Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral Quiz
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Fermiite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About FermiiteHide

00531080014948107904963.jpg
Dr. Enrico Fermi
Formula:
Na4(UO2)(SO4)3 · 3H2O
Colour:
Pale greenish-yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
3.23
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by A.R. Kampf, J. Plášil, A.V. Kasatkin, J. Marty, and J. Čejka in 2015 in honor of Dr. Enrico Fermi (29 September 1901, Rome, Italy - 28 November 1954, Chicago, Illinois, USA), Italian-American theoretical and experimental physicist. He made significant contributions to quantum theory, nuclear and particle physics, and statistical mechanics. He was awarded the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Structurally related to meisserite. Also structurally somewhat similar to oppenheimerite.

Chemically related to oppenheimerite, klaprothite, péligotite, ottohahnite; plášilite and natrozippeite (basic salts); belakovskiite and meisserite (sulfate-hydrosulfates).

As typical for uranyl sulfates, U polyhedra are square pentagonal bipyramids, with U atoms surrounded by 7 O atoms (two apical bonds of the bipyramid constitute the uranyl group). There are infinite chains formed by linking the adjacent bipyramids by two bridging sulfate groups. In fermiite the chain of [(UO2)(SO4)3]4– composition is parallel to [100]. The chains are linked through 5 different Na–O polyhedra.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
46506
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46506:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
bafe367b-ece2-46eb-af58-93c09caf9302

IMA Classification of FermiiteHide

Approved
Approval year:
2014
First published:
2015

Classification of FermiiteHide

7.EC.45

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
FmiIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of FermiiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Pale greenish-yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
no cleavage
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.23 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.313 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of FermiiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.527(1) nβ = 1.534(1) nγ = 1.567(1)
2V:
Measured: 51° , Calculated: 50°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
r < v, distinct.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X, Y = colourless, Z = pale greenish yellow; X = Y < Z

Chemistry of FermiiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Na4(UO2)(SO4)3 · 3H2O

Crystallography of FermiiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Setting:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.8407(12) Å, b = 7.8695(5) Å, c = 15.3255(19) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.505 : 1 : 1.947
Unit Cell V:
1428 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prisms

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
7.71 Å(43)
7.01 Å(100)
6.00 Å(49)
4.70 Å(42)
3.476 Å(85)
3.336 Å(55)
3.131 Å(57)
2.762 Å(46)
Comments:
From type description

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites]
47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals]
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals
Geological Setting:
"Common Associated Minerals" = general assemblage at the TL

Type Occurrence of FermiiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
prisms with {101} face habit, up to ~0.5 mm long; in subparallel or irregular aggregates. Other forms reported: {011}, {110}, {010}, {001}
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90007, USA, catalogue numbers 65546, 65547 and 65548, and the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian
Geological Setting of Type Material:
As a secondary alteration phase
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of FermiiteHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.EC.AdolfpateraiteK(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.EC.Beshtauite(NH4)2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.EC.SeaborgiteLiK2Na6(UO2)(SO4)5(SO3OH)(H2O)Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.Nitscheite(NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2] · 3H2OMon. 2/m
7.EC.OldsiteK2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
7.EC.Libbyite(NH4)2(Na2◻)[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]2 · 7H2OTet. 4 2 2 : P41 21 2
7.EC.05CobaltzippeiteCo(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05MagnesiozippeiteMg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05NickelzippeiteNi2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O Mon.
7.EC.05NatrozippeiteNa5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.EC.05ZinczippeiteZn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05ZippeiteK3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2 : B2
7.EC.05PlavnoiteK0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05Redcanyonite(NH4)2Mn[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)4Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05Ammoniozippeite(NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
7.EC.10RabejaciteCa(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.EC.10SvornostiteK2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2 · 8H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
7.EC.15MarécottiteMg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 28H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.EC.15Sejkoraite-(Y)Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.EC.20PseudojohanniteCu3(OH)2[(UO2)4(SO4)2] · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.EC.40BluelizarditeNa7(UO2)(SO4)4Cl(H2O)2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
7.EC.45MeisseriteNa5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O)Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.45OppenheimeriteNa2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.EC.50PlášiliteNa(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.EC.50FeynmaniteNa(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 3.5H2OMon.
7.EC.55GeschieberiteK2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Pna21
7.EC.60OttohahniteNa6(UO2)2(SO4)5(H2O)7 · 1.5H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.EC.65PéligotiteNa6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.EC.70KlaprothiteNa6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.EC.75Lussierite Na10[(UO2)(SO4)4](SO4)2 · 3(H2O)Mon. m : Bb
7.EC.80NavrotskyiteK2Na10(UO2)3(SO4)9 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
7.EC.85Pseudomeisserite-(NH4)(NH4)2Na4[(UO2)2(SO4)5] · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.EC.90WetherilliteNa2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

Fluorescence of FermiiteHide

Bright greenishwhite fluorescence

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Easily soluble in RT H2O; Raman bands [cm-1]: 3540, 3465, 3285; (O–H stretching); 1606w (water bending); weak with shoulders: 1228, 1180, 1120, 1104, 1080 [ν3 sulfate groups antisymmetric stretching]; 1013s + 996s [ν1 sulfate groups symmetric stretching]; 922w [ν3 uranyl groups antisymmetric stretching]; 830vs with 860sh and 813sh [ν1 uranyl groups symmetric stretching]; 638w, 616w, 583w [ν4(δ) sulfate groups]; 506, 443, 384 [ν2(δ) sulfate bending]; 207 [ν2(δ) uranyl groups]; below 200 (lattice vibrations)
Health Risks:
Radioactive

Internet Links for FermiiteHide

References for FermiiteHide

Localities for FermiiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- 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.
USA (TL)
 
  • Utah
    • San Juan County
      • Red Canyon Mining District
Mineralogical Magazine +3 other references
Kampf et al. (2018)
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
Mindat Discussions Facebook Logo Instagram Logo Discord Logo
Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 19, 2024 07:44:33 Page updated: March 6, 2024 15:45:14
Go to top of page