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Karlditmarite (IMA 2021-003), Cu9O4(PO4)2(SO4)2, is a new mineral species from an active Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka peninsula. Karlditmarite occurs as green prismatic crystals. The mineral is biaxial (−), with α = 1.872(2), β = 1.835(3), and γ = 1.810(3) (589 nm). Under the microscope, karlditmarite is green with weak pleochroism. Electron microprobe analysis provided the empirical formula (Cu8.614Zn0.175Al0.053Ca0.019Fe0.157)(P1.574S1.814As0.444V0.109Si0.059)O20. Karlditmarite is triclinic, P−1: a = 6.1256(7) Å, b = 7.9192(8) Å, c = 7.9866(8) Å, α = 75.173(2)°, β = 86.639(2)°, γ = 88.660(2)°, V = 373.87(7). The crystal structure (R1 = 0.039) is unique. The [Cu9O4]10+∞2 layer in karlditmarite can be described as composed of six-membered rings, in which two of the six OCu4 tetrahedra share a common edge. The interlayer space between the bends of the highly corrugated [Cu9O4]10+∞2 layers hosts phosphate tetrahedra, whereas sulfate tetrahedra are placed above the centers of the rings. Karlditmarite is the first anhydrous Cu phosphate-sulfate mineral among more than one hundred copper oxysalt mineral species known from the active fumaroles.Phosphorus geochemistry in fumarolic environments is discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages24
JournalAmerican Mineralogist
DOIs
StateE-pub ahead of print - 5 Nov 2025

    Scopus subject areas

  • Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)

ID: 148625347