Mineralogical studies of the nitrate deposits of Chile IV. Brüggenite, Ca(IO3)2-H2O, a new saline mineral

Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Brüggenite, Ca(I0 3 )2 - H2 0, is found in veins of high-purity soda niter in rhyolite tuff at Pampa Pique III, Oficina Lautaro, Chile, as long columnar anhedral crystals, as prismatic crystals, and as irregular anhedral crystals or encrusting masses. The mineral is colorless to bright yellow, and transparent to translucent, has vitreous luster and a hardness of about 3 1/2, is brittle, and has conchoidal fracture. It is biaxial and has variable optic angle and refractive indices, which were determined by the spindle-stage method. Refractive indices are as follows: nα =1.772-1.779, nβ=1.795-1.802, and nγ=1.817-1.824 (all ± 0.003); optic angle shows a range of 2VZ = 86°-96°; Z = b and Xc = -47°; dispersion (Z) is r<v, moderate. Brüggenite is monoclinic, space group P21/c, with a=8.509±0.001 A, b = 10.027±0.002 A, c  = 7.512±0.001 A, β = 95°16.00'±0.55', volume 638.2 A3 , Z = 4, G(calc) = 4.244, G(meas)=4.24±0.01. The X-ray diffraction powder pattern of brüggenite has the following strong lines (hkl, dhkl1 ): 031, 3.051 A (100); 220, 3.238 A (90); 200, 4.235 A (80); 002, 3.739 A (60); 012, 3.503 A (60); 231, 2.522 A (60). The composition was confirmed by chemical analyses.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Mineralogical studies of the nitrate deposits of Chile IV. Brüggenite, Ca(IO3)2-H2O, a new saline mineral
Series title Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey
Volume 2
Issue 4
Year Published 1974
Language English
Publisher U. S. Geological Survey
Description 8 p.
First page 471
Last page 478
Country Chile
State Antofagasta Province
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details