Mineral Groups in the Earths Crust

1
Mineral Groups in the Earths Crust
Minerals that form the rocks within Earths crust
belong to Seven (7) main mineral groups
1) Silicates
2) Carbonates
3) Sulfates
Reference Tarbuck and Lutgens Pages 24 -
28
4) Oxides
5) Halides
6) Sulfides
7) Native
2
Hints to Classify Mineral Groups
Olivine (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 Barite BaSO4 Calcite
CaCO3
3
Hints to Classify Mineral Groups
Hematite Fe2O3 Pyrite FeS2 Fluorite
CaF2
4
Mineral Groups

• A mineral group that has silicon and oxygen as
  part . of their atomic structure.

• Comprise more than 96 of the crust.

Rock forming Silicates are divided into two (2)
groups

• Sialic Silicates (Aluminosilicates)
• rich in silicon and aluminum.
• main rock type found in continents and comprise
  about 85 of the crust.
• mineral are light in color.

5
Mineral Groups

• A mineral group that has silicon and oxygen as
  part . of their atomic structure.

• Comprise more than 96 of the crust.

Rock forming Silicates are divided into two (2)
groups

• Simatic Silicates
• rich in silicon and magnesium.
• main rock type found in the ocean floor and
  comprise less than 15 of the crust.
• mineral are dark in color.

6
Mineral Groups

• compounds consisting of an atomic structure of
  one carbon and three oxygen (CO3).

• most common carbonate is calcite which make up
  the rock Limestone. (Ca CO3)

• the rock Gypsum is an example of a sulfate and
  it also takes on the mineral name. (CaSO4 2H2O)

7
Mineral Groups

• compounds consisting of an atomic structure of
  oxygen combined with one or more metals.

• most common oxides are those of iron (Fe2O3) and
  aluminum (Al2O3), referred to as Ore - Minerals.

• Halite (NaCl) is the most common halide. Often
  referred to as table salt.

8
Mineral Groups

• compounds consisting of an atomic structure of
  one or more metals combined with sulfur.

• common ore mineral.
  Examples Pyrite (FeS2), Galena (PbS),
  Sphalerite (ZnS).

• Examples Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Copper
  (Cu), Sulfur (S)

9
Sample Problem
Which is an example of a halide? (A) barite
(BaSO4) (B) calcite (CaCO3)
(C) fluorite (CaF2)
(D) hematite (Fe2O3)
Questions related to this topic are commonly seen
in the multiple choice.