Environmental Mineralogy
Biominerals and the Environment
Co-Conveners
Giovanni De Giudici, University of Cagliari
Jonathan Lloyd, University of Manchester
Juan Liu, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Peking University
Pupa Gilbert, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Juraj Majzlan, University of Jena
Kevin Rosso, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Biominerals are increasingly studied across disciplines because they faithfully record environmental change and play key roles in elemental biogeochemical cycles throughout Earth’s history. Understanding biomineralization in diverse settings helps us evaluate the impact of human activity on natural systems and their potential resilience. It also supports the development of sustainable technologies and the design of useful biobased and bioinspired materials.
This session is intended to foster collaboration among environmental mineralogists and welcomes the broad scientific community interested in biominerals, sustainability, and related technology development. We invite studies on biominerals at the molecular scale, organism-mineral interfaces, including biproduct minerals or functional biominerals, (bio)mineral growth kinetics, and the roles of animals or microbial communities that control, induce, or in general drive biomineral formation. Contributions on biobased-environmental technologies—such as wetlands, water treatment, bio-metallurgy, or bio-nuclear remediation—and biominerals relevant to human health are also encouraged. Papers accepted for this session may be invited for publication in a dedicated special issue of a peer-reviewed journal.
