Event Title
Serpentine: Uses, History, and Properties
Location
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Start Date
1-5-2014 2:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 3:00 PM
Project Type
Poster- Restricted to Campus Access
Description
The use of serpentine, a mineral that gets its name from its scaly green appearance, dates back millennia. Since ancient times people have carved the mineral into jewelry and ornamental carvings. One of its three forms is an asbestos forming mineral, so it was mined for asbestos production until its carcinogenic properties were discovered. This mineral is formed when olivine or enstatite are subjected to low to medium grade metamorphism. Serpentine has many applications in science as well as daily life. In the past it has been used to determine the composition of asteroids, the carbon fixation abilities of other minerals, and is thought to play a role in the production of methane on mars. It usually is found in structureless masses due to its low level of internal symmetry. Its typical formula is Mg6Si4O10(OH)8, however Fe might replace Mg and sometime Al-Al might replace Mg-Si.
Faculty Sponsor
Tasha Dunn
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Geology Dept.
CLAS Field of Study
Natural Sciences
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
852
Serpentine: Uses, History, and Properties
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
The use of serpentine, a mineral that gets its name from its scaly green appearance, dates back millennia. Since ancient times people have carved the mineral into jewelry and ornamental carvings. One of its three forms is an asbestos forming mineral, so it was mined for asbestos production until its carcinogenic properties were discovered. This mineral is formed when olivine or enstatite are subjected to low to medium grade metamorphism. Serpentine has many applications in science as well as daily life. In the past it has been used to determine the composition of asteroids, the carbon fixation abilities of other minerals, and is thought to play a role in the production of methane on mars. It usually is found in structureless masses due to its low level of internal symmetry. Its typical formula is Mg6Si4O10(OH)8, however Fe might replace Mg and sometime Al-Al might replace Mg-Si.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/167