The minerals are inorganic bodies of nature presented in a solid state. The earth is made up mainly of rocks. From minerals and rocks on the earth's surface, we obtain much of the resources we need to live. Besides that, minerals are inorganic substances that are present in some essential foods in the human body. Minerals are solid bodies, like quartz and gem, some of them are crystalline, which are formed by the interaction of physical-chemical processes in geological environments.
Characteristics.
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It must be a solid substance, this characteristic allows liquids to be excluded from this classification, in the usual sense of the word, such as water or native mercury and solids that do not have a crystalline structure, such as obsidian, a volcanic glass.. Minerals must have an ordered reticular structure.
Its nature is inorganic, minerals are the most famous bodies in this group.
Its origin must be natural, when human intervention has been to a lesser degree and without intention, the resulting body can be considered a mineral. For example, in a mining operation, materials are extracted that are abandoned outside and that when reacting with water and gases in the atmosphere, originate new chemical compounds that should be admitted as minerals.
They must have a fixed or slightly variable chemical composition. Minerals in general are not pure chemical species, so they can possess polluting substances that give them one or another color.
The earth is full of minerals highly coveted by man, the reason is that they are extremely precious, among the most expensive minerals are: gold, rhodium, plutonium, Taffeit, tritium, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires among others..
Types.
Minerals are classified based on their internal structure and chemical composition, and these characteristics determine the properties with which each material is endowed:
- Native elements: this mineral has not been altered or combined by human hands, so they are pure.
- Sulfides: it results from the combination of sulfur with another chemical such as pyrite, blende, galena.
- Sulfosalts: are minerals composed of lead, copper and silver, in combination with sulfur and another mineral such as arsenic.
- Oxides: arise from the combination of oxygen with another element such as corundum, cassiterite bauxite and oligisto.
- Halides: composed of a halogen and other minerals such as fluorine, bromine, iodine and chlorine, they form rocks similar to common salt.
- Carbonates: this material is the combination or action of carbonic acid on another metal such as marble, and calcite.
- Nitrates: are minerals derived from nitric acid.
- Borates: made up of salts or esters of boric acid.
- Arsenate phosphates and vanadates: they are minerals derived from vanadium, phosphoric acid and arsenic.
- Silicates: this mineral forms the lithosphere, in other words, part of the earth's crust. They come from silicic acid.
- Radioactive minerals: they are minerals with the ability to transmit or emit reissue such as torianite, uraninite and torite.
From where they come?
Minerals are present on all continents, scattered in the four cardinal points of the earth and at different depths. The planet is made up of minerals, water, air, and rocks.
Minerals are formed by nature through the wear of existing minerals, volcanic eruptions and also by large explosions of stars.
The most dangerous minerals.
Some minerals are natural and homogeneous inorganic substances with a defined chemical composition. Minerals and their multiple applications are of great importance in human activity. Modern industry uses them in the manufacture of multiple products, in the field of electronics, tools, and even in construction materials. Despite this, there are minerals that are of high risk to the environment and humanity:
- Cinnabar or mercury sulfide: This mineral produces toxic compounds such as dimethyl mercury and methylmercury, these compounds can cause disorders in the nervous system and in the development of fetuses and children. They are present in crystal and granular form in volcanic areas and hot springs. At present it is used in the manufacture of electrical devices and scientific instruments. This mineral is exploited in Spain, China, Algeria and Kyrgyzstan.
- Galena: it is a lead and primary lead sulfide mineral, it is insoluble and if released into the environment it can cause problems in the development of children and fetuses and cardiovascular diseases in adults. Deposits of this material are in the United Kingdom, British Columbia, Germany, the United States and Australia.
- Quartz: it is the second most abundant mineral in the earth's crust, it can occur in different forms, such as crystal, stone, silica sands, etc. It is used in the oil industry and the production of electronic and optical devices. It can cause lung cancer, immune problems, and kidney disease. Commercial quartz is produced from crystal seeds and natural quartz crystals are used as gemstones. The main producers of this material are Brazil and the United States.
- Crocidolite or blue asbestos: this mineral is considered the most dangerous in the world, it is a type of asbestos used to make industrial and commercial products, such as: coating roofs, tiles, etc. Exposure to this fibrous material can lead to life-threatening illnesses, such as lung cancer. The mining of this material was carried out in Western Australia, South Africa and Bolivia.
The most important minerals for the human body.
The human body needs minerals, inorganic elements that can represent up to 5% of body weight and are classified as macrominerals and trace elements. Humans need them to maintain and ensure the proper functioning of the body, regulate the heart rate and produce hormones.
Macrominerals: the body needs large amounts of these minerals for it to function normally:
- Calcium, this mineral is present in dairy products and their derivatives, in vegetables, in cabbage, broccoli, in salmon, sardines, nuts, etc. It is responsible for the formation of teeth and bones.
- Magnesium is found in vegetables, fruits such as apricots, as well as cereals. Participates in the activity of enzymes.
- Phosphorus also participates in the formation of teeth and is obtained from some foods such as meat, cereals, milk and wholemeal bread.
- Potassium is present in spinach, grapes, carrots, bananas, and oranges. It is involved in the communication between nerves and muscles.
Trace elements: this type of mineral is required by the human body only in small amounts. Its main element is:
- Iron: it is found in a group of food products such as red meat, salmon, legumes, tuna, dehydrated fruits, oysters, eggs, cereals, among others. Iron produces hemoglobin, and carries oxygen from the lungs to all tissues of the body, helping to avoid anemia.
- There are other groups of trace elements that are, magnesium, copper, selenium, iodine, cobalt, zinc and fluorine.
