Parsonsite
Parsonsite is a lead uranium phosphate mineral with chemical formula: Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2·2H2O. Parsonsite contains about 45% lead and 25% uranium. It forms elongated lathlike pseudo monoclinic crystals, radial spherulites, encrustations and powdery aggregates. It is of a light yellow colour. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5-3 and a specific gravity of 5.72 - 6.29.[3][4]
| Parsonsite | |
|---|---|
 Yellow brown parsonsite crystals with green torbernite from the Pinhal do Souto mine, Mangualde, Viseu District, Portugal | |
| General | |
| Category | Phosphate mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2·2H2O |
| IMA symbol | Pso[1] |
| Strunz classification | 8.EA.10 |
| Crystal system | Triclinic |
| Crystal class | Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P1 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Pale citron-yellow |
| Crystal habit | Elongate and flattened tiny crystals, may resemble laths, crusts, powdery aggregates |
| Cleavage | None observed |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5-3 |
| Luster | Sub-adamantine |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 5.37 |
| Optical properties | Pale yellow color |
| Pleochroism | None |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | Does not fluoresce in UV light |
| Solubility | Soluble in acids |
| Other characteristics |  Radioactive |
| References | [2] |
It was first described in 1923 for an occurrence in the Shinkolobwe mine, Katanga Copper Crescent, Democratic Republic of Congo. It was named for mineralogist Arthur Leonard Parsons (1873–1957) of the University of Toronto, Canada.[4][5]
References
- Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- Mineralienatlas
- Webmineral data for parsonite
- Handbook of Mineralogy
- Parsonite on Mindat.org
Bibliography
- Palache, P.; Berman H.; Frondel, C. (1960). "Dana's System of Mineralogy, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. (Seventh Edition)" John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, pp. 913-914.
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