Struvite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Struvite
Formula:
(NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white (dehydrated), yellow or brownish, light grey; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Specific Gravity:
1.711
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named after Heinrich Christoph Gottfried Struve (10 January 1772, Regensburg, Germany - 9 January 1851, Hamburg, Germany) of the Russian diplomatic service, Consul at Hamburg (Germany). He was a co-founder of a natural science museum in Hamburg.
[For comment on name see http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-284821.html]
[For comment on name see http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-284821.html]
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Struvite Group.
The ammonium analogue of Struvite-(K).
A mineral commonly found as a product of organic decay in putrescent matter, canned foods or other bacterial action on organic compounds, and as a constituent of human kidney and bladder stones in alkaline and infected urines.
The ammonium analogue of Struvite-(K).
A mineral commonly found as a product of organic decay in putrescent matter, canned foods or other bacterial action on organic compounds, and as a constituent of human kidney and bladder stones in alkaline and infected urines.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3811
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3811:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
dcdf3664-62c0-4451-89fa-ac58fe8f6d67
IMA Classification of Struvite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Struvite
8.CH.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
40.1.1.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
19.3.23
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
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 |
---|---|---|
Suv | 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 Struvite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white (dehydrated), yellow or brownish, light grey; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {001}, good; on {100}, poor.
On {001}, good; on {100}, poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
1.711 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.705 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Struvite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.495 nβ = 1.496 nγ = 1.504
2V:
Measured: 37° , Calculated: 40°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.009
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Chemistry of Struvite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O
Crystallography of Struvite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.955(1) Å, b = 6.955(1) Å, c = 11.218(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1 : 1 : 1.613
Unit Cell V:
542.64 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals equant; wedge-shaped (due to large and unequally developed {101} and {101}), coffin-shaped (when viewed along [100]); short prismatic [001], [010], or [100]; thick tabular {100}. The distribution of the pyramidal or domical faces is often irregular. Crystals commonly distinct, to 2.5 cm (1 inch), with a distinct hemimorphic habit.
Twinning:
On {001}. The acute poles of [001] unite in the composition plane {001}, with deep re-entrant angles.
Crystallographic forms of Struvite
Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
Click on an icon to view
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
www.smorf.nl.
Toggle
Edge Lines | Miller Indices | Axes
Transparency
Opaque | Translucent | Transparent
View
Along a-axis | Along b-axis | Along c-axis | Start rotation | Stop rotation
Toggle
Edge Lines | Miller Indices | Axes
Transparency
Opaque | Translucent | Transparent
View
Along a-axis | Along b-axis | Along c-axis | Start rotation | Stop rotation
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0020109 | Struvite | Whitaker A, Jeffery J W (1970) The crystal structure of struvite, MgNH4PO4*6H2O Acta Crystallographica B26 1429-1440 | 1970 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0019944 | Struvite | Abbona F, Calleri M, Ivaldi G (1984) Synthetic struvite MgNH4PO4*6H2O: Correct polarity and surface features of some complementary forms Acta Crystallographica B40 223-227 | 1984 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0009807 | Struvite | Ferraris G, Fuess H, Joswig W (1986) Neutron diffraction study of MgNH4PO4*6H2O (struvite) and survey of water molecules donating short hydrogen bonds Acta Crystallographica B42 253-258 | 1986 | 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 |
---|---|
5.905 Å | (40) |
5.601 Å | (60) |
4.257 Å | (100) |
4.139 Å | (40) |
2.919 Å | (55) |
2.690 Å | (50) |
2.660 Å | (45) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Geological Setting:
Guano or dung deposits; peat beds; organically rich sediments.
Type Occurrence of Struvite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut, Hamburg, Germany, Tresor des Museum.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Medieval sewers
Synonyms of Struvite
Other Language Names for Struvite
Relationship of Struvite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
3 photos of Struvite associated with Newberyite | Mg(PO3OH) · 3H2O |
1 photo of Struvite associated with Kidney and Gallstones | |
1 photo of Struvite associated with Schertelite | (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CH.05 | Walentaite | Fe3+3(P0.84As0.16O4)2(O,OH)6As3+2.56Ca0.42Na0.28Mn2+0.35Fe2+0.30O6.1(OH)0.9(H2O)0.9 |
8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CH.15 | Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
8.CH.20 | Dittmarite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O |
8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)(Mn2+,Mg)(PO4) · H2O |
8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
8.CH.25 | Taranakite | (K,NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH) · 9H2O |
8.CH.30 | Schertelite | (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
8.CH.40 | Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O |
8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
8.CH.55 | Fahleite | CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O |
8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Electrical:
Pyroelectric. Piezoelectric.
Thermal Behaviour:
In a closed tube gives off water and ammonia and becomes opaque.
Notes:
Readily soluble in acids. Very slightly soluble in water.
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 Struvite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3811.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 Struvite
Localities for Struvite
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.
Antarctica | |
| Barczuk A. & Tatur A. 2003: BIOGENIC ... |
| Tatjir et al. (1984) |
Tatur et al. (1985) | |
Australia | |
| Everard et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Botswana | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
Canada | |
| HORVÁTH et al. (2000) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Traill (1980) |
Denmark | |
| Bøggild +3 other references |
Falkland Islands | |
France | |
Palache et al. (1951) | |
Germany (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Wittern (2001) |
India | |
| Deepthi et al. (2015) |
Ireland | |
| Farley +1 other reference |
Kosovo | |
| Féraud J. (1979) |
Malaysia | |
| Bridge et al. (1983) |
Namibia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
Netherlands | |
| Wevers et al. (1981) |
New Zealand | |
| Cullen (1988) |
Russia | |
| Galina Gubko (2009) |
South Africa | |
| Martini (1978) |
| Martini (1978) |
Martini (1978) | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| Benavente +2 other references |
USA | |
| Kampf et al. (2019) |
Kampf et al. (2019) | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 314 +5 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| King et al. (1994) |
Venezuela | |
| Urbani (1996) |
Franco Urbani (2009) |
Quick NavTopAbout StruviteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystallographic forms Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Falkland Islands