Minerals built around the phosphate ion, following the Nickel-Strunz phosphate class. Includes apatite, the most common phosphate mineral and the structural mineral of vertebrate bone and tooth enamel. Belongs here: any mineral whose defining anion group is phosphate. Does not belong here: a silicate, oxide or carbonate mineral that may co-occur with apatite as an accessory mineral in the same rock but carries a different defining anion. This class holds one live entity today; further phosphate minerals have a real home waiting here as later mint waves add them.
Facts
Comparison
Formation OriginContain the tetrahedrally coordinated phosphate (PO4 3-) anion, sometimes with arsenate or vanadate substitution. 1 Browse By
Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Phosphate minerals
WikipediaPhosphate minerals, lead sectionQuote, Phosphate minerals, lead section
Phosphate minerals are minerals that contain the tetrahedrally coordinated phosphate (PO3-4) anion, sometimes with arsenate (AsO3-4) and vanadate (VO3-4) substitutions, along with chloride (Cl-), fluoride (F-), and hydroxide (OH-) anions, that also fit into the crystal structure.
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