mineralizes
Turns to rock
Mineralizes means converts into mineral form or deposits minerals into.
Organic matter mineralizes as it decays, releasing nutrients into soil.
Groundwater mineralizes bone over geological time, creating fossils.
In biology, the body mineralizes teeth and bones by depositing calcium and other minerals: The skeleton mineralizes during fetal development.
Mineral hardening of tissue
- ossificationConversion to bone tissue
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
- shellsProtective outer layers
coral · exoskeleton · calcium · phosphate · skeletal · cartilage · tissue · arthritis
Metal-bearing rock
- veinVessel toward heart
- depositPlace for safekeeping
- lodeMineral-rich rock seam
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
geode · quartz · gypsum · halite · pyrite · galena · groundwater · hydrothermal
Becoming rock-like
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- shellsProtective outer layers
- fossilsPreserved ancient organism traces
specimens · amber · dinosaurs · trilobites · ammonites · carbonization · molds · casts
Purification through dissolving and reforming
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
- pressureForce upon contact
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- garnetRed semiprecious stone
kyanite · biotite · alteration · replacement · fluids · heat · contact · regional
calcification
Mineral hardening of tissue
- ossificationConversion to bone tissue
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
shells · coral · exoskeleton · calcium · phosphate · skeletal · cartilage · tissue · arthritis · deposits
ore
Metal-bearing rock
crystallization · geode · quartz · gypsum · halite · pyrite · galena · groundwater · hydrothermal · sediment
petrification
Becoming rock-like
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- shellsProtective outer layers
fossils · specimens · amber · dinosaurs · trilobites · ammonites · carbonization · molds · casts · paleontology
recrystallization
Purification through dissolving and reforming
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
- pressureForce upon contact
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
garnet · kyanite · biotite · alteration · replacement · fluids · heat · contact · regional · hydrothermal
mineralizesdissolves
Disperses into solution
demineralizes · leaches · erodes · corrodes · disintegrates
mineralizesdecomposes
Breaks into simpler components
putrefies · rots · biodegrades · decays · metabolizes