Cements are authigenic minerals precipitated in the pores of clastic rocks.

Secondary minerals such as calcite, epidote, quartz or talc can precipitate from the circulating groundwater filling the voids and cementing the rock.

During this process mineral of the protolith partially dissolve, diffuse through the water and precipitate elsewhere.

This is possible as magnetic minerals precipitate in the melt (crystallize), they orient themselves with Earth's magnetic field.

The mineral can precipitate out of water and collect in layers at the bottom of a lake, spring, or other standing water.

Dr. Stakes added, "It undermines our capability to predict what minerals should precipitate under what conditions because biological mediation changes the conditions."

When it comes in contact with cold ocean water, many minerals precipitate, forming a black, chimney-like structure around each vent.

The minerals precipitate from seawater and grow very slowly.

Isotopically light calcium is preferentially incorporated into minerals, leaving the solution from which the mineral precipitated enriched in isotopically heavy calcium.

The temperatures of the recirculating water, piping and heat exchange surfaces determine if and where minerals will precipitate from the recirculating water.