true nature of the ‘green rust’ compounds could not be understood
Hydrotalcite supergroup. It has a layered double hydroxide-type structure, in which brucite-like layers [Fe3+6O4(OH)8]2+ are intercalated with CO32- anions and water molecules.
The fully oxidized analogue of fougèrite and trébeurdenite, related to them chemically by the exchange of (Fe3+O2−) with (Fe2+OH−).
Synchrotron X-ray data indicate that the natural material is a nanoscale intergrowth of 2T and 3T polytypes; the latter probably has the 3T7 stacking sequence.
The fully oxidized analogue of fougèrite and trébeurdenite, related to them chemically by the exchange of (Fe3+O2−) with (Fe2+OH−).
Synchrotron X-ray data indicate that the natural material is a nanoscale intergrowth of 2T and 3T polytypes; the latter probably has the 3T7 stacking sequence.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
43298
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43298:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a0dd7617-fca0-418e-bd60-2cceb2214b71
IMA Classification of Mössbauerite
Classification of Mössbauerite
4.FL.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Msb | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Msb | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Mössbauerite
Earthy
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Blue-green
Comment:
Pure synthetic mössbauerite is orange in colour
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Probably 2-3
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
{0001} ideally
{0001} ideally
Density:
2.950 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Chemistry of Mössbauerite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+6O4(OH)8[CO3] · 3H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Mössbauerite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.032(7) Å, b = 3.079 Å, c = 22.258(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.985 : 1 : 7.229
Unit Cell V:
177.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Possible space group: P3İm1 and P3m1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.372 Å | (60) |
| 3.691 Å | (20) |
| 2.646 Å | (100) |
| 2.588 Å | (70) |
| 2.406 Å | (40) |
| 1.928 Å | (30) |
| 1.855 Å | (50) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Mössbauerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As μm-scale platelets in gleys with restricted access to atmospheric O.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, registration number M52078
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Intimately intergrown with trébeurdenite, was discovered in intertidal gleys from Mont Saint-Michel Bay, France.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mössbauerite
Relationship of Mössbauerite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Fougèrite | Fe2+4Fe3+2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Liudongshengite | Zn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Trébeurdenite | Fe2+2Fe3+4O2(OH)10CO3 · 3H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Mössbauerite associated with Trébeurdenite | Fe2+2Fe3+4O2(OH)10CO3 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FL. | Trébeurdenite | Fe2+2Fe3+4O2(OH)10CO3 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL. | Mariakrite | [Ca4Al2(OH)12(H2O)4][Fe2S4] |
| 4.FL.05 | Woodallite | Mg6Cr2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Iowaite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Jamborite | Ni2+1-xCo3+x(OH)2-x(SO4)x · nH2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Meixnerite | Mg6Al2(OH)16(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Muskoxite | Mg7Fe4O13 · 10H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Fougèrite | Fe2+4Fe3+2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Dritsite | Li2Al4(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.10 | Hydrocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.15 | Kuzelite | Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Aurorite | Mn2+Mn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Ernienickelite | NiMn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Jianshuiite | (Mg,Mn,Ca)Mn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.25 | Woodruffite | Zn2+x/2(Mn4+1-xMn3+x)O2 · yH2O |
| 4.FL.30 | Asbolane | (Ni,Co)2-xMn4+(O,OH)4 · nH2O |
| 4.FL.30 va | Lampadite | Cu, Mn, O, H |
| 4.FL.35 | Buserite | Na4Mn14O27 · 21H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Ranciéite | (Ca,Mn2+)0.2(Mn4+,Mn3+)O2 · 0.6H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Takanelite | (Mn,Ca)Mn4O9 · H2O |
| 4.FL.45 | Birnessite | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O |
| 4.FL.55 | Cianciulliite | Mn(Mg,Mn)2Zn2(OH)10 · 2-4H2O |
| 4.FL.60 | Jensenite | Cu3[TeO6] · 2H2O |
| 4.FL.65 | Leisingite | Cu2MgTe6+O6 · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.70 | Akdalaite | Al10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FL.75 | Cafetite | CaTi2O5 · H2O |
| 4.FL.80 | Mourite | UMo5O12(OH)10 |
| 4.FL.85 | Deloryite | Cu4(UO2)(MoO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4.FL.90 | Lagalyite | Ca2xMn1-xO2 · 1.5-2H2O |
| 4.FL.95 | Tunnerite (of Cornu) | |
| 4.FL.100 | Carbocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.100 | Mampsisite | Ca4Al2(CO3)(OH)12 · 5H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Decomposes rapidly when exposed to air.
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 Mössbauerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-43298.html
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References for Mössbauerite
Reference List:
Mills, S. J., Christy, A. G., Génin, J.-M. R., Kameda, T., Colombo, F. (2012) Nomenclature of the hydrotalcite supergroup: natural layered double hydroxides. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (5) 1289-1336 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.5.10
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification. CNMNC Newsletter No. 15. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (1) 1-12 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.1.01
Génin, J.-M. R., Mills, S. J., Christy, A. G., Guérin, O., Herbillon, A. J., Kuzmann, E., Ona-Nguema, G., Ruby, C., Upadhyay, C. (2014) Mössbauerite, Fe63+O4(OH)8[CO3]·3H2O, the fully oxidized ‘green rust’ mineral from Mont Saint-Michel Bay, France. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (2) 447-465 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.2.14
Localities for Mössbauerite
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.
France | |
| Génin et al. (2014) |
| Mills et al. (2012) |
| Génin et al. (2014) |
| Personal communication from geologist Odile Guérin to Erik Vercammen (August 2016) |
| Génin et al. (2014) |
| Génin et al. (2014) |
| Génin et al. (2014) |
| Williams et al. (2013) +2 other references |
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Île Aval, Penvern, Pleumeur-Bodou, Lannion, Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany, France