GeologyRocks

A chemical sediment or sedimentary rock that forms by precipitation from evaporating waters. Gypsum, halite, nitrates and borates are examples of evaporite minerals. The minerals precipitate out in reverse order of their solubility. For sea water this is:

1. Calcite (CaCO₃) and dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂)
2. Gypsum (CaSO₄-2H₂O) and anhydrite (CaSO₄).
3. Halite (i.e. common salt, NaCl)
4. Potassium and magnesium salts (sometimes referred to as Bittern Salts)