Global InformationMeridianiite information
| Meridianiite | |
|---|---|
 Meridianiite crystals displaying blocky, triclinic, crystal forms. | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Magnesium sulfate 11 hydrate MgSO4·11H2O |
| IMA symbol | Mdn[1] |
| Strunz classification | 7.CB.90 |
| Crystal system | Triclinic |
| Crystal class | Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P1 |
| Unit cell | a = 6.7459 Å b = 6.8173 Å c = 17.299 Å; α = 88.137°, β = 89.481°, γ = 62.719° Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 318.55 g/mol |
| Color | Colorless or white |
| Crystal habit | Needle-shaped to broad flat crystals |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Luster | Vitreous – dull |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 1.512 |
| Melting point | At temperatures above 2 °C |
| Solubility | Highly soluble in water |
| References | [2][3] |
Meridianiite is the mineral consisting of magnesium sulfate undecahydrate, MgSO
4·11H
2O. It is colorless transparent crystalline salt that precipitates from solutions saturated in Mg2+ and SO42− ions at temperatures less than 2 °C.[4] The synthetic compound was formerly known as Fritzsche's salt.[4][5]
Meridianiite is a naturally occurring mineral species found on Earth in a variety of environments including sea ice, crusts and efflorescences in coal/metal mines, cave systems, oxidized zones of sulfide deposits, salt lakes/playas and Antarctic ice-cores.[6][4] It is commonly associated with other evaporite minerals such as epsomite, mirabilite, halides, and other sodium-magnesium-sulfates. There is some evidence that it was once present on the surface of Mars, and may occur in several bodies of the Solar System.[4] As of 2012, it was the only undecahydrate sulfate known.[7]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Mindat.org
- ^ Webmineral.com
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