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Maghrebite

A valid IMA mineral species
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01755630017272471078446.jpg
Maghrebite

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
04654540017272028908090.jpg
Maghrebite

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
09613830017272028909021.jpg
Maghrebite

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
01755630017272471078446.jpg
Maghrebite

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
04654540017272028908090.jpg
Maghrebite

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
09613830017272028909021.jpg
Maghrebite

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
01755630017272471078446.jpg
Maghrebite

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
04654540017272028908090.jpg
Maghrebite

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
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About MaghrebiteHide

08228720017272471075761.jpg
Workings at Aghbar open pit (May 2001)

Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Formula:
MgAl2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Maghrebite is named after the region of North Africa called "Maghreb".
The word "maghreb" is derived from the Arabic al-maghrib, meaning “region where the sun sets”, and originally signified the region lying between the high ranges of the Atlas Mountains in the south, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Today the term is generally used to refer collectively to the African countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania.
The As analogue of Gordonite. The first arsenate member of the Laueite Supergroup.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
28948
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:28948:1

Classification of MaghrebiteHide

05521570017685316117551.jpg
Laueite structure archetype

In maghrebite, the M1 site is occupied by Mg2+ and the M2 and M3 sites are occupied by Al3+. The X site is an arsenate group.

IMA Classification of MaghrebiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
MgAl2(As5+O4)2(OH)2(H2O)6·2H2O
Approval year:
2005
Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.DC.30

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1 and < 2:1

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
MhbIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of MaghrebiteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Cleavage:
Perfect
on (010)

Optical Data of MaghrebiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.562(2) nβ = 1.574(2) nγ = 1.586(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).

This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure - the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are isogyres.

Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.

No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (89°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of MaghrebiteHide

Mindat Formula:
MgAl2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O53.906 %
As28.048 %
Al10.101 %
Mg4.549 %
H3.396 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
As
Al
Mg
H
Elements listed:
Al, As, H, Mg, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of MaghrebiteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.436 Å, b = 7.075 Å, c = 10.5 Å
α = 97.701°, β = 102.021°, γ = 110.295°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.768 : 1 : 1.484
Unit Cell V:
361 ų
Morphology:
Crystals are prismatic on [001] to tabular on {010], with dominating {010}, {001} and {110} faces and minor {100} and {011} faces.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0019348MaghrebiteMeisser N, Brugger J, Krivovichev S, Armbruster T, Favreau G (2012) Description and crystal structure of maghrebite, MgAl2(AsO4)2(OH)2*8H2O, from Aghbar, Anti-Atlas, Morocco: first arsenate in the laueite mineral group European Journal of Mineralogy 24 717-7262012Aghbar, Anti-Atlas, Morocco0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
9.9 Å(100)
6.4 Å(90)
4.90 Å(80)
Locality:
Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates]

Type Occurrence of MaghrebiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
General Appearance of Type Material:
acute tabular crystals up to 0.2 mm in length, in fan-shaped aggregates
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Musée Géologique Cantonal, Lausanne, Switzerland (MGL no. 79792, holotype, and MGL nos. 79793 and 79794, co-types)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Second-stage oxidation products of Co-Ni ores
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
DolomiteQuartzRoseliteTalmessiteWendwilsonite

Synonyms of MaghrebiteHide

Other Language Names for MaghrebiteHide

German:Maghrebit

Relationship of Maghrebite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Maghrebite Group > Laueite Supergroup
Other Members of Maghrebite Group:
CésarferreiraiteFe2+ Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Maghrebite associated with PharmacoalumiteKAl4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6.5H2O
2 photos of Maghrebite associated with NováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O
1 photo of Maghrebite associated with CobaltlotharmeyeriteCaCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
1 photo of Maghrebite associated with ZeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O
1 photo of Maghrebite associated with ErythriteCo3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
1 photo of Maghrebite associated with AnorthoroseliteCa2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
1 photo of Maghrebite associated with ChudobaiteMg5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 10H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DC.FerroberauniteFe2+Fe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.CésarferreiraiteFe2+ Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.FerrivauxiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.IanbruceiteZn2(AsO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.05NissoniteCu2Mg2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.07EuchroiteCu2(AsO4)(OH) · 3H2OOrth. 222 : P212121
8.DC.10LegranditeZn2(AsO4)(OH) · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.12StrashimiriteCu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2OMon.
8.DC.15EarlshannoniteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.15KunatiteCuFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.15'UM2006-27-PO:FeHZn'ZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon.
8.DC.15'UKI-2006-(PO:AlCuFeH)'Fe2+Al3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
8.DC.15CobaltarthuriteCoFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.15ArthuriteCuFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.15OjuelaiteZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.15WhitmoreiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.15BendadaiteFe2+Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.17KleemaniteZnAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2OMon.
8.DC.20MagnesiobermaniteMgMn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.DC.20BermaniteMn2+Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DC.20CoralloiteMn2+Mn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.22KovdorskiteMg2(PO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.25ZincostrunziteZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6.5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25MetavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.25MetavivianiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25FerristrunziteFe3+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OTric.
8.DC.25StrunziteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25FerrostrunziteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric.
8.DC.27BerauniteFe3+6(PO4)4O(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. m : Bb
8.DC.27TvrdýiteFe2+Fe3+2Al3(PO4)4(OH)5(H2O)4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.27ZincoberauniteZnFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.30FerrolaueiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30UshkoviteMgFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30LaueiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30ParavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30SigloiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 7H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30NordgauiteMnAl2(PO4)2(F,OH)2 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30Kayrobertsonite[MnAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)4] · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30KummeriteMn2+Fe3+Al(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30MangangordoniteMn2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30StewartiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30GordoniteMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30Kastningite(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30PseudolaueiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.32KamarizaiteFe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.32TinticiteFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.35VauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.37VantasseliteAl4(PO4)3(OH)3 · 9H2OOrth.
8.DC.40CacoxeniteFe3+24AlO6(PO4)17(OH)12 · 75H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.DC.45SouzaliteMg3Al4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric. 1
8.DC.45Gormanite(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric.
8.DC.47KingiteAl3(PO4)2F2(OH) · 7H2OTric.
8.DC.50AllanpringiteFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DC.50FluorwavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH)2F · 5H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DC.50WavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DC.52KribergiteAl5(PO4)3(SO4)(OH)4 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.55MapimiteZn2Fe3+3(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 10H2OMon. m : Bm
8.DC.57OgdensburgiteCa2Fe3+4(Zn,Mn2+)(AsO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmmm
8.DC.60CloncurryiteCu0.5(VO)0.5Al2(PO4)2F2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.60Nevadaite(Cu2+,Al,V3+)6Al8(PO4)8F8(OH)2 · 22H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DC.62KenngottiteMn2+3Fe3+4(PO4)4(OH)6(H2O)2 Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DC.67MolinelloiteCu(H2O)(OH)V4+O(V5+O4)Tric. 1 : P1
8.DC.70WhitecapsiteH16Fe2+5Fe3+14Sb3+6(AsO4)18O16 · 120H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.DC.75HeimitePbCu2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
8.DC.80LedneviteCu[PO3(OH)] · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c

Other InformationHide

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 MaghrebiteHide

References for MaghrebiteHide

Localities for MaghrebiteHide

Showing 6 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Morocco
 
  • Drâa-Tafilalet Region
    • Zagora Province
      • Agdz Cercle
        • Tansifte Caïdat
          • Aghbar
Favreau et al. (2007)
Meisser +4 other references
          • Aït Ahmane
Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ...
Favreau (n.d.)
          • Oumlil
JP Barral collection
Vincent Bourgoin
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