Any Geologists on here , identify this radioactive rock ??

**goingbush** · 17th July 2018, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Saitch

I sent your pic to my BIL, who is a geophysisist, and he said it looks like Torbanite, a green uranium mineral and the red on top may be garnet but hard to tell from pic.

Thanks Saitch,

I googled Torbanite , I think that will be it , much appreciated. (Torbernite is the correct spelling)
just turned the rock around to get a better shot of the red , not a crystal as I first thought.
many thanks to your BIL

The mineral description in our book says it also crumbles in the open air , that fits the sample we have.

cheers Don

**Roverlord off road spares** · 17th July 2018, 04:34 PM

Just put it into your flux capacitor and enjoy many years of free fuel.

**cjc_td5** · 17th July 2018, 04:40 PM

PM Rok_Dr on here. He'll know.

**goingbush** · 17th July 2018, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Tombie

Have you got a UV torch / source?
I’m hoping it fluoresces under UV.

BTW - don’t touch with your hands and then touch your eyes or mouth, even by accident.

Wow , who needs the Min Min Lights !!

**goingbush** · 17th July 2018, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

Just put it into your flux capacitor and enjoy many years of free fuel.

Sorted, I installed a MrFusion in place of my Charge point, I'll just throw the rock in there

weird to think theres energy in that little rock !

Tombie · 17th July 2018, 06:31 PM

I wonder if it’s ZIPPEITE

**afb** · 17th July 2018, 06:45 PM

Hi Goingbush,
Torbernite is an alpha emitter, alpha particles do not penetrate much so lead shielding is not required, however it’s product is radon gas which is nasty when inhaled. An airtight transparent container would be a good idea and would provide adequate shielding.
Cheers
Adrian

**Rok_Dr** · 17th July 2018, 10:13 PM

Well I'm finally back from dinner and after looking at the picture and location my guess would be either Torbernite (Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂ · 12H₂O) or Autunite (Ca(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·10-12H₂O). Both are uranium phosphate minerals and closely related. Torbanite is Copper bearing and Autinite Calcium. The brown red material looks micaceous so if its flakey, then possibly Phlogopite or Biotite, both are iron micas.

Afb is right about the radon and alpha radiation, but lesser amounts of beta radiation are also emitted at certain points in the uranium decay series. These penetrate a bit further but a sheet of aluminium is usually enough to stop them. Ultimately after many many millions of years the uranium in the mineral will decay to lead.

A steel or aluminium box should be more than sufficient to shield the sample and you can test it in and out of the tin to make sure.

Cheers

Steve

**JDNSW** · 18th July 2018, 07:15 AM

As others have pointed out, the issue is the radon it produces. I suspect that for most rooms the ventilation is good enough that the amount produced by a small specimen such as this would be pretty innocuous. Could be an issue if you have it in a fairly well sealed display case and then breathe the air in it when you open it.

**goingbush** · 18th July 2018, 08:05 AM

Thanks for that info Rok_Dr, & everyone else for your help. AULRO is a great resource on any subject it seems !!

Ive got it in a lead box now, the cabinet is not that airtight so should be fine. With the Geiger Counter on the shelf next to the sample in the box its levelled out at 0.56 uSv/hr. outside but next to the cabinet is 0.21 ( less than the USA average ), 1m away from the cabinet is .17, in the rest of the house its .15 . so all good.

(Hmm I might keep this geiger counter in my pocket next time I have an x-ray )

Thread: Any Geologists on here , identify this radioactive rock ??

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