Letovicite (/lɛtoʊˈvɪsaɪt/) is an ammonium sulfate mineral with composition (NH4)3H(SO4)2 (IUPAC: triammonium sulfate hydrogensulfate, Nickel–Strunz classification 07.AD.20).
| Letovicite | |
|---|---|
 White crystals of ammonium sulfate mineral letovicite from the Anna 2 Mine, Aachen, North Rhine – Westphalia, Germany. | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (NH4)3H(SO4)2 |
| IMA symbol | Let[1] |
| Strunz classification | 07.AD.20 |
| Dana classification | 28.1.3.1 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) |
| Space group | C2/c (no. 15) |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colorless, white |
| Crystal habit | Tiny pseudo-hexagonal plates, granular |
| Twinning | Lamellar twinning |
| Cleavage | Distinct on {001} |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Mohs scale hardness | 1–2 |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 1.83 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (−), colorless (transmitted light) |
| 2V angle | 75° (calc.) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water |
| References | [2] |
It is a rare colorless or white monoclinic secondary mineral formed during the burning of waste coal heaps and as a deposit in hot springs. It was first described from the Letovice region of Moravia in 1932. Geologic occurrences also include Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, South Africa, Tajikistan and the United States.
References edit
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Leclaire, A.; Ledésert, M.; Monier, J. C.; Daoud, A.; Damak, M. (1 August 1985). "Structure du disulfate acide de triammonium. Une redétermination. Relations des chaînes de liaisons hydrogène avec la morphologie et la conductivité électrique". Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science. 41 (4): 209–213. doi:10.1107/S0108768185002002.
Bibliography edit
- Palache, P.; Berman H.; Frondel, C. (1960). "Dana's System of Mineralogy, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. (Seventh Edition)" John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, pp. 397.