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Strelkinite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Strelkinite
Mikhail Fedorovich Strelkin (1905-1965) - Russian mineralogist
Formula:
Na2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Golden yellow, yellow-green
Lustre:
Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
3.7 - 3.91
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named after Mikhail Fedorovich Strelkin (Михаил Федорович Стрелкин) (21 November 1905 - 2 November 1965), Russian mineralogist specializing in uranium ores.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3800
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3800:9
Classification of Strelkinite
Francevillite sheet topology
The sheet topology found in minerals of the carnotite group.
IMA Classification of Strelkinite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na2(U6+O2)2(V5+O4)2·6H2O
Approval year:
1973
First published:
1974
Type description reference:
4.HB.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
B : Uranyl Sorovanodates
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
B : Uranyl Sorovanodates
40.2a.29.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
21.4.3
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
4 : Vanadates of U, Mn, Fe or Ni
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
4 : Vanadates of U, Mn, Fe or Ni
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Slk | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Strelkinite
Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Golden yellow, yellow-green
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
perpendicular to {001}
perpendicular to {001}
Density:
3.7 - 3.91 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.22 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Strelkinite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.674 - 1.77 nβ = 1.855 - 1.907 nγ = 1.880 - 1.915
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.145 - 0.206
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (33°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (33°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
pale yellow to yellow
Comments:
2V(meas.) = Medium.
Chemistry of Strelkinite
Mindat Formula:
Na2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Strelkinite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.64(2) Å, b = 8.36(2) Å, c = 32.72(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.273 : 1 : 3.914
Unit Cell V:
2,910.46 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
powdery, flat plates to 1.5mm
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m or mm2.; Space Group: P nmm or P nm2.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.18 Å | (40) |
| 7.68 Å | (100) |
| 4.08 Å | (60) |
| 3.95 Å | (80) |
| 3.20 Å | (50) |
| 2.007 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Strelkinite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Powdery crusts along fractures in country rock. Crystals are plates of nearly isometric form, not exceeding 1.5 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Arid sedimentary regions
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Strelkinite
Other Language Names for Strelkinite
Relationship of Strelkinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Carnotite Group:
| Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Margaritasite | (Cs,K,H3O)2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Metatyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Metavanuralite | Al(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH) · 8H2O | Tric. |
| Sengierite | Cu2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Tyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnna |
| Vanuralite | Al(UO2)2(V2O8)(OH) · 11H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HB.X | Spanoite | Tl2[(UO2)2(V2O8)] |
| 4.HB.05 | Margaritasite | (Cs,K,H3O)2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · H2O |
| 4.HB.05 | Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.HB.10 | Sengierite | Cu2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Francevillite | Ba(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Fritzscheite | Mn2+(UO2)2(VO4,PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Curienite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Finchite | Sr(UO2)2(V2O8) · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.20 | Vanuralite | Al(UO2)2(V2O8)(OH) · 11H2O |
| 4.HB.20 | Metavanuralite | Al(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH) · 8H2O |
| 4.HB.25 | Metatyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.HB.25 | Tyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O |
| 4.HB.35 | Uvanite | U6+2V5+6O21 · 15H2O (?) |
| 4.HB.40 | Rauvite | Ca(UO2)2(V10O28) · 16H2O |
| 4.HB.45 | Vandermeerscheite | K2[(UO2)2V2O8] · 2H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 51.5211% | 12,880,275 | 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 Strelkinite
weak dirty green (Tobacco color)
Other Information
Notes:
dissolves in cold dilute acids.
radioactive
radioactive
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 Strelkinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3800.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Strelkinite
Reference List:
Fleischer, Michael; Chao, G. Y.; Kato, Ikiro (1975) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 60 (5-6). 485-489 p.488
Suleimanov, Evgeny V., Somov, Nikolay V., Chuprunov, Evgeny V., Mayatskikh, Ekaterina F., Depmeier, Wulf, Alekseev, Evgeny V. (2012) A Detailed Study of the Dehydration Process in Synthetic Strelkinite, Na[(UO2)(VO4)] ·nH2O (n= 0, 1, 2) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 227 (8) 522-529 doi:10.1524/zkri.2012.1480
Localities for Strelkinite
Showing 17 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.
Australia | |
| Peter Elliott |
Germany | |
| Noller (2019) |
Israel | |
| collected November 2024 by Michael J. ... |
Jordan | |
| M.N.Murashko specimen |
| Sokol +9 other references |
| Khoury (2014) | |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Alekseeva et al. (1974) |
| Pekov (1998) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| |
Middle East | |
| Vapnik et al. (2014) | |
Palestine | |
| Sokol et al. (2011) |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
USA | |
| Kampf et al. (2019) |
| McCollam (2002) |
| Chuck Adan Collection |
| Desor (11/2020) |
Quick NavTopAbout StrelkiniteUnique IdentifiersClassification IMA Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Lisdan-Siwaga Fault, Hashem region, Daba-Siwaqa complex, Transjordan Plateau, Amman Governorate, Jordan