Elaborate the fundamental silica tetrahedral structure (SiO4). Give possibilities of SiO4 linkage to give rise to six silicate structural groups.

The fundamental building block of silicate minerals is the silica tetrahedron, which is composed of a central silicon atom (Si) bonded to four oxygen atoms (O) arranged in a tetrahedral shape. The chemical formula for this tetrahedron is SiO4.

The silica tetrahedrons can link together in various ways to form different silicate structures. There are six major silicate structural groups, each with a different bonding pattern of the silica tetrahedrons. They are:

1. Orthosilicates: The silica tetrahedrons are linked together with a single oxygen atom from each tetrahedron. This results in a structure where each silicon atom is surrounded by four oxygen atoms, with no oxygen atoms shared between tetrahedrons. Examples of minerals in this group include olivine and topaz.

2. Inosilicates: The silica tetrahedrons are linked together with two oxygen atoms from each tetrahedron. This results in a structure where each silicon atom is surrounded by two oxygen atoms, with two oxygen atoms shared between tetrahedrons. Inosilicates are subdivided in two subgroups: single chain and double chain inosilicates. Pyroxenes, amphiboles and epidote are examples of minerals in this group.

3. Phyllosilicates: The silica tetrahedrons are linked together with three oxygen atoms from each tetrahedron. This results in a structure where each silicon atom is surrounded by one oxygen atom, with three oxygen atoms shared between tetrahedrons. The structure is two-dimensional and layered. Examples of minerals in this group include micas and clay minerals.

4. Tectosilicates: The silica tetrahedrons are linked together with all four oxygen atoms from each tetrahedron. This results in a structure where each silicon atom is surrounded by no oxygen atoms, with all four oxygen atoms shared between tetrahedrons. This results in a 3D network structure, like a crystal. Examples of minerals in this group include quartz, feldspars and zircon.

5. Disilicates: The silica tetrahedrons are linked together with two silicon atoms shared by one oxygen atom. This results in a structure where each oxygen atom is shared by two tetrahedrons and two silicon atoms are shared between two tetrahedrons. This gives a sheet-like structure .

6. Cyclosilicates : The silica tetrahedrons are linked together by sharing one or more of the vertices of the tetrahedrons forming cyclic structures or rings. These are known as cyclosilicates, such as beryl and tourmaline.

Please note that silicates groups i have mentioned here may have sub groups as well, these groups are defined based on their fundamental building unit SiO4 and bonding pattern between them. However, it is worth noting that not all silicate minerals fit neatly into one of these six groups. Some minerals, such as garnet, have complex structures that span multiple groups. Additionally, some minerals that are not traditionally considered to be silicates, such as carbonates, can also have tetrahedral structures of their own.

It is also important to note that these structural groups can also affect the properties of the mineral such as their optical properties, physical properties, and chemical reactivity. Understanding the silicate structures can help to identify minerals, interpret geologic processes and resources, and be used in applications such as ceramics, glass, and semiconductors.