secondary mineral
Post-formation crystalline deposit
A secondary mineral is one formed by chemical alteration of pre-existing minerals, typically through weathering, oxidation, or interaction with water.
Primary minerals crystallize directly from molten rock; secondary minerals develop later as those original minerals break down or react with their environment.
Clay minerals formed from feldspar weathering are classic examples: The soil was rich in secondary minerals from centuries of granite decomposition.
- sedimentary rocksStone formed from deposits
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- chemical weatheringRocks altered by reactions
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- leachingDissolving out by liquid
limonite · precipitation · kaolinite · chlorite · serpentine · hematite · iron oxide · supergene enrichment · malachite · azurite · gypsum · calcite · cave formations · hydration · recrystallization · groundwater · crust · transformation
secondary mineralessential mineral
Necessary dietary inorganic nutrient