Salt Data

<bibimport/> Author:Hans-Jürgen Schwarz
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Abstract

All necessary data, graphics and images for the identification and characterization of a salt are presented. The structure of the salt systems is subject to the major anions.

The Salts

Here you will find a general overview of the salts. If you need detail information, please go to the pages of the individual salts. Recent reviews on salt and salt damage can be found at [Leitner.etal:2003]Title: Mauersalze und Architekturoberflächen
and [Steiger.etal:2007]Title: Special issue on salt decay

Carbonates

The carbonates are salts of the "carbonic acid"(H ₂ CO ₃ ). The main structural element is the planar complex anion [CO ₃ ] ^{2 -} . The carbonates have a number of characteristics that distinguish them well from other minerals / salts. The most important characteristic is that they all decompose more or less easily under CO ₂ when treated with acids. The alkali and alkali earth carbonate salts are colourless. Most of the other carbonates are usually coloured pale, only the heavy metal carbonates can show strong colours (such as azurite). Noteworthy is the extremely high birefringence of the carbonates, which leads to higher order interference colours. Under thermal treatment the carbonates dissociate mostly at temperatures between 500-900 °C. The solubility in water is relatively good, especially in carbonated water.

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Nitrates

Biogenic reactions are a major source of nitrates with the [NO ₃] ^- ion . This usually takes place with the help of bacteria, also nitrogen-containing raw materials such as animal waste, manure and other organic substances may play a role. Nearly all nitrates are soluble in water. The nitrates have remarkable structural similarities with the carbonates; characteristic is the isotypy (same crystal structure) between nitronatrite /calcite and aragonite /niter.

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Literature

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an atom or molecule with a negative electrical charge.

the mathematical difference between the largest and smallest refractive index for an anisotropic mineral

In physics, interference is the addition of two or more waves that results in a new wave pattern. The colours are produced by the difference in speed in the fast and slow rays. Minerals have specific and predictable colours in cross-polarized light, and this can help identify them.