noun
- Plural of alunite; hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate minerals used in the production of alum and other industrial chemicals.
Usage: technical; mineralogy
Examples
- Alunites are mined in several countries for use in chemical manufacturing.
- The geologist identified alunites in the rock samples collected from the volcanic region.
- Industrial processes extract alum from alunites through sulfuric acid leaching.
- Deposits of alunites can indicate past hydrothermal activity in an area.