tyuyamunite

tyuyamunite, radioactive, yellow, soft, and waxy uranium and vanadium oxide mineral, Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2·5–8H2O. It is considered to be the calcium analogue of carnotite, from which it can be made artificially and reversibly by cation exchange (calcium exchanges places with potassium in carnotite’s molecular structure). Tyuyamunite occurs widely with carnotite in the southwestern United States and in Central Asia. For detailed physical properties, see vanadate mineral (table).

This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
Citation Information
Article Title: tyuyamunite
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 24 January 2018
Access Date: March 03, 2025