Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Abenakiite-(Ce)

Abenakiite-(Ce)
General
CategorySilicate, cyclosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
Na26Ce6(SiO3)6(PO4)6(CO3)6(S4+O2)O
IMA symbolAbk-Ce[1]
Strunz classification9.CK.10
Crystal systemTrigonal
Crystal classRhombohedral (3)
H-M symbol: (3)
Space groupR3
Unit cella = 16.02, c = 19.76 [Å], Z = 3
Identification
ColourPale brown, to dark brown
Crystal habitEuhedral Crystals - Occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form. [2]
Cleavage{0001}, poor
FractureConchoidal
Mohs scale hardness4–5
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent[3]
Specific gravity3.32 gm/cc.
Density3.21
Optical propertiesUniaxial (−)
Refractive indexnω=1.59, nε=1.57
Other characteristicsRadioactive
References[4][5]

Abenakiite-(Ce) is a mineral of sodium, cerium, neodymium, lanthanum, praseodymium, thorium, samarium, oxygen, sulfur, carbon, phosphorus, and silicon with a chemical formula Na26Ce6(SiO3)6(PO4)6(CO3)6(S4+O2)O. The silicate groups may be given as the cyclic Si6O18 grouping. The mineral is named after the Abenaki, an Algonquian Indian tribe of New England. Its Mohs scale rating is 4 to 5.[4]

Occurrence and association

Abenakiite-(Ce) was discovered in a sodalite syenite xenolith at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada, together with aegirine, eudialyte, manganoneptunite, polylithionite, serandite, and steenstrupine-(Ce).[4][5]

Notes on chemistry and relation to other species

Combination of elements in abenakiite-(Ce) is unique. Somewhat chemically similar mineral is steenstrupine-(Ce).[5][6] The hyper-sodium abenakiite-(Ce) is also unique in supposed presence of sulfur dioxide ligand. With a single grain (originally) found, abenakiite-(Ce) is extremely rare.[4]

Crystal structure

In the crystal structure, described as a hexagonal net, of abenakiite-(Ce) there are:[4]

  • chains of NaO7 polyhedra, connected with PO4 groups
  • columns with six-membered rings of NaO7, and NaO7-REEO6, and SiO4 polyhedra (REE – rare earth elements)
  • CO3 groups, NaO6 octahedra, and disordered SO2 ligands within the columns

See also

References