-Nonsilicate minerals are typically subdivided into classes, based on the anion or complex anion that the members have in common.
-Although the nonsilicates make up only about 8 percent of Earth's crust, some minerals, such as gypsum, calcite, and halite, occur as constituents in sedimentary rocks in significant amounts.
-Some of the most common nonsilicate minerals belong to one of three classes of minerals--the carbonates, the sulfates, and the halides.
-They can be distinguished by using dilute hydrochloric acid.
-Two other nonsilicate minerals frequently found in sedimentary rocks are halite and gypsum.
-Halite is the mineral name for common table salt (NaCl).
-Gypsum (CaSO4 x 2H20), which is calcium sulfate with water bound into the structure, is the mineral of which plaster and other similar building materials are composed.
-Examples of important sulfide minerals include lead, zinc, and copper.
Weathering and Ore Deposits
-Weathering creates many important mineral deposits by concentrating minor amounts of metals that are scattered through unweathered rock into economically valuable concentrations.
-The formation of bauxite, the principal ore of aluminum, is one important example of an ore created as a result of enrichment by weathering processes.
-Bauxite forms in rainy tropical climates in association with laterites.
-Many copper and silver deposits result when weathering processes concentrate metals that are deposited through a low grade primary ore.
Important Nonsilicate Minerals
-Nonsilicate minerals are typically subdivided into classes, based on the anion or complex anion that the members have in common.-Although the nonsilicates make up only about 8 percent of Earth's crust, some minerals, such as gypsum, calcite, and halite, occur as constituents in sedimentary rocks in significant amounts.
-Some of the most common nonsilicate minerals belong to one of three classes of minerals--the carbonates, the sulfates, and the halides.
-They can be distinguished by using dilute hydrochloric acid.
-Two other nonsilicate minerals frequently found in sedimentary rocks are halite and gypsum.
-Halite is the mineral name for common table salt (NaCl).
-Gypsum (CaSO4 x 2H20), which is calcium sulfate with water bound into the structure, is the mineral of which plaster and other similar building materials are composed.
-Examples of important sulfide minerals include lead, zinc, and copper.
Weathering and Ore Deposits
-Weathering creates many important mineral deposits by concentrating minor amounts of metals that are scattered through unweathered rock into economically valuable concentrations.-The formation of bauxite, the principal ore of aluminum, is one important example of an ore created as a result of enrichment by weathering processes.
-Bauxite forms in rainy tropical climates in association with laterites.
-Many copper and silver deposits result when weathering processes concentrate metals that are deposited through a low grade primary ore.