Marthozite

(repeating unit)Cu(UO2)3(SeO3)3(OH)2·7H2OIMA symbolMhz[1]Strunz classification4.JJ.05Crystal systemOrthorhombicCrystal classPyramidal (mm2)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupPbn21Unit cella = 16.4 Å, b = 17.2 Å,
c = 6.98 Å; Z = 4IdentificationFormula mass1,303.67 g/molColorGreenish brownCrystal habitBladedCleavage{100} perfect, {010} indistinctMohs scale hardness6Specific gravity4.44Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)Refractive index1.780–1.800PleochroismYellowish brown to greenish yellow2V angle39°DispersionExtremeOther characteristics RadioactiveReferences[2][3][4][5]

Marthozite is an orthorhombic mineral that has a general formula of Cu(UO2)3(SeO3)3(OH)2·7H2O.[4] It was named after Belgian mineralogist Aimé Marthoz (1894–1962), former Director-general of the Union Minière du Haut Katanga (UMHK).[3]

It is usually found in cavities in selenian (selenium-containing) digenite.[3] It is specifically found in the zones of oxidation of the Musonoi deposit in Katanga, Africa.[6]

Marthozite is orthorhombic, meaning that it has three axes of unequal lengths all orthogonal to each other. Since it is orthorhombic, marthozite is biaxial, meaning that it has three different indices of refraction.[6] Marthozite is anisotropic, which means that it breaks light into one fast ray and one slow ray.[7] Marthozite shows pleochroism from yellowish brown to greenish yellow.[3]

References

  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 Webmineral data
  4. ^ a b Mindat.org
  5. ^ "Handbook of Mineralogy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
  6. ^ a b Fleischer, M. (1970) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 55, 533.
  7. ^ "Marthozite". Retrieved 5 June 2019.[permanent dead link]


  • v
  • t
  • e