In geology, a heavy mineral is a mineral with a density that is greater than 2.9 g/cm, most commonly referring to dense components of siliciclastic sediments. A heavy mineral suite is the relative percentages of heavy minerals in a stone. Heavy mineral suites are used to help determine the provenance and history of sedimentary rocks.
As heavy minerals are a minor constituent of most sedimentary rock, they must be separated out to be studied. Heavy mineral separation generally uses a dense liquid in either a separatory funnel or centrifuge. Liquids used include bromoform, tetrabromoethane, tribromoethane, methylene iodide, and polytungstate liquids.
References
- ^ "USGS CMG Menlo Park Fume Hood Lab--M3005A". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
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