Jun 13 2014
The name Bariomicrolite has been assigned by the IMA committee, based on pyrochlore nomenclature for the predominant barium content, and its relation with microlite in the pyrochlore group. It belongs to the pyrochlore mineral group.
Properties of Bariomicrolite
The following are the key properties of bariomicrolite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group : Fd3m
- a = 10.570(5)
- Z = 8
- Crystal Data
- Cubic
- Point Group: 4/m 3 2/m
- As intergrowths with microlite; may be partially metamict
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 3.034 (100), 6.04 (80), 3.18 (65), 2.631 (60), 1.865 (60), 1.591 (45), 1.079 (40)
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content 1 |
| U3O8 |
1.68 |
| Ta2O5 |
71.59 |
| Nb2O5 |
5.87 |
| SiO2 |
1.2 |
| TiO2 |
1.21 |
| ZrO2 |
<0.1 |
| ThO2 |
0.19 |
| SnO2 |
2.05 |
| Al2O3 |
0.42 |
| As2O3 |
0.12 |
| Sb2O3 |
0.01 |
| Bi2O3 |
0.03 |
| Ce2O3 |
0.45 |
| FeO |
0.93 |
| MnO |
0.09 |
| CuO |
0.06 |
| PbO |
0.90 |
| MgO |
<0.1 |
| CaO |
0.47 |
| SrO |
0.09 |
| BaO |
4.85 |
| Na2O |
<0.5 |
| Li2O |
<0.1 |
| Ag2O |
0.01 |
| Tl2O |
1.56 |
| H2O+ |
6.9 |
| Total |
100.68 |
- Optical Properties
- Opaque
- Color: yellowish to orangish
- Luster: dull to resinous
- Optical Class: Isotropic
- R: 12.8–13.6
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 4.93 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of bariomicrolite = 5.70 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEBariomicrolite = 810.23 barns/electron
U = PEBariomicrolite x ρ electron density = 3991.57 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.01
Boson index = 0.99 |
Radioactivity
|
Bariomicrolite is not radioactive
|
How to Identify Bariomicrolite
The color of bariomicrolite varies from yellowish to orangish. It is brittle by nature.
Global Distribution
Bariomicrolite is found at the Chi-Chico, Sao Joao del Rei, Minas Gerais in Brazil.
Occurrence of Bariomicrolite and Useful Mineral Association
Bariomicrolite occurs in a concentrate from alluvium derived from a pegmatite.
It is associated with microlite, tantalite, cassiterite, feldspar, and quartz.
References