Mineralogy Database

Birnessite Mineral Data

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General Birnessite Information

Help on Chemical  Formula: Chemical Formula: (Na,Ca,K)x(Mn++++,Mn+++)2O4•1.5(H2O)
Help on Composition: Composition: Molecular Weight = 215.71 gm
   Potassium   1.81 %  K     2.18 % K2O
   Sodium      3.20 %  Na    4.31 % Na2O
   Calcium     1.86 %  Ca    2.60 % CaO
   Manganese  50.94 %  Mn   36.59 % Mn2O3 / 40.30 % MnO2
   Hydrogen    1.40 %  H    12.53 % H2O
   Oxygen     40.79 %  O
             ______        ______ 
             100.00 %       98.52 % = TOTAL OXIDE
Help on Empirical Formula: Empirical Formula: Na0.3Ca0.1K0.1Mn4+Mn3+O4•1.5(H2O)
Help on Environment: Environment: Found as grains cementing gravel in a road cut 30 km N of Aberdeen. Major component of desert varnish. Deep sea Mn nodules.
Help on IMA Status: IMA Status: Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1956
Help on Locality: Locality: Birness, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Link to MinDat.org Location Data.
Help on Name Origin: Name Origin: Named after the locality.
Help on Name Pronunciation: Name Pronunciation: Birnessite + Pronunciation Say BIRNESSITE
Help on Synonym: Synonym: ICSD 68916
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