magnesiumdominated

Magnesiumdominated is an adjectival concept used in geology, mineralogy, and materials science to describe systems in which magnesium is the most abundant metal or the dominant cation by amount or mole fraction. It is not a formal mineral name; rather, it characterizes composition and the prevailing role of magnesium in minerals, rocks, or synthetic materials.

In geology and mineralogy, magnesium-dominated compositions occur in ultramafic rocks and in mineral assemblages where Mg is the principal divalent cation. The olivine family illustrates this, with forsterite (Mg2SiO4) representing a magnesium-dominated endmember, and fayalite (Fe2SiO4) representing a iron-rich counterpart. Magnesium-bearing minerals such as enstatite (MgSiO3) and talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) further exemplify magnesium dominance. In carbonate systems, magnesite (MgCO3) and dolomite group minerals (CaMg(CO3)2) display magnesium as a major component, though not exclusive. In planetary geology, magnesium-dominated mineralogy can indicate specific formation conditions and mantle compositions.

In materials science, magnesium-dominated materials or alloys are those in which magnesium is the primary element by weight. These materials are pursued for lightweight structural applications, with alloys such as magnesium-aluminum-zinc designed to balance strength, density, and manufacturability. The term also appears in discussions of ceramics and refractory materials where MgO- or Mg-rich phases confer particular thermal and mechanical properties.

Overall, magnesiumdominated describes systems where magnesium plays the leading compositional role, informing both formation history in natural settings and performance characteristics in engineered materials.