Barite Photos 
Cochise College               
Photos of Minerals
Geology Home Page

Roger Weller, geology instructor

wellerr@cochise.edu     copyright 2010-R.Weller 

 
barite-bladed crystals
Another use of barite's high density is in medical x-ray photography.  Prior to the
x-ray procedure, a patient drinks a "milkshake" of barite mud.  The high density
barite blocks the x-rays and provides a clear image of the upper intestine being
x-rayed.
 

barite                                                                                                                                        bladed1
Photo is copyright free only for non-commercial educational uses.
Just credit photo to R.Weller/Cochise College.