Dawsonite
| Dawsonite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Carbonate minerals |
| Chemical formula | NaAlCO3(OH)2 |
| Strunz classification | 05.BB.10 |
| Dana classification | 16a.03.08.01 |
| Crystal symmetry | 2/m 2/m 2/m |
| Identification | |
| Molar mass | 144.00 |
| Color | white |
| Crystal habit | encrustations or radial |
| Crystal system | orthorhombic |
| Cleavage | perfect on {110} |
| Fracture | uneven |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3 |
| Luster | vitreous |
| Streak | white |
| Diaphaneity | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.436 |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.466 nβ = 1.542 nγ = 1.596 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.130 |
| 2V angle | 77º |
| References | [1][2] |
Dawsonite is a mineral composed of sodium aluminium carbonate hydroxide, chemical formula NaAlCO3(OH)2. It was discovered in 1874 during the construction of the Redpath Museum in a feldspathic dike on the campus of McGill University on the Island of Montreal, Canada (45° 30′ N, 73° 40′ W).[1] It is named after Canadian geologist Sir John William Dawson (1820–99).[2]
The type material is preserved in the collection of the Redpath Museum.[1]
See also
- Dihydroxialumini sodium carbonate, the commercial (artificial) form, used as an antacid
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dawsonite, <http://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=1240> (accessed 6 December 2009), MinDat.org.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dawsonite, <http://webmineral.com/data/Dawsonite.shtml> (accessed 6 December 2009), WebMineral.com.
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