| Inorganic Mineral | Class | Formula/Composition | Immediate role | Upstream inputs | Downstream outputs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz | Silicate mineral | SiO2 | Structural matrix in soils/sands; low reactivity | Weathering of granite, sandstone | Soil texture framework |
| Feldspar (orthoclase) | Aluminosilicate mineral | KAlSi3O8 | Source of K+, Al, Si; moderate weathering rate | Igneous/metamorphic rock weathering | Clay minerals, K+ release |
| Feldspar (plagioclase) | Aluminosilicate mineral | NaAlSi3O8 – CaAl2Si2O8 | Source of Na+, Ca2+, Al, Si | Igneous/metamorphic rock weathering | Clay minerals, Ca2+, Na+ release |
| Mica (muscovite) | Aluminosilicate sheet silicate | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | K+ source; platy particles improve soil structure | Weathering of igneous/metamorphic rocks | Fine-grained phyllosilicates |
| Kaolinite | Clay mineral (phyllosilicate) | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 | Low CEC; stable in acidic soils | Weathering of feldspars/micas | Stable clay fraction |
| Illite | Clay mineral (phyllosilicate) | (K,H3O)(Al,Mg,Fe)2(Si,Al)4O10[(OH)2,(H2O)] | Moderate CEC; K+ source | Weathering of micas | Nutrient exchange, secondary clays |
| Smectite (montmorillonite) | Clay mineral (phyllosilicate) | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2·nH2O | High CEC, swelling properties | Weathering of volcanic ash/basalts | Nutrient retention |
| Vermiculite | Clay mineral (phyllosilicate) | (Mg,Fe,Al)3(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2·4H2O | High CEC, expandable | Mica weathering | Soil amendment material |
| Calcite | Carbonate mineral | CaCO3 | pH buffer, Ca2+ source | Weathering of limestone | Dissolved Ca2+, CO2 |
| Dolomite | Carbonate mineral | CaMg(CO3)2 | Mg2+ and Ca2+ source | Dolostone weathering | Soil Mg2+, Ca2+ pool |
| Gypsum | Sulfate mineral | CaSO4·2H2O | Ca2+ and S source; improves sodic soils | Evaporite dissolution | Ca2+, SO4^2- in soil water |
| Hematite | Iron oxide mineral | Fe2O3 | Soil red color; Fe3+ source | Oxidation of Fe-bearing minerals | Electron acceptor in redox reactions |
| Goethite | Iron oxyhydroxide mineral | FeO(OH) | Yellow-brown soil color; Fe3+ source | Weathering of Fe-rich rocks | Electron acceptor, Fe cycling |
| Magnetite | Iron oxide mineral | Fe3O4 | Magnetic mineral; Fe2+/Fe3+ redox buffering | Igneous rock weathering | Fe cycling in soils/sediments |
| Apatite (fluorapatite) | Phosphate mineral | Ca5(PO4)3F | Primary P source in soils | Igneous rock weathering | PO4^3- for plants/microbes |
| Apatite (hydroxyapatite) | Phosphate mineral | Ca5(PO4)3OH | P source; biomineral analog in bones | Weathering of phosphate rocks | PO4^3- release |
| Halite | Halide mineral | NaCl | Na+ and Cl- source; osmotic balance | Evaporite dissolution | Salinity in soils/waters |
| Sylvite | Halide mineral | KCl | K+ source | Evaporite dissolution | Nutrient K+ in soils |
| Anhydrite | Sulfate mineral | CaSO4 | Ca2+ and S source | Evaporite mineralization | Soil amendment source |
Key terms in plain language
Open a term for a concise explanation of language used on this page.
Broadband
A general term for always-on, high-speed Internet access. Broadband can be delivered over fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless, cellular, or satellite networks.
Cloud Computing
Computing resources—such as applications, servers, storage, or databases—delivered from remote infrastructure and scaled as requirements change.
Cybersecurity
The practices and controls used to protect identities, devices, networks, applications, and data from unauthorized access, disruption, or manipulation.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
The systems and policies that determine who a user is, what resources they may access, and how that access is authenticated and reviewed.
API
An application programming interface is a defined way for software systems to exchange data or request functions from one another.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Software designed to perform tasks involving prediction, classification, generation, reasoning, or decision support. Business use still requires clear data, governance, security, and human accountability.