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⇱ Barentsite: Mineral information, data and localities.

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Barentsite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About BarentsiteHide

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Formula:
Na7Al(HCO3)2(CO3)2F4
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly, Dull
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.56
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after Willem Barents (1550–1597), the famous Dutch seafarer, for whom the Barents Sea, northeast of the Kola Peninsula, was named.
Alters superficially to a white powder in air. Slowly decomposed by water.



Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
520
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:520:5

Similar NamesHide

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BrontesiteA valid IMA mineral species(NH4)3PbCl5

IMA Classification of BarentsiteHide

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Approved
First published:
1983

Classification of BarentsiteHide

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5.BB.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
B : With alkalies, etc.
13.1.8.1

13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
12.1.2

12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides

Mineral SymbolsHide

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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
BrtsIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of BarentsiteHide

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Vitreous, Pearly, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavages, dull if weathered
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
Hardness:
VHN100=86 - 172 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001} and {110}
Density:
2.56 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.55 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BarentsiteHide

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Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.358(2) nβ = 1.479(2) nγ = 1.530(2)
2V:
Measured: 62° , Calculated: 60°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.172
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
Weak, r < v
Comments:
X is near (001), X Λ a about 45°

Chemistry of BarentsiteHide

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Mindat Formula:
Na7Al(HCO3)2(CO3)2F4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O37.947 %
Na31.807 %
F15.020 %
C9.496 %
Al5.333 %
H0.398 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of BarentsiteHide

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Crystal System:
Triclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.472 Å, b = 6.735 Å, c = 8.806 Å
α = 92.5°, β = 97.33°, γ = 119.32°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.961 : 1 : 1.307
Unit Cell V:
329.43 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Granular to 5mm.
Comment:
Point Group: 1 or 1. ; Space Group: P1 or P1.

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0012474BarentsiteTjy C T L, Pobedimskaya E A, Fundamenskii V S, Nadezhina T N, Khomyakov A P (1983) The crystal structure of barentsite Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 273 699-70419830293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.778 Å(100)
2.658 Å(100)
2.887 Å(84)
2.169 Å(70)
2.316 Å(50)
1.870 Å(42)
2.543 Å(30)

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal veinlets in alkalic pegmatites.

Type Occurrence of BarentsiteHide

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General Appearance of Type Material:
Colorless grains up to 3-5 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geology Museum, Kola Branch, Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia.
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2046/1.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 82753.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In hydrothermal veinlets in alkalic pegmatites.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of BarentsiteHide

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Other Language Names for BarentsiteHide

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Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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5.BB.10DawsoniteNaAlCO3(OH)2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
5.BB.15TunisiteNaCa2Al4(CO3)4(OH)8ClTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
5.BB.20SabinaiteNa4Zr2TiO4(CO3)4Mon. 2/m : B2/b

Other InformationHide

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Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Alters to a white powder in air, slowly decomposed by water.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for BarentsiteHide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-520.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for BarentsiteHide

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Reference List:

Localities for BarentsiteHide

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Showing 1 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 👁 Image
symbol to view information about a locality. The 👁 Image
symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia (TL)
  • Murmansk Oblast
Khomyakov et al. (1983) +1 other reference
Quick NavTopAbout BarentsiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
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