The Dolomite

Dolomite

is an anhydrous carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate, ideally CaMg (CO3)2. The word dolomite is also used to describe the sedimentary carbonate rock, which is composed

predominantly of the mineral dolomite.

use

Dolomite is used as an ornamental stone, a concrete aggregate, a source of magnesium oxide and in the Pigeon process for the production of magnesium. It is an important petroleum reservoir rock, and

serves as the host rock for large strata-bound Mississippi Valley-Type ore deposits of base metals such as lead, zinc, and copper. Where calcite limestone is uncommon or too costly, dolomite is sometimes

used in its place as a flux for the smelting of iron and steel. Large quantities of processed dolomite are used in the production of float glass

In horticulture, dolomite and dolomitic limestone are added to soils and soilless potting mixes as a pH buffer and as a magnesium source. Home and container gardening are common examples of this use

Dolomite is also used as the substrate in marine (saltwater) aquariums to help buffer changes in pH of the water

Particle physics researchers like to build particle detectors under layers of dolomite to enable the detectors to detect the highest possible number of exotic particles. Because dolomite contains relatively

minor quantities of radioactive materials, it can insulate against interference from cosmic rays without adding to background radiation levels