Antônio Wilson Romano

Césarferreiraite, Fe2+Fe23+(AsO4)2(OH)2·8H2O, from Eduardo mine, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Second arsenate in the laueite mineral group

Abstract Césarferreiraite, Fe2+Fe23+(AsO4)2(OH)2·8H2O, is a new laueite-group mineral (IMA 2012-099) of triclinic symmetry, from Eduardo pegmatite mine, Conselheiro Pena municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Intimately associated minerals are pharmacosiderite, scorodite, and earlier arsenopyrite, and probably césarferreiraite replaces the latter. It occurs as fibrous-to-tabular aggregates up to 2 mm. Single crystals, up to 10 μm long with a thickness of about 1-2 μm, are elongated along [001] and flattened on (100). The fibers have almost rectangular cross-section apparently bound by the {100} and {010} pinacoid forms. Color and streak are pale to greenish yellow. Luster is vitreous; individual crystals are transparent and masses are translucent. Cleavage is distinct, presumably on {010} and {100}. Calculated density is 2.934 g/cm3. The mineral is biaxial (+), n (min) = 1.747(3), n (max) = 1.754(3) (589 nm). IR spectrum of césarferreiraite is unique and can be used for the identification of the mineral. Chemical composition (n = 4, WDS, calculated for the condition Fe2+:Fe3+ = 1:2, H2O for the ideal structural formula, wt%) is: FeO 11.50, Fe2O3 25.56, CaO 15.41, As2O5 33.51, H2O 26.01, total 100.12. The empirical formula (based on 18 O apfu) is Fe2+0.98Fe3+1.96[(AsO4)1.79(PO4)0.31](OH)1.52·8.08H2O. The strongest eight X-ray powder-diffraction lines [d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 9.85(95)(010), 6.35(100)(001), 3.671(29)(1̅21), 3.158(32)(13̅0), 2.960(39)(022̅), 2.884(35)(1̅31), 2.680(29)(2̅11), and 2.540(23)(2̅10). Unit-cell parameters refined from powder data indexed by analogy with related laueite-group minerals (space group: P1̅) are: a = 5.383(2), b = 10.363(3), c = 6.878(2) Å, α = 96.42(4), β = 109.19(3), γ = 102.30(2)°, V = 347.1(2) Å3, and Z = 1. Gladstone-Dale compatibility is -0.020 (excellent). Césarferreiraite is the arsenate analog of ferrolaueite.

A vibrational spectroscopic study of the silicate mineral analcime - Na2(Al4SiO4O12)·2H2O - a natural zeolite.

We have studied the mineral analcime using a combination of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopy. The mineral analcime Na2(Al4SiO4O12)·2H2O is a crystalline sodium silicate. Chemical analysis shows the mineral contains a range of elements including Na, Al, Fe(2+) and Si. The mineral is characterized by intense Raman bands observed at 1052, 1096 and 1125cm(-1). The infrared bands are broad; nevertheless bands may be resolved at 1006 and 1119cm(-1). These bands are assigned to SiO stretching vibrational modes. Intense Raman band at 484cm(-1) is attributed to OSiO bending modes. Raman bands observed at 2501, 3542, 3558 and 3600cm(-1) are assigned to the stretching vibrations of water. Low intensity infrared bands are noted at 3373, 3529 and 3608cm(-1). The observation of multiple water bands indicate that water is involved in the structure of analcime with differing hydrogen bond strengths. This concept is supported by the number of bands in the water bending region. Vibrational spectroscopy assists with the characterization of the mineral analcime.

Pauloabibite, trigonal NaNbO3, isostructural with ilmenite, from the Jacupiranga carbonatite, Cajati, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Pauloabibite (IMA 2012-090), trigonal NaNbO3, occurs in the Jacupiranga carbonatite, in Cajati County, São Paulo State, Brazil, associated with dolomite, calcite, magnetite, phlogopite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, ancylite-(Ce), tochilinite, fluorapatite, “pyrochlore”, vigezzite, and strontianite. Pauloabibite occurs as encrustations of platy crystals, up to 2 mm in size, partially intergrown with an unidentified Ca-Nb-oxide, embedded in dolomite crystals, which in this zone of the mine can reach centimeter sizes. Cleavage is perfect on {001}. Pauloabibite is transparent and displays a sub-adamantine luster; it is pinkish brown and the streak is white. The calculated density is 4.246 g/cm3. The mineral is uniaxial; n(mean)calc is 2.078. Chemical composition (n = 17, WDS, wt%) is: Na2O 16.36, MgO 0.04, CaO 1.36, MnO 0.82, FeO 0.11, SrO 0.02, BaO 0.16, SiO2 0.03, TiO2 0.86, Nb2O5 78.66, Ta2O5 0.34, total 98.76. The empirical formula is (Na0.88Ca0.04Mn2+ 0.02)SΣ0.94(Nb0.98Ti0.02)Σ1.00-O3. X-ray powder-diffraction lines (calculated pattern) [d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 5.2066(100)(003), 4.4257(82)(101), 3.9730(45)(012), 2.9809(54) (104), 2.3718(88)(21̄3), 1.9865(28)(024), 1.8620(53)(21̄6), and 1.5383(30)(300). It is trigonal, space group: R3̄, a = 5.3287(5), c = 15.6197(17) Å, V = 384.10(7) Å3, Z = 6. The crystal structure was solved (R1 = 0.0285, wR2 = 0.0636 for 309 observed reflections). Pauloabibite is isostructural with ilmenite and is polymorphic with isolueshite (cubic) and lueshite (orthorhombic). The name is in honor of Paulo Abib Andery (1922-1976).

A vibrational spectroscopic study of the silicate mineral pectolite – NaCa2Si3O8(OH)

The mineral pectolite NaCa₂Si₃O₈(OH) is a crystalline sodium calcium silicate which has the potential to be used in plaster boards and in other industrial applications. Raman bands at 974 and 1026 cm(-1) are assigned to the SiO stretching vibrations of linked units of Si₃O₈ units. Raman bands at 974 and 998 cm(-1) serve to identify Si₃O₈ units. The broad Raman band at around 936 cm(-1) is attributed to hydroxyl deformation modes. Intense Raman band at 653 cm(-1) is assigned to OSiO bending vibration. Intense Raman bands in the 2700-3000 cm(-1) spectral range are assigned to OH stretching vibrations of the OH units in pectolite. Infrared spectra are in harmony with the Raman spectra. Raman spectroscopy with complimentary infrared spectroscopy enables the characterisation of the silicate mineral pectolite.

A vibrational spectroscopic study of the silicate mineral normandite – NaCa(Mn2+,Fe2+)(Ti,Nb,Zr)Si2O7(O,F)2

We have studied the mineral normandite using a combination of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopy. The mineral normandite NaCa(Mn(2+),Fe(2+))(Ti,Nb,Zr)Si2O7(O,F)2 is a crystalline sodium calcium silicate which contains rare earth elements. Chemical analysis shows the mineral contains a range of elements including Na, Mn(2+), Ca, Fe(2+) and the rare earth element niobium. No Raman bands are observed above 1100 cm(-1). The mineral is characterised by Raman bands observed at 724, 748, 782 and 813 cm(-1). Infrared bands are broad; nevertheless bands may be resolved at 723, 860, 910, 958, 933, 1057 and 1073 cm(-1). Intense Raman bands at 454, 477 and 513 cm(-1) are attributed to OSiO bending modes. No Raman bands are observed in the hydroxyl stretching region, but low intensity infrared bands are observed at 3191 and 3450 cm(-1). This observation brings into question the true formula of the mineral.

A vibrational spectroscopic study of the silicate mineral harmotome – (Ba,Na,K)1-2(Si,Al)8O16⋅6H2O – A natural zeolite

The mineral harmotome (Ba,Na,K)1-2(Si,Al)8O16⋅6H2O is a crystalline sodium calcium silicate which has the potential to be used in plaster boards and other industrial applications. It is a natural zeolite with catalytic potential. Raman bands at 1020 and 1102 cm(-1) are assigned to the SiO stretching vibrations of three dimensional siloxane units. Raman bands at 428, 470 and 491 cm(-1) are assigned to OSiO bending modes. The broad Raman bands at around 699, 728, 768 cm(-1) are attributed to water librational modes. Intense Raman bands in the 3100 to 3800 cm(-1) spectral range are assigned to OH stretching vibrations of water in harmotome. Infrared spectra are in harmony with the Raman spectra. A sharp infrared band at 3731 cm(-1) is assigned to the OH stretching vibration of SiOH units. Raman spectroscopy with complimentary infrared spectroscopy enables the characterization of the silicate mineral harmotome.

Almeidaite, Pb(Mn,Y)Zn2(Ti,Fe3+)18O36(O,OH)2, a new crichtonite-group mineral, from Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract Almeidaite (IMA 2013-020), ideally Pb(Mn,Y)Zn2(Ti,Fe3+)18O36(O,OH)2, from Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Brazil, occurs in association with quartz, rutile, anatase, hematite, kaolinite, muscovite, xenotime-(Y) and bastnaesite-(La). Almeidaite forms isolated, black, opaque, sub-metallic, platy crystals flattened on [0001], measuring up to 30 mm × 30 mm × 6 mm in size, dominated by the basal pinacoid {0001}, which is bounded by various, mostly steep, rhombohedra and the hexagonal prism {112̅0}. Most of the crystals are multiply twinned, with non-planar contact surfaces that are approximately parallel to the c axis. The streak is brown. Reflectance values are [(RO, Re) λ (nm)]: (12.78, 15.39) 470; (12.86, 15.43) 546; (12.91, 15.55) 589; (13.04, 15.75) 650. The empirical formula is (Pb0.59Sr0.12Ca0.04La0.03)∑0.78(Mn0.54Y0.46)∑1.00Zn1.43(Ti13.02Fe3+4.98)∑18.00(Fe3+0.32Mn0.15)∑0.47 [O37.18(OH)0.82]∑38.00. It is trigonal, space group R3̅, with the unit-cell parameters a = 10.4359(2), c = 21.0471(4) Å, V = 1985.10(7) Å3 and Z = 3. The crystal structure was solved (R1 = 0.039) using 2110 unique reflections with I > 3σ(I). Almeidaite is a member of the crichtonite group with Pb dominant in the A site (with 12-fold coordination) and Zn dominant in the T site (with 4-fold coordination). It is a Zn analogue of senaite and a Pb analogue of landauite. The mineral is named after Professor Fernando Flávio Marques de Almeida (1916 - 2013).

Carlosbarbosaite, ideally (UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2·2H2O, a new hydrated uranyl niobate mineral with tunnels from Jaguaraçu, Minas Gerais, Brazil: description and crystal structure

Abstract Carlosbarbosaite, ideally (UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2 ·2H2O, is a new mineral which occurs as a late cavity filling in albite in the Jaguaraçu pegmatite, Jaguaraçu municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The name honours Carlos do Prado Barbosa (1917-2003). Carlosbarbosaite forms long flattened lath-like crystals with a very simple orthorhombic morphology. The crystals are elongated along [001] and flattened on (100); they are up to 120 μm long and 2-5 μm thick. The colour is cream to pale yellow, the streak yellowish white and the lustre vitreous. The mineral is transparent (as individual crystals) to translucent (massive). It is not fluorescent under either long-wave or short-wave ultraviolet radiation. Carlosbarbosaite is biaxial(+) with α = 1.760(5), β = 1.775(5), γ = 1.795(5), 2Vmeas. = 70(1)°, 2Vcalc. = 83°. The orientation is X ∥ a, Y ∥ b, Z ∥ c. Pleochroism is weak, in yellowish green shades, which are most intense in the Z direction. Two samples were analysed. For sample 1, the composition is: UO3 54.52, CaO 2.07, Ce2O3 0.33, Nd2O3 0.49, Nb2O5 14.11, Ta2O5 15.25, TiO2 2.20, SiO2 2.14, Fe2O3 1.08, Al2O3 0.73, H2O (calc.) 11.49, total 104.41 wt.%; the empirical formula is (⃞0.68Ca0.28Nd0.02Ce0.02)∑=1.00[U1.44⃞0.56O2.88(H2O)1.12](Nb0.80Ta0.52Si0.27Ti0.21Al0.11Fe0.10)∑=2.01O4.72(OH)3.20(H2O)2.08. For sample 2, the composition is: UO3 41.83, CaO 2.10, Ce2O3 0.31, Nd2O3 1.12, Nb2O5 14.64, Ta2O5 16.34, TiO2 0.95, SiO2 3.55, Fe2O3 0.89, Al2O3 0.71, H2O (calc.) 14.99, total 97.43 wt.%; the empirical formula is (⃞0.67Ca0.27Nd0.05Ce0.01)∑=1.00[U1.04⃞0.96O2.08(H2O)1.92] (Nb0.79Ta0.53Si0.42Ti0.08Al0.10Fe0.08)∑=2.00O4.00(OH)3.96(H2O)2.04. The ideal endmember formula is (UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2 ·2H2O. Calculated densities are 4.713 g cm-3 (sample 1) and 4.172 g cm-3 (sample 2). Infrared spectra show that both (OH) and H2O are present. The strongest eight X-ray powder- diffraction lines [listed as d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 8.405(8)(110), 7.081(10)(200), 4.201(9)(220), 3.333(6)(202), 3.053(8)(022), 2.931(7)(420), 2.803(6)(222) and 2.589(5)(040,402). The crystal structure was solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (R = 0.037) which gave the following data: orthorhombic, Cmcm, a = 14.150(6), b = 10.395(4), c = 7.529(3) Å, V = 1107(1) Å3, Z= 4. The crystal structure contains a single U site with an appreciable deficiency in electron scattering, which is populated by U atoms and vacancies. The U site is surrounded by seven O atoms in a pentagonal bipyramidal arrangement. The Nb site is coordinated by four O atoms and two OH groups in an octahedral arrangement. The half-occupied tunnel Ca site is coordinated by four O atoms and four H2O groups. Octahedrally coordinated Nb polyhedra share edges and corners to form Nb2O6(OH)2 double chains, and edge-sharing pentagonal bipyramidal U polyhedra form UO5 chains. The Nb2O6(OH)2 and UO5 chains share edges to form an open U-Nb-φ framework with tunnels along [001] that contain Ca(H2O)4 clusters. Carlosbarbosaite is closely related to a family of synthetic U-Nb-O framework tunnel structures, it differs in that is has an (OH)-bearing framework and Ca(H2O)4 tunnel occupant. The structure of carlosbarbosaite resembles that of holfertite.

SEM, EDX, infrared and Raman spectroscopic characterization of the silicate mineral yuksporite.

The mineral yuksporite (K,Ba)NaCa2(Si,Ti)4O11(F,OH)⋅H2O has been studied using the combination of SEM with EDX and vibrational spectroscopic techniques of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy shows a single pure phase with cleavage fragment up to 1.0 mm. Chemical analysis gave Si, Al, K, Na and Ti as the as major elements with small amounts of Mn, Ca, Fe and REE. Raman bands are observed at 808, 871, 930, 954, 980 and 1087 cm(-1) and are typical bands for a natural zeolite. Intense Raman bands are observed at 514, 643 and 668 cm(-1). A very sharp band is observed at 3668 cm(-1) and is attributed to the OH stretching vibration of OH units associated with Si and Ti. Raman bands resolved at 3298, 3460, 3562 and 3628 cm(-1) are assigned to water stretching vibrations.

O meteorito condrítico ordinário L5(S5) de queda em Guaçuí, ES-Brasil

After 19 years, a new meteorite fall has been recorded in Brazil. Chemical, mineralogical and textural record of the meteorite fallen in Guacui-ES in June 2010 allows to classify it as an L5(S5) ordinary chondrite.