Whewellite

Whewellite

Whewellite is a mineral, hydrated calcium oxalate, formula CaC2O4·H2O. Because of its organic content it is thought to have an indirect biological origin and this is supported by it being found in coal and sedimentary nodules. However, it has also been found in hydrothermal deposits where a biological source appears improbable. For this reason it can be classed as true mineral.

Whewellite, or at least crystalline calcium oxalate, does also arise from natural sources. Small crystals or flakes are sometimes found on the surfaces of some cacti, and kidney stones frequently have the same composition.

Whewellite was named after William Whewell (1794-1866), an English mineralogist.

Whewellite heat decomposition

Whewellite is used as a thermogravimetric analysis standard due to its well known decomposition temperatures and products.

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  • Whewellite — Catégorie X : minéraux organiques[1] Général Classe de Strunz 10.AB.45 Formule brute Ca(C2O4 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Whewellite — Whew ell*ite, n. [So named after Prof. Whewell of Cambridge, England.] (Min.) Calcium oxalate, occurring in colorless or white monoclinic crystals. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • whewellite — ● whewellite nom féminin (de W. Whewell, nom propre) Oxalate naturel de calcium, monoclinique …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • whewellite — ˈhyüəˌlīt noun ( s) Etymology: William Whewell died 1866 English philosopher + English ite : a mineral CaC2O4.H2O consisting of calcium oxalate occurring in colorless or white monoclinic crystals polymorphous with weddellite * * * whewellite… …   Useful english dictionary

  • whewellite calculus — a common type of oxalate calculus, containing whewellite …   Medical dictionary

  • whewellite — /hyooh euh luyt /, n. a white or colorless mineral of organic origin, calcium oxalate monohydrate, Ca(C2O4)·H2O, one of the main crystalline components of kidney stones and urinary precipitates; also found in coal deposits. [1850 55; named after… …   Universalium

  • whewellite — noun A mineral, hydrated calcium oxalate …   Wiktionary

  • whewellite — A monohydrate of calcium oxalate; found in renal calculi. Cf.:weddellite. [William Whewell, Eng. philosopher (1794–1866), + ite] * * * whe·well·ite (huґwə līt) [William Whewell, English philosopher, 1794–1866] a monohydrate of calcium …   Medical dictionary

  • whewellite — whew·ell·ite …   English syllables

  • Whewellit — Whewellitkristall aus Schlema im Erzgebirge Andere Namen Calciumoxalat oxalsauerer Kalk Chemische Formel Ca(C2O4)·H2O …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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