What is the purpose of dolomite?

Dolomite is used as a source of magnesia (MgO), a feed additive for livestock, a sintering agent and flux in metal processing, and as an ingredient in the production of glass, bricks, and ceramics. Dolomite serves as the host rock for many lead, zinc, and copper deposits.

What are the characteristics of dolomite?

Physical properties Dolomite crystals are colourless, white, buff-coloured, pinkish, or bluish. Granular dolomite in rocks tends to be light to dark gray, tan, or white. Dolomite crystals range from transparent to translucent, but dolomite grains in rocks are typically translucent or nearly opaque.

What does the dolomite mean?

1 : a mineral CaMg(CO3)2 consisting of a calcium magnesium carbonate found in crystals and in extensive beds as a compact limestone. 2 : a limestone or marble rich in magnesium carbonate. Other Words from dolomite Example Sentences Learn More About dolomite.

How Dolomites are formed?

Dolomite is formed by the replacement of the calcite ions by the magnesium ions. Depending upon the ratio of the Mg ions in the crystal lattice they have different names (Figure 1). Modern dolomite formation has been found to occur under anaerobic conditions in supersaturated saline lagoons in Brazil.

How is dolomite formed in a crystal lattice?

Dolomite is formed by the replacement of the calcite ions by the magnesium ions. Depending upon the ratio of the Mg ions in the crystal lattice they have different names (Figure 1).

Which is the brighter mineral calcite or dolomite?

Photomicrograph of a thin section in cross and plane polarised light: the brighter mineral grains in the picture are dolomite, and the darker grains are calcite. Dolomite ( / ˈdɒləmaɪt /) is an anhydrous carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate, ideally CaMg (CO3)2.

What are the properties of granular dolomite crystals?

Granular dolomite in rocks tends to be light to dark gray, tan, or white. Dolomite crystals range from transparent to translucent, but dolomite grains in rocks are typically translucent or nearly opaque. The lustre ranges from subvitreous to dull. Dolomite, like calcite, cleaves into six-sided polyhedrons with diamond-shaped faces.

Where are dolomitic rocks found in the world?

Triassic dolomitic rocks from Slovakia. Erosion of dolomitic rocks in Mourèze, Hérault, France. Dolostone (also known as dolomite, dolomite rock or dolomitic rock) is a sedimentary carbonate rock that contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite, CaMg (CO 3) 2.