Kenyaite is a mineral and is a peculiar sodium silicate having a layered structure. [1] It has a chemical formula of Na2Si22O41(OH)8 • 6H2O, [2] [3] which means it is made up of variations of different materials including sodium, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. [4] The chemical composition of kenyaite is subject to change: when the interlayer of water has different variations; it undergoes different physical conditions; by partial to full exchange of the sodium ions by protons when kenyaite comes into contact with water. This is typical for intracrystalline reactive materials. [5]
The name kenyaite derives from Kenya as this is the location where it was first discovered. [1]
Kenyaite is white in colour and can range from being transparent to translucent. [3] It has a hardness of roughly 4 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness. [2] Kenyaite has a white streak and a density of 3.18. This mineral has a molecular mass of 1,563.99 gm/mol. [4] The mineral habits within kenyaite can be described as concretionary and nodular. [4] These nodules range in size and shape. [2]
Kenyaite has been shown to form from the leaching of magadiite, and also from evaporating saline brines in playa evaporite alkaline lake deposits. [4] It can be transformed into quartz when kenyaite decomposes. [5]
Kenyaite is found in different parts of the globe including, near Trinity Lake, California, Kafra, Niger, and Lake Magadi in Kenya. [3]
Kenyaite is a mineral and is a peculiar sodium silicate having a layered structure. [1] It has a chemical formula of Na2Si22O41(OH)8 • 6H2O, [2] [3] which means it is made up of variations of different materials including sodium, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. [4] The chemical composition of kenyaite is subject to change: when the interlayer of water has different variations; it undergoes different physical conditions; by partial to full exchange of the sodium ions by protons when kenyaite comes into contact with water. This is typical for intracrystalline reactive materials. [5]
The name kenyaite derives from Kenya as this is the location where it was first discovered. [1]
Kenyaite is white in colour and can range from being transparent to translucent. [3] It has a hardness of roughly 4 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness. [2] Kenyaite has a white streak and a density of 3.18. This mineral has a molecular mass of 1,563.99 gm/mol. [4] The mineral habits within kenyaite can be described as concretionary and nodular. [4] These nodules range in size and shape. [2]
Kenyaite has been shown to form from the leaching of magadiite, and also from evaporating saline brines in playa evaporite alkaline lake deposits. [4] It can be transformed into quartz when kenyaite decomposes. [5]
Kenyaite is found in different parts of the globe including, near Trinity Lake, California, Kafra, Niger, and Lake Magadi in Kenya. [3]