Torbernite Mineral Data

Torbernite Mineral Data +

General Torbernite Information

Chemical Formula:

Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8-12(H2O)

Composition:

Molecular Weight = 991.71 gm

Uranium 48.00 % U 54.46 % UO₂

Copper 6.41 % Cu 8.02 % CuO

Phosphorus 6.25 % P 14.31 % P₂O₅

Hydrogen 2.24 % H 19.98 % H₂O

Oxygen 37.11 % O

______ ______

100.00 % 96.77 % = TOTAL OXIDE

Empirical Formula:

Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·11(H₂O)

Environment:

Secondary mineral in granites, and other uranium-bearing rocks.

IMA Status:

Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1793

Locality:

Jáchymov (St. Joachimsthal), Krusné Hory, Západocesky kraj, Cechy (Bohemia), Czech Republic Link to MinDat.org Location Data.

Name Origin:

Named after the Swedish chemist, Tornbern Bergmann (1735-1784).

Synonym:

Copper Uranite

Torbernite Image

Images:

Torbernite

Comments: Bright green platy crystals of torbernite on matrix.
Location: Musonoi Mine, Shaba, Zaire. Scale: 7x5x5 cm.
© Isaias Casanova / IC Minerals

Images:

Torbernite

Comments: Cluster of green torbernite crystals. Radioactive.
Location: Margabal Mine, Entraygues-sur-Truy?re, Aveyron, Midi-Pyr?n?es, France. Scale: 22x13x10 mm.
© John Betts - Fine Minerals

Torbernite Crystallography

Axial Ratios:

a:c = 1:2.90934

Cell Dimensions:

a = 7.06, c = 20.54, Z = 2; V = 1,023.79 Den(Calc)= 3.22

Crystal System:

Tetragonal - Ditetragonal DipyramidalH-M Symbol (4/m 2/m 2/m) Space Group: I 4/mmm

$Help on X Ray Diffraction:$ X Ray Diffraction:

By Intensity(I/I_o): 10.3(1), 3.58(0.9), 4.94(0.9),

Forms:

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Crystal Structure:

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Locock A J , Burns P C , The Canadian Mineralogist , 41 (2003) p.489-502, Crystal structures and synthesis of the copper-dominant members of the autunite, and meta-autunite groups: Tobernite, zeunerite, metatorbernite and metazeunerite

Physical Properties of Torbernite

Cleavage:

[001] Perfect, [100] Distinct

Color:

Green, Grass green, Leek green, Apple green, Siskin green.

Density:

3.2

Diaphaniety:

Transparent to subtranslucent

Fracture:

Brittle - Generally displayed by glasses and most non-metallic minerals.

Habit:

Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no visible crystalline affinities, (e.g. howlite).

Habit:

Foliated - Two dimensional platy forms.

Habit:

Tabular - Form dimensions are thin in one direction.

Hardness:

2-2.5 - Gypsum-Finger Nail

Luminescence:

Fluorescent and radioactive, Short UV=yellow, Long UV=yellow.

Luster:

Vitreous - Pearly

Streak:

pale green

Optical Properties of Torbernite

Dichroism (e):

blue.

Dichroism (w):

green.

Gladstone-Dale:

CI meas= -0.131 (Poor) - where the CI = (1-KPDmeas/KC)
CI calc= -0.124 (Poor) - where the CI = (1-KPDcalc/KC)
KPDcalc= 0.1823,KPDmeas= 0.1834,KC= 0.1622

Optical Data:

Uniaxial (-), e=1.582, w=1.592, bire=0.0100.

Calculated Properties of Torbernite

Electron Density:

r_electron=2.92 gm/cc
note: r_Torbernite=3.22 gm/cc.

Fermion Index

Fermion Index = 0.00363
Boson Index = 0.99637

Photoelectric:

PE_Torbernite=1,206.11 barns/electron
U=PE_Torbernite x r_electron=3,516.69 barns/cc.

Radioactivity:

GRapi = 3,705,085.43 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)

Torbernite is Radioactive as defined in 49 CFR 173.403. Greater than 70 Bq / gram.

Estimated Maximum U.S. Postal Shipping Size (10 mRem/hr limit, Unshielded 10 cm box) 8.21 ± 2.05 grams of pure Torbernite .
Estimated Maximum U.S. Postal Shipping Size (10 mRem/hr limit, Unshielded 100 cm box) 820.94 ±205.24 grams of pure Torbernite .

**Estimated Radioactivity from Torbernite** - very strong
Specimen Size Weight/Volume (Sphere) *	Calculated Activity Bequerols (Bq)	Calculated Activity Curies (Ci)	Estimated Activity GR(api)	Estimated Exposure (mRem**)/hr If Held in Hand For One Hour
1000 gm / 8.40 cm	85,926,480	2.32E-03	3,705,085.43	1,218.11
100 gm / 3.90 cm	8,592,648	2.32E-04	370,508.54	121.81
10 gm / 1.81 cm	859,265	2.32E-05	37,050.85	12.18
1 gm / 8.40 mm	85,926	2.32E-06	3,705.09	1.22
0.1 gm / 3.90 mm	8,593	2.32E-07	370.51	0.12
0.01 gm / 1.81 mm	859	2.32E-08	37.05	0.01
0.001 gm / 0.84 mm	86	2.32E-09	3.71	0.00

Weight of pure Torbernite in grams (gm) and Calculated Diameter of a Sphere with a Density of 3.22 gm/cc.*
Goverment Estimate of Average Annual Exposure ( 360 mRem) **
Note: 10 microsieverts/hr = 1 mRem/hr **
Max Permissable Adult Dose 50,000 mRem/yr (hands), 15,000 mRem/yr (eyes)
Lethal Dose LD(50) Exposure 400,000 to 500,000 mRem

Torbernite Classification

Dana Class:

40.2a.13.1 (40)Hydrated Phosphates, etc

(40.2a)where A++ (B++)2 (XO4) · x(H2O), containing (UO2)++

(40.2a.13)Dana Group

40.2a.13.1 Torbernite Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8-12(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

40.2a.13.2 Metatorbernite Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8(H2O) P 4/n 4/m

Strunz Class:

VII/E.01-70 VII - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates

VII/E - Uranylphosphates and uranylvanadates with [UO2]2+ - [PO4 | AsO4]3- and [UO2]2+ - [V2O8]6-

VII/E.01 - Autunite group

VII/E.01-10 Trogerite H2(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8(H2O) P 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-20 Sabugalite HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4·16(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-30 Saleeite Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2·10(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-35 Seelite-1 Mg[(UO2)(AsO3)x(AsO4)1-x]2·7(H2O) C 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-35* Seelite-2 Mg(UO2)(AsO3)x(AsO4)1-x·7(H2O)(x=0.7) C 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-40 Novacekite Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2·12(H2O) P 4₁/n 4/m

VII/E.01-50 Kahlerite Fe(UO2)2(AsO4)2·10-12(H2O) P 4₁/n 4/m

VII/E.01-60 Fritzscheite Mn(UO2)2[(V,P)O4]2·4(H2O) Pnam 2/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-70 Torbernite Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8-12(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-80 Zeunerite Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·10-16(H2O) P 4/nnc 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-90 Autunite Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2·10-12(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-100 Uranospinite Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2·10(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-110 Uranocircite Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2·12(H2O) P 4/nnc 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-120 Heinrichite Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2·10-12(H2O) IA/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

VII/E.01-130 Sodium-autunite Na2(UO2)2(PO4)2·8(H2O) P 4/nmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

Other Torbernite Information

References:

NAME( Duda&Rejl90) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990) OPTIC PROP.(Ford32)

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Torbernite

Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8-12(H2O)
Dana No: 40.2a.13.1 Strunz No: VII/E.01-70
Locality:

Notes: