Kalinite

(repeating unit)KAl(SO4)2·11H2OIMA symbolKli[1]Strunz classification7.CC.15Dana classification29.5.4.2Crystal systemMonoclinicCrystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupC2/cUnit cella = 19.92(16), b = 9.27(3)
c = 8.304(13) Å
β = 98.79(19)°; Z = 4IdentificationFormula mass456.37 g/molColorWhite to pale blueCrystal habitFibrousFractureConchoidalMohs scale hardness2 to 2.5LusterVitreousStreakWhiteDiaphaneityTransparentSpecific gravity1.75 (observed) 2.0 (calculated)Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)Refractive indexnα = 1.429 to 1.430, nβ = 1.452, nγ = 1.456 to 1.458BirefringenceNone2V angle52° (measured), 82° (calculated)SolubilitySoluble in waterOther characteristicsNot fluorescent, barely detectable radioactivityReferences[2][3][4][5]

Kalinite is a mineral composed of hydrated potassium aluminium sulfate (a type of alum). It is a fibrous monoclinic alum, distinct from isometric potassium alum,[6] named in 1868. Its name comes from kalium (derived from Arabic: القَلْيَه al-qalyah "plant ashes", which is the Latin name for potassium, hence its chemical symbol, "K".

A proposal to remove recognition of kalinite as a mineral species was submitted to the International Mineralogical Association;[5] however, kalinite is still on the list of approved minerals.[7] Many older samples, however, have been found to be potassium alum.[3]

Environment

Kalinite is a rare secondary mineral observed in the oxidized zone of mineral deposits, as efflorescence on alum slates, in caves, and as a volcanic sublimate.[8] It is associated with jarosite, KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6, and cuprian melanterite (pisanite), (Fe2+,Cu2+)SO4·7H2O, at Quetena, Chile.[9]

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. ^ Gaines et al (1997) Dana’s New Mineralogy, Wiley
  3. ^ a b Kalinite data in the Handbook of Mineralogy
  4. ^ Kalinite on Webmin
  5. ^ a b Kalinite on Mindat
  6. ^ American Mineralogist (1923) 8:15
  7. ^ "IMA Mineral List with Database of Mineral Properties".
  8. ^ American Mineralogist (1927) 12:14
  9. ^ American Mineralogist (1938) 23:721