kaltsiummagneesiumkarbonaat

Kaltsiummagneesiumkarbonaat is a mineral compound with the chemical formula CaMg(CO3)2. It is a double carbonate of calcium and magnesium. This mineral is also known by its common name dolomite, named after the French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu.

Dolomite is a widespread sedimentary rock-forming mineral. It typically forms in environments where calcium carbonate (calcite) is also found. Its formation is often linked to the dolomitization process, where magnesium-rich fluids replace calcium ions in existing carbonate rocks, such as limestone. This process can occur diagenetically (after deposition) or through primary precipitation.

In its pure form, dolomite is a colorless to white mineral. However, impurities can give it various colors, including pink, gray, or brown. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4, making it relatively soft compared to many other minerals. Its crystal structure is rhombohedral.

Dolomite has several industrial applications. It is extensively quarried as a source of magnesium and calcium, used in the production of cement, glass, and ceramics. It is also employed as an aggregate in road construction and as a flux in the steel industry to remove impurities. Furthermore, dolomite is used as a soil conditioner to neutralize acidity and supply essential minerals to plants, and in some cases, it is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a dietary supplement for calcium and magnesium.