Lanthanite-(La), Lanthanite-(Nd), Lanthanite-(Ce)
Lanthanite-(Nd) from Mitsukoshi, Hizen-cho, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan.
General
CategoryCarbonate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)		(REE)2(CO3)3·8(H2O)
IMA symbolLtn[1]
Strunz classification5.CC.25
Dana classification(La): 15.04.02.01
(Nd): 15.04.02.02
(Ce): 15.04.02.03
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPbnb
Unit cella = 9.476(4)-9.483(6)
b = 16.940(8)-16.938(11)
c = 8.942(4)-8.965(3) [Å], Z = 4
Identification
ColorPale pink to purple
Crystal habitPlaty
TwinningCommon on {101}
CleavageMicaceous, perfect on {101}
FractureUneven
TenacitySectile
Mohs scale hardness2.5
LusterVitreous to pearly
StreakWhite
Density2.78-2.84 (measured), 2.79-2.816 (calculated)
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
2V angle58-61° (measured), 60-63.5° (calculated)
References[2]

Lanthanites are a group of isostructural rare earth element (REE) carbonate minerals. This group comprises the minerals lanthanite-(La),[3][4] lanthanite-(Ce),[5] and lanthanite-(Nd).[6] This mineral group has the general chemical formula of (REE)2(CO3)3·8(H2O). Lanthanites include La, Ce, and Nd as major elements and often contain subordinate amounts of other REEs including praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu) and dysprosium (Dy).[7] The lanthanite crystal structure consists of layers of 10-fold coordinated REE-oxygen (O) polyhedra and carbonate (CO32−) groups connected by hydrogen bonds to interlayer water molecules, forming a highly hydrated structure.[8]

Origin and formation

Lanthanites are frequently found as secondary minerals formed by the weathering of other minerals and occur as scales or tabular crystals. Originally identified at Bastnäs, Sweden,[9] they have subsequently been found in New Zealand,[10] Japan,[11] Madagascar,[12] Wales,[13] China,[14] France,[15] Germany,[16] Greenland,[17] Finland,[18] Canada,[19] Austria,[20] Romania,[21] Norway,[22] Brazil,[23] and the United States.[24]

Recently, a different mechanism of formation of lanthanites was discovered: Lanthanites also can form via a highly hydrated, nanoparticulate and poorly ordered carbonate precursor.[25] The lifetime of this rare-earth bearing precursor as well as the kinetics of crystallization of the various REE-lanthanites are dependent on the specific trivalent rare-earth ion involved in the reaction. The times needed for lanthanites to fully crystallize increase linearly with the ionic potential of the trivalent rare-earth ion (La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+) present in their structure. The differences in these ion sizes and ionic potential as well as differences in dehydration energy of the trivalent rare-earth ions control the lifetime of the poorly ordered precursor and thus also the crystallization kinetics of the lanthanites. Furthermore, they also affect the structural characteristics (e.g. unit-cell dimensions and standard shape) of the crystals.

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Lanthanite on Mindat
  3. ^ Haidinger W (1845) Zweite Klasse: Geogenide. II. Ordnung. Baryte. III. Cerebaryt. Lanthanit., in Handbuch der Bestimmenden Mineralogie, Bei Braumüller and Seidel (Wien) 499-506.
  4. ^ Nickel E H, Mandarino J A (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature, American Mineralogist 72, 1031-1042.
  5. ^ Bevins R E, Rowbotham G, Stephens F S, Turgoose S, Williams P A (1985) Lanthanite-(Ce), (Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)3·8H2O, a new mineral from Wales, U.K.. American Mineralogist 70, 411-413.
  6. ^ Roberts A C, Chao G Y, Cesbron F (1980) Lanthanite-(Nd), a new mineral from Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, Geological Survey of Canada Paper 80-1C, 141-142.
  7. ^ The Canadian Mineralogist 45 (2007) 1389-1396.
  8. ^ Morrison, S. M., Andrade, M. B., Wenz, M. D., Domanik, K. J., & Downs, R. T. (2013). Lanthanite-(Nd), Nd2 (CO3) 3.8 H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online, 69(3), i15-i16. doi:10.1107/S1600536813003164
  9. ^ Berzelius, J. (1825). Taschenbuch für die gesamte Mineralogie mit Hinsicht auf die neuesten Entdeckungen, 19, 193-218.
  10. ^ Graham, I.T., Pogson, R.E.,Colchester, D.M., Hergt, J. Martin, R. & Williams, P.A. (2007): Pink Lanthanite-(Nd) from Whitianga Quarry, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. Canadian Mineralogist. 45: 1389-1396
  11. ^ American Mineralogist: 71(7-8): 1028-1033.
  12. ^ Behier, J. (1960): Contribution á la mineralogie de Madagascar. Annales Géologiques de Madagascar XXIX, Tananarive, p 18
  13. ^ Amer.Min.(1985) 70, 411-413
  14. ^ Zhang Peishan, Yang Zhuming, Tao Kejie, and Yang Xueming (1996): "Mineralogy and Geology of Rare Earths in China", Science Press (Beijing), 226 pp.
  15. ^ Remy, P., Gatel, P., Meisser, N. (2014): Indice à terres rares de Mosset (Pyrénées-Orientales). Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, 1-2014, 3-17.
  16. ^ Gröbner, J., Hajek, W., Junker, R. & Nikoleizig, J. (2011): Neue Mineralschätze des Harzes. Papierflieger Verlag GmbH, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany, 127 pp.
  17. ^ Petersen, O. V. and Secher, K. (1993): The minerals of Greenland, The Mineralogical Record, Vol. 24(2), 1-65
  18. ^ Sotka, P. 1984. Juuka, Panjavaara: Ce-La-Sr-mineraalien esiintyminen karbonaattijuonissa. Outokumpu OY raportti 070/4312 08A/PMS/1984.
  19. ^ HORVÁTH, L. & PFENNINGER-HORVÁTH, E. (2000) I minerali di Mont-Saint-Hilaire (Québec, Canada) Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, XXIV, 140-202.
  20. ^ G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995.
  21. ^ Szakáll, S. & Kristály, F., Eds. (2010): Mineralogy of Székelyland, Eastern Transylvania, Romania. Csík County Nature and Conservation Society, Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania, 321 pp.
  22. ^ Sæbø, P.Chr. (1961): Contribution to the mineralogy of Norway. No.11. On lanthanite in Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift. 41: 311-317
  23. ^ Roberts, A.C., G.Y. Chao, and F. Cesbron (1980) Lanthanite-(Nd), a new mineral from Curitiba, Paran ́a, Brazil. Geol. Surv. Canada, Paper 80-1C, 141–142.
  24. ^ "Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 14, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997.
  25. ^ Rodriguez-Blanco, J.D., Vallina, B., Blanco, J.A. and Benning, L.G. (2014) The role of REE3+ in the crystallization of lanthanites. Mineralogical Magazine, 78, 1373–1380. DOI: 10.1180/minmag.2014.078.6.03

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