Boussingaultite
Encyclopedia
Boussingaultite is a rare sulfate mineral
of the chemical formula: (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2·6(H2O). The formula of boussingaultite is that of Tutton's salt
s type. It was originally described from geothermal
fields in Tuscany
, Italy
, where it occurs together with its iron
analogue mohrite
, but is more commonly found on burning coal dumps. The mineral possess monoclinic symmetry and forms clear, often rounded crystals.
The mineral is named after the French chemist Jean-Baptiste Boussingault.
Sulfate mineral
The sulfate minerals are a class of minerals which include the sulfate ion within their structure. The sulfate minerals occur commonly in primary evaporite depositional environments, as gangue minerals in hydrothermal veins and as secondary minerals in the oxidizing zone of sulfide mineral deposits...
of the chemical formula: (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2·6(H2O). The formula of boussingaultite is that of Tutton's salt
Tutton's salt
Tutton's salts are a family of salts with the formula M2M'26 or M2M'26 . These materials are "double salts," which means that they contain two different cations, M+ and M'2+.-Examples and related compounds:...
s type. It was originally described from geothermal
Geothermal
Geothermal is related to energy and may refer to:* The geothermal gradient and associated heat flows from within the Earth- Renewable technology :...
fields in Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, where it occurs together with its iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
analogue mohrite
Mohrite
Mohrite, 2Fe2·6, is a rare sulfate mineral originally found in the geothermal fields of Tuscany, Italy. This Fe-dominant analogue of boussingaultite is sometimes reported from burning coal dumps....
, but is more commonly found on burning coal dumps. The mineral possess monoclinic symmetry and forms clear, often rounded crystals.
The mineral is named after the French chemist Jean-Baptiste Boussingault.