Zabuyelite
Zabuyelite
Zabuyelite is a rare mineral that is primarily composed of lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃). It is of significant interest in the field of geology and mineralogy due to its unique properties and its role as a source of lithium, an element crucial for various industrial applications, including the production of lithium-ion batteries.
Properties[edit | edit source]
Zabuyelite is characterized by its white to colorless appearance, although it can sometimes exhibit a pale yellow hue due to impurities. It crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system and typically forms in granular to massive habits. The mineral has a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4, making it relatively soft. Its specific gravity ranges from 2.11 to 2.20.
Chemically, zabuyelite is composed of lithium carbonate, with the chemical formula Li₂CO₃. It is soluble in water, which is a notable property that distinguishes it from many other carbonate minerals.
Occurrence[edit | edit source]
Zabuyelite was first discovered in the Zabuye Salt Lake in Tibet, China, which is also the origin of its name. It is typically found in evaporite deposits, where it forms as a result of the evaporation of lithium-rich brines. These environments are often associated with arid regions where high evaporation rates lead to the concentration of salts.
In addition to Tibet, zabuyelite has been identified in other locations around the world, including the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia and various salt flats in Argentina. These regions are known for their lithium-rich brine deposits, which are of great economic importance for lithium extraction.
Industrial Significance[edit | edit source]
Zabuyelite is an important mineral for the extraction of lithium, which is a critical component in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are widely used in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems.
The extraction of lithium from zabuyelite involves a series of chemical processes that convert lithium carbonate into lithium hydroxide or lithium metal, which are then used in various industrial applications.
Also see[edit | edit source]
 | This article about a specific mineral or mineraloid is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
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
