Minerals - A Very Short Introduction

"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 emphasizes 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, Minerals: A Very Short Introduction also introduces the modern strand of mineralogy. This explores the role minerals play in the plate tectonic cycle and how they can be critical for human health and illness by providing essential nutrients and releasing poisons."