Aug 29 2013
Natroxalate is a monoclinic-prismatic mineral containing sodium, oxygen and carbon. It was first discovered from Mount Kukisvumchorr, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia in 1996. It was named after natrium (sodium) and naturally occurring oxalate in its chemical composition.
Properties of Natroxalate
The following are the key properties of Natroxalate:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: P21/a (by analogy to synthetic)
- a = 10.426(9)
- b = 5.255(5)
- c = 3.479(3)
- β = 93.14(8)°
- Z = 2.
- Crystal Data
- Monoclinic.
- Point Group: 2/m.
- Crystals are elongated along [001], to 5 mm, showing {110}, {001}, {010}, {100}, {221}, in radiating aggregates; typically fine-grained, forming veins and nodules.
- Twinning: On {110}.
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 2.826 (100), 2.602 (56), 2.334 (33), 2.898 (27), 2.041 (14), 5.203 (13), 2.117 (13).
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content 1 |
Content 2 |
| C2O3 |
53.70 |
53.75 |
| Na2O |
46.24 |
46.25 |
| Total |
99.94 |
100.00 |
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Biaxial (–)
- Orientation: Z = b; X ^ c = 20°
- Dispersion: r < v, moderate.
- α = 1.415(2)
- β = 1.524(2)
- γ = 1.592(2)
- 2V(meas.) = 72(1)°
- 2V(calc.) = 72°.
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 2.31 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Natroxalate = 2.35 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PENatroxalate = 0.71 barns/electron
U = PENatroxalate x ρElectron density = 1.65 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.002
Boson index = 0.99 |
| Radioactivity |
Natroxalate is not radioactive. |
How to Identify Natroxalate
Natroxalate occurs in range of colors from colorless, to white or light yellow forms. It has perfect cleavage, transparent appearance, white streak and vitreous luster. Its fractures are brittle as generally exhibited by most of the non-metallic minerals and glasses. The relative hardness of natroxalate is 3, and its density is 2.32 g/cm3.
Global Distribution
Natroxalate is widely distributed in Mt. Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.
Occurrence of Natroxalate and Useful Mineral Association
Natroxalate occurs in a hydrothermally altered pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif. It is closely associated with minerals such as galena, pyrite, sphalerite, taeniolite, nenadkevichite, natron, elpidite, albite and aegirine.
References