| Moolooite | |
|---|---|
 Blue massive moolooite (field of view 12 mm) | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxalate mineral |
| Formula | Cu(C2O4) · 0.4H2O |
| IMA symbol | Moo1 |
| Strunz classification | 10.AB.15 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Space group | Pnnm |
| Identification | |
| Color | green |
| Specific gravity | 3.43 (calculated) |
| Density | 2.6 |
| References | 2 |
Moolooite is a rare blue-green mineral with the formula Cu(C2O4)·n(H2O) (n<1) (copper(II) oxalate hydrate). It was discovered in Bunbury Well, Mooloo Downs station, Murchison, Western Australia in 1986.3 It has an orthorhombic crystalline structure, and is formed by the interaction of bird guano with weathering copper sulfides.
A second occurrence is reported from the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines silver mining district of Vosges Mountains, France.3
References
References
- Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- Mineralienatlas
- Clarke, R.M.; Williams, I.R. (1986). "Moolooite, a naturally occurring hydrated copper oxalate from Western Australia" (PDF). Mineralogical Magazine. 50 (356): 295–298. Bibcode:1986MinM...50..295C. doi:10.1180/minmag.1986.050.356.15. S2CID 54527532.