Chapter 1 Introduction

Content Definition of crystal and mineral Definition of crystal and mineral What is mineralogy? What is mineralogy? Major directions of investigation Major directions of investigation Some preliminary advice Some preliminary advice

Definitions Crystal Crystal Homogeneous Homogeneous chemical compound chemical compound with regular and periodic atomic arrangement with regular and periodic atomic arrangement  Not restricted to minerals - most solid matter: sugar, cellulose, metals, bones, DNA Mineral Naturally occurring chemical compound  Most, but not all, minerals are crystalline (some exceptions are opal, mercury, amorphous mineral products from radioactive decay)

What is mineralogy?

The study of minerals The study of minerals Previously - simple definition Previously - simple definition Today - boundaries opened and overlap other sciences Today - boundaries opened and overlap other sciences Glaciology – ice (a mineral!) Glaciology – ice (a mineral!) Medicine (biomineralogy) - Apatite, carbonates, oxalates, urates Medicine (biomineralogy) - Apatite, carbonates, oxalates, urates Cement industry – non-natural cement minerals Cement industry – non-natural cement minerals Environmental sciences – minerals formed by waste alterations or contaminated water interactions Environmental sciences – minerals formed by waste alterations or contaminated water interactions This course: This course: Rock and ore-forming minerals – small subset of 4000 known minerals Rock and ore-forming minerals – small subset of 4000 known minerals

Major directions of investigation Main purpose Main purpose Characterize of properties and chemical compositions Characterize of properties and chemical compositions Conditions of mineral formation Conditions of mineral formation Economically important - define resources & exploration techniques Economically important - define resources & exploration techniques Solution - problems with man-made products Solution - problems with man-made products  Relates to crystallography, chemistry, material science, physics – use basic principles

Basic mineralogy

Crystal chemistry Crystal chemistry Physical properties Physical properties Mineral formation Mineral formation Crystal growth Crystal growth Processes on earth surface and in interior Processes on earth surface and in interior Chemical reactions, influence of T and P Chemical reactions, influence of T and P Relationships between structure, composition, properties, habit, conditions of formation Relationships between structure, composition, properties, habit, conditions of formation

Applied mineralogy

Exploration and ore deposits Exploration and ore deposits Industrial mineralogy: cement Industrial mineralogy: cement Gemmology Gemmology Biomineralogy Biomineralogy Minerals as health hazards Minerals as health hazards Mineralogical aspects of material science and solid- state physics Mineralogical aspects of material science and solid- state physics

Advice Many new & complex concepts – own judgment Many new & complex concepts – own judgment NB - learn mineral names, composition and uses NB - learn mineral names, composition and uses Useful for practical: Useful for practical: Notebook - mineral descriptions Notebook - mineral descriptions Geological occurrence and rock type Geological occurrence and rock type Features of major minerals that you have studied yourself Features of major minerals that you have studied yourself Name, composition, distinguishing features, application Name, composition, distinguishing features, application

Assignment Blackboard: It’s all done with minerals

QUESTIONS?