Types of minerals
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Types of Minerals: An Overview
New Mineral Discoveries
Rare Earth Minerals
Recent studies have identified several new rare earth minerals, including cayalsite-(Y), engelhauptite, flurlite, hydroniumpharmacoalumite, mambertiite, paradsasvarite, perettiite-(Y), shuvalovite, and suseinargiuite. These minerals are often found in specific geological settings and exhibit unique crystal structures and compositions. For instance, cayalsite-(Y) is a rare-earth calcium aluminum fluorosilicate discovered in granitic pegmatites in Norway 1.
Brazilian Type Minerals
Brazil has been a significant source of new mineral species, with 65 valid mineral species first described from the country. Notable examples include chrysoberyl and euclase, discovered in the 18th century, and more recent discoveries like uvite and fluor-elbaite. These minerals are not only important for their gemological properties but also for their technological applications 2.
Clay Minerals
Types and Properties
Clay minerals, such as kaolinite, smectite, and chlorite, are hydrous phyllosilicates that form in the presence of water. They are characterized by their layered structures, which include tetrahedral (SiO4) and octahedral (Al2O3) sheets. These minerals have unique properties like high cation exchange capacity, swelling behavior, and significant adsorption capacity, making them valuable in various industrial applications 3.
Surface Geochemistry
The surface geochemistry of clay minerals is crucial for their role in biogeochemical cycles, ocean buffering, and toxic waste containment. Recent studies have focused on the electrical double layers formed on hydrated clay mineral surfaces, which are influenced by the size and charge of interlayer cations. These properties are essential for applications in petroleum extraction and as industrial catalysts 8.
Spinel-Type Minerals
Structural Characteristics
Spinel-type minerals have a general formula of AB2O4 and include species like magnetite, chromite, and spinel. These minerals can have divalent and trivalent cations, and their structures belong to the chemical classes of oxides, germanates, and silicates. Spinel-type minerals are significant in various scientific disciplines due to their unique structural and compositional properties 4.
Sulfospinels and Selenospinels
Sulfospinels and selenospinels are isostructural with oxide spinels and include minerals like bornhardtite, trüstedtite, and tyrrellite. These minerals are important for understanding the geochemical processes and mineralization in different geological environments 4.
Trace Minerals in Animal Nutrition
Bioavailability
Trace minerals such as copper, iron, manganese, and zinc are essential for animal nutrition. These minerals are available in both organic and inorganic forms, with differences in their bioavailability. Recent reviews have highlighted the importance of these minerals in ruminant, poultry, and swine nutrition, emphasizing the need for dietary supplementation to ensure optimal animal health and productivity 5.
Salt-Type Minerals
Flotation Techniques
Salt-type minerals like magnesite, dolomite, and calcite are often separated using flotation techniques. Factors affecting flotation include crystal structure, solubility, surface charge, and the use of collectors and modifiers. These techniques are essential for the selective separation of salt-type minerals from each other and from silicates 6.
Conclusion
The study of minerals encompasses a wide range of types, each with unique properties and applications. From the discovery of new rare earth minerals to the detailed understanding of clay and spinel-type minerals, ongoing research continues to reveal the complexity and importance of these natural resources. Whether for industrial applications, animal nutrition, or technological advancements, the diverse world of minerals plays a crucial role in various scientific and practical fields.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
New Mineral Names
Cayalsite-(Y) is a new rare-earth calcium aluminium fluorosilicate with OD character, found in granitic NYF-pegmatites in Tysfjord, Norway.
Highly CitedThe discovery of new mineral species and type minerals from Brazil
Brazil has discovered 28 new type minerals, including gemological and technologically important ones, in the last 15 years, with a total of 65 valid mineral species and 28 approved type minerals.
Basics of Clay Minerals and Their Characteristic Properties
Clay minerals, due to their unique properties, are gaining interest in various fields due to their small size and distinctive crystal structure.
Highly CitedSpinelS RenaiSSance: The paST, pReSenT, and fuTuRe of ThoSe ubiquiTouS mineRalS and maTeRialS The systematics of the spinel-type minerals: An overview†
Spinel-type minerals are crucial in various scientific fields, with 24 approved species and 21 new ones identified.
Highly CitedRelative Bioavailability of Trace Minerals in Production Animal Nutrition: A Review
This review highlights the differences between inorganic and organic trace minerals in animal feed, providing a valuable reference guide for producers.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalDiscriminant diagrams for iron oxide trace element fingerprinting of mineral deposit types
Discriminant diagrams can effectively separate different styles of mineralization in iron oxide-copper-gold deposits, skarn, Fe-Ti, and V deposits.
Highly CitedSurface geochemistry of the clay minerals.
Clay mineral surface geochemistry influences clay-hydrocarbon interactions and catalyst design, with cation size and charge playing key roles in coordination with water molecules and clay mineral surface oxygens.
Highly CitedClay minerals: Properties and applications to dermocosmetic products and perspectives of natural raw materials for therapeutic purposes-A review.
Clay minerals have numerous applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other industries, including as drug delivery systems.
Highly Cited