Minerals: A Very Short Introduction

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(as of Dec 14, 2025 12:14:55 UTC – Details)


Minerals existed long before any forms of life, playing a key role in the origin and evolution of life; an interaction with biological systems that we are only now beginning to understand. Exploring the traditional strand of mineralogy, which emphasises the important mineral families, the well-established analytical methods (optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction) and the dramatic developments made in techniques over recent decades, David Vaughan also introduces the modern strand of mineralogy, which explores the role minerals play in the plate tectonic cycle and how they interact with the living world.
Demonstrating how minerals can be critical for human health and illness by providing essential nutrients and releasing poisons, Vaughan explores the multitude of ways in which minerals have aided our understanding of the world.
ABOUT THE SERIES:
The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

From the Publisher

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199682844
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199682843
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.3 x 6.6 x 4.3 inches
Part of series ‏ : ‎ Very Short Introductions
Best Sellers Rank: #1,845,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #75 in Mineralogy (Books) #737 in Earth Sciences (Books)
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