Manganoblödite is a rare manganese mineral with the formula Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O.[3][4] Somewhat chemically similar mineral is D'Ansite-(Mn).[5] Manganoblödite was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, US, which is known for several relatively new secondary uranium minerals[6] In the mine, manganoblödite occurs intimately intergrown with manganese-, cobalt- and nickel-enriched blödite and a yet another new mineral - cobaltoblödite. Manganoblödite, as suggested by its name is a manganese-analogue of blödite. It is also analogous to changoite, cobaltoblödite and nickelblödite - all three are members of the blödite group.[4]

Manganoblödite
General
CategorySulfate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O
IMA symbolMblö[1]
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/a
Unit cella = 11.14, b = 8.28,
c = 5.54 [Å], β = 100.42° (approximated); Z = 2
Identification
ColorColorless (grains), reddish-pink (aggregates)
Crystal habitAnhedral grains, in aggregates
CleavageNone
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness2.5
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.25 (measured), 2.34 (calculated) (approximated)
Optical propertiesBiaxal (-)
Refractive indexnα=1.50, nβ=1.50, nγ=1.51 (approximated)
Common impuritiesMg, Co, Ni
References[2][3][4]

Notes on chemistry

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Manganoblödite is impure, containing admixtures of magnesium, cobalt and nickel.[3]

Association and origin

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Besides blödite and cobaltoblödite, other minerals associated with manganoblödite include chalcanthite, gypsum, johannite, sideronatrite, a feldspar group mineral and quartz.[3]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b c d Kasatkin, A.V., Nestola, F., Plášil, J., Marty, J., Belakovskiy, D.I., Agakhanov, A.A., Mills, S.J., Pedron, D., Lanza, A., Favaro, M., Bianchin, S., Lykova, I.S., Goliáš, V., and Birch, W.D., 2013. Manganoblödite, Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O, and cobaltoblödite, Na2Co(SO4)2·4H2O: two new members of the blödite group from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, US. Mineralogical Magazine 77(3), 367-383
  4. ^ a b c "Manganoblödite: Manganoblödite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  5. ^ "D'Ansite-(Mn): D'Ansite-(Mn) mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  6. ^ "Blue Lizard Mine, Chocolate Drop, Red Canyon, White Canyon District, San Juan County, Utah, USA - Mindat.org". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.