Anhydrite
Anhydrite is a mineral—anhydrous calcium sulfate, with the chemical formula CaSO4. It is closely related to gypsum, which has a chemical formula of CaSO4·2H2O. The difference between anhydrite and gypsum is the presence of water in gypsum's structure, which is absent in anhydrite. Anhydrite takes its name from the Greek word "anhydrous," meaning "without water."
Formation and Occurrence[edit | edit source]
Anhydrite forms in evaporite deposits when seawater evaporates, and it can also be found in volcanic rocks. It occurs in extensive beds associated with other evaporite minerals such as halite, sylvite, and magnesite. Anhydrite can also form as a secondary mineral in other deposits through the dehydration of gypsum when exposed to high temperatures. This process can occur during the burial of sediments which can lead to the transformation of gypsum to anhydrite.
Properties and Uses[edit | edit source]
Anhydrite is a relatively common mineral, but it is not as widely used as gypsum. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 3 to 3.5, and it has a white, gray, or blue color, often with a pearly or vitreous luster. Anhydrite is soluble in water, which can lead to the rehydration of the mineral back to gypsum under certain conditions.
In the industry, anhydrite is used as a drying agent in plaster and paint. It is also used in the production of cement, where it acts as a source of sulfate, controlling the setting time of the cement. Anhydrite can also be used as a filler in the production of paper and as a soil conditioner and fertilizer in agriculture.
Environmental and Geological Significance[edit | edit source]
The presence of anhydrite in geological formations can be an indicator of past environmental conditions, particularly in the study of evaporite deposits. These deposits can provide valuable information about past climates and the history of Earth's oceans. Anhydrite's transformation to gypsum and vice versa can also impact the porosity and permeability of rock formations, influencing the flow of oil, gas, and water in subsurface reservoirs.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
