Aphthitalite
About Aphthitalite
As shown by experiments of Africano et al. (2002), it may deposit from volcanic gas in high fO2 conditions during cooling from ca. 800 down to 400oC, together with thénardite.
Glaserite is a common synonym.
The K analogue of Natroaphthitalite.
Structurally related to bubnovaite. Both structurally and chemically related to belomarinaite.
Unique Identifiers
IMA Classification of Aphthitalite
Classification of Aphthitalite
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
2 : A2XO4
25 : Sulphates
1 : Sulphates of the alkali metals and ammonium
Mineral Symbols
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Att | 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 Aphthitalite
On {1010} fair; on {0001} poor.
Optical Data of Aphthitalite
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
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.
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Aphthitalite
Originally given as (K,Na)3Na(SO4)2.
Crystallography of Aphthitalite
Crystallographic forms of Aphthitalite
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| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009708 | Aphthitalite | Okada K, Ossaka J (1980) Structures of potassium sodium sulphate and tripotassium sodium disulphate Acta Crystallographica B36 919-921 | ![]() | 1980 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017926 | Aphthitalite | Gossner B (1928) Ueber die Kristallstruktur von Glaserit und Kaliumsulfat. _cod_database_code 1011019 Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Geologie und Palaeontologie. Beilage 57 89-116 | 1928 | 0 | 293 |
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.839 Å | (100) |
| 2.940 Å | (75) |
| 2.042 Å | (45) |
| 4.09 Å | (30) |
| 3.67 Å | (20) |
| 2.443 Å | (16) |
| 2.330 Å | (14) |
Geological Environment
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Aphthitalite
Synonyms of Aphthitalite
Other Language Names for Aphthitalite
Aphthalose
Aftitalit
Aphtalith
Aphthitalith
Aphtitalith
Arcanit (of Haidinger)
Glaserit
Schwefelkalisalz
Varieties of Aphthitalite
| Ammonium-Aphthitalite | An ammonium-bearing variety of Aphthitalite. Occurs as fibrous crusts. Originally reported from Guañape Island, La Libertad Department, Peru. |
| Copper- and Manganese-bearing Aphthitalite | A Cu- and Mn-rich variety. |
Relationship of Aphthitalite to other Species
Common Associates
| 7 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Halite | NaCl |
| 2 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Calciojohillerite | NaCaMg3(AsO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 2 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 2 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Badalovite | Na2Mg2Fe(AsO4)3 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Allantoin | C4H6N4O3 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Paralammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Kozyrevskite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AC. | Aluminopyracmonite | (NH4)3Al(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC. | Amgaite | Tl+32Te6+O6 |
| 7.AC.05 | Vanthoffite | Na6Mg(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.08 | Pyracmonite | (NH4)3Fe(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Langbeinite | K2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Efremovite | (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Ferroefremovite | (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Manganolangbeinite | K2Mn2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.15 | Yavapaiite | KFe3+(S6+O4)2 |
| 7.AC.15 | Eldfellite | NaFe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Sabieite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Godovikovite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Steklite | KAl(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Belomarinaite | KNa(SO4) |
| 7.AC.35 | Natroaphthitalite | KNa3(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Möhnite | (NH4)K2Na(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.40 | Itelmenite | Na4Mg3Cu3(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.45 | Saranchinaite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.50 | Majzlanite | K2Na(ZnNa)Ca(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.60 | Philoxenite | (K,Na,Pb)4(Na,Ca)2(Mg,Cu)3(Fe3+0.5Al0.5)(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.75 | Petrovite | Na12Cu2(SO4)8 |
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) | 35.2862% | 10,939 | 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.
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
Internet Links for Aphthitalite
Please feel free to link to this page.
References for Aphthitalite
Localities for Aphthitalite
Showing 117 localities.
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 | |
| Caves: processes +1 other reference |
| Bridge (1977) |
| Bridge (1973) |
Austria | |
| Spötl (1989) +1 other reference |
Bolivia | |
| Bentz (2017) |
| Bentz (2017) |
Canada | |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2013) |
Chile | |
| SEM-EDS by Joy Desor |
| SEM-EDS |
China | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Zhenmi Liu (2000) |
| Yuanyi Zhao et al. (2004) |
| Qian Wu et al. (2013) |
| Xifang Liu and Mianping Zheng (2010) | |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference | |
| Shaoxiu (1991) | |
| Yuanyi Zhao (2003) |
| Shaoxiu (1991) +1 other reference |
| Shaoxiu (1991) | |
| Shaoxiu (1991) +1 other reference |
DR Congo | |
| Bailey (1980) |
El Salvador | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) |
France | |
| Naze-Nancy Masalehdani et al. (2009) |
| Vlastélic et al. (2013) |
Germany | |
| Krah et al. (1988) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Bode "Mineralien und Fundstellen BRD" ... |
| Frenzel (1964) |
| Naumann +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| W.I. Borrisenkow (1968) |
Iceland | |
| Balić-Žunić et al. (2016) |
| Balić-Žunić et al. (2024) | |
| Mitolo et al. (2008) |
| Jakobsson et al. (1992) |
| JAKOBSSON et al. (1986) +1 other reference | |
Indonesia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Symonds (1993) |
Iran | |
| Lavinsky (n.d.) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Philip Simmons (http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-237193.html) |
Italy | |
| |
| Smithson (1813) +3 other references |
| Russo et al. (2017) |
| Pelloux (1927) +3 other references | |
| Pellino et al. (2025) | |
| Cavarretta et al. (1981) +1 other reference |
| Barresi G. (1857) +6 other references |
| Sergio Russo Collection |
| Brescia et al. (2025) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Dill (1979) |
| De Vecchi et al. (pp. 417-443) |
Japan | |
| Oana (1962) +1 other reference |
| Amir Akhavan Collection |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov et al. (1993) |
| Tony Nikischer specimen | |
Kenya | |
| Bowell et al. (1996) |
Mexico | |
| Taran et al. (2000) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Namibia | |
| Martini et al. (1999) |
Nicaragua | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) |
Niger | |
| Saidou et al. (2015) |
| Saidou et al. (2015) |
| Saidou et al. (2015) | |
| Saidou et al. (2015) | |
North Macedonia | |
| Đorđević et al. (2024) |
Norway | |
| Hansteen et al. (1994) |
Peru | |
| Tyc et al. (2022) |
| [var: Ammonium-Aphthitalite] Palache et al. (1951) |
Russia | |
| Golovin et al. (2023) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| found in volcanic fumaroles of the ... | |
| Pekov et al. (2014) +6 other references |
| Zelenski et al. (2012) | |
| Sharygin et al. (2018) |
| Shablinskii et al. (2022) | |
| www.kscnet.ru (2019) |
| Naumov et al. (2008) |
| kimberlites of Udachnaya-East pipe (Siberia) +4 other references |
| Golovin (2025) | |
| Litasov et al. (2017) |
| Sharygin et al. (2021) |
| Ganino et al. (2019) |
| Vergasova et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Saudi Geological Survey Open-File ... +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2014) |
| Giuliani et al. (2012) +2 other references |
Spain | |
| Vizcayno et al. (1995) |
| Pérez-López et al. (2025) |
| Benavente +2 other references |
| Benavente et al. (2018, September) |
Sweden | |
| Kresten (1990) |
Tanzania | |
| Mitchell (2006) |
Uganda | |
| Kasedde et al. (2014) |
UK | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1959 32 : ... |
Ukraine | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
United Arab Emirates | |
| Audra et al. (2017) |
USA | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Kampf et al. (2019) |
| Kampf et al. (2025) | |
| Jones (1961) +4 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) +3 other references |
| Foshag (1920c) +2 other references | |
| Washington et al. (1921) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Hon et al. (2009) | |
| Albemarle Corporation |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Philip Simmons (http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-237193.html) +6 other references |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Philip (2013) |





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The
Ilchagh Salt mine, Dandy to Mahneshan road, Zanjan Province, Iran