Meridianiite
Synthetic sulfate compound / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Meridianiite is the mineral consisting of magnesium sulfate undecahydrate, MgSO
4·11H
2O. It is colorless transparent crystalline salt that precipitates from solutions saturated in Mg2+ and SO42− ions at temperatures less than 2 °C.[4] The synthetic compound was formerly known as Fritzsche's salt.[4][5]
Meridianiite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Sulfate minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) | Magnesium sulfate 11 hydrate MgSO4·11H2O |
IMA symbol | Mdn[1] |
Strunz classification | 7.CB.90 |
Crystal system | Triclinic |
Crystal class | Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | P1 |
Unit cell | a = 6.7459 Å b = 6.8173 Å c = 17.299 Å; α = 88.137°, β = 89.481°, γ = 62.719° Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Formula mass | 318.55 g/mol |
Color | Colorless or white |
Crystal habit | Needle-shaped to broad flat crystals |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Luster | Vitreous – dull |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent |
Specific gravity | 1.512 |
Melting point | At temperatures above 2 °C |
Solubility | Highly soluble in water |
References | [2][3] |
Meridianiite is a naturally occurring mineral species found on Earth in a variety of environments including sea ice, crusts and efflorescences in coal/metal mines, cave systems, oxidized zones of sulfide deposits, salt lakes/playas and Antarctic ice-cores.[6][4] It is commonly associated with other evaporite minerals such as epsomite, mirabilite, halides, and other sodium-magnesium-sulfates. There is some evidence that it was once present on the surface of Mars, and may occur in several bodies of the Solar System.[4] As of 2012, it was the only undecahydrate sulfate known.[7]