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Tyuyamunite

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Tyuyamunite

Tyuyamunite (pronounced tuh-YOO-ya-moon-ite) is a very rare uranium mineral with formula Ca(UO2)2V2O8·5-8(H2O). It is a member of the carnotite group. It is a bright, canary-yellow color because of its high uranium content. Also, because of tyuyamunite's high uranium content, it is radioactive.[1] It was named by Konstantin Avtonomovich Nenadkevich, in 1912, after its discovery locality, Tyuya-Muyun, Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan.[2]

Formation and transformation

Tyuyamunite is formed by the weathering of uraninite, a uranium-bearing mineral. Tyuyamunite, being a hydrous mineral, contains water. Yet when it is exposed to the atmosphere it loses it water. This process changes tyuyamunite into a different mineral known as metatyuyamunite.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Lynch, Dan R. and Bob Lynch, "Tyuyamunite," Ed. Brett Ortler, Michigan Rocks & Minerals, Adventure Publications, 2010 ISBN 978-1591932390
  2. ^ Tyuyamunite on Mindat.org