Publication details
Extending the mineralogy of U6+ (II): Barronite, a new uranyl silicate related to weeksite from Menzenschwand, Germany
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Peer-reviewed scientific article |
| Magazine / Source | MINERALOGICAL MAGAZINE |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://resolve.cambridge.org/core/journals/mineralogical-magazine/article/extending-the-mineralogy-of-u6-ii-barronite-a-new-uranyl-silicate-related-to-weeksite-from-menzenschwand-germany/D106344EBF030690EA74FDDEFF894202 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1180/mgm.2025.10081 |
| Keywords | barronite; complexity; crystal structure; new mineral; 3D electron diffraction; uranyl silicate; weeksite topology |
| Description | The new mineral barronite (IMA 2024-053), (?1.5Ba0.5)2(UO2)2Si5O12(OH)·2H2O, was found in the material from the Menzenschwand uranium deposit, Black Forest Mts., Germany, where it occurs as globular/acicular aggregates, consisting of long-prismatic crystals, up to 0.3 mm in length, in baryte and quartz-based gangue. Barronite is not associated with any other supergene minerals. Crystals are pale yellow with a colourless to pale yellow streak. Nevertheless, some of the crystals have a brown-orange tint, caused by Fe–Si-gels. The tenacity is brittle, the Mohs hardness is 1–2. The mineral has distinct cleavage on {100}; the fracture is uneven. Barronite is biaxial (+), with ? = 1.599(2), ß = 1.607(2), ? = 1.617(3); and 2V (meas.) = 86°. Optical orientation is X = b, Y ^ a ? 3° in the obtuse angle ß. Dispersion is distinct r>v. Pleochroism is distinct in hues of pale yellow, X 3?(I)] reflections) refined from the 3D ED data confirmed that barronite has the same structural architecture as weeksite; however, it contains less H2O in the channels of the uranyl-silicate framework structure. |
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