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aragonite

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

aragonite Mineral, CaCO₃; sp. gr. 2.9; hardness 3.5–4.0; orthorhombic; colourless, white, grey, or yellowish; white streak; vitreous lustre; crystals normally prismatic, often acicular, sometimes tabular and pseudo-hexagonal; also occurs fibrous and stalactitic; cleavage imperfect cleavage; occurs in hot springs and in association with gypsum, also in veins and cavities, and in the oxidized zone of ore deposits with other secondary minerals. Aragonite is a polymorph of calcite, from which it is distinguished by its lack of cleavage and its higher specific gravity. Calcite is the more stable form of CaCO₃, and many fossil shells that were made originally of aragonite have either converted to calcite or undergone replacement by some other mineral. Present-day mollusc shells are formed of aragonite crystals. The name is derived from the Aragon province of Spain. See also CARBONATES.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-aragonite.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-aragonite.html

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aragonite

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

aragonite A colourless, white, grey, or yellowish mineral (CaCO₃) that occurs in hot springs and in association with gypsum, also in veins and cavities, and in the oxidized zone of ore deposits with other secondary minerals. Aragonite is a polymorph of calcite, from which it is distinguished by its lack of cleavage and its higher specific gravity (2.9). Calcite is the more stable form of CaCO₃ and many fossil shells that were made originally of aragonite have either been converted to calcite or undergone replacement by some other mineral. Present-day mollusc shells are formed of aragonite crystals. The name is derived from the Aragon province of Spain. Aragonite usually occurs as prismatic or acicular crystals but is sometimes fibrous and stalactitic.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-aragonite.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-aragonite.html

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aragonite

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

aragonite A form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) from which the shells of many invertebrates (e.g. Mollusca) are formed. It is less stable than calcite and in many fossil shells aragonite has been converted to calcite or been replaced by other minerals. The name is taken from the Aragon province of Spain.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-aragonite.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "aragonite." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-aragonite.html

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aragonite

The Oxford Companion to the Earth | 2000 | | Copyright

aragonite see calcite, aragonite, dolomite

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PAUL HANCOCK and BRIAN J. SKINNER. "aragonite." The Oxford Companion to the Earth. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PAUL HANCOCK and BRIAN J. SKINNER. "aragonite." The Oxford Companion to the Earth. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O112-aragonite.html

PAUL HANCOCK and BRIAN J. SKINNER. "aragonite." The Oxford Companion to the Earth. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O112-aragonite.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

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