Magnesiokoritnigite, Mg(AsO_3OH)·H_2O, from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile: the Mg-analogue of koritnigite

摘要

The new mineral magnesiokoritnigite (IMA 2013-049), ideally Mg(AsO_3OH)·H_2O, was found at the Torrecillas mine, Salar Grande, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with anhydrite, chudobaite, halite, lavendulan, quartz and scorodite. Crystals of magnesiokoritnigite are colourless to pale-pink, thin to thick laths up to 2 mm long. Laths are elongated on [001], flattened on {010} and exhibit the forms {010}, {110}, {110}, {101}, {031} and {031}. The crystals also occur in dense deep-pink intergrowths. Crystals are transparent with a vitreous lustre. The mineral has a white streak, Mohs hardness of ~3, brittle tenacity, conchoidal fracture and one perfect cleavage on {101}. The measured and calculated densities are 2.95(3) and 2.935 g cm~(-3), respectively. Optically, magnesiokoritnigite is biaxial (+) with α = 1.579(1), β = 1.586(1) and γ = 1.620(1) (measured in white light). The measured 2V is 50(2)° and the calculated 2V is 50°. Dispersion is r < v, medium. The optical orientation is Y ≈ b; Z ∧ c = 36° in obtuse β (note pseudomonoclinic symmetry). The mineral is non-pleochroic. The empirical formula, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, is (Mg_(0.94)Cu_(0.03)Mn_(0.02)Ca_(0.01))_(∑1.00)As_(0.96)O_5H_(3.19). Magnesiokoritnigite is triclinic, P1, with a = 7.8702(7), b = 15.8081(6), c = 6.6389(14) A, α = 90.814(6), β = 96.193(6), γ = 90.094(7)°, V = 821.06(19) A~3 and Z = 8. The eight strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [d_(obs) A(I)(hkl)]: 7.96(100)(020), 4.80(54)(101), 3.791 (85)(210,210,131,131), 3.242(56)(012,221,012), 3.157(92)(211,230,230), 3.021(61)(141,141,221,221), 2.798(41)(032,032) and 1.908(43)(multiple). The structure, refined to R_1 = 5.74% for 2360 F_o > 4σF reflections, shows magnesiokoritnigite to be isostructural with koritnigite and cobalfkoritnigite.