Archerite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Archerite
Michael Archer
Formula:
(K,NH4)(H2PO4)
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
2.23 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in 1977 by Peter Bridge for Michael Archer (25 March 1945, Sydney, Australia - ), professor of Biology, University of New South Wales, Australia. While a curator for the Queensland Museum, Archer discovered Petrogale cave and collected samples that would contain the new mineral.
Isostructural with:
This page provides mineralogical data about Archerite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
315
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:315:5
IMA Classification of Archerite
Approved
IMA Formula:
H2KPO4
Approval year:
1975
First published:
1977
Classification of Archerite
8.AD.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
Dana 7th ed.:
37.1.4.2
37.1.4.2
37 : ANHYDROUS ACID PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : Miscellaneous
37 : ANHYDROUS ACID PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : Miscellaneous
19.1.7
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aht | 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 Archerite
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.23 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Ranges to 2.34
Optical Data of Archerite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.511 - 1.513 nε = 1.468 - 1.470
Birefringence:
0.041
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.043
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
Optical Extinction:
parallel
Chemistry of Archerite
Mindat Formula:
(K,NH4)(H2PO4)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Archerite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
42m - Scalenohedral
Space Group:
I42d
Setting:
I42d
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.451 Å, c = 6.974 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.936
Unit Cell V:
387.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic crystals with pyramids.
Comment:
Ranges a 7.453, b 6.972
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009154 | Archerite | Frazer B C, Pepinsky R (1953) X-ray analysis of the ferroelectric transition in KH2PO4 Acta Crystallographica 6 273-285 |  | 1953 | synthetic | 0 | 126 |
| 0009155 | Archerite | Frazer B C, Pepinsky R (1953) X-ray analysis of the ferroelectric transition in KH2PO4 Acta Crystallographica 6 273-285 | | 1953 | synthetic, low-temperature form | 0 | 116 |
| 0019080 | Archerite | Ono Y, Yamada N, Hikita T (1991) Structure refinements of the mixed crystal K0.78(NH4)0.22H2PO4 in the temperature range from 20 K to 250K Journal of the Physical Society of Japan 60 2673-2677 | 1991 | synthetic | 0 | 20 | |
| 0013167 | Archerite | Nelmes R J, Meyer G M, Tibballs J E (1982) The crystal structure of tetragonal KH2PO4 and KD2PO4 as a function of temperature Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics 15 59-75 | 1982 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0013166 | Archerite | Nelmes R J, Meyer G M, Tibballs J E (1982) The crystal structure of tetragonal KH2PO4 and KD2PO4 as a function of temperature Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics 15 59-75 | 1982 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0013165 | Archerite | Nelmes R J, Meyer G M, Tibballs J E (1982) The crystal structure of tetragonal KH2PO4 and KD2PO4 as a function of temperature Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics 15 59-75 | 1982 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0013164 | Archerite | Nelmes R J, Meyer G M, Tibballs J E (1982) The crystal structure of tetragonal KH2PO4 and KD2PO4 as a function of temperature Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics 15 59-75 | 1982 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017377 | Archerite | West J (1930) A quantitative X-ray analysis of the structure of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) _cod_database_code 1010458 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 74 306-335 |  | 1930 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0015150 | Archerite | Levy H A, Peterson S W, Simonsen S H (1954) Neutron diffraction study of the ferroelectric modification of potassium dihydrogen phosphate Physical Review 93 1120-1121 | 1954 | 0 | 113 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.09 Å | (10) |
| 3.72 Å | (100) |
| 3.01 Å | (10) |
| 2.91 Å | (80) |
| 2.64 Å | (20) |
| 2.34 Å | (10) |
| 1.982 Å | (10) |
| 1.953 Å | (50) |
Comments:
ICDD 35-807, also 20-203
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 |
Geological Setting:
Guano deposits
Type Occurrence of Archerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Stalactites and wall and floor crusts. Crystals up to 2 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Government Chemical Laboratories, Perth, Australia, MDC 5901.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Guano deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Archerite
Other Language Names for Archerite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Archerite associated with Biphosphammite | NH4(H2PO4) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AD. | 'Unnamed (Monoclinic polymorph of ximengite)' | Bi(PO4) |
| 8.AD. | Keplerite | Ca9(Ca0.5◻0.5)Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AD. | Mazorite | Ba3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AD. | Deynekoite | Ca9◻Fe3+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AD. | Monazite-(Gd) | Gd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.05 | Nahpoite | Na2(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.10 | Weilite | Ca(HAsO4) |
| 8.AD.10 | Švenekite | Ca(H2AsO4)2 |
| 8.AD.10 | Monetite | Ca(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.15 | Biphosphammite | NH4(H2PO4) |
| 8.AD.20 | Phosphammite | (NH4)2(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.25 | Buchwaldite | NaCa(PO4) |
| 8.AD.30 | Schulténite | Pb(HAsO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Dreyerite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(La) | La(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Anningite-(Ce) | (Ca0.5Ce4+0.5)(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Pretulite | Sc(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Ce) | Ce(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Y) | Y(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Yb) | Yb(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | 'Chernovite-(Ce)' | (Ce,Y)(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Gd) | Gd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Chernovite-(Y) | Y(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Y) | Y(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Nd) | Nd(VO4) |
| 8.AD.40 | Pucherite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.45 | Ximengite | Bi(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | 'UM2005-35-VO:CaFePSiTh' | (Th,Ca)(VO4,SiO4,PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Rooseveltite | Bi(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Gasparite-(Ce) | Ce(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Sm) | Sm(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(La) | La(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Gasparite-(La) | La(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Cheralite | CaTh(PO4)2 |
| 8.AD.55 | Tetrarooseveltite | Bi(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.60 | Chursinite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+2[AsO4]2 |
| 8.AD.65 | Clinobisvanite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.70 | Gurimite | Ba3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AD.75 | Picaite | NaCa[AsO3OH][AsO2(OH)2] |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 28.7307% | 8,907 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in cold 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 Archerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-315.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Archerite
Reference List:
Bridge, P. J. (1977) Archerite, (K,NH4)H2PO4, a new mineral from Madura, Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 41 (317) 33-35 doi:10.1180/minmag.1977.041.317.05
Fleischer, Michael, Pabst, Adolf, Mandarino, J. A., Chao, George Y. (1977) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 62 (9-10) 1057-1061
Localities for Archerite
Showing 8 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 | |
| R Bottrill collection |
| Mineralogical Magazine 39 (1973) | |
| Bridge (1977) |
Bahamas | |
| Onac B.P. et al. (2009) |
Egypt | |
| Mahmoud et al. (2022) |
Namibia | |
| Martini (1994) +1 other reference |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Saudi Geological Survey Open-File ... +1 other reference |
United Arab Emirates | |
| Audra et al. (2017) |
Quick NavTopAbout ArcheriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Petrogale Cave, Madura Roadhouse, Dundas Shire, Western Australia, Australia