Terranovaite from Antarctica: a new 'pentasil' zeolite

• Published in: American Mineralogist
• Main Authors: GALLI E., QUARTIERI S., VEZZALINI G., ALBERTI, Alberto, FRANZINI M.
• Other Authors: Galli, E., Quartieri, S., Vezzalini, G., Alberti, Alberto, Franzini, M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1997
• Subjects: Antarctic; Victoria Land; Adamson; Antarc*; Antarctica; Terranova
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11392/1204277; https://doi.org/10.2138/am-1997-3-420; https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/msa/ammin/article-abstract/82/3-4/423/43296/Terranovaite-from-Antarctica-a-new-pentasil

A new high-silica zeolite, terranovaite, was recently found in cavities of Ferrar dolerites at Mt. Adamson (Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica). The mineral [(Na4.2K0.2Mg0.2Ca3.7) Σ8.3(Al12.3Si67.7) Σ80.0O160 · 29 H2O] occurs as globular masses that flake off in transparent lamellae; it has a vitreous luster, white streak, {010} perfect cleavage, and {001} distinct parting. The observed density is 2.13 ± 0.02 g/cm3. Optically, it is biaxial positive, with 2V = 65°, α = 1.476, β = 1.478, γ = 1.483 (all ± 0.002). The orientation is X = c, Y = a, and Z = b. Terranovaite is orthorhombic with a = 9.747(1), b = 23.880(2), c = 20.068(2) Ȧ and topological symmetry Cmcm. The strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are (d (Ȧ), I, hkl): 11.94,40,020; 10.16,65,021,002; 9.04,33,110; 3.79,100,025,240; 3.61,40,153. Terranovaite topology, hitherto unknown in either natural or synthetic zeolites, is characterized by the presence of pentasil chains and of a two-dimensional ten-membered ring channel system. The mineral was named terranovaite after the Italian Antarctic Station at Terranova Bay, Antarctica.