Manganoblödite Explained

Manganoblödite
Category:Sulfate mineral
Formula:Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O
Imasymbol:Mblö[1]
System:Monoclinic
Class:Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Symmetry:P21/a
Unit Cell:a = 11.14, b = 8.28,
c = 5.54 [Å], β = 100.42° (approximated); Z = 2
Color:Colorless (grains), reddish-pink (aggregates)
Habit:Anhedral grains, in aggregates
Cleavage:None
Fracture:Uneven
Mohs:2.5
Luster:Vitreous
Streak:White
Diaphaneity:Transparent
Gravity:2.25 (measured), 2.34 (calculated) (approximated)
Opticalprop:Biaxal (-)
Refractive:nα=1.50, nβ=1.50, nγ=1.51 (approximated)
Impurities:Mg, Co, Ni
References:[2] [3]

Manganoblödite is a rare manganese mineral with the formula Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O.[4] Somewhat chemically similar mineral is D'Ansite-(Mn).[5] Manganoblödite was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, US, which is known for several relatively new secondary uranium minerals[6] In the mine, manganoblödite occurs intimately intergrown with manganese-, cobalt- and nickel-enriched blödite and a yet another new mineral - cobaltoblödite. Manganoblödite, as suggested by its name is a manganese-analogue of blödite. It is also analogous to changoite, cobaltoblödite and nickelblödite - all three are members of the blödite group.

Notes on chemistry

Manganoblödite is impure, containing admixtures of magnesium, cobalt and nickel.

Association and origin

Besides blödite and cobaltoblödite, other minerals associated with manganoblödite include chalcanthite, gypsum, johannite, sideronatrite, a feldspar group mineral and quartz.

Notes and References

  1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3. 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43. 2021MinM...85..291W. 235729616. free.
  2. https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Manganobl%F6dite Mineralienatlas
  3. Kasatkin, A.V., Nestola, F., Plášil, J., Marty, J., Belakovskiy, D.I., Agakhanov, A.A., Mills, S.J., Pedron, D., Lanza, A., Favaro, M., Bianchin, S., Lykova, I.S., Goliáš, V., and Birch, W.D., 2013. Manganoblödite, Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O, and cobaltoblödite, Na2Co(SO4)2·4H2O: two new members of the blödite group from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, US. Mineralogical Magazine 77(3), 367-383
  4. Web site: Manganoblödite: Manganoblödite mineral information and data . Mindat.org . 2016-03-11.
  5. Web site: D'Ansite-(Mn): D'Ansite-(Mn) mineral information and data . Mindat.org . 2016-03-10.
  6. Web site: Blue Lizard Mine, Chocolate Drop, Red Canyon, White Canyon District, San Juan County, Utah, USA - Mindat.org . Mindat.org . 2016-03-10.