May 24 2014
Topics Covered
Introduction to Rusakovite
Properties of Rusakovite
How to Identify Rusakovite
Global Distribution
Occurrence of Rusakovite and Useful Mineral Association
References
Introduction to Rusakovite
Chemical Formula – (Fe+++,Al)5(VO4,PO4)2(OH)9•3(H2O)
Rusakovite is a monoclinic mineral containing vanadium, phosphorus, oxygen, iron, hydrogen, and aluminium. It was first described in 1960 from Balasauskandyk, Kara Tau, Kazakhstan. It was named for Mikhail Petrovich Rusakov, a geologist from Kazakhstan, Russia.
Properties of Rusakovite
The following are the key properties of Rusakovite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: n.d
- Z = n.d.
- Crystal Data
- Point Group: n.d
- In splinter-like lamellae, to several µm, veinlets, reniform concretions, and in crusts
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 3.21 (10), 2.945 (9), 2.441 (8), 2.140 (7), 1.569 (6), 4.20 (5), 5.17 (4)
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content 1 |
Content 2 |
| Fe2O3 |
45.00 |
43.70 |
| V2O5 |
16.60 |
16.13 |
| H2O+ |
13.30 |
14.60 |
| P2O5 |
6.50 |
5.80 |
| Al2O3 |
5.00 |
5.50 |
| V2O4 |
5.00 |
5.10 |
| H2O- |
5.00 |
4.80 |
| SiO2 |
1.80 |
2.50 |
| MgO |
1.40 |
trace |
| SO2 |
1.00 |
1.70 |
| CaO |
0.30 |
0.40 |
| Total |
100.90 |
100.23 |
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Isotropic, or nearly so; weakly birefringent
- n = 1.833(4)
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 2.73 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Rusakovite = 2.77 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PERusakovite = 11.67 barns/electron
U= PERusakovite x ρElectron density = 31.85 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.007
Boson index = 0.992 |
Radioactivity
|
Rusakovite is not radioactive
|
How to Identify Rusakovite
Rusakovite can be identified by its yellow-orange or reddish-yellow color. It can be formed as crust-like, or kidney-shaped, aggregates on matrix. The mineral has an earthy luster and ochraceous streak.
The hardness range of rusakovite is 1.5 to 2, and its average density is 2.76 g/cm3.
Global Distribution
Rusakovite is widely distributed in the Balasauskandyk vanadium deposit, north-west Kara-Tau Mountains, southern Kazakhstan.
Occurrence of Rusakovite and Useful Mineral Association
Rusakovite occurs in the oxidized zone of a vanadium-rich carbonaceous shale.
It is closely related to sulfides of V, Pb, Zn, Cu, iron hydroxides, vanadian mica, ferric allophane, cellophane, and apatite.
References