Sodium metatungstate is also called hexasodium tungstate hydrate. It is a kind of white crystal. Molecular weight is 2968.01. The density is 3.1 g/ml and the refractive index is 1.5555. Under atmospheric pressure, sodium metatungstate is stable. But avoid contacting with the material and the oxide. Its sealing should be stored in ventilated and dry place at room temperature away from light. High density of sodium metatungstate, with non-toxic, easy preparation and recycled, are widely used in many fields, such as geology, soil science and Marine biology. 

The application of sodium metatungstate in the field of geology mainly shows in separation of mineral and sedimentary rocks. It provides a new way of the fine grain of pure mineral separation. There are three main types of the micro granular single mineral separation: artificial selection, chemical separation and density of separation. The density separation method is simple and stable. But the commonly heavy liquid toxic has bad smell. Operation requirement for equipment is very high. The sodium metatungstate has many properties, such as non-toxic, easy preparation, high density and is widely used in geological and mineral separation industry laboratory assignments.

 

Multiple scientists have used sodium metatungstate to study the mineral separation. For example, Roz found sodium metatungstate added ferrosilicon can be used in the classification of mineral density, and this method is safe and simple. Using sodium metatungstate to separate and purify microgranular conodont has the advantages of safety, high efficiency and it’s easy to operate. With the application of sodium metatungstate in geological laboratory, mineral purification process will be safe, simple and stable. And sodium metatungstate also can be recycled to reach the purpose of saving cost and no secondary pollution. In addition, people also use sodium metatungstate to separate sedimentary rocks and analyze the organic matter in rock sediment. In this way, we can better study distribution, occurrence, mineral composition, chemical composition, structure, classification, origin, evolution history and metallogenic relationship of the rocks.