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Apatite
Apatite is a mineral, or rather an admixture of three minerals: hydroxyapatite, fluorapatite, and chlorapatite, named for high concentrations of OH-, F-, or Cl- ions, respectively, in the crystal lattice. The formula of this admixture is Ca5(PO4)3(OH, F, Cl).
Mohs hardness is 5. Refractive index is 1.632-1.646. Specific gravity is 3.17-3.23. Birefringence is .002-.004. Crystal structure is hexagonal.
Apatite is one of very few minerals which are produced and used by biological systems. Hydroxyapatite is the major component of tooth enamel[?], and a large component of bone material. Fluorapatite is slightly stronger than hydroxyapatite; thus, fluoridated water[?], which will allow exchange in the teeth of hydroxyl ions for fluoride ions, slightly strengthens the teeth.
Fission tracks[?] in apatite are commonly used to estimate the thermal history of sediments in sedimentary basins.
See also: list of minerals, thermal history modelling.
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