Merlinoite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Merlinoite
Formula:
K5Ca2(Si23Al9)O64 · 24H2O
Colour:
Colorless, white
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
2.14 - 2.27
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1977 by Elio Passaglia, D. Pongiluppi and R. Rinaldi in honour of Stefano Merlino (1938 - ), Professor of crystallography, University of Pisa, Italy.
Zeolite Group. Compare UM1990-82-SiO:AlBaCaHKNaSr, UM1990-83-SiO:AlBaCaHKNaSr, UM1990-84-SiO:AlBaCaHKNaSr, and UM2010-05-SiO:AlCaHK.
See also Unnamed (Ca analogue of Merlinoite).
May be confused with phillipsite-K.
Possibly an analog of UM1999-33-SiO:AlHKNa.
See also Unnamed (Ca analogue of Merlinoite).
May be confused with phillipsite-K.
Possibly an analog of UM1999-33-SiO:AlHKNa.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2651
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2651:8
IMA Classification of Merlinoite
Approved
First published:
1977
Classification of Merlinoite
9.GC.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
C : Chains of doubly-connected 4-membered rings
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
C : Chains of doubly-connected 4-membered rings
77.1.3.11
77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites
77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites
16.12.14
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
12 : Aluminosilicates of Sr, Ba and Zn
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
12 : Aluminosilicates of Sr, Ba and Zn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mrl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Merlinoite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Density:
2.14 - 2.27 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.21(2) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Merlinoite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.499 nβ = 1.500 nγ = 1.501
2V:
Measured: 56° , Calculated: 88°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.002
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y = c; Z = a.
Chemistry of Merlinoite
Mindat Formula:
K5Ca2(Si23Al9)O64 · 24H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Fe
Crystallography of Merlinoite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Immm
Setting:
Immm
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.116(7) Å, b = 14.229(6) Å, c = 9.946(6) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.992 : 1 : 0.699
Unit Cell V:
1,997.72 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Rectangular prisms formed by the {100} and {010} pinacoids, terminated by two orthorhombic prisms with different development. Radiating fibrous spheroidal aggregates.
Comment:
Pseudo-tetragonal.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014759 | Merlinoite | Galli E, Gottardi G, Pongiluppi D (1979) The crystal structure of the zeolite merlinoite Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1979 1-9 | 1979 | in a vug of a lava from Cupaello, Rieti, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.176 Å | (100) |
| 7.115 Å | (90) |
| 7.080 Å | (88) |
| 3.258 Å | (44) |
| 3.241 Å | (41) |
| 5.359 Å | (40) |
| 3.226 Å | (38) |
Comments:
Cupaello Quarry, Lazio, Italy. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 16 : Low-? aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 42 : Sea-floor Mn nodules |
Type Occurrence of Merlinoite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Spheroidal radial aggregates with a diameter less than 1 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Municipal Museum of Natural History, Milan, 18078; University of Modena, Modena, Italy; Natural History Museum, Paris, France; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 137087.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In cavities in kalsilite-melilite rock.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Merlinoite
Ba Zeolite (in part)
Other Language Names for Merlinoite
Relationship of Merlinoite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Zeolite Group:
| Alflarsenite | NaCa2Be3Si4O13(OH) · 2H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Amicite | K2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2O | Mon. 2 |
| Ammonioleucite | (NH4)(AlSi2O6) | Tet. 4/m : I41/a |
| Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Arzamastsevite | K6Al5Si6O20(OH)4Cl | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Bellbergite | (K,Ba,Sr)2Sr2Ca2(Ca,Na)4[Al3Si3O12]6 · 30H2O | Hex. |
| Bikitaite | LiAlSi2O6 · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Boggsite | Ca8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma |
| Brewsterite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Chabazite-Levyne Subgroup | M[Al2Si4O12] · 6H2O | |
| Chiavennite | CaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Clinoptilolite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)3-6[Al6-7Si29-30O72] · 20H2O | |
| Cowlesite | CaAl2Si3O10 · 6H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Dachiardite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Direnzoite | NaK6MgCa2(Al13Si47O120) · 36H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn |
| Edingtonite | Ba[Al2Si3O10] · 4H2O | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Epistilbite | CaAl2Si6O16 · 5H2O | Mon. |
| Erionite Subgroup | M2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O | |
| Fabrièsite | Na3Al3Si3O12 · 2H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pmm2 |
| Faujasite Subgroup | M3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O | |
| Ferrierite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Ferrochiavennite | Ca1-2Fe[(Si,Al,Be)5Be2O13(OH)2] · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Flörkeite | (K3Ca2Na)[Al8Si8O32] · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Garronite Subgroup | ||
| Gaultite | Na4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2O | Orth. mm2 : Fdd2 |
| Gismondine Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Gmelinite Subgroup | In 1997, gmelinite was split into Gmelinite-Ca, Gmelinite-Na and Gmelinite-K. | |
| Gobbinsite | Na5(Si11Al5)O32 · 11H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Goosecreekite | Ca[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Gottardiite | Na3Mg3Ca5Al19Si117O272 · 93H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmca |
| Heulandite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O | |
| Hsianghualite | Ca3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2 | Iso. 4 3 2 : I41 3 2 |
| Kalborsite | K6Al4BSi6O20(OH)4Cl | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21c |
| Kirchhoffite | Cs(BSi2O6) | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/acd |
| Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Leucite | K(AlSi2O6) | Tet. 4/m : I41/a |
| Limousinite | BaCa[Be4P4O16] · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Lithosite | K6Al4Si8O25 · 2H2O | Mon. |
| Loomisite | Ba[Be2P2O8] · H2O | Mon. m |
| Lovdarite | K2Na6Be4Si14O36 · 9H2O | Orth. mm2 |
| Maricopaite | Pb7Ca2(Si,Al)48O100 · 32H2O | Orth. |
| Martinandresite | Ba2(Al4Si12O32) · 10H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn |
| Mazzite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Meierite | Ba44Si66Al30O192Cl25(OH)33 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Im3m |
| Montesommaite | (K,Na)9Al9Si23O64 · 10H2O | Orth. mm2 : Fdd2 |
| Mordenite | (Na2,Ca,K2)4(Al8Si40)O96 · 28H2O | Orth. |
| Mountainite | KNa2Ca2[Si8O19(OH)] · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Mutinaite | Na3Ca4Si85Al11O192 · 60H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Nabesite | Na2BeSi4O10 · 4H2O | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Natrolite Subgroup | A subgroup of the Zeolite Group. | |
| Offretite | KCaMg(Si13Al5)O36 · 15H2O | Hex. 6 m2 : P6m2 |
| Pahasapaite | Li8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2O | Iso. 2 3 : I2 3 |
| Parthéite | Ca2(Si4Al4) O15 (OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Paulingite Subgroup | Paulingite was originally described in 1960. | |
| Perlialite | K9Na(Ca,Sr)[Al2Si4O12]6 · 15H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mmm |
| Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O | |
| Pollucite | (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Roggianite | Ca2Be(OH)2Al2Si4O13 · 2.5H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mcm |
| Rongibbsite | Pb2(Si4Al)O11(OH) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O | |
| Terranovaite | (Na,Ca)8(Si68Al12)O160 · 29H2O | Orth. |
| Thomsonite Subgroup | The large majority of "thomsonite" is thomsonite-Ca. | |
| Thornasite | (Na,K)12Th3[Si8O19]4 · 18H2O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Tschernichite | (Ca,Na2)[Al2Si4O12] · 4-8H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
| Tschörtnerite | Ca4(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)3Cu3[Al3Si3O12]4(OH)8 · nH2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| UM1996-38-SiO:AlCaHNa | Na-Ca-Al-Si-O-H | |
| UM1999-33-SiO:AlHKNa | K7Na5Al12Si20O64 · 24H2O | |
| UM2002-40-SiO:AlCaHKMgNa | (Mg,Ca,Na,K)7.5(Al12.8Si51.2)O128 · 65H2O | Tet. 4 2 2 : P41 2 2 |
| Unnamed (Ca analogue of Merlinoite) | (Ca,K,Na)5(Ca,Ba)2Al9Si23O64 · 23H2O ? | |
| Wairakite | Ca(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Weinebeneite | CaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. m : Bb |
| Wenkite | (Ba,K)4(Ca,Na)6[(Si,Al)20O39(OH)2](SO4)3 · 0.5H2O | Hex. 6 m2 : P62m |
| Wilancookite | (Ba5Li2◻)Ba6Be24P24O96 · 26H2O | Iso. 2 3 : I2 3 |
| Willhendersonite | KCa[Al3Si3O12] · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Yugawaralite | CaAl2Si6O16 · 4H2O | Mon. m : Pb |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Merlinoite associated with Erionite Subgroup | M2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O |
| 5 photos of Merlinoite associated with Montesommaite | (K,Na)9Al9Si23O64 · 10H2O |
| 3 photos of Merlinoite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 2 photos of Merlinoite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Merlinoite associated with Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Merlinoite associated with Amicite | K2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Merlinoite associated with Celadonite | K(MgFe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.GC. | Gismondine-Sr | Sr4(Si8Al8O32) · 9H2O |
| 9.GC. | Garronite-Na | Na6(Al6Si10O32) · 8.5H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Gismondine-Ba | Ba2Al4Si4O16 · 4-6H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Garronite-Ca | Na2Ca5Al12Si20O64 · 27H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Gismondine-Ca | CaAl2Si2O8 · 4H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Gobbinsite | Na5(Si11Al5)O32 · 11H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Amicite | K2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Martinandresite | Ba2(Al4Si12O32) · 10H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Harmotome | Ba2(Si12Al4)O32 · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Phillipsite-Ca | Ca3(Si10Al6)O32 · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Phillipsite-K | K6(Si10Al6)O32 · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Phillipsite-Na | (Na,K,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Flörkeite | (K3Ca2Na)[Al8Si8O32] · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.20 | Mazzite-Na | Na8[Al4Si14O36]2 · 30H2O |
| 9.GC.20 | Mazzite-Mg | (Mg,K,Ca)5(Si26Al10)O72 · 28H2O |
| 9.GC.25 | Perlialite | K9Na(Ca,Sr)[Al2Si4O12]6 · 15H2O |
| 9.GC.30 | Boggsite | Ca8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2O |
| 9.GC.35 | Paulingite-Ca | (Ca,K,Na,Ba, ◻)10 (Si, Al)42O84 · 34H2O |
| 9.GC.35 | Paulingite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2,Ba)5[Al10Si35O90] · 45H2O |
| 9.GC.35 | Paulingite-Na | (Na2,K2,Ca,Ba)5[Al10Si35O90] · 45H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 7.4593% | 2,312 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
The IR spectrum distinguishes between merlinoite and phillipsite.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Merlinoite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2651.html
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References for Merlinoite
Reference List:
Fleischer, Michael, Cabri, Louis J. (1978) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 63 (5-6) 598-600
Donahoe, Rona J., Liou, J. G., Guldman, Sandra (1984) Synthesis and Characterization of Zeolites in the System Na2O-K2O-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O. Clays and Clay Minerals, 32 (6) 433-443 doi:10.1346/ccmn.1984.0320601
Mohapatra, B. K., Sahoo, R. K. (1987) Merlinoite in manganese nodules from the Indian Ocean. Mineralogical Magazine, 51 (363) 749-750 doi:10.1180/minmag.1987.051.363.20
Coombs, Douglas S., Alberti, Alberto, Armbruster, Thomas, Artioli, Gilberto, Colella, Carmine, Galli, Ermanno, Grice, Joel D., Liebau, Friedrich, Mandarino, Joseph A., Minato, Hideo, et al. (1997) Recommended nomenclature for zeolite minerals; report of the Subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. The Canadian Mineralogist, 35 (6). 1571-1606
Pakhomova, Anna S., Armbruster, Thomas, Krivovichev, Sergey V., Yakovenchuk, Victor N. (2014) Dehydration of the zeolite merlinoite from the Khibiny massif, Russia: an in situ temperature-dependent single-crystal X-ray study. European Journal of Mineralogy, 26 (3) 371-380 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2014/0026-2380
Localities for Merlinoite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
France | |
| Galli et al. (2008) |
Germany | |
| Tschernich (1992) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Betz (2019) |
| |
Iceland | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1990) |
Italy | |
| Elmar Lackner collection +1 other reference |
| Collection of Alex Earl |
| Russo et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Badham (1997) +1 other reference |
| Chinellato Matteo |
| Giancarlo Della Ventura et al. (1993) |
| |
| Sabatini (1903) +6 other references |
Russia | |
| PEKOV et al. (2013) |
| Pekov et al. (2004) | |
Spain | |
| Strasser et al. (2006) |
USA | |
| Donahoe et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
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Pollena quarries, Pollena Trocchia, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy