Struvite
(NH4)Mg(PO4)·6H2OIMA symbol: Suvgrandfathered
Struvite is a phosphate, arsenate, or vanadate mineral with the formula (NH4)Mg(PO4)·6H2O, crystallizing in the orthorhombic system. It has a Mohs hardness of 2, typically white, brown or yellow in color, with a vitreous luster, a specific gravity of 1.65-1.7. Its streak is white.
Photos
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Crystallography
| Crystal system | orthorhombic crystal systemWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Space group | P m n 21 |
| Cell (Å, °) | a = 6.955, b = 6.142, c = 11.218; α = 90, β = 90, γ = 90 |
| Cell volume | 479.206 ų, Z = 2 |
| Axial ratios | 1.1324:1:1.8264calculated from COD 9007674 |
| Source structure | COD 9007674 (Acta Crystallographica, Section B, 1986) — 1 of 3 structures |
Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)
| d (Å) | 4.259 | 5.609 | 2.922 | 2.694 | 2.663 | 5.911 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I/I₀ | 100 | 56.5 | 55.5 | 49.6 | 44.3 | 35 |
xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 9007674; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.
Physical properties
| Density (calculated) | 1.701 g/cm³calculated from COD 9007674 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 2single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Specific gravity | 1.65-1.7 g/cm3corroboratedDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Color | brown, white, yellowsingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Streak | whitesingle sourceWikidata (CC0) |
| Luster | vitreoussingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
Chemistry (calculated)
| Molecular weight | 245.41 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula |
|---|---|
| Composition (wt%) | N 5.71%, H 6.57%, Mg 9.9%, P 12.62%, O 65.2% |
Classification
| Nickel-Strunz (10th) | 8.CH.40Wikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Nickel-Strunz (9th) | 8.CH.40Wikidata (CC0) |