karnotiittia

Karnotiittia is a rare mineral with the chemical formula K2(UO2)2(VO4)2·3H2O. It is a hydrated potassium uranium vanadate. Karnotiittia is typically found in arid regions, often associated with sandstone deposits. Its color ranges from yellow to greenish-yellow, and it usually occurs as powdery or earthy masses. The mineral is named after the Karnot region in the former French Sudan, now Mali, where it was first discovered. It is considered a secondary uranium mineral, meaning it forms through the weathering and alteration of primary uranium-bearing minerals. Due to its uranium content, karnotiittia is radioactive. It is not a significant source of uranium ore but is of mineralogical interest. The presence of karnotiittia can indicate the past or present existence of groundwater in the area where it is found.