Santite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Santite
Giorgio G. Santi
Formula:
K[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
1.74 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Giorgio Galgano Santi (15 April 1746, Montieri, Tuscany, Italy - 30 December 1823, Pienza, Tuscany, Italy), naturalist, Professor of Natural Sciences in Pisa, and director of the Museum of Natural History, Pisa.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Santite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3527
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3527:5
IMA Classification of Santite
Approved
IMA Formula:
KB5O6(OH)4 · 2H2O
First published:
1970
Classification of Santite
6.EA.10
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
A : Neso-pentaborates
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
A : Neso-pentaborates
26.5.2.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
9.1.13
9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Snt | 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 Santite
Optical Data of Santite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.422(2) nβ = 1.435(2) nγ = 1.480(1)
2V:
Measured: 70°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.058
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:
relatively strong
Chemistry of Santite
Mindat Formula:
K[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Santite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Aba2
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.10(2) Å, b = 11.18(2) Å, c = 9.08(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.993 : 1 : 0.812
Unit Cell V:
1,126.81 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
aggregates; as an efflorescent crust.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010569 | Santite | Zachariasen W H (1937) The crystal structure of potassium acid dihydronium pentaborate KH2(H3O)2B5O10, (potassium pentaborate tetrahydrate) Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 98 266-274 |  | 1937 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0018018 | Santite | Zachariasen W (1938) The crystal structure of potassium acid dihydronium pentaborate K H2 (H3 O)2 B5 O10, (potassium pentaborate tetrahydrate) _cod_database_code 1011124 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 98 266-274 | | 1938 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.36 Å | (100) |
| 3.52 Å | (84) |
| 5.60 Å | (71) |
| 2.767 Å | (50) |
| 2.181 Å | (21) |
| 3.28 Å | (18) |
| 5.93 Å | (15) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Santite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical Museum, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Santite
Other Language Names for Santite
Relationship of Santite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Sborgite Group:
| Sborgite | Na[B5O6(OH)4] · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Structurally related to group(s):
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Santite associated with Thénardite | Na2SO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.EA.05 | Sborgite | Na[B5O6(OH)4] · 3H2O |
| 6.EA.05 | Leucostaurite | Pb2[B5O9]Cl · 0.5H2O |
| 6.EA.10 | Ramanite-(Rb) | Rb[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2O |
| 6.EA.10 | Ramanite-(Cs) | Cs[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2O |
| 6.EA.15 | Ammonioborite | (NH4)2[B5O6(OH)4]2 · H2O |
| 6.EA.25 | Ulexite | NaCa[B5O6(OH)6] · 5H2O |
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) | 13.3346% | 4,134 | 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
Notes:
Soluble in H2O
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 Santite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3527.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Santite
Reference List:
Zachariasen, W. H. (1938) The Crystal Structure of Potassium Acid Dihydronium Pentaborate KH2(H3Ο)2B5O10, (Potassium Pentaborate Tetrahydrate). Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 98 (1-6). 266-274 doi:10.1524/zkri.1938.98.1.266
Zachariasen, W. H., Plettinger, H. A. (1963) Refinement of the structure of potassium pentaborate tetrahydrate. Acta Crystallographica, 16 (5) 376-379 doi:10.1107/s0365110x63001006
Marezio, M., Plettinger, H. A., Zachariasen, W. H. (1963) The crystal structure of potassium tetraborate tetrahydrate. Acta Crystallographica, 16 (10) 975-980 doi:10.1107/s0365110x63002619
Localities for Santite
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.
Italy | |
| Campostrini I. et al - Vulcano: ein ... |
| Merlino et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan | |
| Коротченкова et al. (2016) |
USA | |
| a spectroscopic exploration. Economic ... +1 other reference |
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Eagle Borax Spring, Inyo County, California, USA