Moolooite
| Moolooite | |
|---|---|
|
Blue massive moolooite (field of view 12 mm) | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxalate mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Cu(C2O4)·0.4H2O |
| Strunz classification | 10.AB.15 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Moolooite is a rare blue-green mineral with the formula Cu++(C2O4)·n(H2O) (n<1) (making it a hydrated copper oxalate). It was discovered by Richard M Clarke and Ian R Williams in Bunbury Well, Mooloo Downs station, Murchison, Western Australia in 1986.[1] It has an orthorhombic crystalline structure, and is formed by the interaction of bird guano with weathering copper sulfides.
A second occurrence is reported from the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines silver mining district of Vosges Mountains, France.[1]
References
- 1 2 Clarke, R.M., Williams I.R. (1986). "Moolooite, a naturally occurring hydrated copper oxalate from Western Australia" (PDF). Mineralogical Magazine. 50 (356): 295–298. doi:10.1180/minmag.1986.050.356.15.
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