Asbolane
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Asbolane
Formula:
(Ni,Co)2-xMn4+(O,OH)4 · nH2O
Colour:
Bluish to brownish black
Lustre:
Dull
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named from the Greek "to soil like soot".
A poorly defined material, usually defined as cobalt- or nickel-bearing "wad".
The chemical composition is highly variable and can contain large amounts of Ni, Co, Cu, Mg and other metals. It is a mixed-layer mineral with layers of Mn-O octahedra and of other metals, mostly in separate layers. It should be defined as a group.
A possible Mg analogue is known as UM1995-20-OH:AlMgMnNi.
The chemical composition is highly variable and can contain large amounts of Ni, Co, Cu, Mg and other metals. It is a mixed-layer mineral with layers of Mn-O octahedra and of other metals, mostly in separate layers. It should be defined as a group.
A possible Mg analogue is known as UM1995-20-OH:AlMgMnNi.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
384
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:384:5
IMA Classification of Asbolane
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn4+(O,OH)2 · (Co,Ni,Mg,Ca)x(OH)2x · nH2O
First published:
1841
Classification of Asbolane
4.FL.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 7th ed.:
6.4.9.1
6.4.9.1
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
4 : Miscellaneous
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
4 : Miscellaneous
7.21.4
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
21 : Oxides of Co
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
21 : Oxides of Co
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Asb | 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 Asbolane
Optical Data of Asbolane
Type:
Uniaxial
Chemistry of Asbolane
Mindat Formula:
(Ni,Co)2-xMn4+(O,OH)4 · nH2O
Common Impurities:
Al,Ca,Fe,Si
Crystallography of Asbolane
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.04 Å, c = 9.34 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.072
Unit Cell V:
74.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Thin lamellar aggregates of platelets up to several µm; massive.
Comment:
Space group and Point group n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.6 Å | (w) |
| 4.82 Å | (s) |
| 2.445 Å | (mw) |
| 1.7 Å | (vw) |
| 1.419 Å | (vw) |
Comments:
Recorded on material from the Lipov deposit, Russia
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 16 : Low-? aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 42 : Sea-floor Mn nodules | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Geological Setting:
As a weathering product in silicic rocks; in siliceous schists; widespread in residual soils above ultramafic rocks.
Synonyms of Asbolane
Other Language Names for Asbolane
Varieties of Asbolane
| Cuproasbolane | Presently defined as a Cu-bearing variety of asbolane and a synonym of lampadite. Can also be considered a cobalt-bearing wad. Potentially an actual species but requires better definition. Originally described from Katanga (Shaba), Congo (Zaïre). |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 16 photos of Asbolane associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 9 photos of Asbolane associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 9 photos of Asbolane associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 6 photos of Asbolane associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Asbolane associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 5 photos of Asbolane associated with Takovite | Ni6Al2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Asbolane associated with Crocoite | PbCr6+O4 |
| 3 photos of Asbolane associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Asbolane associated with Theisite | Cu5Zn5(AsO4,SbO4)2(OH)14 |
| 3 photos of Asbolane associated with Allophane | (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FL. | Trébeurdenite | Fe2+2Fe3+4O2(OH)10CO3 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL. | Mariakrite | [Ca4Al2(OH)12(H2O)4][Fe2S4] |
| 4.FL.05 | Muskoxite | Mg7Fe4O13 · 10H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Jamborite | Ni2+1-xCo3+x(OH)2-x(SO4)x · nH2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Mössbauerite | Fe3+6O4(OH)8[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Meixnerite | Mg6Al2(OH)16(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Woodallite | Mg6Cr2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Fougèrite | Fe2+4Fe3+2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Dritsite | Li2Al4(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Rotemite | Ca4Cr2(OH)12Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Iowaite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.10 | Hydrocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.15 | Kuzelite | Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Jianshuiite | (Mg,Mn,Ca)Mn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Ernienickelite | NiMn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Aurorite | Mn2+Mn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.25 | Woodruffite | Zn2+x/2(Mn4+1-xMn3+x)O2 · yH2O |
| 4.FL.30 va | Lampadite | Cu, Mn, O, H |
| 4.FL.35 | Buserite | Na4Mn14O27 · 21H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Takanelite | (Mn,Ca)Mn4O9 · H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Ranciéite | (Ca,Mn2+)0.2(Mn4+,Mn3+)O2 · 0.6H2O |
| 4.FL.45 | Birnessite | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O |
| 4.FL.55 | Cianciulliite | Mn(Mg,Mn)2Zn2(OH)10 · 2-4H2O |
| 4.FL.60 | Jensenite | Cu3[TeO6] · 2H2O |
| 4.FL.65 | Leisingite | Cu2MgTe6+O6 · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.70 | Magnesiohongruiite-(Fe3+) | (Mg2Fe3+)Fe3+NbO7(OH) |
| 4.FL.70 | Akdalaite | Al10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FL.75 | Cafetite | CaTi2O5 · H2O |
| 4.FL.80 | Mourite | UMo5O12(OH)10 |
| 4.FL.85 | Deloryite | Cu4(UO2)(MoO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4.FL.90 | Lagalyite | Ca2xMn1-xO2 · 1.5-2H2O |
| 4.FL.95 | Tunnerite (of Cornu) | |
| 4.FL.100 | Carbocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.100 | Mampsisite | Ca4Al2(CO3)(OH)12 · 5H2O |
Other Information
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 Asbolane
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-384.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Asbolane
Reference List:
Manceau, Alain, Gorshkov, Anatolii I., Drits, Victor A. (1992) Structural chemistry of Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni in manganese hydrous oxides: Part II. Information from EXAFS spectroscopy and electron and X-ray diffraction. American Mineralogist, 77 (11-12) 1144-1157
Bernardini, Simone, Ventura, Giancarlo Della, Sodo, Armida, Benites, Mariana, Jovane, Luigi, Hein, James R., Lucci, Federico (2023) Micro-Raman mapping of critical metals (Li, Co, Ni) in a rhythmically laminated deep-ocean ferromanganese deposit. Geochemistry, 126014 doi:10.1016/j.chemer.2023.126014
Localities for Asbolane
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.
Arctic Ocean | |
| Kravchishina et al. (2023) |
| Kravchishina et al. (2023) | |
| Kravchishina et al. (2023) | |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Varentsov et al. (2009, April) | |
Australia | |
| Day et al. (1996) |
| part of list from University of ... | |
| |
| Salama et al. (2025) |
| Putzolu et al. (2018) |
Austria | |
| Puttner (1996) |
| G. Blass (1999) |
| Fugger (1878) |
| Gröbner et al. (2008) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| C.Auer (2014) |
| Strasser (1989) | |
| R.Poeverlein (2016) |
| C.Auer (2013) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) |
| - (1994, July) |
| Schnorrer+Poeverlein (2005) | |
| Poeverlein et al. (2007) |
| - (1994, July) |
| Kolitsch (2014) |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) |
Bolivia | |
| Ahlfeld (1955) |
| GEOBOL |
Brazil | |
| Soares et al. (2018) |
| Dybowska et al. (2022) |
Cameroon | |
| Lambert et al. (2008) |
Canada | |
| |
| Maggie Wilson |
| Reiner Mielke 2017 |
Chile | |
| SEM-EDS and XRD by Joy Desor and ... |
| Sample in the I. Domeyko Museum |
| XRD by Joachim Lorenz |
| Pnud Chile/Corfo +3 other references |
| C. Ruiz Fuller/F. Peebles (1988) |
| C. Ruiz Fuller/F. Peebles (1988) |
| González-Jiménez et al. (2023) |
| C. Ruiz Fuller/F. Peebles (1988) |
China | |
| Liangkai Gu (1986) |
Cuba | |
| Domènech et al. (2014) |
Czech Republic | |
| Vrtiška et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| Scharm +7 other references |
Dominican Republic | |
| Domènech et al. (2022) |
| Gallardo et al. (2010) | |
DR Congo | |
| Gilbert Gauthier |
| Gauthier et al. (1989) |
| Clark (1993) | |
| Wilson (2018) |
| Paul De Bondt collection. |
France | |
| |
| Bariand et al. (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Excalibur Mineral Corp. - Mineral News |
| Berger et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Teitler et al. (2022) |
| C. Gineste |
| Dublet et al. (2014) |
| Remy et al. (2014) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Markl (1992) |
| Gröbner (2004) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) |
| Gröbner (2007) |
| Gröbner (2001) | |
| Blaß et al. (1998) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Henrich et al. (2019) |
| |
| Mills et al. (2020) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Heinrich et al. (2011) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| www.mineralienfreunde-der-pfalz.de (2015) |
| XRD by Dr. G. Müller |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Martin et al. (1994) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
| www.dergraul.de (2001) |
| Nickerl et al. (2000) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Frenzel (1874) |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Gröbner et al. (2008) |
| Gröbner et al. (2008) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| |
Greece | |
| |
| Eljoudiani et al. (2025) |
| Kalatha et al. (2017) | |
Indian Ocean | |
| Maciąg et al. (2019) | |
Ireland | |
| Rutley (1902) |
Italy | |
| Biagioni et al. (2020) |
| Ciriotti et al. (2010) |
| Vergani (2019) +1 other reference |
| La Valle (1898) |
| Mair (1996) |
| De Michele (1974) |
| Pegoraro et al. (2017) |
Japan | |
| - (mistaken ID for cobalt-rich lithiophorite) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Am.Min.79 (1994) | |
| Korobkin et al. (2022) |
| Korobkin et al. (2022) | |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Smolyaninova et al. (1970) |
| Smolyaninova et al. (1970) | |
Madagascar | |
| Behier (1960) |
Mexico | |
| Forti (2006) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
Middle East | |
| Vapnik et al. (2014) | |
Moldova | |
| Klimchouk (2012) |
Morocco | |
| Weiß (2006) |
Nazca Plate | |
| Zawadzki et al. (2022) | |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Uspenskaya et al. (1987) | |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2025) |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2025) | |
| Glasby et al. (2006) |
Philippines | |
| Watanabe +5 other references |
Poland | |
| Siuda (2014) |
| Wojciechowski (1958) |
Portugal | |
| Antonio Jesus Pimentel specimens +1 other reference |
| Pedro Alves analytical data |
| Alves (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Red Sea | |
| Sediment-Hosted Mineral Deposits: ... | |
Romania | |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
| Hîrtopanu (1997) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Palchik et al. (2014) |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Ivan Novikov analytical data |
| Glasby et al. (2006) |
| Kievlenko E.V. (1983) |
| Anthony (1997) +1 other reference |
| Kasatkin et al. (2021) |
Slovakia | |
| Pauliš +1 other reference |
| Pauliš | |
| Bosák et al. (2002) |
Spain | |
| ARANA CASTILLO (1972) |
| Dr. Cesar Menor Salván |
| J. Gröbner and M. A. Fernández Périz (2006) |
| Colectivo Arrayanes et al. (2008) |
| Marino et al. (2019) |
| Marino et al. (2019) | |
| Rosell-Riba et al. (2022) |
| Joan Rosell |
| Abella i Creus (2018) |
| Joan Abella i Creus specimen | |
| Rosell et al. (2017) |
| Joan Vinals & Miguel Calvo (2007) |
| Honrubia et al. (2002) |
| Honrubia et al. (2002) | |
| Honrubia et al. (2002) |
| Honrubia et al. (2002) |
Turkey | |
| Masurenko et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| |
| Day (1999) | |
| Day (1999) | |
| Day (1999) | |
| Day (1999) | |
| Day (1999) | |
| Hall (1868) +1 other reference |
| Hall (1868) +1 other reference |
| Carne (1822) +2 other references |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| - (2006) |
| Dewey et al. (1925) |
| Dewey et al. (1925) |
| Tindle (2008) | |
| Henwood (1871) |
| Le Neve Foster (1879) |
| |
| Cotterell et al. (2011) |
USA | |
| Beste (1996) +1 other reference |
| Murdoch et al. (1966) |
| Melhase (1934) +1 other reference |
| RRUFF Specimen No. R070306 |
| Murdoch |
| Sherwood et al. (1998) |
| Dana 6:1083. +2 other references |
| J.H.Pratt |
| J.H.Pratt | |
| J.H.Pratt |
| Haynes (2000) |
Venezuela | |
| Domènech et al. (2022) |
Pic du Champ-de-Bataille, Le Mont-Dore, Southern Province, New Caledonia, France