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Barentsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Barentsite
Willem Barents
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.
Type Locality:
Alters superficially to a white powder in air. Slowly decomposed by water.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
520
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:520:5
Similar Names
| Brontesite | A valid IMA mineral species | (NH4)3PbCl5 |
IMA Classification of Barentsite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na7Al(CO3)2(HCO3)2F4
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1983
Classification of Barentsite
5.BB.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
B : With alkalies, etc.
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
B : With alkalies, etc.
13.1.8.1
13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
12.1.2
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brts | 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 Barentsite
Vitreous, Pearly, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavages, dull if weathered
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=86 - 172 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001} and {110}
on {001} and {110}
Density:
2.56 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.55 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Barentsite
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.
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
Weak, r < v
Comments:
X is near (001), X Λ a about 45°
Chemistry of Barentsite
Mindat Formula:
Na7Al(HCO3)2(CO3)2F4
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Barentsite
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°
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 Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012474 | Barentsite | Tjy 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 273 699-704 | 1983 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 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 Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest 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 Barentsite
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.
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 Barentsite
Other Language Names for Barentsite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BB.10 | Dawsonite | NaAlCO3(OH)2 |
| 5.BB.15 |
Restin'yun Mt, Murmansk Oblast, Russia