Tinnunculite
| Tinnunculite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Organic mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | C5H4N4O3 · 2H2O |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | 2/m - Prismatic |
| Space group | ' |
| Identification | |
| Color | White |
| Tenacity | Earthy (Dull) |
| References | [1] |
Tinnunculite is a naturally-occurring form of dihydrate of uric acid. It should not be confused with a proposed mineral species with the identical name 'Tinnunculite', that forms when droppings from a European kestrel react with the burning dumps of coal mines and quarries. This Tinnunculite (Chesnokov & Shcherbakova) was rejected by the IMA on the basis of being of anthropogenic origin. The name tinnunculite is derived from the kestrel's binomial name, "Falco tinnunculus", which is itself derived from the Latin word tinnunculus, meaning "kestrel", from tinnulus, meaning "shrill".[2]
The mineral is a dihydrate of uricite to which it is visually very similar. Tinnunculite is chemically similar to other organic minerals: guanine, uricite; also acetamide, kladnoite.[1] A mineral of the same name but different formula (C10H12N8O8) was rejected by the IMA/CNMNC.[3]
Localities
Russia: Mount Rasvumchorr, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast, Northern Region.
References
- 1 2 Mindat.org - Tinnunculite
- ↑ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 266, 386. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ↑ "Tinnunculite (of Chesnokov & Shcherbakova)". Mindat.org. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
See also