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Thorianite

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Thorianite
Group of interpenetrating twinned thorianite crystals from Ambatofotsy, Madagascar (size: 1.6 x 1.4 x 1.3 cm)
General
CategoryOxide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)		Thorium oxide, ThO2
IMA symbolTho
Strunz classification4.DL.05
Crystal systemIsometric
Crystal classHexoctahedral (m3m)
H-M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m)
Space groupFm3m
Unit cella = 5.595 Å; Z = 4
Identification
ColorDark gray, brown-black
Crystal habitCubic crystals, usually rounded to some degree in detrital deposits
TwinningPenetration twins on {111} common
CleavagePoor/Indistinct
FractureIrregular to uneven, sub-conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness6.5 – 7
LusterResinous, sub-metallic
StreakGrey, grey green to black
DiaphaneityOpaque, translucent on thin edges
Specific gravity9.7
Optical propertiesIsotropic
Refractive indexn = 2.20 – 2.35
Other characteristics Radioactive
References

Thorianite is a rare thorium oxide mineral, ThO2. It was originally described by Ananda Coomaraswamy in 1904 as uraninite, but recognized as a new species by Wyndham R. Dunstan. It was so named by Dunstan on account of its high percentage of thorium; it also contains the oxides of uranium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium. Helium is present, and the mineral is slightly less radioactive than pitchblende, but is harder to shield due to its high energy gamma rays. It is common in the alluvial gem-gravels of Sri Lanka, where it occurs mostly as water worn, small, heavy, black, cubic crystals. The largest crystals are usually near 1.5 cm. Larger crystals, up to 6 cm (2.4 in), have been reported from Madagascar.

Chemistry

Based on color, specific gravity and composition three types of thorianite are distinguished:

  • α-thorianite
  • β-thorianite
  • γ-thorianite

Thorianite and uraninite form a complete solid solution series in synthetic and natural material. The division between the two species is at Th:U = 1:1 with U possibly making up to 46.50% and Th ranging up to 87.88%. Rare earths, chiefly Ce, substitute for Th in amounts up to 8% by weight. Ce is probably present as Ce. Complete series is known in synthetic material between CeO2 - PrO2 - ThO2 - UO2. Small amounts of Fe and Zr also may be isomorphous with Th. Pb present is probably radiogenic.

Varieties

  • Aldanite – a variety of thorianite containing 14.9% to 29.0% UO2 and 11.2% to 12.5% PbO.
  • Uranothorianite
  • Thorianite Cerian
  • Thorianite La bearing

Occurrence

Usually found in alluvial deposits, beach sands, heavy mineral placers, and pegmatites.

See also

References

  1. 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.
  2. "Handbook of Mineralogy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  3. Mindat.org
  4. Webmineral data
  5. Frondel, C. (1958). Systematic Mineralogy of Uranium and Thorium. United States Government Printing Office.
  6. Coomaraswamy, A.K. (1904). "Uraninite". Spolia Zeylanica. Pt. 6 (2): 57.
  7. Dunstan, Wyndham R. (1904-03-31). "The occurrence of Thorium in Ceylon". Nature. 69 (1796): 510–511. Bibcode:1904Natur..69..510D. doi:10.1038/069510d0. S2CID 4032255.
  8.  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Thorianite". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 26 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 878.
  9. Kobayashi, M. (1912). "On the composition of thorianite". Tohoku Imp. Univ. Sci. Repts. 1 (Ist Ser): 201–206.
  10. ^ Palache, C.; H. Berman; C. Frondel (1944). Dana's System of Mineralogy, Volume 1. John Wiley and Sons, New York. pp. 620–622.
  11. Heinrich, E. W. (1958). Mineralogy and Geology of Radioactive Raw Materials. McGraw-Hill.
  12. Graham, A. R. (1955). "CERIANITE CeO2: A NEW RARE-EARTH OXIDE MINERAL". Am. Mineral. 40.
  13. Bespalov, M.M. (1941). "On discovery of a new mineral of the thorianite group ". Sovietskaya Geologiya. II (6): 105–107.
  14. "Uranothorianite mineral information and data". Retrieved 2007-06-28.
  15. ^ "Minerals with crystal structure determined". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  16. "ICSD for WWW : Details (Thorianite Cerian)". Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  17. Viswanathan, P. (1953). "Thorianite in Travancore". Mineral. Mag. 88: 282.
  18. Lacroix, A. (1923). Minéralogie de Madagascar. Augustin Challamel, éditeur, Librairie maritime et coloniale.
  19. George, D'Arcy (1949). "Mineralogy of Uranium and Thorium Bearing Minerals". USAEC Technical Information Service, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. RMO-563: 198.
  20. White, M. G. (1952). Radioactivity of Selected Rocks and Placer Concentrates from Northeastern Alaska. GS-C-195, Geological Survey.
  21. White, M. G.; J. M. Stevens (1953). "Reconnaissance For Radioactive Deposits In The Ruby-Poorman District, Ruby Quadrangle, Central Alaska,1949" (PDF). USGS Report. TEI-192, Geological Survey: 62. Bibcode:1953usgs.rept...62W. doi:10.3133/tei192.
  22. Lang, A. H.; J. W. Griffith; H. R. Steacy (1962). Canadian Deposits of Uranium and Thorium. Geological Survey of Canada.
  23. Robinson, S. C.; A. P. Sabina (1955). "Uraninite And Thorianite From Ontario And Quebec". Am. Mineral. 40.
  24. Hiemstra, S. A. (1955). "Baddeleyite from Phalaborwa, Eastern Transvaal". American Mineralogist. 40: 275–282.
  25. Ledoux, A. "Les roches cristallines du Kasai". Soc. Geol. Belgique Annales. 40: C177.

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