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A primary mineral is any mineral formed during the original crystallization of the host igneous primary rock and includes the essential mineral(s) used to classify the rock along with any accessory minerals. [1] In ore deposit geology, hypogene processes occur deep below the Earth's surface, and tend to form deposits of primary minerals, as ...
Placer minerals are defined as having a specific gravity above 2.58. [1] The separation of the valuable minerals from the most common non-economic mineral, quartz, depends on the difference in specific gravity / density.The weathering process allows for the accumulation of placer minerals, while less dense material such as quartz are swept away.
In geochemistry, compatibility is a measure of how readily a particular trace element substitutes for a major element within a mineral. Compatibility of an ion is controlled by two things: its valence and its ionic radius. [1] Both must approximate those of the major element for the trace element to be compatible in the mineral.
Mineralogy applies principles of chemistry, geology, physics and materials science to the study of minerals. Mineralogy [n 1] is a subject of geology specializing in the scientific study of the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical (including optical) properties of minerals and mineralized artifacts. Specific studies within mineralogy ...
The first of these is the ion-by-ion replacement in minerals, this can happen from the precipitation of new minerals at the same time as the dissolution of existing minerals. [6] The second feature used to identify metasomatism is that it is from the preservation of rocks in its solid state during replacement. [6]
[1] [2] Metamorphic minerals are unstable upon changing P-T conditions. [1] [3] The original minerals are commonly destroyed during solid state metamorphism and react to grow into new minerals that are relatively stable. [1] [3] Water is generally involved in the reaction, either from the surroundings or generated by the reaction itself. [3]
Abbreviations of minerals: act = actinolite; chl = chlorite; ep = epidote; gt = garnet; hbl = hornblende; plag = plagioclase. Two minerals represented in the figure do not participate in the reaction, they can be quartz and K-feldspar. This reaction takes place in nature when a mafic rock goes from amphibolite facies to greenschist facies.
Partial melting is the phenomenon that occurs when a rock is subjected to temperatures high enough to cause certain minerals to melt, but not all of them. Partial melting is an important part of the formation of all igneous rocks and some metamorphic rocks (e.g., migmatites), as evidenced by a multitude of geochemical, geophysical and petrological studies.