Oxammite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Oxammite
Formula:
(NH4)2(C2O4) · H2O
Colour:
Colourless to pale yellow; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
1.5
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing both OXalate and AMMonium ions.
Type Locality:
An organic mineral derived from guano; in sub-fossil bird eggs and on sub-fossil birds.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3050
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3050:8
IMA Classification of Oxammite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(N3-H4)2(C2)6+O4(H2O)
First published:
1870
Type description reference:
Classification of Oxammite
10.AB.55
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
B : Oxalates
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
B : Oxalates
50.1.5.
50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1 : Oxalates
50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1 : Oxalates
31.1.1
31 : Oxalates, Citrates, Mellitates and Acetates
1 : Oxalates
31 : Oxalates, Citrates, Mellitates and Acetates
1 : Oxalates
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Oxa | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Oxammite
Transparency:
Transparent, Opaque
Colour:
Colourless to pale yellow; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {001}, distinct. Frondel (1950) describes the cleavage as perfect.
On {001}, distinct. Frondel (1950) describes the cleavage as perfect.
Density:
1.5 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.541 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Oxammite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.438 nβ = 1.547 nγ = 1.595
2V:
Measured: 62° , Calculated: 62°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.157
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
dispersion not observed
Comments:
X = c, Y = a, Z = b.
The optics of synthetic material are covered in Winchell (1951)
The optics of synthetic material are covered in Winchell (1951)
Chemistry of Oxammite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2(C2O4) · H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Oxammite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
222 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
P21212
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.035 Å, b = 10.32 Å, c = 3.801 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.779 : 1 : 0.368
Unit Cell V:
315.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals rare; commonly occurs as lamellar or powdery masses. Artificial crystals are spenoidal in form.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009463 | Oxammite | Taylor J C, Sabine T M (1972) Isotope and bonding effects in ammonium oxalate monohydrate, determined by the combined use of neutron and X-ray diffraction analyses Acta Crystallographica B28 3340-3351 |  | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009462 | Oxammite | Taylor J C, Sabine T M (1972) Isotope and bonding effects in ammonium oxalate monohydrate, determined by the combined use of neutron and X-ray diffraction analyses Acta Crystallographica B28 3340-3351 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009461 | Oxammite | Taylor J C, Sabine T M (1972) Isotope and bonding effects in ammonium oxalate monohydrate, determined by the combined use of neutron and X-ray diffraction analyses Acta Crystallographica B28 3340-3351 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009460 | Oxammite | Taylor J C, Sabine T M (1972) Isotope and bonding effects in ammonium oxalate monohydrate, determined by the combined use of neutron and X-ray diffraction analyses Acta Crystallographica B28 3340-3351 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009459 | Oxammite | Taylor J C, Sabine T M (1972) Isotope and bonding effects in ammonium oxalate monohydrate, determined by the combined use of neutron and X-ray diffraction analyses Acta Crystallographica B28 3340-3351 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009458 | Oxammite | Taylor J C, Sabine T M (1972) Isotope and bonding effects in ammonium oxalate monohydrate, determined by the combined use of neutron and X-ray diffraction analyses Acta Crystallographica B28 3340-3351 | | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0018010 | Oxammite | Hendriks S, Jefferson M (1936) Electron distribution in (N H4)2 (C2 O4) . (H2 O) and the structure of the oxalate group _cod_database_code 1011115 Journal of Chemical Physics 4 102-107 | 1936 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.37 Å | (100) |
| 2.88 Å | (80) |
| 2.68 Å | (80) |
| 2.60 Å | (80) |
| 3.83 Å | (70) |
| 3.08 Å | (70) |
| 3.28 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Geological Setting:
Bird and bat guano deposits
Type Occurrence of Oxammite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Very delicate but perfect crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Bird guano deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Oxammite
Other Language Names for Oxammite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.AB. | Deveroite-(Ce) | Ce2(C2O4)3 · 10H2O |
| 10.AB. | Edwindavisite | Cu(C2O4)(NH3) |
| 10.AB.X | Falottaite | MnC2O4 · 3H2O |
| 10.AB. | Uroxite | [(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2] · H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Katsarosite | Zn(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Andreybulakhite | Ni(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Humboldtine | Fe2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Lindbergite | Mn2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.10 | Glushinskite | Mg(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.15 | Moolooite | Cu(C2O4) · nH2O |
| 10.AB.20 | Stepanovite | NaMgFe3+(C2O4)3 · 8-9H2O |
| 10.AB.25 | Minguzzite | K3Fe3+(C2O4)3 · 3H2O |
| 10.AB.30 | Wheatleyite | Na2Cu(C2O4)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.35 | Zhemchuzhnikovite | NaMgAl(C2O4)3 · 8H2O |
| 10.AB.40 | Weddellite | Ca(C2O4) · (2.5-x)H2O |
| 10.AB.45 | Whewellite | Ca(C2O4) · H2O |
| 10.AB.47 | Fiemmeite | Cu2(C2O4)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.50 | Caoxite | Ca(C2O4) · 3H2O |
| 10.AB.50 | Middlebackite | Cu2C2O4(OH)2 |
| 10.AB.52 | Metauroxite | (UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2 |
| 10.AB.60 | Natroxalate | Na2(C2O4) |
| 10.AB.60 | Phoxite | (NH4)2Mg2(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)4 |
| 10.AB.60 | Carboferriphoxite | [(NH4)K(H2CO3)][Fe3+(HPO4)(H2PO4)(C2O4)] |
| 10.AB.60 | Ferriphoxite | [(NH4)2K(H2O)][Fe3+(HPO4)2(C2O4)] |
| 10.AB.65 | Coskrenite-(Ce) | Ce2(SO4)2(C2O4) · 8H2O |
| 10.AB.70 | Levinsonite-(Y) | (Y,Nd,La)Al(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 10.AB.75 | Zugshunstite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,La)Al(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 10.AB.80 | Novgorodovaite | Ca2(C2O4)Cl2 · 2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Oxammite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3050.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Oxammite
Reference List:
Frondel, Clifford (1950) Notes and news: Notes on arcanite, ammonian aphthitalite and oxammite. American Mineralogist, 35 (7-8) 596-598
Winchell, Horace, Benoit, Richard J. (1951) Taylorite, mascagnite, aphthitalite, lecontite, and oxammite from guano. American Mineralogist, 36 (7-8) 590-602
Taylor, J. C., Sabine, T. M. (1972) Isotope and bonding effects in ammonium oxalate monohydrate, determined by the combined use of neutron and X-ray diffraction analyses. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 28 (11) 3340-3351 doi:10.1107/s0567740872007927
Frost, Ray L., Weier, Matt L. (2003) Raman spectroscopy of natural oxalates at 298 and 77 K. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 34 (10). 776-785 doi:10.1002/jrs.1052
Frost, R.L (2004) Raman spectroscopy of natural oxalates. Analytica Chimica Acta, 517 (1). 207-214 doi:10.1016/j.aca.2004.04.036
Frost, R. L., Weier, Matt L. (2004) The 'cave' mineral oxammite – a high resolution thermogravimetry and Raman spectroscopic study. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Monatshefte, 2004 (1) 27-48 doi:10.1127/0028-3649/2004/2004-0027
Echigo, T., Kimata, M. (2010) Crystal Chemistry and Genesis of Organic Minerals: a Review of Oxalate and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist, 48 (6) 1329-1357 doi:10.3749/canmin.48.5.1329
Localities for Oxammite
Showing 4 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Bridge (1977) |
Czech Republic | |
| Varilová et al. (2011) |
Peru (TL) | |
| Winchell et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Benavente +2 other references |
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Petrogale Cave, Madura Roadhouse, Dundas Shire, Western Australia, Australia