You can download Sulfate Minerals ebook here.
- Title: Sulfate Minerals Crystallography, Geochemistry, and Environmental Significance
- Author: Paul H. Ribbe
- Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America
- Pages: 615
Sulfate is an abundant and ubiquitous component of Earth’s lithosphere and hydrosphere. Manufacturers use gypsum for wallboard, while artists utilize calcium sulfates like alabaster for sculpture. For centuries, industries have used al-sulfate minerals, or “alums,” in tanning and dyeing, and these have also provided a minor source of aluminum metal.
Barite is vital in the petroleum industry for drilling, while celestine serves as a key source of strontium in various industries like ceramics and metallurgy. Jarosite, a key byproduct of zinc ore processing, is employed in agriculture to mitigate soil alkalinity. Mining activities at many sites produce acidic waters rich in heavy metals, contaminating water and sediment.
Concentrated waters associated with mine wastes may precipitate a variety of metal-sulfate minerals upon evaporation, oxidation, or neutralization. Certain they can either temporarily store metals and acidity by being soluble, or enhance water quality by extracting metals when they are insoluble.
Sulfate is an abundant and ubiquitous component of Earth’s lithosphere and hydrosphere. They play key roles in our mineral economy, pollution control technology, and natural land processes. Manufacturers consume vast quantities of gypsum in the production of wallboard, and artists use calcium sulfates in sculpture in the forms of alabaster (gypsum).
For centuries, tanners and dyers have used Al-sulfate minerals, or “alums,” and these minerals have also served as a minor source of aluminum metal. Barite is key in petroleum industry for drilling, and celestine is a major source of strontium for various industries.