AquaVolcanium

It was noted during the exploratory and surveying phase of the Tanit System that the entire region was rich with Sol System type minerals and resources. This helped move the colonization process forward despite the distance from Earth. But the Tanit System isn't the Sol System, and Tanit II is not Earth. There are minerals and rare earth elements that have revolutionized electronics and technology there that are absent on Earth. And none is as difficult to collect as AquaVolcanium. As a material, it has become key in several industries as it's key to making the best solar cells and superconductors.
AquaVolcanium must be harvested deep undersea, as it's only found at depths of 3000m or more around black smokers. The conditions require specialty ROVs and entire undersea mining operations to get this vital material. Attempts to harvest it by hand using atmospheric diving suits has been unsuccessful. However, these brave divers are able to perform repairs on and recover damaged or trapped ROV units. This is all exceedingly dangerous, which only increases the value of the AquaVolcanium.

Properties

Material Characteristics

A hard, dark rainbow hued metal after processing, it looks like diesel fuel contaminated black sand in its raw form. It's sharp and coarse when raw, and has as a "stank" about it until it's processed.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AquaVolcanium non-reactive and inert. It's been described as bitter tasting, and if ingested will give the person doing so acute diarrhea until it has passed.

Compounds

As a compounding material, AquaVolcanium is used in the creation of ultra-high efficiency solar cells, for superconductors, and as a key component in stealth technologies.

Geology & Geography

AquaVolcanium is a naturally occurring mineral found in the area of black smokers, undersea volcanic vents. Its creation is owing to the mixing of material coming from the black smoker with low oxygen seawater at the pressures present at 3000m or more in depth. It is continually produced, but exceedingly difficult to reach.

Odor

"Foul" in raw form, neutral after processing.

Taste

Bitter and awful in all forms.

Color

"Dark Rainbow"

Boiling / Condensation Point

Boiling Point: 1902C

Melting / Freezing Point

Melting Point: 1438C

Density

AquaVolcanium is denser than water and has negative buoyancy.

Common State

A granular solid spread across the seafloor at depths exceeding 3000m.