Thenardite, named after the French chemist, L. J. Thenard, (anhydrous sodium Sulphate) is a white or brown coloured mineral with a vitreous lustre that dissolves easily in water and has a weak salty taste. It forms in sedimentary evaporite deposits in lakes and the playas of desert climates. It is used in the glass and paper- making industries. It has the formulae Na2SO4 and a relative hardness of 3.
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