Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
apatite
This term refers specifically to a group of phosphate minerals. In a geological context, it is often discussed as an accessory mineral, meaning it appears in small quantities within larger rock formations like granite or basalt.
In industrial and agricultural contexts, the word shifts from a geological curiosity to a raw material. It is the primary source for phosphorus, making it a critical component in the global supply chain for synthetic fertilizers.
Meanings
Examples
The geologist identified a small crystal of apatite in the granite sample.
On the Mohs scale, apatite is defined as having a hardness of five.
Look at this specimen, the green hue of this apatite is stunning.
Mining companies extract apatite to produce phosphate fertilizers for agriculture.
Hydroxyapatite is the primary mineral component of human bone and tooth enamel.
I wonder if this rock contains any apatite or other phosphate minerals.
The lab analysis confirmed that the ore was primarily composed of apatite.
Apatite often occurs as an accessory mineral in igneous rocks.