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Phosphowalpurgite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Phosphowalpurgite
Formula:
(BiO)4(UO2)(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Colour:
Brownish grey
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
6.36 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
P-dominant analogue of Walpurgite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Phosphowalpurgite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
25692
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:25692:4
IMA Classification of Phosphowalpurgite
Classification of Phosphowalpurgite
8.EA.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Pwal | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Pwg | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Phosphowalpurgite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brownish grey
Streak:
Light brown
Comment:
Less than 5
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010}
{010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
6.36 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Phosphowalpurgite
Type:
Biaxial
Comments:
High indices of refraction (1.9–2.0) and moderate to high birefringence (0.05–0.1).
Chemistry of Phosphowalpurgite
Mindat Formula:
(BiO)4(UO2)(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Phosphowalpurgite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.060(3) Å, b = 13.238(4) Å, c = 5.464(3) Å
α = 101.22(4)°, β = 109.93(3)°, γ = 87.93(4)°
α = 101.22(4)°, β = 109.93(3)°, γ = 87.93(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.533 : 1 : 0.413
Unit Cell V:
470.6 ų
Morphology:
Subhedral to euhedral tabular crystals with the {010} form dominant.
Twinning:
"Simple twinning".
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.059 Å | (100) |
| 3.084 Å | (95) |
| 3.125 Å | (86) |
| 3.251 Å | (72) |
| 3.005 Å | (52) |
| 3.346 Å | (43) |
| 2.726 Å | (42) |
Comments:
Smrkovec, Slavkovský Les Mountains, Czech Republic.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Phosphowalpurgite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Subhedral to euhedral tabular crystals, flattened on {010}, up to 1 mm in size (typically 0.1-0.3 mm), randomly growing in crystalline crusts, up to 1 cm2 in size, within small fissures and cavities in the quartz gangue.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, National Museum, Prague, Czech Republic; P1p 10/2001.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal ore in a fault zone between a granite body and the surrounding metamorphic rocks (chlorite – white mica phyllites, metamorphosed into two-mica gneisses and massive hornfels with sillimanite, andalusite and garnet). Phosphorus-rich rocks also occur in the complex.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Phosphowalpurgite
Other Language Names for Phosphowalpurgite
Dutch:Phosphowalpurgiet
Italian:Fosfowalpurgite
Russian:Фосфовальпургит
Simplified Chinese:磷铋铀矿
Traditional Chinese:磷鉍鈾礦
Relationship of Phosphowalpurgite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Walpurgite Group:
| Orthowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcm |
| Walpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.EA.05 | Walpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.EA.05 | Orthowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.EA.10 | Hallimondite | Pb2(UO2)(AsO4)2 · nH2O |
| 8.EA.10 | Parsonsite | Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2 |
| 8.EA.15 | Ulrichite | CaCu(UO2)(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.EA.20 | Lakebogaite | CaNaFe3+2H(UO2)2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 17.0518% | 4,262,950 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Fluorescence of Phosphowalpurgite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
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 Phosphowalpurgite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-25692.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Phosphowalpurgite
Localities for Phosphowalpurgite
Showing 4 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Czech Republic | |
| AmMin 84:688] |
| Sejkora et al. (2004) |
Egypt | |
| Bahr et al. (2026) |
Germany | |
| Andreas Gerstenberg collection (www.mineral-forum.com) |
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Smrkovec, Březová, Sokolov District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic