Nitre
Nitre (most English-speaking countries) or Niter (American English) is the mineral form of potassium nitrate, KNO3, also known as saltpeter in America or saltpetre in other English-speaking countries. Historically, the term "nitre" was not well differentiated from natron, both of which have been very vaguely defined but generally refer to compounds of sodium or potassium joined with carbonate or nitrate ions. Three related minerals are soda nitre (sodium nitrate), ammonia nitre (ammonium nitrate), and strontium nitrate.
Because of its ready solubility in water, nitre is most often found in arid environments. A major source of sodium nitrate mineral ("Chile saltpeter", that is, nitratine) is the Atacama desert in Chile. Potassium and other nitrates are of great importance for use in fertilizers and, historically, gunpowder. Much of the world's demand is now met by synthetically produced nitrates, though the natural mineral is still mined and is still of significant commercial value.
Saltpeter (disambiguation)
Saltpeter, Salpeter or saltpetre collectively refers to several nitrogen-based compounds and minerals:
- niter, the mineral form of potassium nitrate
- Nitratine, the mineral form of sodium nitrate
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