Senegalite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Senegalite
Flag of Senegal
Formula:
Al2(PO4)(OH)(OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
Colourless to light yellow, green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
2.552
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1976 by Zdeněk Johan after its discovery locality, the iron deposit of Kouroudiako, located in the valley of Faleme, in eastern Senegal.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Senegalite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3619
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3619:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
4880f44f-1728-4211-88cc-646896dc8452
IMA Classification of Senegalite
Classification of Senegalite
8.DE.05
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
42.6.7.1
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
19.7.4
19 : Phosphates
7 : Phosphates of Al alone
19 : Phosphates
7 : Phosphates of Al alone
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sng | 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 Senegalite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to light yellow, green
Comment:
Fresh senegalite is green becoming yellow on exposure to sunlight.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
{010}, poor
{010}, poor
Density:
2.552(7) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.551 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Senegalite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.562 nβ = 1.566 nγ = 1.587
2V:
Measured: 53° , Calculated: 48°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.025
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:
strong
Optical Extinction:
Parallel. X = c; Y = a; Z = b.
Chemistry of Senegalite
Mindat Formula:
Al2(PO4)(OH)(OH)2 · H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Senegalite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.675(4) Å, b = 9.711(4) Å, c = 7.635(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.79 : 1 : 0.786
Unit Cell V:
569.05 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Flattened on [010], showing large {001}, {010},{101}, {111}, small {100}, {011}, {021}.
Comment:
SG P21nb (non-standard setting)
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Labels
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000752 | Senegalite | Keegan T D, Araki T, Moore P B (1979) Senegalite, Al2(OH)3(H2O)(PO4), a novel structure type American Mineralogist 64 1243-1247 |  | 1979 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.834 Å | (100) |
| 2.990 Å | (90) |
| 3.610 Å | (80) |
| 2.348 Å | (80) |
| 5.41 Å | (70) |
| 2.070 Å | (70) |
| 1.929 Å | (70) |
| 1.505 Å | (70) |
| 3.212 Å | (60) |
| 2.420 Å | (60) |
| 1.609 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Mount Kourou Diakouma, Senegal. The data are from the type description.
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] |
Type Occurrence of Senegalite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Millimetric-sized crystals lining the walls of a boxwork, always covered with turquoise. Sometimes the senegalite fills the space.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone of an iron ore deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Senegalite
Other Language Names for Senegalite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 145 photos of Senegalite associated with Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 24 photos of Senegalite associated with Crandallite | CaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8 photos of Senegalite associated with Augelite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 1 photo of Senegalite associated with Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Senegalite associated with Limonite |
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.10 | Fluellite | Al2(PO4)F2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.DE.15 | Bulachite | Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 2H2O |
| 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 |
Fluorescence of Senegalite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
The IR spectrum indicates the presence of hydroxyl and H2O.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Fades from green to yellow in sunlight. Keep out of Sunlight!
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 Senegalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3619.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Senegalite
Reference List:
Johan, Zdenek (1976) La sénégalite, Al2 (PO4) (OH)3 · H2O, un nouveau minéral. Lithos, 9 (2) 165-171 doi:10.1016/0024-4937(76)90034-7
Fleischer, Michael, Cabri, Louis J., Nickel, Ernest H., Pabst, Adolf (1977) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 62 (5-6) 593-600
Keegan, Terry D., Araki, Takaharu, Moore, Paul B. (1979) Senegalite, Al2(OH)3(H2O)(PO4), a novel structure type. American Mineralogist, 64 (11-12) 1243-1247
Localities for Senegalite
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.
Brazil | |
| Sioeira et al. (1982) |
| B Gioia collection +1 other reference |
| 531 p +6 other references |
Senegal (TL) | |
| Keegan et al. (1979) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout SenegaliteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Mount Kourou Diakouma, Saraya, Kédougou Region, Senegal