Ammoniozippeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ammoniozippeite
Formula:
(NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O
Colour:
Yellow to yellowish orange
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
4.433 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named for the chemical relation to zippeite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
52182
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:52182:8
Classification of Ammoniozippeite
The zippeite-type sheet
The uranyl sulfate sheet topology found in the members of the zippeite group.
IMA Classification of Ammoniozippeite
Approved
Approval year:
2017
First published:
2018
Type description reference:
Kampf, Anthony R., Plášil, Jakub, Olds, Travis A., Nash, Barbara P., Marty, Joe (2018) Ammoniozippeite, a New Uranyl Sulfate Mineral from the Blue Lizard Mine, San Juan County, Utah, and the Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA. The Canadian Mineralogist, 56 (3) 235-245 doi:10.3749/canmin.1800002
7.EC.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Azip | 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 Ammoniozippeite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow to yellowish orange
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010} and {001} perfect, {100} good
{010} and {001} perfect, {100} good
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
4.433 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ammoniozippeite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.678(2) nβ = 1.724(3) nγ = 1.779(3)
2V:
Measured: 87.1° (5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.101
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:
Weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X colorless, Y orange yellow, and Z yellow orange (X ≪ Y < Z)
Chemistry of Ammoniozippeite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O
Element Weights:
Chemical Analysis
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | [(NH4)1.97Na0.03]Σ2.00(U1.00O2)2(S1.01O4)O2·H2O |
| 2 | [(NH4)1.99K0.06Na0.04]Σ2.09(U1.01O2)2(S0.97O4)O2·H2O |
| 3 | [(NH4)1.96K0.11]Σ2.07[(UO2)2(SO4)1.98O2.06]·H2O |
Sample references:
| ID | Type | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Type Specimen | Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA | Electron microprobe analyses (WDS mode) for Burro Mine | |
| 2 | Type Specimen | Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA | Electron microprobe analyses (WDS mode) for Blue Lizard mine | |
| 3 | Jan Evangelista vein, Svornost Mine, Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic | empirical formula basis: 2 U atoms pfu |
Crystallography of Ammoniozippeite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmca
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.7944(3) Å, b = 14.3296(7) Å, c = 17.1718(12) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.614 : 1 : 1.198
Unit Cell V:
2164 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Elongated on [100]
Comment:
Non-standard space-group seeting Ccmb
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.17 Å | (100) |
| 4.270 Å | (13) |
| 3.670 Å | (14) |
| 3.580 Å | (21) |
| 3.489 Å | (42) |
| 3.138 Å | (63) |
| 1.750 Å | (14) |
| 1.697 Å | (18) |
Comments:
From type description
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Ammoniozippeite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Clusters of acicular to bladed crystals, to 2 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 66625 (Burro - holotype) and 66626 (Blue Lizard- cotype)
Empirical Formula of Type Material:
[(NH4)1.99K0.06Na0.04]Σ2.09(U1.01O2)2(S0.97O4)O2·H2O
Reference:
Kampf, Anthony R., Plášil, Jakub, Olds, Travis A., Nash, Barbara P., Marty, Joe (2018) Ammoniozippeite, a New Uranyl Sulfate Mineral from the Blue Lizard Mine, San Juan County, Utah, and the Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA. The Canadian Mineralogist, 56 (3) 235-245 doi:10.3749/canmin.1800002
Synonyms of Ammoniozippeite
Other Language Names for Ammoniozippeite
Relationship of Ammoniozippeite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Zippeite Group:
| Cobaltzippeite | Co(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Magnesiozippeite | Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Nickelzippeite | Ni2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O | Mon. |
| Plavnoite | K0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Zinczippeite | Zn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O | Mon. 2 : B2 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Ammoniozippeite associated with Redcanyonite | (NH4)2Mn[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)4 |
| 1 photo of Ammoniozippeite associated with Meitnerite | (NH4)(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EC. | Nitscheite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2] · 3H2O |
| 7.EC. | Beshtauite | (NH4)2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC. | Oldsite-(K) | K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC. | Adolfpateraite | K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC. | Libbyite | (NH4)2(Na2◻)[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]2 · 7H2O |
| 7.EC. | Seaborgite | LiK2Na6(UO2)(SO4)5(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.05 | Zinczippeite | Zn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Cobaltzippeite | Co(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Nickelzippeite | Ni2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Redcanyonite | (NH4)2Mn[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)4 |
| 7.EC.05 | Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Magnesiozippeite | Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Plavnoite | K0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Rabejacite | Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(K) | K2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.15 | Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Marécottite | Mg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 28H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Hubbardite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2O(OH)(SO4)]2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EC.20 | Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.40 | Bluelizardite | Na7(UO2)(SO4)4Cl(H2O)2 |
| 7.EC.45 | Meisserite | Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.45 | Fermiite | Na4(UO2)(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.45 | Oppenheimerite | Na2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Feynmanite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Plášilite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.55 | Geschieberite | K2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.60 | Ottohahnite | Na6(UO2)2(SO4)5(H2O)7 · 1.5H2O |
| 7.EC.65 | Péligotite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.70 | Klaprothite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.75 | Lussierite | Na10[(UO2)(SO4)4](SO4)2 · 3(H2O) |
| 7.EC.80 | Navrotskyite | K2Na10(UO2)3(SO4)9 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.85 | Pseudomeisserite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Na4[(UO2)2(SO4)5] · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.90 | Wetherillite | Na2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 65.9169% | 16,479,225 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | 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
Fluorescence of Ammoniozippeite
Dull green yellow under 405 nm laser light.
Other Information
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 Ammoniozippeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-52182.html
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References for Ammoniozippeite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2017) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2017, CNMNC Newsletter No 40. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (6) 1577-1581 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.096p.1579
Kampf, Anthony R., Plášil, Jakub, Olds, Travis A., Nash, Barbara P., Marty, Joe (2018) Ammoniozippeite, a New Uranyl Sulfate Mineral from the Blue Lizard Mine, San Juan County, Utah, and the Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA. The Canadian Mineralogist, 56 (3) 235-245 doi:10.3749/canmin.1800002
Localities for Ammoniozippeite
Showing 11 localities.
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.
Czech Republic | |
| Desor (04/2022) |
France | |
| Matthies et al. (03/2023) |
Germany | |
| Joy Desor (SEM-EDS analysis) +1 other reference |
| Möhn et al. (01/2021) |
Hungary | |
| Eva Zsombor collection |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet et al. (2026) |
USA (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2017) +3 other references |
| Collection of Alex Earl |
| Hålenius et al. (2017) +3 other references |
| Kampf et al. (2018) | |
| EDS and XRD analyzed by Joy Desor. |
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Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA