Brushite
Encyclopedia
Brushite is a mineral with the chemical formula . It is believed to be a precursor of apatite
and is found in guano
-rich caves, formed by the interaction of guano with calcite
and clay
at a low pH
. Brushite was first described in 1865 and named for the American mineralogist George Jarvis Brush
(1831-1912). It forms crystals of prismatic shape having a monoclinic crystal structure.
Brushite is the original precipitating material in calcium phosphate
kidney stones.
Apatite
Apatite is a group of phosphate minerals, usually referring to hydroxylapatite, fluorapatite, chlorapatite and bromapatite, named for high concentrations of OH−, F−, Cl− or Br− ions, respectively, in the crystal...
and is found in guano
Guano
Guano is the excrement of seabirds, cave dwelling bats, and seals. Guano manure is an effective fertilizer due to its high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen and also its lack of odor. It was an important source of nitrates for gunpowder...
-rich caves, formed by the interaction of guano with calcite
Calcite
Calcite is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate . The other polymorphs are the minerals aragonite and vaterite. Aragonite will change to calcite at 380-470°C, and vaterite is even less stable.-Properties:...
and clay
Clay minerals
Clay minerals are hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, sometimes with variable amounts of iron, magnesium, alkali metals, alkaline earths, and other cations. Clays have structures similar to the micas and therefore form flat hexagonal sheets. Clay minerals are common weathering products and low...
at a low pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
. Brushite was first described in 1865 and named for the American mineralogist George Jarvis Brush
George Jarvis Brush
George Jarvis Brush was an American mineralogist and academic administrator who spent most of his career at Yale University in the Sheffield Scientific School.-Career:...
(1831-1912). It forms crystals of prismatic shape having a monoclinic crystal structure.
Brushite is the original precipitating material in calcium phosphate
Calcium phosphate
Calcium phosphate is the name given to a family of minerals containing calcium ions together with orthophosphates , metaphosphates or pyrophosphates and occasionally hydrogen or hydroxide ions ....
kidney stones.