Description of the mineral sylvinite
Sedimentary rock called sylvinite is characterized as a dense aggregate of crystals of halite, sylvin, and other sulfate, halogen minerals. It is included in the group of salt rocks of halite, the composition of which is distinguished by metal chlorides of sodium, potassium. The first mention of the mineral was noted in 1832, the name was chosen in honor of the discoverer, the scientist Francis de La Boe. It was this scientist who was engaged in a detailed study of the breed, discovered its digestive properties.
Description of the mineral sylvinite
Being potassium chloride, sylvinite is somewhat similar to halite, differing in similar functional, external properties. A similar crystal lattice, somewhat larger, the crystallization process contributes to the formation of regular crystals, a cubic smoothed shape, resembling dice in appearance.
There are aggregates of a granular structure, the layered texture of which is distinguished by density. The stone is notable for the extraordinary patterns of blue, red, white, orange, and other beautiful shades.
Field and production
Few lands can be distinguished by deposits of a rare mineral. The breed was found on the soils of Canada, Belarus, Israel, Germany, Uzbekistan, Russia. Only in these countries are major mining operations carried out.
The largest European deposit of sylvinite, Starobinskoye, was recorded near Soligorsk, Belarus. The Russian mining and development company Uralkali, OJSC Silvinit, is engaged in the extraction of potassium-magnesium salts at the Verkhnekamskoye deposit, to date there has been a merger of the companies (2011). In terms of the scale of work, the volume of raw materials extracted, Uralkali is the second largest potash producer, after the Canadian Potash.
Development at the Gremyachinskoye deposit, Volgograd region, is carried out by the Volga-potassium company. The Usolsky Stone Plant operates at the Verkhnekamskoye deposit, developing the following sites - Palashersky Balakhontsevsky. Both developers are part of EuroChem. The Talitskoye deposit, at the site of Verkhnekamsk, Perm Territory, is being developed by JSC Akron, its subsidiary CJSC Verkhnekamsk Potash Company. The extraction of potassium-magnesium salts at each deposit is carried out on a large scale.
Physical and chemical properties
Silvinite is distinguished by a high content of KCl, the figure can reach 80% of the total volume of the rock. The presence of NaCl does not exceed 60%, otherwise, the rock will be rock salt. The content of carnallite or bischofite MgCl2, anhydrite, gypsum CaSO4, reaches 25% - 30%. Polyhalite K2SO4, up to 10%.
The diverse composition of impurities, the presence of clay masses, their percentage, affect primarily the color, which varies from gray to red, milky white, motley. In places where the rock is not strongly affected by solutions saturated with MgCl2, the formation of secondary sylvite is allowed.
When lowered into water, the mineral is almost completely dissolved, with the exception of impurities that precipitate and remain on the surface. The mineralogical scale determines the hardness of this rock up to 2.5 units, density up to 2.3. The stone has a dull glassy luster. The taste of the mineral is bitter, somewhat salty, slightly burning the tongue. A transparent crystal of a mineral freely passes the short-wave, infrared region of the spectrum. The properties of a natural element are due to the characteristics of the rocks on the basis of which it is formed, halite and sylvite.
Chemical formula of sylvinite
Silvinite is considered the main ore of KCl. The rock is formed by alternating layers of halite, sylvin nNaCl + mKCl. Based on the fact that the ratio of impurities of this mineral is ambiguous, its chemical formula is written in three equally possible ways: NaCl KCl, NaKCl2, (Na,K)Cl.
Application area
Based on the fact that the natural element sylvinite is considered to be an underground remnant of the elements of sea water that disappeared millions of years ago from the basin of the ancient Perm Sea, the mineral is distinguished by its unique composition. Due to its chemical and physical properties, it has found wide application. Halite is considered as the main product of the food, chemical, and textile industries. Potash salt - sylvin - a fertilizer widely used in agriculture. Relatively later, transparent crystals of the mineral sylvin will be used as a fundamental element of the optical systems of modern spectrographs and other devices.
Scientists have long identified the unique healing properties of sylvinite. Evaporation of the mineral, under the influence of special unique technologies, contributes to the complete elimination of pathologies of the upper respiratory tract. Scientists could not leave such a property unclaimed, and together with physicians, in some foreign countries, special hospital wards were created for such healing.
In our country, sylvinite was jokingly expressed “Permyak is salty ears”, the mineral was studied in detail by P.I. Preobrazhensky, a geologist of the Geological Committee of the USSR. For a long time, which is measured in centuries, table salt was only boiled on its basis from natural brines mined in the Solikamsk region. The required component was pumped out of the wells, underwent a special purification treatment and already entered the consumer market.
Noticing the therapeutic effect of the rock, various kinds of clinics began to be placed near the deposits. Analogues on the surface began to be created somewhat later. Thus, peculiar sylvinite speleochambers appeared. To date, it has been proven that such treatment is most effective, the positive impact indicator ranges from 84% to 100%.
The patients themselves confirm that the course of treatment under the influence of sylvinite significantly improves the general condition of the weakened organism. The patient is recovering quickly. After such treatments, catarrhal pathologies affect the human body relatively less frequently. The treatment of childhood diseases is highly effective.
Already after the first procedure, shortness of breath disappears in children, the pathology stops progressing, the course of the disease is tolerated more easily and patients quickly recover. In some diseases of the upper respiratory organs, after exposure to sylvinite, they pass quickly and never again appear throughout life.
Silvinite speleological chamber
Treatment in the conditions of a sylvinite speleochamber belongs to the methods of alternative medicine. The room is a small room, walls, ceiling, the floor of which is built exclusively from the natural rock of sylvinite, mined at the Verkhnekamskoye deposit. A person placed in such conditions may well not only relax, but also get aesthetic pleasure.
The therapeutic effect on the body is achieved under the influence of negative ions combined with sea water ions. Improving well-being occurs due to a slowdown in the autonomic functions of the body, a shift in blood acidity, which improves metabolic processes.