thenardite
/θɛˈnɑːdʌɪt
/noun [mass noun]
A white to brownish translucent crystalline mineral occurring in evaporated salt lakes, consisting of anhydrous sodium sulphate.Sulphate-rich waters in bitter lakes produce mirabilite which alters on exposure to thenardite both along the margins of the lake and in its deeper parts....
- The mineral, which occurs with lyonsite and thenardite, formed as a sublimate from the volcanic gases.
- It redissolves in summer and is eventually transformed on shores in powdered thenardite, which is easily blown away by wind from the shores, as water level is lower.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from the name of Baron Louis-Jacques Thénard (1777–1857), French chemist, + -ite1.