Editing Coffinite (section)

==Composition==
Coffinite's chemical formula is U(SiO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>1−x</sub>(OH)<sub>4x</sub>.<ref name=Stieff55 /><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Jackson |first1=Robert A. |last2=Montenari |first2=Michael |date=2019 |title=Computer modeling of Zircon (ZrSiO4)—Coffinite (USiO4) solid solutions and lead incorporation: Geological implications |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S246851781930005X |journal=Stratigraphy & Timescales |volume=4 |pages=217–227 |doi=10.1016/bs.sats.2019.08.005 |isbn=9780128175521 |s2cid=210256739 |via=Elsevier Science Direct|url-access=subscription }}</ref>  X-ray powder patterns from samples of coffinite allowed geologists to classify it as a new mineral in 1955.<ref name=Stieff55 />  A comparison to the x-ray powder pattern of [[zircon]] (ZrSiO<sub>4</sub>) and thorite (ThSiO<sub>4</sub>) was the basis for this classification.<ref name=Fuchs58/>  Preliminary chemical analysis indicated that the uranous silicate exhibited hydroxyl substitution.<ref name=Fuchs58/>  The results of Sherwood's preliminary chemical analysis were based on samples from three locations.  Hydroxyl bonds and silicon-oxygen bonds also proved to exist after infrared absorption spectral analyses were performed.<ref name=Stieff56/>  The hydroxyl substitution occurs as (OH)<sub>4</sub><sup>4−</sup> for (SiO<sub>4</sub>)<sup>4−</sup>.<ref name=Stieff56/>  The hydroxyl constituent in coffinite later proved to be nonessential in the formation of a stable synthetic mineral.<ref name=Hansley89/>  Recent [[electron microprobe]] analysis of the submicroscopic crystals uncovered an abundance of [[calcium]], [[yttrium]], [[phosphorus]], and minimal lead substitutions along with traces of other rare earth elements.<ref name=Hansley89/>