Uranocircite Explained

Uranocircite
Category:Phosphate mineral
Formula:Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2·10H2O
Imasymbol:Urc-II[1]
Strunz:8.EB.05
System:Tetragonal
Class:Ditetragonal dipyramidal (4/mmm)
H-M symbol: (4/m 2/m 2/m)
Symmetry:I4/mmm
Unit Cell:a = 7.01, c = 20.46 [Å]; Z = 2
Other: Radioactive
References:[2] [3]

Uranocircite or Uranocircite-II is a uranium mineral with the chemical formula: Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2·10H2O. Uranocircite-I was discredited (the IMA-CMNMC published 'The New IMA List of Minerals', September 2012). It is a phosphate mineral which contains barium and is a green to yellow colour. It has a Mohs hardness of about 2.

The "circ" in the name uranocircite is from the ancient Greek word for "falcon", because it was discovered in Falkenstein, Germany. Uranocircite contains about 45% uranium, and is mainly mined in Bergen in Saxony, Germany.

References

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. http://www.mindat.org/min-4105.html Mindat
  3. https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Uranocircite-II Mineralienatlas