Biphosphammite

biphosphammite

phosphammite

syngenite

weddellite

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Formula: (NH4)H2(PO4)
Anhydrous acid phosphate
Crystal System: Tetragonal
Specific gravity: 2.04 measured, 1.99 calculated
Hardness: 1 to 2
Streak: White
Colour: White, pale yellow or colourless, colourless in transmitted light
Environments

Cave deposits

Biphosphammite occurs as an alteration of phosphammite in guano, due to loss of ammonium (NH4) (Webmin). Associated minerals include ammonium-aphthitalite, phosphammite, urea and weddellite (Mindat).

Localities

At the type locality, Murra-el-elevyn Cave, Cocklebiddy Roadhouse, Dundas Shire, Western Australia, biphosphammite occurs in crusts on bat guano as a byproduct of the reaction between the liquid fraction of bat guano and urea. It is associated with syngenite (HOM, Dana).

At the Guañape Islands, Virù Province, La Libertad, Peru, biphosphammite occurs as an alteration product of phosphammite in guano, due to loss of ammonium (NH4). Phosphammite remains as an associated mineral (HOM ).

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