Mineral varieties

There are over 3,500 recognized mineral species and countless mineral varieties that have been classified as crystalline phases using the conventional methods listed above. Guidelines for naming minerals have been published by the Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names (CNMMN) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). 

Mineral varieties of the brannerite series include lodochni-kite, absite and thorutite. Absite is a thorian-rich brannerite and does not warrant species status. Lodochnikite is a uranium-rich brannerite, possibly significantly oxidized. Heating produces a brannerite-like X-ray pattern, but with differing intensities. It probably does not warrant species status either. Thorutite is the thorium end member. 

This mineral, which in its transparent varieties is a most beautiful and costly gem, has been known from early times. 

Dissolution and replacement. Some minerals, in particular carbonates, are not chemically stable over a range of pressures, temperatures and pH. Therefore there will be a tendency over geologic time to change to a more stable variety as shown in Figure 5.12. 

Scandium is apparently much more abundant (the 23rd most) in the sun and certain stars than on earth (the 50th most abundant). It is widely distributed on earth, occurring in very minute quantities in over 800 mineral species. The blue color of beryl (aquamarine variety) is said to be due to scandium. It occurs as a principal component in the rare mineral thortveihte, found in Scandinavia and Malagasy. It is also found in the residues remaining after the extrachon of tungsten from Zinnwald wolframite, and in wiikite and bazzite. 

The element occurs along with other rare-earth elements in a variety of minerals. Monazite and bastnasite are the two principal commercial sources of the rare-earth metals. It was prepared in relatively pure form in 1931. 

In the geochemistry of fluorine, the close match in the ionic radii of fluoride (0.136 nm), hydroxide (0.140 nm), and oxide ion (0.140 nm) allows a sequential replacement of oxygen by fluorine in a wide variety of minerals. This accounts for the wide dissemination of the element in nature. The ready formation of volatile silicon tetrafluoride, the pyrohydrolysis of fluorides to hydrogen fluoride, and the low solubility of calcium fluoride and of calcium fluorophosphates, have provided a geochemical cycle in which fluorine may be stripped from solution by limestone and by apatite to form the deposits of fluorspar and of phosphate rock (fluoroapatite [1306-01 -0]) approximately CaF2 3Ca2(P0 2 which ate the world s main resources of fluorine (1). 

In certain brilliantine compositions, vegetable and animal oils are used as substitutes for mineral oil. In these systems, because of their potential for rancidity, antioxidants must be included. Other alternatives to mineral oils that have found utiHty in brilliantines are the polyethylene glycols which come in a variety of solubiHties and spreading properties. Use of these materials offers the advantage of chemical stabiHty to rancidity. Other additives found in brilliantines to improve their aesthetics include colorants, fragrance, medicated additives, lanolin, and fatty acid esters. 

Advanced composites and fiber-reinforced materials are used in sailcloth, speedboat, and other types of boat components, and leisure and commercial fishing gear. A ram id and polyethylene fibers are currentiy used in conveyer belts to collect valuable offshore minerals such as cobalt, uranium, and manganese. Constmction of oil-adsorbing fences made of high performance fabrics is being evaluated in Japan as well as the constmction of other pollution control textile materials for maritime use. For most marine uses, the textile materials must be resistant to biodeterioration and to a variety of aqueous pollutants and environmental conditions. 

Pyrolusite is a black, opaque mineral with a metallic luster and is frequendy soft enough to soil the fingers. Most varieties contain several percent water. Pyrolusite is usually a secondary mineral formed by the oxidation of other manganese minerals. Romanechite, a newer name for what was once known as psilomelane [12322-95-1] (now a group name) (7), is an oxide of variable composition, usually containing several percent water. It is a hard, black amorphous material with a dull luster and commonly found ia the massive form. When free of other oxide minerals, romanechite can be identified readily by its superior hardness and lack of crystallinity. 

Flotation. The method of mineral separation in which a froth created in water by a variety of reagents floats some finely cmshed minerals, whereas other minerals sink. 

Microscopists in every technical field use the microscope to characterize, compare, and identify a wide variety of substances, eg, protozoa, bacteria, vimses, and plant and animal tissue, as well as minerals, building materials, ceramics, metals, abrasives, pigments, foods, dmgs, explosives, fibers, hairs, and even single atoms. In addition, microscopists help to solve production and process problems, control quaUty, and handle trouble-shooting problems and customer complaints. Microscopists also do basic research in instmmentation, new techniques, specimen preparation, and appHcations of microscopy. The areas of appHcation include forensic trace evidence, contamination analysis, art conservation and authentication, and asbestos control, among others. 

Ores which comprise a variety of minerals are, as a rule, heterogeneous. An ore body is usually named for the most important mineral (s) in the rock, referred to as value minerals, mineral values, or simply values. Some minerals contain metals, which are extracted by concentration and smelting. Other minerals, such as diamond, asbestos (qv), quartz (see Silicon COMPOUNDS), feldspars, micas (see Mica), gypsum, soda, mirabillite, clays (qv), etc, maybe used either as found, with some or no pretreatment, or as stock materials for industrial compounds or building materials (qv) (3). 

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