Cesanite

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Cesanite
Specific gravity
2.96-3.02
Optical propertiesUniaxial (-)
Refractive indexnω = 1.570 nε = 1.564
SolubilitySlight in water
References[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Cesanite is the end member of the

Bahamas
.

History

Cesanite was first discovered in 1981 while the Italian National Electricity Board was doing exploratory drilling to examine a reservoir of heated brine to determine its potential as a geothermal energy source. When it was first found it was thought to be an apatite until after more thorough examination.[3]

Structure

Cesanite was originally determined by Tazzoli (1983) to be

tetrahedra.[8] This similarity was to confirm the space group P63/m previously assigned to cesanite, this changed in 2002 after a reexamination of cesanite by Piotrowski et al. was prompted by its similarities to a synthetically produced analog. After this study it was found that the crystal structure of cesanite to be isostructural to this synthetic analog with the chemical formula Ca2Na3[(OH)(SO4)3]. What can be inferred from this is that while hydroxylapatite remains similar in its chemical formula it is not longer to be considered a structural analog. The new correct space group is P6. It can be inferred that the reason the mistake went unnoticed for so long is that cesanite retains pseudo-symmetry in the array of its tetrahedra that closely mimics P63/m.[4]

Cesanite's crystal structure is made up of tetrahedra of

polyhedra share faces when they are next to each other and form columns parallel to [001] while isolated sulfate tetrahedra alternate along the c axis.[4]

Physical properties

Cesanite veins are massive in habit and appear white in color with a silky luster. Individual crystals are colorless and transparent to translucent with a greasy luster. These crystals are elongated and begin with a pyramid on {101*0} that is distorted by a flatting that occurs down the length of the crystal which then extends down with two parallel faces until they are cut off by either a pinacoid or another pyramid.[3] According to the newest sources the unit-cell parameters of cesanite are a = 9.4630 and c = 6.9088 Å. In thin section cesanite remains transparent and has moderate birefringence.[3] In addition to is structure at room temperature, cesanite exhibits different crystal structures at different temperatures. Polymorphs occur at 425, 625, and 740 °C. These different forms are cause by expansion along the crystallographic axises as cesanite is heated.[9]

Geologic occurrence

Cesanite has been found in only three places to date. The original occurrence was observed as part of a

hydroxylapatite.[10][11] It has been presumed that in sequence hydroxylapatite is deposited followed by the formation of cesanite when the solution in which the crystals are being formed is rich in sodium and sulfate and depleted of calcium.[10]

See also

References

  1. S2CID 235729616
    .
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b c d e Cavarretta G., Mottana A., Tecce F. (1981) Cesanite, Ca2Na3[(OH)(SO4)3], a sulfate isotypic to apatite, from the Cesano Geothermal-Field (Lathium, Italy). Mineralogical Magazine, 44, 269-273.
  4. ^ a b c d Piotrowski A., Kahlenberg V., Fischer RX., etal. (2002) The crystal structures of cesanite and its synthetic analogue – A comparison. American Mineralogist, 87, 715-720.
  5. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy
  6. ^ Mindat.org
  7. ^ Webmineral data
  8. ^ Tazzoli V., (1983) The Crystal-structure of ceanite, CA1+XNA4-X(SO4)3(OH)X.(1-X)H2O, a sulfate isotypic to apatite. Mineralogical Magazine, 47, 59-63.
  9. ^ Deganello S., Artioli G. (1982) Thermal expansion of cesanite between 22 °C and 390 °C. Nues jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte, 12, 565-568.
  10. ^ a b Onac BP, Mylroie JE, White WB. (2001) Mineralogy of cave deposits on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Carbonates and Evaporites, 16, 8-16.
  11. ^ Onac BP., Verdes DS. (2003) Sequence of secondary phosphates deposition in a karst environment: evidence from Măgurici Cave (Romania). European Journal of Mineralogy, 15, 741-745.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cesanite&oldid=1169589601"