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Glite Dictionary
lepidocrocite

lepidocrocite

9.9
A red-brown mineral made of iron that often appears in rust or iron ore
  • noun
  • /ˌlɛpɪdəˈkrɒkaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lepidocrocita
  • The reddish-brown color of lepidocrocite can help identify iron-rich geological formations.

Examples

  • Lepidocrocite peaks (-FeOOH) are noted in the MSI rust but not in the rust of IF reinforcing bars.

    Academic text (2016)

  • The release of Mn++ via the dissolution of MnS from steel reinforcing bar promotes the formation of FeCl3 and unstable lepidocrocite (-FeOOH) in the rust.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Ferric chloride, in the presence of oxygen and moisture, regenerates hydrochloric acid and lepidocrocite.

    Academic text (2016)

  • The mineral lepidocrocite is often formed in the rust of iron ores.

  • Lepidocrocite is commonly found alongside goethite in iron-rich deposits.

Surface Forms

lepidocrocite singular
lepidocrocites plural

Morphology

lepidocrocite = lepido + croc + ite

The word is a technical mineral name built from Greek combining forms plus the mineral-forming suffix '-ite'; these components are not productive standalone English words for a B1 learner, so the meaning is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

The word lepidocrocite comes from Greek parts lepid- meaning 'scale' and krokos meaning 'saffron', a yellow-red colour. So it literally means 'saffron-coloured scales', which helps explain this mineral's scaly form and reddish colour.