Earlandite | |
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General | |
Category | Organic minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) |
[Ca3(C6H5O7)2(H2O)2]·2H2O |
Strunz classification | 10.AC.15 |
Crystal system |
Triclinic Unknown space group |
Unit cell | a = 5.9466(4), b = 10.2247(8) c = 16.6496(13) [Å]; Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Color | White, pale yellow |
Crystal habit | Nodular |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent |
Specific gravity | 1.80–1.95 (measured), 2.00 (calculated) |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.515 nβ = 1.530 nγ = 1.580 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.065 |
2V angle | 60° |
Solubility | Insoluble |
References |
Earlandite, [Ca3(C6H5O7)2(H2O)2]·2H2O, is the mineral form of calcium citrate tetrahydrate. It was first reported in 1936 and named after the English microscopist Arthur Earland FRSE. Earlandite occurs as warty fine-grained nodules ca. 1 mm in size in bottom sediments of the Weddell Sea, off Antarctica. Its crystal symmetry was first assigned as orthorhombic, then as monoclinic, and finally as triclinic.