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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology pp 1Cite as

Magnetite

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Synonyms

Magnetic iron ore

Definition

Magnetite is a black, cubic iron oxide of chemical formula Fe3O4 belonging to the spinel group. It is the most magnetic mineral on Earth. The formula of magnetite may also be written as (Fe2+Fe 3+2 O4), which indicates the occurrence of two iron ions having different valences that occupy specific sites in the crystal structure. This arrangement causes a transfer of electrons between the different irons generating the magnetic field. Magnetite occurs in almost all igneous and metamorphic rocks and in several types of sedimentary rocks, including banded iron formations. Crystals of magnetite are found in some bacteria called magnetobacteria (e.g., Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum). Magnetic minerals were found in the Martian meteorite ALH 84001 and interpreted as the best evidence of indigenous bacterial activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université du Québec à Montréal, GEOTOP Research Center for Geochemistry and Geodynamics, CP 8888, succ. Centre-Ville, H3C 3P8, Montréal, QC, Canada

    Daniele L. Pinti

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  1. Daniele L. Pinti
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Correspondence to Daniele L. Pinti .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Amils

  2. Labo. d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB), Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers (OASU), Floirac CX, France

    Muriel Gargaud

  3. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), Inst. Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain

    José Cernicharo Quintanilla

  4. Geophysical Lab., Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Henderson James Cleaves

  5. Astronomy Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

    William M. Irvine

  6. Dépt. Sc. de la Terre et de l’Atmosphère, Université du Québec, Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Daniele Pinti

  7. Centre National d'Etudes Spatiale (CNES) DPI/E2U, Paris CX, France

    Michel Viso

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Pinti, D.L. (2014). Magnetite. In: Amils, R., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_922-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_922-6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Magnetite
    Published:
    16 November 2021

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_922-7

  2. Original

    Magnetite
    Published:
    27 April 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_922-6

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