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Akopovaite

A valid IMA mineral species
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04162120017272356806604.jpg
Akopovaite, etc.

Akopovaite type locality, Asan-Usun glacier, Karasu-Karavshinskoye, Turkestan Ridge, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
02192310017868293849078.jpg
Akopovaite

Monte Copello-Reppia mine, Reppia, Ne, Genoa, Liguria, Italy
04162120017272356806604.jpg
Akopovaite, etc.

Akopovaite type locality, Asan-Usun glacier, Karasu-Karavshinskoye, Turkestan Ridge, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
09229340017755471453209.jpg
Akopovaite

Monte Copello-Reppia mine, Reppia, Ne, Genoa, Liguria, Italy
04162120017272356806604.jpg
Akopovaite, etc.

Akopovaite type locality, Asan-Usun glacier, Karasu-Karavshinskoye, Turkestan Ridge, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
09782660017750608698972.jpg
Akopovaite

Monte Copello-Reppia mine, Reppia, Ne, Genoa, Liguria, Italy
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About AkopovaiteHide

Formula:
Al4Li2(OH)12(CO3)(H2O)3
Colour:
white or yellowish
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
2.12
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after Anna Vartanovna Akopova (Cyrillic: Анна Вартановна Акопова) (b. 1952), a chemistry teacher in the Gymnasium #14, Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Her remarkable style of teaching, including experimental work, inspired many of her students to the choice of the career in the field of Natural Sciences, including the first author of of the type description.
Unique combination of elements. Chemically but not structurally the CO3 analogue of dritsite (not a true analogy). One of the most alkaline lithium minerals.
A synthetic analogue is known.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
53220
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:53220:4

IMA Classification of AkopovaiteHide

Classification of AkopovaiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
5.DA.55

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
AvIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of AkopovaiteHide

Lustre:
Silky
Colour:
White or yellowish
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN1=20 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
Density:
2.12(2) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.14 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of AkopovaiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Al4Li2(OH)12(CO3)(H2O)3
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O65.459 %
Al24.531 %
H4.124 %
Li3.155 %
C2.730 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Al
H
Li
C
Elements listed:
Al, C, H, Li, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of AkopovaiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.0953(6) Å, b = 8.877(1) Å, c = 7.806(1) Å
β = 102.572(6)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.574 : 1 : 0.879
Unit Cell V:
344.61 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
48 : Soil leaching zone minerals<0.6

Type Occurrence of AkopovaiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Akopovaite type locality, Asan-Usun glacier, Karasu-Karavshinskoye, Turkestan Ridge, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
General Appearance of Type Material:
Akopovaite aggregates occur in areas (1–4 cm across) of alteration and (or) leaching of primary pegmatite phosphates. Rosette-like aggregates of akopovaite are composed of pseudohexagonal thin curved plates up to 15-30 μm wide and several μm thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 18-2, Moscow 119071, Russia, catalogue #5200/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Pegmatite
Reference:
Karpenko, Vladimir Yu., Zhitova, Elena S., Pautov, Leonid A., Agakhanov, Atali A., Siidra, Oleg I., Krzhizhanovskaya, Maria G., Rassulov, Victor A., Bocharov, Vladimir N. (2020) Akopovaite, Li2Al4(OH)12(CO3)(H2O)3, a new Li member of the hydrotalcite supergroup from Turkestan Range, Kyrgyzstan. Mineralogical Magazine, 84 (2) 301-311 doi:10.1180/mgm.2020.10

Synonyms of AkopovaiteHide

Other Language Names for AkopovaiteHide

French:Akopovaite
German:Akopovait
Norwegian:Akopovaitt

Relationship of Akopovaite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Hydrotalcite Supergroup
Other Members of Hydrotalcite Supergroup:
AmoraiteCa12Al6(OH)36(CO3)2(SO3) · 15H2O Tric. 1 : P1
BrugnatelliteMg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2OHex.
CarbocalumiteCa4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 6H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
CoalingiteMg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
Cualstibite GroupM2R(OH)6[Sb5+(OH)6], where M = Zn, Ni, Cu and R = Al or Fe3+
DritsiteLi2Al4(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm
Fougèrite Group
Glaucocerinite Group
Hydrocalumite Group
Hydrotalcite GroupM6R3+2(OH)16Z · 4H2O, where M=Mg, Fe, Ni, R3+ = Al, Cr, Co or Fe, and Z=CO3, Cl
Marioantofilliite[Cu4Al2(OH)12](CO3) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
MuskoxiteMg7Fe4O13 · 10H2OTrig. 3m(32/m)
PoellmanniteCa6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
Quintinite Group
RotemiteCa4Cr2(OH)12Cl2 · 4H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
'UM1987-05-OH:AlCMg'Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3,SO4) · 3H2O
Wermlandite GroupM7R3+2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O, where = Mg, Fe, Zn and R= Al or Fe
Woodwardite GroupMay be considered a subgroup of the Hydrotalcite Group.

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Akopovaite associated with SideriteFeCO3
1 photo of Akopovaite associated with SchorlNaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
1 photo of Akopovaite associated with AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
1 photo of Akopovaite associated with QuartzSiO2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

5.DA.AlexkhomyakoviteK6(Ca2Na)(CO3)5Cl · 6H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm
5.DA.AmoraiteCa12Al6(OH)36(CO3)2(SO3) · 15H2O Tric. 1 : P1
5.DA.05DypingiteMg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2OMon. 2 : P21
5.DA.05'UM1986-10-CO:ClHMgMnZn (also called Mineral F, Dunn, 1995)'Mg5(Zn,Mn)3(CO3)2(OH,Cl)12 · H2O
5.DA.05'UM1987-01-CO:HMgS'Mg4(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O ?Mon.
5.DA.05GiorgiositeMg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5-6H2O
5.DA.05HydromagnesiteMg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
5.DA.05WidgiemoolthaliteNi5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
5.DA.10ArtiniteMg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
5.DA.10ChlorartiniteMg2(CO3)(OH)Cl · 2H2OTrig. 3m : R3c
5.DA.10IndigiriteMg2Al2(CO3)4(OH)2 · 15H2O
5.DA.15ZaratiteNi3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ?Iso.
5.DA.15OtwayiteNi2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2OOrth.
5.DA.20KambaldaiteNaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2OHex. 6 : P63
5.DA.25CallaghaniteCu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
5.DA.30Claraite(Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2OTric. 1 : P1
5.DA.35HydroscarbroiteAl14(CO3)3(OH)36 · nH2OTric.
5.DA.35ScarbroiteAl5(CO3)(OH)13 · 5H2OTric.
5.DA.40KarchevskyiteMg18Al9(OH)54Sr2(CO3)9(H2O)6(H3O)5Trig.
5.DA.40'UM1987-05-OH:AlCMg'Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3,SO4) · 3H2O
5.DA.40QuintiniteMg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2OHex. 622 : P6322
5.DA.40CharmariteMn2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2OHex.
5.DA.40CaresiteFe2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2OTrig. 32 : P3112
5.DA.45'Hydrotalcite-2H'Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
5.DA.45'Stichtite-2H'Mg6(Cr,Al)2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
5.DA.45BrugnatelliteMg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2OHex.
5.DA.45ZaccagnaiteZn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2OHex.
5.DA.45'Pyroaurite-2H'Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
5.DA.45LiudongshengiteZn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
5.DA.45ChlormagaluminiteMg4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm
5.DA.50PyroauriteMg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
5.DA.50TakoviteNi6Al2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
5.DA.50ReevesiteNi6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
5.DA.50KaznakhtiteNi6Co3+2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2OTrig. 3 : R3
5.DA.50ComblainiteNi4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2OTrig.
5.DA.50Marioantofilliite[Cu4Al2(OH)12](CO3) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
5.DA.50HydrotalciteMg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
5.DA.50StichtiteMg6Cr3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
5.DA.50DesautelsiteMg6Mn3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2OTrig. 3m(32/m)
5.DA.55CoalingiteMg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
5.DA.60ŠlikiteZn2Mg(CO3)2(OH)2 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
5.DA.65MarkliteCu5(CO3)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c

Fluorescence of AkopovaiteHide

In UV light:
Luminescent with a weak bluish-greenish colour after excitation with a mercury quartz lamp with both shortwave (254 nm) and mediumwave (365 nm) filters and with green
after excitation with a nitrogen laser (λex = 337.1 nm).

Other InformationHide

Notes:
easily soluble both in concentrated and diluted (up to 0.5 vol. %) HCl and HNO3 followed by the release of CO2.
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 AkopovaiteHide

References for AkopovaiteHide

Localities for AkopovaiteHide

Showing 2 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Italy
 
  • Liguria
    • Genoa
      • Ne
        • Reppia
Castellaro-Kampf
Kyrgyzstan (TL)
 
  • Batken Region
    • Turkestan Ridge
      • Karasu-Karavshinskoye
        • Asan-Usun glacier
Karpenko et al. (2020)
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