Dissolution and Precipitation Dynamics at the Mineral–Fluid Interface

Dear Colleagues,

Mineral reactivity is a major factor controlling the natural fluxes of matter and energy in the Geosphere. In fact, all large-scale geological phenomena are underpinned by physical-chemical reactions involving mineral compounds and fluids, throughout a wide spectrum of pressure and temperature conditions, and at different time scales. From the paragenetic pathways followed by subsolidus metamorphic reactions, to the low temperature progressive development of lateritic soils; from the large-scale hydrothermalism affecting oceanic plates at tectonic spreading centers, to the precipitation of salts by evaporation of seawater in coastal sabkhas; the key to understand complex geological processes often rests in mineral stability/reactivity features. Beyond the realm of the Geosphere, and especially at the interface between the latter and the Biosphere, mineral-fluid-organism/organic substance interactions are central to the dynamics of the Earth's Critical Zone, especially those involving the chemical interplay between silicates and soil organics. Under a more applied perspective, the study of mineral-fluid interactions is of great importance to the characterization and prediction of the mobility of hazardous elements and compounds in the environment. Concerning environmental remediation, specific coupled mineral dissolution-precipitation reactions, and/or surface sorption mechanisms, are frequently efficient methods for correcting aqueous concentrations of targeted pollutants.  Finally, all biomineralization processes, regardless of the type of organism and physiological context, are strongly dependent on the thermodynamic and kinetic forcing factors of dissolution, nucleation, and growth of critical biomineral systems, such as calcium phosphates, carbonates, or oxalates. 

The present Special Issue invites submissions of original research related to the study of mineral-fluid interactions, especially those concerning mineral dissolution/precipitation features, in various contexts (geoscientific, experimental mineralogy, environmental management-remediation, material sciences, biomineralization, etc.).

Dr. André Pinto
Dr. Nuria Sánchez-Pastor
Dr. Athanasios Godelitsas
Guest Editors

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• mineral dissolution–precipitation
• mineral surface reactivity
• sorption mechanisms
• mineral replacement
• environmental remediation
• biomineralization