Category Sulfate mineral Space group P1 | Crystal system Triclinic | |
Formula
(repeating unit) Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) Crystal class Pinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol) Unit cell a = 5.32, b = 11.51,
c = 13.56 [Å], α = 102.96°,
β = 97.41°, γ = 91.46° (approximated); Z = 2 | ||
Meisserite is a very rare uranium mineral with the formula Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O). It is interesting in being a natural uranyl salt with hydrosulfate (hydroxysulfate) anion, a feature shared with belakovskiite. Other chemically related minerals include fermiite, oppenheimerite, natrozippeite and plášilite. Most of these uranyl sulfate minerals was originally found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA.The mineral is named after Swiss mineralogist Nicolas Meisser.
Contents
Association and origin
Meisserite is associated with other sulfate minerals: belakovskiite, johannite, chalcanthite, copiapite, ferrinatrite, and gypsum.It is resulting from post-mining oxidation of the primary uranium mineral - uraninite.
Crystal structure
The crystal structure of meisserite is unique. The building elements include:
These elements link to form chains. Sodium cations are bonded to oxygen atoms in chains, to hydrosulfate groups and water.