Calcium Sulfate

Calcium sulfate is a chemical compound represented by the formula CaSO₄, where Ca stands for calcium and SO₄ represents the sulfate group. It is widely used in various industries for different applications, including construction, agriculture, medicine, and food.

Properties and Characteristics:

• Chemical Formula: Calcium sulfate is identified by the formula CaSO₄, highlighting its composition of calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O).
• Solubility: Its solubility in water varies, with anhydrous calcium sulfate being slightly soluble and dihydrated calcium sulfate (gypsum) being more soluble.

Applications:

Construction:

• Building Material: Used in the construction industry for making plaster, concrete, and drywall.

Agriculture:

• Soil Amendment: Applied as a soil amendment to improve soil structure and quality, especially in clayey soils.

Medicine:

• Supplementation: Used in medicine as a calcium source in dietary supplements.

Food Industry:

• Coagulant: Occasionally used in cheese production as a coagulant.

Safety and Precautions:

Calcium sulfate is generally recognized as safe when used according to guidelines. However, precautions should be taken to avoid excessive exposure, especially in industrial applications.