Gypsum:
Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfatedihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O). It is a white, opaque compound made of hydrated calcium sulphate. It is mostly utilised in fertilisers that contain ammonium sulphate and in the cement industry. Additionally, it helps the soil retain moisture and absorb nitrogen in agriculture.
Uses of Gypsum:
- Gypsum is used as a building material in the construction of walls, ceilings, and roofs, as well as in the production of plaster, drywall, and joint compounds.
- It is used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, and fertility, and to reduce soil salinity.
- It is used in the production of dental and surgical casts and molds.
- It is used as a raw material in the production of various chemicals, including sulfuric acid and calcium sulfate.
- It is also used in the production of blackboard chalk, and ceramics, and in the food industry as a firming agent for fruits and vegetables.