Bayerite is a mineral that is not very well known, but it is still important in certain fields. It is a hydrated aluminum oxide mineral that is usually found in bauxite deposits. In this article, we will discuss the definition, meaning, origin, and associations of bayerite.
Definitions
Bayerite is a mineral that is composed of aluminum oxide and water. It has a chemical formula of Al(OH)3 and a hardness of 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale. It is a member of the boehmite subgroup of the diaspore group of minerals.
Origin
Bayerite was named after the German chemist, Karl Bayer, who discovered the process for extracting aluminum from bauxite in 1888. Bayerite is usually found in bauxite deposits, which are formed by the weathering of aluminum-rich rocks. The mineral was first described in 1943 by the American mineralogist, Clifford Frondel.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford Dictionary, bayerite is “a mineral consisting of hydrated aluminum oxide, occurring as a white or grayish-white powder or in minute crystals.”
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines bayerite as “a mineral consisting of a hydrated aluminum oxide occurring in white or grayish-white powder or minute crystals.”
Associations
Bayerite is often associated with other minerals such as gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore. It is also found in association with other minerals in bauxite deposits, including hematite, goethite, and kaolinite.
Synonyms
There are no commonly used synonyms for bayerite.
Antonyms
There are no commonly used antonyms for bayerite.
The same root words
Bayerite is named after Karl Bayer, the German chemist who discovered the process for extracting aluminum from bauxite. The word “bayer” is derived from his last name.
Example Sentences
- The bauxite deposit contained large amounts of bayerite.
- The mineralogist identified the bayerite crystals under the microscope.
- The aluminum refinery used the bayer process to extract aluminum from bauxite, which involves the formation of bayerite.