| Shortite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Carbonate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Na2Ca2(CO3)3 |
| IMA symbol | Sot[1] |
| Strunz classification | 5.AC.25 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal class | Pyramidal (mm2) H-M symbol: (mm2) |
| Space group | Amm2 |
| Identification | |
| Colour | Colourless, light yellow, light green |
| Cleavage | Distinct/good on {010} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.6 |
| Density | 2.6 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (−) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.531 nβ = 1.555 nγ = 1.570 |
| Birefringence | 0.039 |
| Dispersion | r < v moderate |
Shortite is a sodium-calcium carbonate mineral, with the chemical formula Na2Ca2(CO3)3. It was discovered by J. J. Fahey in well cuttings from the Green River Formation, Sweetwater County, Wyoming, US, and was named to honor Maxwell N. Short (1889–1952), Professor of Mineralogy, University of Arizona.
Shortite is associated with commercial trona ores, and some care must be taken when beneficiating crude trona to avoid contamination with shortite.[2]
- ^ 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.
- ^ McKetta, John J. (1995) "Slurry Systems, Instrumentation to Solid–Liquid Separation", Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design, ISBN 0-8247-2602-2