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gypsum

1. n. [Geology]

[CaSO472H2O] A highly insoluble sulfate mineral that is the first to precipitate from evaporating seawater. Dehydration of gypsum can produce anhydrite. Fine-grained gypsum is called alabaster.

See: calcium mudcarbon dioxideevaporitehalitehydratescalesedimentary

Photomicrographs of gypsum.