Kalsiumsulfatti

Kalsiumsulfatti is the chemical compound with the formula CaSO4. It is a white, crystalline solid that occurs naturally as the mineral gypsum. When heated, gypsum loses water molecules to form plaster of Paris, which is a hemihydrate of calcium sulfate, CaSO4·½H2O. This material hardens when mixed with water, making it useful in construction and crafts.

Anhydrous calcium sulfate, CaSO4, is also known as anhydrite. It is less common than gypsum and is formed by the further dehydration of gypsum at higher temperatures. Calcium sulfate is sparingly soluble in water. Its solubility decreases as temperature increases.

In nature, calcium sulfate is found in evaporite deposits, which are formed when bodies of water evaporate, leaving behind dissolved minerals. It is also a component of many sedimentary rocks. Industrially, calcium sulfate is mined as gypsum.

Calcium sulfate has numerous applications. It is used in agriculture as a soil conditioner to improve soil structure and provide calcium and sulfur. In the food industry, it is used as a firming agent, a nutrient supplement, and a coagulant. It is also a key ingredient in drywall, cement, and blackboard chalk. In medicine, it can be used in bone cements and as a dietary supplement to treat calcium deficiency.