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	The analysis of minerals using an optical microscope is performed using a tool called the Petrographic Microscope. The common variant of this scope is known as the Polarizing Light Microscope or PLM for short.


	An analyst can use the microscope to determine the form of this mineral even if only the tiniest particles are present instead of the large piece shown above. For example; The mineral in the picture to the right is capable if breaking down so small that it can become airborne, be inhaled, piece the cellular lining of the lungs and cause lung cancer or "Asbestosis".


	The analyst uses the PLM to determine characteristics of the mineral in order to identify it. Some of the characteristics, or properties, of minerals are...



	Morphology: The general shape or "Habit" of the mineral. In this case the minerals morphology is said to be "Fibrous". Another property observed in this micrograph is the "Sign of Elongation"(SOE). The SOE is the result of an alteration in the wavelengths of the light as it passed through and around the particle. Here we can see that the fibers running NE to SW are a blue. The fibers oriented SE to NW are yellow. If the fibers are rotated 90 degrees the blue will change to yellow and yellow to blue. When the particle is producing this color combination it is said to be of Positive Elongation. If the colors are reversed the particle is Negatively Elongate.


	[Pollen] [PLM photos] [Electron photos] [Bizarre] [Chrysotile Asbestos] [Amosite Asbestos] [Crocidolite Asbestos] [Actinolite Asbestos] [Tremolite Asbestos] [Anthophyllite Asbestos]


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