Editing Dolomite (mineral) (section)

==Uses==
Dolomite is used as an ornamental stone, a concrete aggregate, and a source of [[magnesium oxide]], as well as in the [[Pidgeon process]] for the production of [[magnesium]]. It is an important [[petroleum]] [[oil reservoir|reservoir]] rock, and serves as the host rock for large strata-bound [[Mississippi Valley-Type]] (MVT) [[ore]] deposits of [[base metal]]s such as [[lead]], [[zinc]], and [[copper]]. Where [[calcite]] [[limestone]] is uncommon or too costly, dolomite is sometimes used in its place as a [[flux (metallurgy)|flux]] for the [[smelting]] of iron and steel. Large quantities of processed dolomite are used in the production of [[float glass]].

In [[horticulture]], dolomite and dolomitic limestone are added to soils and soilless potting mixes as a pH buffer and as a magnesium source. Pastures can be limed with dolomitic lime to raise their pH and where there is a magnesium deficiency. 

Dolomite is also used as the substrate in marine (saltwater) aquariums to help buffer changes in the pH of the water.

Calcined dolomite is also used as a [[catalyst]] for destruction of [[tar]] in the [[gasification]] of [[biomass]] at high temperature.<ref>[http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy03osti/32815.pdf A Review of the Literature on Catalytic Biomass Tar Destruction] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204170426/http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy03osti/32815.pdf |date=2015-02-04 }} National Renewable Energy Laboratory.</ref> Particle physics researchers like to build [[particle detector]]s under layers of dolomite to enable the detectors to detect the highest possible number of exotic particles. Because dolomite contains relatively minor quantities of radioactive materials, it can insulate against interference from [[cosmic ray]]s without adding to [[background radiation]] levels.<ref>[https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/09/particle-quest.html Short Sharp Science: Particle quest: Hunting for Italian WIMPs underground] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517123736/https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/09/particle-quest.html |date=2017-05-17 }}. Newscientist.com (2011-09-05). Retrieved on 2011-10-10.</ref>

In addition to being an industrial mineral, dolomite is highly valued by collectors and museums when it forms large, transparent crystals. The specimens that appear in the magnesite quarry exploited in Eugui, Esteribar, Navarra (Spain) are considered among the best in the world.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Calvo M. |author2=Sevillano, E. |year=1991|title= The Eugui quarries, Navarra, Spain |journal= The Mineralogical Record |volume=22|pages= 137–142 }}</ref>