Fluckite
Encyclopedia
Fluckite is a mineral with the chemical formula CaMnH2(AsO4)2·2H2O
Fluckite is named after the mineralogist Pierre Fluck of Louis Pasteur University
in Strasbourg, France. Fluckite's mineral crystallography is triclinic meaning it has three axis of different length and three different interior angles that do not equal 90°. Because Fluckite possesses three axes with different angles and lengths it is an anisotropic mineral. This means that it has more than one optic axis. This mineral is a member of the P space group meaning that it can be rotated 360° degrees and inverted to obtain the original figure. Optically, this mineral has positive biaxial birefringence which can be shown obtaining an interference figure that is blue in the Northeast and Southwest corners of the figure while looking down the c- axis. Fluckite possesses moderate optical relief
which is the degree to which the mineral stands out from the mounting medium. The mineral was found in the Gabe-Gottes Mine in France at 100m. This mineral occurs in "A post-mine low-temperature reaction product of carbonate gangue with arsenical solutions derived from arsenic” The mineral contains arsenic
in the form of arsenate HAsO4 As(V). Arsenic has a myriad of uses "metallurgy, wood preservation, painting, medicine, pest control, and as an additive to chicken feed, where it increases growth," as well as being a strong and common poison. This form of arsenate is often found in groundwater from deep wells and is a toxic substance.
Fluckite is named after the mineralogist Pierre Fluck of Louis Pasteur University
Louis Pasteur University
Louis Pasteur University , also known as Strasbourg I or ULP was a large university in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. As of January 15, 2007, there were 18,847 students enrolled at the university, including around 3,000 foreign students. Research and teaching at ULP concentrates on the natural...
in Strasbourg, France. Fluckite's mineral crystallography is triclinic meaning it has three axis of different length and three different interior angles that do not equal 90°. Because Fluckite possesses three axes with different angles and lengths it is an anisotropic mineral. This means that it has more than one optic axis. This mineral is a member of the P space group meaning that it can be rotated 360° degrees and inverted to obtain the original figure. Optically, this mineral has positive biaxial birefringence which can be shown obtaining an interference figure that is blue in the Northeast and Southwest corners of the figure while looking down the c- axis. Fluckite possesses moderate optical relief
Optical relief
Optical relief is a concept in optical mineralogy which refers to the degree in which mineral grains stand out from the mounting medium, usually either oil with a known refractive index or Canada Balsam...
which is the degree to which the mineral stands out from the mounting medium. The mineral was found in the Gabe-Gottes Mine in France at 100m. This mineral occurs in "A post-mine low-temperature reaction product of carbonate gangue with arsenical solutions derived from arsenic” The mineral contains arsenic
Arsenic
Arsenic is a chemical element with the symbol As, atomic number 33 and relative atomic mass 74.92. Arsenic occurs in many minerals, usually in conjunction with sulfur and metals, and also as a pure elemental crystal. It was first documented by Albertus Magnus in 1250.Arsenic is a metalloid...
in the form of arsenate HAsO4 As(V). Arsenic has a myriad of uses "metallurgy, wood preservation, painting, medicine, pest control, and as an additive to chicken feed, where it increases growth," as well as being a strong and common poison. This form of arsenate is often found in groundwater from deep wells and is a toxic substance.