Torbernite Mineral Data

General Torbernite Information

Chemical Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2•8-12(H2O) Composition: Molecular Weight = 991.71 gm    Uranium     48.00 %  U    54.46 % UO₂    Copper       6.41 %  Cu    8.02 % CuO    Phosphorus   6.25 %  P    14.31 % P₂O₅    Hydrogen     2.24 %  H    19.98 % H₂O    Oxygen      37.11 %  O               ______        ______                100.00 %       96.77 % = TOTAL OXIDE Empirical Formula: Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂•11(H₂O) Environment: Secondary mineral in granites, and other uranium-bearing rocks. IMA Status: Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1793 Locality: Jáchymov (St. Joachimsthal), Krusne Hory, Západocesky kraj, Cechy (Bohemia), Czech Republic Link to MinDat.org Location Data. Name Origin: Named after the Swedish chemist, Tornbern Bergmann (1735-1784). Name Pronunciation: Torbernite + Pronunciation Synonym: Copper Uranite  

Torbernite Image

Images: Images:

Torbernite Comments: Cluster of green torbernite crystals. Radioactive. Location: Margabal Mine, Entraygues-sur-Truyère, Aveyron, Midi-Pyrénées, France. Scale: 22x13x10 mm. © John Betts - Fine Minerals

Torbernite Crystallography

Axial Ratios: a:c = 1:2.90934 Cell Dimensions: a = 7.06, c = 20.54, Z = 2; V = 1,023.79 Den(Calc)= 3.22 Crystal System: Tetragonal - Ditetragonal DipyramidalH-M Symbol (4/m 2/m 2/m) Space Group: I 4/mmm X Ray Diffraction: By Intensity(I/I_o): 10.3(1), 3.58(0.9), 4.94(0.9), Forms:

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Crystal Structure:

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Locock A J , Burns P C , The Canadian Mineralogist , 41 (2003) p.489-502, Crystal structures and synthesis of the copper-dominant members of the autunite, and meta-autunite groups: Tobernite, zeunerite, metatorbernite and metazeunerite

 

Physical Properties of Torbernite

Cleavage: {001} Perfect, {100} Distinct Color: Green, Grass green, Leek green, Apple green, Siskin green. Density: 3.2 Diaphaneity: Transparent to subtranslucent Fracture: Brittle - Generally displayed by glasses and most non-metallic minerals. Habit: Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no visible crystalline affinities, (e.g. howlite). Habit: Foliated - Two dimensional platy forms. Habit: Tabular - Form dimensions are thin in one direction. Hardness: 2-2.5 - Gypsum-Finger Nail Luminescence: Non-Fluorescent, Short UV=yellow, Long UV=yellow. Luster: Vitreous - Pearly Streak: pale green  

Optical Properties of Torbernite

Dichroism (e): blue. Dichroism (w): green. Gladstone-Dale: CI meas= -0.131 (Poor) - where the CI = (1-KPDmeas/KC)
CI calc= -0.124 (Poor) - where the CI = (1-KPDcalc/KC)
KPDcalc= 0.1823,KPDmeas= 0.1834,KC= 0.1622
Ncalc = 1.52 Optical Data: Uniaxial (-), e=1.582, w=1.592, bire=0.0100.  

Calculated Properties of Torbernite

Electron Density: Bulk Density (Electron Density)=2.92 gm/cc
note: Specific Gravity of Torbernite =3.22 gm/cc.
Fermion Index: Fermion Index = 0.0036377245
Boson Index = 0.9963622755 Photoelectric: PE_Torbernite =1,206.11 barns/electron
U=PE_Torbernite x r_electron=3,516.69 barns/cc.
Radioactivity:

GRapi = 3,705,087.28 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)
Concentration of Torbernite per GRapi unit = 269.90 (PPB)

Torbernite is Radioactive as defined in 49 CFR 173.403. Greater than 70 Bq / gram.

Estimated Maximum U.S. Postal Shipping Size (10 mRem/hr limit, Unshielded 10 cm box) 8.21 ± 2.05 grams of pure Torbernite .
Estimated Maximum U.S. Postal Shipping Size (10 mRem/hr limit, Unshielded 100 cm box) 820.94 ±205.24 grams of pure Torbernite .

Estimated Radioactivity from Torbernite - very strong

Specimen Size Weight/Volume (Sphere) *	Calculated Activity Becquerels (Bq)	Calculated Activity Curies (Ci)	Estimated Activity GR(api)	Estimated Exposure (mRem**)/hr If Held in Hand For One Hour
1000 gm / 8.40 cm	85,926,487	2.32E-03	3,705,087.28	1,218.11
100 gm / 3.90 cm	8,592,649	2.32E-04	370,508.73	121.81
10 gm / 1.81 cm	859,265	2.32E-05	37,050.87	12.18
1 gm / 8.40 mm	85,926	2.32E-06	3,705.09	1.22
0.1 gm / 3.90 mm	8,593	2.32E-07	370.51	0.12
0.01 gm / 1.81 mm	859	2.32E-08	37.05	0.01
0.001 gm / 0.84 mm	86	2.32E-09	3.71	0.00

Weight of pure Torbernite in grams (gm) and Calculated Diameter of a Sphere with a Density of 3.22 gm/cc.*
Goverment Estimate of Average Annual Exposure ( 360 mRem) **
Note: 10 microsieverts/hr = 1 mRem/hr **
Max Permissable Adult Dose 50,000 mRem/yr (hands), 15,000 mRem/yr (eyes)
Lethal Dose LD(50) Exposure 400,000 to 500,000 mRem

 

Torbernite Classification

Dana Class: 40.02a.13.01 (40)Hydrated Phosphates, etc   (40.02a)where A++ (B++)2 (XO4) · x(H2O), containing (UO2)++   (40.02a.13)Dana Group  

40.02a.13.01 Torbernite Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2•8-12(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

 

40.02a.13.02 Metatorbernite Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2•8(H2O) P 4/n 4/m

Strunz Class: 08.EB.05 08 - PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES   08.E - Uranyl Phosphates and Arsenates   08.EB -UO2:RO4 = 1:1  

08.EB.05 Autunite Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2•10-12(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

 

08.EB.05 Heinrichite Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2•10-12(H2O) P 2/c 2/m

 

08.EB.05 Kahlerite Fe(UO2)2(AsO4)2•10-12(H2O) P 4₁/n 4/m

 

08.EB.05 Uranocircite Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2•12(H2O) P 4/nnc 4/m 2/m 2/m

 

08.EB.05 Novacekite Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2•12(H2O) P 4₁/n 4/m

 

08.EB.05 Saleeite Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2•10(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

 

08.EB.05 Xiangjiangite (Fe,Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH)•22(H2O) C 2/c or Cc Mono

 

08.EB.05 Torbernite Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2•8-12(H2O) I 4/mmm 4/m 2/m 2/m

 

08.EB.05 Uranospinite Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2•10(H2O) P nma 2/m 2/m 2/m

 

08.EB.05 Zeunerite Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2•10-16(H2O) P 4/nnc 4/m 2/m 2/m

 

08.EB.05 Metarauchite! Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2•8H2O P1 1

 

Other Torbernite Information

References: NAME( Duda&Rejl90) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990) OPTIC PROP.(Ford32) See Also: Links to other databases for Torbernite :
1 - Am. Min. Crystal Structure Database
2 - Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery
3 - Athena
4 - EUROmin Project
5 - Ecole des Mines de Paris
6 - GeoScienceWorld
7 - Google Images
8 - Google Scholar
9 - Handbook of Mineralogy (MinSocAm)
10 - Handbook of Mineralogy (UofA)
11 - MinDAT
12 - Mineralienatlas (Deutsch)
13 - Online Mineral Museum
14 - QUT Mineral Atlas
15 - Ruff.Info
16 - Uranium Minerals
17 - YupRocks
18 - theimage
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