The Mineral nitratine
Nitratine, along with
Niter, are unusual minerals belonging to the
nitrates group. These two nitrate minerals can be visually indistinguishable, with the ancient term Niter used to describe both Niter and Nitratine. Nitratine is actually the more prevalent and economically important member of the group.
Nitratine is found as an
efflorescence in
arid environments, where it rarely rains. It is highly
soluble in water, and it also
deliquescent, which will make it absorb moisture in humid environments. This will cause the Nitratine to crumble into a wet puddle, so care should be taken to preserve specimens in air-tight containers or spray them with a desiccant.
Nitratine is named for its composition of
nitrate and to distinguish it from
Niter. Most of the ancient nitrate material was in fact Nitratine, although in those times chemical distinctions between these two minerals were never made.
Color
Colorless, white, light yellow, light gray, light brown
Properties
Streak
White |
Hardness
1.5 - 2 |
Transparency
Transparent to translucent |
Specific Gravity
2.2 - 2.3 |
Luster
Vitreous |
Cleavage
1,1 |
Fracture
Earthy |
Tenacity
Brittle, and slightly sectile |
Other ID Marks
1) Soluble in water.2) Has a peculiar cooling taste. |
Additional Information
Composition
Sodium nitrate |
In Group
Nitrates |
Striking Features
Unique habit of formation, taste |
Environment
Residual surface deposits in highly arid desert zones. |
Rock Type
Sedimentary |
Uses
Nitratine, along with
Niter, are mined as nitrous compounds for the production of fertilizer, and have also been a source for gunpowder. Nitrate mining has been on the decrease as much of the world's demand for nitrates are now met by synthetically produced nitrates. Organic food production still requires the mining of Nitratine for a naturally-occurring fertilizing agent.
Noteworthy Localities
Nitratine is best-known from the nitrate deposits in the arid Atacama Desert region of Chile. Small amounts of Nitratine have come from the various dry lakes in the California and Nevada deserts, especially at Confidence Hills in Death Valley, Inyo Co., California.
Common Mineral Associations
Calcite, Gypsum, Halite, Polyhalite, Glauberite, Anhydrite