Dolomite ( /ˈdɒləmaɪt/) is an anhydrous carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium

carbonate, ideally CaMg(CO3)2. The term is also used for a sedimentary carbonate rock composed
mostly of the mineral dolomite. An alternative name sometimes used for the dolomitic rock type is
dolostone.

History

Most probably the mineral dolomite was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1768.[6] In 1791, it was
described as a rock by the French naturalist and geologist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu (1750–1801),
first in buildings of the old city of Rome, and later as samples collected in the mountains now known
as the Dolomite Alps of northern Italy. Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure first named the mineral (after
Dolomieu) in March 1792.[7]

Properties

The mineral dolomite crystallizes in the trigonal-rhombohedral system. It forms white, tan, gray, or
pink crystals. Dolomite is a double carbonate, having an alternating structural arrangement of
calcium and magnesium ions. Unless it is in fine powder form, it does not rapidly dissolve or
effervesce (fizz) in cold dilute hydrochloric acid as calcite does.[8] Crystal twinning is common.

Solid solution exists between dolomite, the iron-dominant ankerite and the manganese-dominant
kutnohorite.[9] Small amounts of iron in the structure give the crystals a yellow to brown tint.
Manganese substitutes in the structure also up to about three percent MnO. A high manganese
content gives the crystals a rosy pink color. Lead, zinc, and cobalt also substitute in the structure for
magnesium. The mineral dolomite is closely related to huntite Mg3Ca(CO3)4.

Because dolomite can be dissolved by slightly acidic water, areas of dolomite are important as
aquifers and contribute to karst terrain formation.[10]

Uses

Dolomite is used as an ornamental stone, a concrete aggregate, and a source of magnesium oxide, as
well as in the Pidgeon process for the production of magnesium. It is an important petroleum
reservoir rock, and serves as the host rock for large strata-bound Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) ore
deposits of base metals such as lead, zinc, and copper. Where calcite limestone is uncommon or too
costly, dolomite is sometimes used in its place as a flux for the smelting of iron and steel. Large
quantities of processed dolomite are used in the production of float glass.

In horticulture, dolomite and dolomitic limestone are added to soils and soilless potting mixes as a
pH buffer and as a magnesium source.
Dolomite is also used as the substrate in marine (saltwater) aquariums to help buffer changes in pH
of the water.

Calcined dolomite is also used as a catalyst for destruction of tar in the gasification of biomass at high
temperature.[15]

Dolomite (light pink) with chalcopyrite from the Tri-state district, Cherokee County, Kansas (size:
11.4×7.2×4.6 cm)

Particle physics researchers like to build particle detectors under layers of dolomite to enable the
detectors to detect the highest possible number of exotic particles. Because dolomite contains
relatively minor quantities of radioactive materials, it can insulate against interference from cosmic
rays without adding to background radiation levels.[16]