Fontanite

 IMA-A 1991-034
Uranium 15.3.6.1
(Dana Classification Number)
(No Images) 5/F.02-45
(Strunz ID)

Property Data Remarks
Named for: Francois Fontan, mineralogist, University of Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
Alternate
    Name(s):
  		•  
    Mineral Class:
    Nitrates, Carbonates and Borates
      Uranylcarbonates ([UO2]+2 - [CO3]-2)
        Grimselite - Liebigite series
    		Compare with Liebigite
    Chemical
        Formula:    		 Ca(UO2)3(CO3)2O2 · 6H2O  
    Chemical
        Composition:
    Calcium: (Ca) 3.61%
    Carbon: (C) 2.16%
    Hydrogen: (H) 1.09%
    Oxygen: (O) 28.82%
    Uranium: (U) 64.32%
    		by weight
    Molecular
        Weight:    		 1,110.27 daltons (amu)
    Specific
        Radioactivity:

    (All radiation is for a 1 gram, fully aged specimen)

    Specific Activity Dose Rate
    Becquerels Curies milliRems/hour microSieverts/hour
    1.15127 × 1005 3.11 × 10-06 1.56 155.84

    Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 360 mRem (3.6 milliSieverts)
    Crystalography:
    System: Monoclinic - Prismatic
    Axial Ratios: a: 0.4033
    b: 1
    c: 0.89
    Cell Dimensions: a: 6.968 Å
    b: 17.276 Å
    c: 15.377 Å
    Z: 4
    b: 90.064°
    V: 1,851.07 Å3
    DenCalc: 3.98
    H-M Symbol: 2/m
    Space Group: P21/n
    X-Ray Diffraction:
      By Intensity ( I/Io )    		 (1): 8.55 Å
    (0.7): 2.772 Å
    (0.6): 4.11 Å
    		 
    Habit:
  • Radial (stellate) clusters
  • Aggregates
    		•   
    Cleavage:
    [001] Distinct
    [010] Distinct
    [100] Distinct
    		 
    Fracture:    
    Moh's
        Hardness:    		 3  
    Density: 4.1 grams/cm3
    Color: Bright to Honey-yellow  
    Streak: White  
    Luster: Vitreous  
    Diaphaneity: Transparent.  
    Pleochroism: None  
    Ultra Violet
        Fluorescence:
    Long Wave:  
    Short Wave:  
    		 
    Magnetism: Non-magnetic  
    Occurance:
  • Hydration/oxidation zone of Uranium mineral deposits
  • Uranyl-carbonate sheet structure formed under mildly acidic conditions in a Uranium deposit
    		•   
    Associated
        Minerals:

    Aragonite, Arsenuranospathite, Azurite, Barite, Becquerelite, Billietite, Bornite, Calcite, Calcurmolite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Coffinite, Copper, Cuprite, Cuprosklodowskite, Digenite, Dioptase, Galena, Goethite, Graphite, Gypsum, Heinrichite, Ianthinite, Iriginite, Kahlerite, Liebigite, Löllingite, Malachite, Masuyite, Meta-Autunite, Metaheinrichite, Metalodevite, Meta-Uranopilite, Metazeunerite, Mixite, Molybdenite, Novácekite, Olivenite, Pyrite, Pyrolusite, Rabejacite, Rutherfordine, Saléeite, Scheelite, Schoepite, Seelite, Sengierite, Silver, Sklodowskite, 'Sodium Uranospinite', Sphalerite, Studtite, Torbernite, Trögerite, Tyuyamunite, Umohoite, Urancalcarite, Uraninite, Uranophane, Uranophane-beta, Uranopilite, Vandenbrandeite, Vandendriesscheite, Wulfenite, Zeunerite, Zippeite

    Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium
    mineral links

    		These are a few minerals known to be found with Fontanite
    Localities:

    Extremely rare

    Fontanite Localities
    Notes:

    Strongly radioactive a- and b-particles, g-rays.

    Crystals are probably metamict.