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Mineral Hydration




In Geological terms, the process of mineral hydration is known as Metasomatism , or ''alteraion'' and is a process occurring in Retrograde Metamorphism . Hydration of minerals occurs generally in concert with Hydrothermal Circulation .

Mineral hydration is also a process in the Regolith via conversion of silicate minerals into Clay minerals.

There are two main ways in which minerals hydrate. One is conversion of an Oxide to a double Hydroxide , as in the hydration of Calcium Oxide - CaO - to Calcium Hydroxide - Ca(OH)2, the other is incorporation of water molecules directly into the crystalline structure of the mineral, as in the hydration of Feldspar s to Clay Mineral s.

Some mineral structures, for example, Montmorillonite , are capable of including a variable amount of water without significant change to the mineral structure.

Hydration is the mechanism by which Portland Cement develops strength.


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