Biomineral Geochemistry: Windows into Past Climates and Calcification, April 2025, Vol. 21, No. 2

admin_elements — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 16:43:21 +0000

Biomineral Geochemistry: Windows into Past Climates and Calcification

April 2025, Vol. 21, No. 2

Marine calcium carbonate biominerals, especially the shells and skeletons produced by molluscs, corals, and the immeasurably numerous calcifying phytoplankton and zooplankton, are of both societal and environmental importance for two key reasons. Firstly, the mineralised remains of these organisms are one of the largest longterm sinks of carbon on Earth’s surface. Secondly, and perhaps more practically, the (trace) element and isotopic composition of these biominerals probably represents the most widely applied tool for quantitatively reconstructing past environmental conditions on timescales from days to millions of years. It has been known for some time that the processes of biomineralisation imprint on these ‘proxy’ systems, shifting their behaviour away from thermodynamic equilibrium, such that they typically require empirical calibration to an environmental variable of interest.

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Birth and Growth of Minerals from Aqueous Solutions, February 2025, Vol. 21, No. 1

admin_elements — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 16:31:56 +0000

Birth and Growth of Minerals from Aqueous Solutions

February 2025, Vol. 21, No. 1

The birth and growth of minerals from aqueous solutions is a ubiquitous process in both natural and engineered environments. This research ﬁeld has recently experienced a paradigm shift due to the discovery of non-classical nucleation and growth processes. These insights have helped us to understand better the natural world and signiﬁcantly impact various industrial and environmental applications, such as the development of more sustainable building materials, mineral processing, CO₂ storage, and water treatment. Consequently, detailed knowledge of the mechanisms and kinetics underlying mineral nucleation and growth is vital in these areas.