Silicate minerals are the most abundant group of minerals in the Earth's crust, making up approximately 90% of its composition. These minerals are characterized by the presence of the silicate ion (SiO44-) in their structure, which consists of silicon atoms bonded to four oxygen atoms forming a tetrahedron.
Silicate minerals can be classified based on their structural arrangement of the silicate tetrahedra:
The study of silicate minerals has a rich history dating back to the early days of mineralogy. The understanding of silicate structures was significantly advanced in the 19th and 20th centuries with the development of X-ray crystallography, which allowed scientists to determine the atomic structure of minerals. Key figures in this field include:
Silicate minerals play a crucial role in geological processes:
Beyond their geological significance, silicate minerals have numerous industrial applications: