Major minerals Mineral Sodium Function Needed for proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction

Needed for proper fluid balance, stomach acid Sources Table salt, soy sauce; large amounts in processed foods; small amounts in milk, breads, vegetables, and unprocessed meats Table salt, soy sauce; large amounts in processed foods; small amounts in milk, meats, breads, and vegetables Meats, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes Milk and milk products; canned fish with bones (salmon, sardines); fortified tofu and fortified soy milk; greens (broccoli, mustard greens); legumes Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, processed foods (including soda pop) Nuts and seeds; legumes; leafy, green vegetables; seafood; chocolate; artichokes; "hard" drinking water Occurs in foods as part of protein: meats, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, legumes, nuts

Chloride

Potassium Calcium

Needed for proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction Important for healthy bones and teeth; helps muscles relax and contract; important in nerve functioning, blood clotting, blood pressure regulation, immune system health Important for healthy bones and teeth; found in every cell; part of the system that maintains acid-base balance Found in bones; needed for making protein, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, immune system health Found in protein molecules

Phosphorus

Magnesium

Sulfur

Trace minerals (microminerals) The body needs trace minerals in very small amounts. Note that iron is considered to be a trace mineral, although the amount needed is somewhat more than for other microminerals. Trace minerals Mineral Iron Function Part of a molecule (hemoglobin) found in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the body; needed for energy metabolism Sources Organ meats; red meats; fish; poultry; shellfish (especially clams); egg yolks; legumes; dried fruits; dark, leafy greens; iron-enriched breads and cereals; and fortified cereals Meats, fish, poultry, leavened whole grains, vegetables

Zinc

Part of many enzymes; needed for making protein and genetic material; has a function in taste perception, wound healing, normal fetal development, production of sperm, normal growth and sexual maturation, immune system health Found in thyroid hormone, which helps regulate growth, development, and metabolism Antioxidant

Iodine Selenium

Seafood, foods grown in iodine-rich soil, iodized salt, bread, dairy products Meats, seafood, grains

Copper Manganese Fluoride

Part of many enzymes; needed for iron metabolism Part of many enzymes Involved in formation of bones and teeth; helps prevent tooth decay Works closely with insulin to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels Part of some enzymes

Legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, organ meats, drinking water Widespread in foods, especially plant foods Drinking water (either fluoridated or naturally containing fluoride), fish, and most teas Unrefined foods, especially liver, brewer's yeast, whole grains, nuts, cheeses Legumes; breads and grains; leafy greens; leafy, green vegetables; milk; liver

Chromium Molybdenum

mineral (m n r- l) n. 1. A naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness. 2. Any of various natural substances, as: a. An element, such as gold or silver. b. An organic derivative, such as coal or petroleum. c. A substance, such as stone, sand, salt, or coal, that is extracted or obtained from the ground or water and used in economic activities. 3. A substance that is neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic matter. 4. An inorganic element, such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, or zinc, that is essential to the nutrition of humans, animals, and plants. 5. An ore. 6. minerals Chiefly British Mineral water.

Definition Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. Geologists define a mineral as: A naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, crystalline substance which has a fixed structure and a chemical composition which is either fixed or which may vary within certain defined limits. This excludes man-made substances (e.g. synthetic diamonds), organic substances (e.g. chitin), and substances without a fixed composition which are classified as mineraloids(e.g. volcanic glass [obsidian]). Some minerals have a definite fixed composition, e.g. quartz is always SiO2, and calciteis always CaCO3. However, other minerals exhibit a range of compositions between two or more compounds called end-members. For example, plagioclase feldspar has a composition that ranges between end-members anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) and albite (NaAlSi3O8), so its chemical formula is written as (Ca, Na)(Al, Si)AlSi2O8. There are also minerals which form both by inorganic and organic processes. For example, calcite (CaCO3) is a common vein mineral in rocks, and also a shell-forming material in many life forms. Calcite of organic origin conforms to the above definition except for the requirement that it be inorganic. This is an inconsistency in the definition of a mineral that is generally overlooked.

How can a mineral be identified?

A particular mineral can be identified by its unique crystal structure and chemistry. Geologists working in the field, however, don't usually have access to the sophisticated laboratory techniques needed to determine these properties. More commonly, they useProperties which can be observed with the naked eye (or with a hand lens) or determined with simple tools (e.g. a pocket knife). In hand specimen (a term referring to a piece of rock or mineral able to be easily handled) the nearly constant physical characteristics possessed by a mineral can be used in its identification. It is important to realise that although a particular mineral may be found in several apparently differing forms (e.g. colour, habit), its fundamental physical properties will always be the same. Useful physical properties for identifying a mineral include its cleavage / fracture, colour,crystal habit / mode of occurrence, hardness, lustre, specific gravity, streak andtransparency.

Rocks normally consist of several minerals, some essential, some accessory. A rock may be thought of as a "mineral environment." Each rock type was formed under certain specific conditions, resulting in the formation of a fairly predictable group of minerals. Rocks fall into three classes according to their origin: Igneous - Sedimentary - Metamorphic COAL: A sedimentary rock, formed from decayed plants, is mainly used in power plants to make electricity. LIMESTONE: A sedimentary rock, it is used mainly in the manufacture of Portland cement, the production of lime, manufacture of paper, petrochemicals, insecticides, linoleum, fiberglass, glass, carpet backing and as the coating on many types of chewing gum. SHALE: A sedimentary rock, well stratified in thin beds. It splits unevenly more or less parallel to bedding plane and may contain fossils. It can be a component of bricks and cement. CONGLOMERATE: A sedimentary rock with a variable hardness, consisted of rounded or angular rock or mineral fragments cemented by silica, lime, iron oxide, etc. Usually found in mostly thick, crudely stratified layers. Used in the construction industry. SANDSTONE: A sedimentary rock more or less rounded. Generally thick-bedded, varicolored, rough feel due to uneven surface produced by breaking around the grains. Used principally for construction, it is easy to work, the red-brown sandstone of Triassic age, better known as "brownstone," has been used in many eastern cities. GRANITE: An igneous-plutonic rock, medium to coarse-grained that is high in silica, potassium, sodium and quartz but low in calcium, iron and magnesium. It is widely used for architectural construction, ornamental stone and monuments. PUMICE: An igneous-volcanic rock, it is a porous, brittle variety of rhyolite and is light enough to float. It is formed when magma of granite composition erupts at the earths surface or intrudes the crust at shallow depths. It is used as an abrasive material in hand soaps, emery boards, etc. GABBRO: An igneous-plutonic rock, generally massive, but may exhibit a layered structure produced by successive layers of different mineral composition. It is widely used as crushed stone for concrete aggregate, road metal, railroad ballast, etc. Smaller quantities are cut and polished for dimension stone (called black granite). BASALT: An igneous volcanic rock, dark gray to black, it is the volcanic equivalent of plutonic gabbro and is rich in ferromagnesian minerals. Basalt can be used in aggregate. SCHIST: A metamorphic uneven-granular, medium to coarse grained, crystalline with prominent parallel mineral orientation. Goes from silvery white to all shades of gray with yellow to brown tones depending on the mineral concentration. Some schists have graphite and some are used as building stones.

GNEISS: A metamorphic uneven granular medium to coarse grained crystalline with more or less parallel mineral orientation. Colors are too variable to be of diagnostic value. Due to physical and chemical similarity between many gneisses and plutonic igneous rocks some are used as building stones and other structural purposes. QUARTZITE: A metamorphic or sedimentary rock with crystalline texture, consists of rounded quartz grains cemented by crystalline quartz, generally white, light gray or yellow to brown. Same uses as sandstone. MARBLE: A metamorphic even-granular grain to medium grained and may be uneven granular and coarse grained in calcsilicate rock. The normal color is white but accessory minerals act as coloring agents and may produce a variety of colors. Depending upon its purity, texture, color and marbled pattern it is quarried for use as dimension stone for statuary, architectural and ornamental purposes. Dolomite rich marble may be a source for magnesium and is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of refracting materials.

The Importance of Rocks and Minerals Name Basalt Calcite Granite Marble Obsidian Pumice Quartz Type of Rock Igneous Mineral Igneous Metamorphic Igneous Igneous Mineral Use Used in road building materials Used in cements and mortars and the production of lime Used for buildings, monuments, and tombstones Used in building, floors, tile in bathrooms Used in making arrowheads and knives Used in scouring, scrubbing, and polishing materials Used in making glass, electrical components, and optical lenses Used in the building industry for houses Used for roofs, chalkboards, and patio walks

Sandstone Sedimentary Slate Metamorphic

Kinds of Rocks According to Origin 1. Igneous Rock Igneous rock is the first rock to be formed on earth. It originated as magma, the molten material under the Earth's crust. When the magma cools and hardens it becomes igneous rock. The first minerals to crystallize as the magma hardens are silicates. They contain magnesium and iron. The next to form are feldspars and quartz. An igneous rock that is made up of minerals with low silica content is called basic Gabbro. An Igneous rock that is made up of minerals with high silica j content is called acid. Other examples of igneous rocks are: granite, basalt, pumice and felsite. 2. Sedimentary Rocks Sedimentary Rocks consist of the remains of: a. Older rocks

b. c.

Ancient plants Skeleton of dead organism

For a long period of time, plants and animals decay. These organic materials are carried away by the water and are deposited in lakes, rivers, valleys and seas. These materials are compacted and become sedimentary rocks. Kinds of Sedimentary Rocks a. Detrital These are rocks from materials that originated and carried as solid particles. Clay minerals and quartz are examples. b. Chemical These are rocks that are made of layers of minerals which were dissolved in water. For example is a sea that dries up will leave behind halite (also known as sodium chloride or salt) and other minerals. 3. Metomorphic Rock Like sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock is formed from existing rock. In sedimentary rock, the older rocks are sedimentary rock, while metamorphic rock has changed its appearance and composition through intense pressure and heat. An example is shale, a block,flaky sedimentary rock which may be changed to flat, leaf like crystals of the shiny mineral mica. Marble is another example. It is originally limestone. Other examples are Gneiss which is originally granite while schist came from older rocks.

Kinds of Rocks According to Origin 1. Igneous Rock

Igneous rock is the first rock to be formed on earth. It originated as magma, the molten material under the Earth's crust. When the magma cools and hardens it becomes igneous rock. The first minerals to crystallize as the magma hardens are silicates. They contain magnesium and iron. The next to form are feldspars and quartz. An igneous rock that is made up of minerals with low silica content is called basic Gabbro. An Igneous rock that is made up of minerals with high silica j content is called acid. Other examples of igneous rocks are: granite, basalt, pumice and felsite. 2. Sedimentary Rocks Sedimentary Rocks consist of the remains of: a. b. Older rocks Ancient plants

c.

Skeleton of dead organism

For a long period of time, plants and animals decay. These organic materials are carried away by the water and are deposited in lakes, rivers, valleys and seas. These materials are compacted and become sedimentary rocks. Kinds of Sedimentary Rocks a. Detrital

These are rocks from materials that originated and carried as solid particles. Clay minerals and quartz are examples. b. Chemical These are rocks that are made of layers of minerals which were dissolved in water. For example is a sea that dries up will leave behind halite (also known as sodium chloride or salt) and other minerals. 3. Metomorphic Rock Like sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock is formed from existing rock. In sedimentary rock, the older rocks are sedimentary rock, while metamorphic rock has changed its appearance and composition through intense pressure and heat. An example is shale, a block,flaky sedimentary rock which may be changed to flat, leaf like crystals of the shiny mineral mica. Marble is another example. It is originally limestone. Other examples are Gneiss which is originally granite while schist came from older roc