Sep 10 2013
Azoproite is an orthorhombic-dipyramidal black mineral containing titanium, oxygen, magnesium, iron and boron. It was first observed in Tazheran alkalic massif, west of Lake Baikal, eastern Siberia, Russia in 1970. The mineral was named after a Russian acronym honoring the Study of Deep Zones of the Earth’s Crust.
Properties of Azoproite
The following are the key properties of Azoproite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: Pbam
- a = 9.26(1)
- b = 12.25(1)
- c = 3.01(1)
- Z = 4.
- Crystal Data
- Orthorhombic
- Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m
- As prismatic crystals, often striated and skeletal, to 2 cm, typically poorly terminated, with a diamond-shaped outline on {001}
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 2.52 (10d), 5.07 (8), 2.16 (6), 2.02 (6), 2.77 (5b), 2.11 (5), 1.900 (5).
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content |
| TiO2 |
15.4 |
| B2O3 |
19.07 |
| Fe2O3 |
16.01 |
| FeO |
5.16 |
| MnO |
0.11 |
| MgO |
45.01 |
| Na2O |
Trace |
| Total |
100.76 |
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Biaxial (+)
- Pleochroism: Strong
- X = pale bluish green
- Y = dark green;
- Z = brownish red
- Absorption: Z > Y > X
- α = 1.799(2)
- β = 1.822(3)
- γ = 1.855(5)
- 2V (meas.) = > 70°
- 2V (calc.) = 80°.
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 3.54 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Azoproite = 3.63 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEAzoproite = 6.65 barns/electron
U = PEAzoproite x ρ Electron density = 23.52 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.05
Boson index = 0.95 |
|
Radioactivity
|
Azoproite is not radioactive.
|
How to Identify Azoproite
Azoproite is a black-colored mineral having a gray streak, adamantine luster, distinct cleavage and transparent to sub-opaque appearance. It exhibits very brittle fractures producing small, conchoidal fragments. The density of the mineral is 3.63 g/cm3, and its hardness is 5.5.
Global Distribution
Azoproite is widely distributed in the Tazheran alkalic massif, west of Lake Baikal, eastern Siberia, Russia.
Occurrence of Azoproite and Useful Mineral Association
Azoproite occurs as an uncommon late-stage mineral in the border zone in magnesian contact-metamorphic rocks associated with syenites. This mineral is closely associated with forsterite, geikielite, perovskite, tazheranite, baddeleyite, clinohumite, brucite, ludwigite and calcite.
References