Bulachite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Bulachite
Formula:
Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 2H2O
Originally assumed be Al2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 3H2O.
Colour:
White to blue-green
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.60
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for the type locality at Neubulach, Baden Württemberg, Germany.
A rare secondary Al arsenate hydrate.
Grey et al. (2020) show that bulachite from Cap Garonne has the formula Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4⋅2H2O and is intergrown with a higher hydrate with composition Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4⋅8H2O. The latter was later named galeaclolusite.
Grey et al. (2020) show that bulachite from Cap Garonne has the formula Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4⋅2H2O and is intergrown with a higher hydrate with composition Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4⋅8H2O. The latter was later named galeaclolusite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
799
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:799:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f72844fc-ff47-4ee2-9e5f-4a6860d92f96
IMA Classification of Bulachite
Approved
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1983
Classification of Bulachite
8.DE.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
42.6.7.2
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
20.4.2
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
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 |
---|---|---|
Buh | 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 Bulachite
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Lustre is Satiny
Colour:
White to blue-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
2.60 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.55 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bulachite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.540 nβ = 1.546 nγ = 1.548
2V:
Measured: 66° , Calculated: 58°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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:
r > v
Chemistry of Bulachite
Mindat Formula:
Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 2H2O
Originally assumed be Al2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 3H2O.
Originally assumed be Al2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 3H2O.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Bulachite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.3994(3) Å, b = 17.6598(3) Å, c = 7.8083(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.872 : 1 : 0.442
Unit Cell V:
2,123.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Cell from Grey et al. (2020). Cell of type material: a = 15.53, b = 17.78, c = 7.03 Å.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
7.78 Å | (100) |
3.49 Å | (80) |
8.97 Å | (70) |
6.55 Å | (70) |
5.92 Å | (70) |
3.75 Å | (70) |
2.73 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Bulachite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Exceedingly fine-grained needles in radial
aggregates encrusting quartz
aggregates encrusting quartz
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallchemie, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany, numbers BU1,27.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Walenta, K. (1983) Bulachit, ein neues Aluminiumarsenatmineral von Neubulach im nördlichen Schwarzwald. Aufschluss: 34: 445-451.
Synonyms of Bulachite
Other Language Names for Bulachite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Bulachite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
1 photo of Bulachite associated with Mansfieldite | AlAsO4 · 2H2O |
1 photo of Bulachite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
1 photo of Bulachite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
1 photo of Bulachite associated with Bariopharmacoalumite | Ba0.5Al4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.DE. | Kipushite | (Cu,Zn)5Zn(PO4)2(OH)6 · H2O |
8.DE. | Goldhillite | Cu5Zn(AsO4)2(OH)6 · H2O |
8.DE. | Arsenoveszelyite | Cu2Zn(AsO4)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
8.DE.05 | Senegalite | Al2(PO4)(OH)(OH)2 · H2O |
8.DE.10 | Fluellite | Al2(PO4)F2(OH) · 7H2O |
8.DE.20 | Zapatalite | Cu3Al4(PO4)3(OH)9 · 4H2O |
8.DE.25 | Ceruleite | Cu2Al7(AsO4)4(OH)13 · 11.5H2O |
8.DE.30 | Veszelyite | (Cu,Zn)2Zn(PO4)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
8.DE.35 | Philipsburgite | Cu5Zn(AsO4)(PO4)(OH)6 · H2O |
8.DE.40 | Juanitaite | (Cu,Ca,Fe)10Bi(AsO4)4(OH)11 · 2H2O |
8.DE.45 | Iangreyite | Ca2Al7(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH,F)15 · 8H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Easily soluble in HCl (1:1),less easily in HNO3 (1:1)
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 Bulachite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-799.html
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References for Bulachite
Reference List:
Dunn, Pete J., Chao, George Y., Fleischer, Michael, Ferraiolo, James A., Langley, Richard H., Pabst, Adolf, Zilczer, Janet A. (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (1-2) 214-221
Anthony, John W., Bideaux, Richard A., Bladh, Kenneth W., Nichols, Monte C. - Eds. (2016) Handbook of Mineralogy. https://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/
Grey, Ian E., Yoruk, Emre, Kodjikian, Stéphanie, Klein, Holger, Bougerol, Catherine, Brand, Helen E.A., Bordet, Pierre, Mumme, William G., Favreau, Georges, Mills, Stuart J. (2020) Bulachite, [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4]⋅2H2O from Cap Garonne, France: Crystal structure and formation from a higher hydrate. Mineralogical Magazine, 84 (4) 608-615 doi:10.1180/mgm.2020.52
Localities for Bulachite
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.
France | |
| Book : Cap Garonne_AAMCG / AFM. May ... +2 other references |
Germany (TL) | |
| Walenta (1983) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
Greece | |
| Schusser et al. (2022) |
Italy | |
| Frau et al. (2001) |
UK | |
| collections.museumvictoria.com.au (n.d.) +1 other reference |
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Cap Garonne Mine, Le Pradet, Toulon, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France