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Minerals
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Mineral Evolution and Mineralization during Weathering
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Mineral Evolution and Mineralization during Weathering

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (24 January 2025) | Viewed by 7271

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wei Tan

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Guest Editor
Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Interests: genetic mineralogy; igneous petrology; weathering process; VNIR spectroscopy
Dr. Xiaodong Deng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: weathering geochronology; supergene mineralization; hydrothermal mineralization
Dr. Lulu Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: environmental mineralogy; earth-surface processes; spectroscopy; paleoclimatology
Dr. Martin Yan Hei Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
Interests: REE geochemistry and mineralogy; economic geology; weathering processes; non-traditional isotopes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Weathering plays an essential role in the functioning of the Earth system. It is one of the key factors in the conversion of bedrock into soils, the shaping of Earth’s surface, regulation of the long-term carbon cycle, and the modulation of Earth’s climate. During weathering, rocks and primary minerals break down or are dissolved via chemical and physical interactions with air, water, and living organisms. Weathering can also lead to the production of a variety of secondary minerals, e.g., phyllosilicates and Fe/Al-oxy(hydr)oxides. They are a chemically active part of the critical zone, and are the key to understanding the links between nature (life) and its substrate. The nature of clay minerals on celestial bodies beyond Earth is also an emerging area of interest. The identification and characterization of extraterrestrial clay minerals hold valuable clues about the evolution of celestial bodies, such as aqueous alteration and processes that could allow life to develop. Additionally, the complex interplay between parent rocks and external factors, including climate, landscape, drainage, and tectonics, during intense chemical and mechanical weathering can lead to the supergene enrichment of metals, e.g., Fe, Al, Mn, Au, Co, Ni, Li, and REEs. The global transition to renewable energy and electrified transport is driving research interest in the supergene mineralization of critical metals, e.g., regolith-hosted REE deposits.

The Guest Editors of this Special Issue invite colleagues to contribute papers concerning processes associated with mineral evolution and mineralization during weathering. This includes—but is not limited to—(1) the origin, formation, and transformation of clays in the surface weathering zone; (2) the structural and chemical characterization of near-surface mineral evolution that occurs during weathering; (3) studies of factors controlling the supergene processes that liberate, transport, and fix ore-forming elements in the critical zone, and generalized models to illustrate associated ore formation; (4) mission observations and laboratory-based, field-analog and theoretical studies that aim to understand clay minerals and weathering processes in terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples; and (5) spectroscopy (e.g., VNIR and LIBS) studies on the mineral modification and transformation of extraterrestrial samples in outer space.

Dr. Wei Tan
Dr. Xiaodong Deng
Dr. Lulu Zhao
Dr. Martin Yan Hei Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • weathering processes
  • mineral evolution and transformation
  • critical metal elements
  • extraterrestrial samples
  • spectroscopy studies

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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14 pages, 6608 KiB  
Article
Carbonate Nanoparticles Formed by Water–Rock Reactions in Groundwater: Implication of Carbonate Rock Weathering in Carbonate Aquifers
by Gang Tao, Rui Liu, Peng Zhang, Yaqin Wang, Lei Zuo and Xiaoheng Zhang
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14100980 - 28 Sep 2024
Viewed by 816
Abstract
Carbonate rocks are highly reactive and exhibit higher ratios of chemical weathering compared to most other rock types. A chemo-mechanical mechanism, which is particularly effective in groundwater due to higher ion concentrations, is common in fine-grained carbonates at the nanoscale. As a result, [...] Read more.
Carbonate rocks are highly reactive and exhibit higher ratios of chemical weathering compared to most other rock types. A chemo-mechanical mechanism, which is particularly effective in groundwater due to higher ion concentrations, is common in fine-grained carbonates at the nanoscale. As a result, the weathering of carbonate aquifers produces a substantial number of carbonate nanoparticles (CNPs). In this study, we utilized high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to analyze CNPs formed by water–rock reactions in two types of groundwater from Shandong Province, China. Our findings reveal a significant presence of naturally occurring CNPs in groundwater. The HRTEM results show that CNPs display spherical, cubic, hexagonal, and irregular shapes, with some forming aggregates. Energy-dispersive spectrometry indicates that most nanoparticles contain O, C, Ca, and Fe, with some also containing Si, Mg, S, Sr, and Cl. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns show that CNPs are mainly amorphous, with some crystalline forms. The diverse shapes and complex compositions of these CNPs suggest that they are not man-made but formed through the weathering of carbonate minerals via chemo-mechanical mechanisms. This discovery provides new insights into carbonate mineral evolution and mineralization during weathering. Given their widespread presence, CNPs in groundwater could represent the transportation of elements in the form of particles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Evolution and Mineralization during Weathering)
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18 pages, 20884 KiB  
Article
Effect of Al Substitution on Visible Short-Wave Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (VSWIR) of Goethite and Ferrihydrite
by Keyan Chen, Xiaorong Qin, Jingwen Zhou, Wei Tan, Xiaoliang Liang, Hongping He, Jianxi Zhu, Mengqi Han and Lianying Luo
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060618 - 18 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 974
Abstract
Goethite and ferrihydrite are the two major iron hydroxides, essential mineral constituents in the terrestrial surface system. Aluminum (Al) is the most common substituent in iron hydroxides, and it may significantly change the bulk and surficial physicochemical properties of iron hydroxides. Consequently, a [...] Read more.
Goethite and ferrihydrite are the two major iron hydroxides, essential mineral constituents in the terrestrial surface system. Aluminum (Al) is the most common substituent in iron hydroxides, and it may significantly change the bulk and surficial physicochemical properties of iron hydroxides. Consequently, a practical and convenient approach is needed to efficiently identify the Al substitution degrees of iron hydroxides in natural occurrences. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the VSWIR characteristics of laboratory-synthesized Al-substituted goethite and ferrihydrite, to establish diagnostic VSWIR parameters for the identification and quantification of Al substitution levels in iron hydroxides. The findings revealed that Al substitution can affect the band positions (P) of goethite and ferrihydrite at ~650 nm, ~900 nm, and ~1400 nm. The relationships between the Al substitution of ferrihydrite and VSWIR parameters can be expressed as P900 = −0.43 × Al(%) + 931 and P1400 = −0.07 × Al(%) + 1428, while that of goethite can be expressed as P650 = 0.42 × Al(%) + 657 and P900 = 2.29 × Al(%) + 936. The peak fitting results showed that the absorption intensity at 480–550 nm linearly decreases with increased Al substitution. The obtained VSWIR spectra of Al-substituted goethite and ferrihydrite provide a critical supplement to the spectral library for (Al) iron hydroxides, and these VSWIR parameters can be utilized for the semi-quantitative determination of Al substitution in natural iron hydroxides Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Evolution and Mineralization during Weathering)
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19 pages, 39343 KiB  
Article
Conditions and Mechanism of Crystallization of Hydrous W-Fe Oxides with a Pyrochlore-Type of Structure (Elsmoreite Group) in the Oxidation Zone of Ore Deposits
by Mihail Tarassov and Eugenia Tarassova
Minerals 2024, 14(4), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14040422 - 19 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1483
Abstract
The purpose of the article is to elucidate the conditions and mechanism of crystallization of W-Fe oxide minerals with a pyrochlore-type structure (formerly ferritungstite, now elsmoreite group minerals) based on (1) a study of representative samples of secondary tungsten minerals from the oxidation [...] Read more.
The purpose of the article is to elucidate the conditions and mechanism of crystallization of W-Fe oxide minerals with a pyrochlore-type structure (formerly ferritungstite, now elsmoreite group minerals) based on (1) a study of representative samples of secondary tungsten minerals from the oxidation zone of the Grantcharitsa tungsten deposit (Bulgaria) and (2) laboratory experiments under conditions suggested by the study of natural samples. It has been shown that crystallization of W-Fe pyrochlores occurs easily and effectively when treating WO3·xFe2O3·nH2O compounds (meymacite and tungstite) with W-Fe-containing solutions with pH 2.5–6.5 (70 °C); at the same time, direct crystallization (direct low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis) of these phases from aqueous solutions is unlikely. The crystallization of W-Fe pyrochlores under natural and laboratory conditions occurs through the oriented attachment of their nanocrystals to the {111} faces of growing crystals. The nucleation of such nanocrystals occurs in the bulk of the solution as a result of the interaction of the W-Fe solution with the W-(Fe) oxide hydrate precursor. The Fe/W ratio in the resulting W-Fe pyrochlore phase depends on the Fe/W ratio in the solution and precursor, as well as on the pH of the solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Evolution and Mineralization during Weathering)
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20 pages, 9696 KiB  
Article
Remobilization of HFSE, Y, and REE during Diagenetic Alteration of Heavy Minerals in Sandstones from the Chvalčov Site, Flysch Belt of the Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic
by Zdeněk Dolníček, Michaela Krejčí Kotlánová, Jana Ulmanová and Jiří Sejkora
Minerals 2024, 14(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14010001 - 19 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1639
Abstract
An in situ electron microprobe study of detrital minerals yielded important insights into the diagenetic history of the Cretaceous-to-Paleogene flysch sandstones from the Chvalčov site, Rača Unit, Flysch Belt of the Outer Western Carpathians. Detrital titanite and a Fe-Ti mineral (probably ilmenite) were [...] Read more.
An in situ electron microprobe study of detrital minerals yielded important insights into the diagenetic history of the Cretaceous-to-Paleogene flysch sandstones from the Chvalčov site, Rača Unit, Flysch Belt of the Outer Western Carpathians. Detrital titanite and a Fe-Ti mineral (probably ilmenite) were almost completely altered to TiO2 minerals, which also newly crystallized in intergranular spaces of sandstone. Brookite, anatase, and, exceptionally, rutile were identified by Raman spectroscopy. Authigenic TiO2 phases show complex composition with occasionally elevated contents of Fe, Nb, Zr, V, Sc, Cr, Al, Y, and/or P, which were likely sourced from altered neighboring heavy minerals. In addition, rare authigenic LREE- and Y-enriched apatite rims were observed on detrital apatite. The remobilization of REE, Y, and HFSE was likely mediated by acidic early diagenetic fluids enriched in fluoride and sulfate anions. The superimposed formation of calcite cement was associated with the dissolution of detrital garnet, feldspars, and quartz. The compositions of detrital apatite and garnet (Alm60-82Prp4-30Sps0-24Grs0-19) are comparable with those from adjacent parts of the Flysch Belt. Detrital rutile is enriched in Nb, V, Cr, and Zr. Our study illustrates the intensity of diagenetic alteration of detrital minerals in flysch sandstones as well as the usefulness of in-situ electron-microprobe investigations for the recognition of processes influencing heavy minerals in diagenetically altered sediments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Evolution and Mineralization during Weathering)
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25 pages, 6134 KiB  
Article
Geochemical and Isotopic Fractionation in the Hypogene Ore, Gossan, and Saprolite of the Alvo 118 Deposit: Implications for Copper Exploration in the Regolith of the Carajás Mineral Province
by Pabllo Henrique Costa dos Santos, Marcondes Lima da Costa and Desiree Lisette Roerdink
Minerals 2023, 13(11), 1441; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13111441 - 15 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1539
Abstract
In the Carajás Mineral Province, gossan formation and lateritization have produced numerous supergene orebodies at the expense of IOCG deposits and host rocks. The Alvo 118 deposit comprises massive and disseminated hypogene copper sulfides associated with gossan and mineralized saprolites. The hypogene reserves [...] Read more.
In the Carajás Mineral Province, gossan formation and lateritization have produced numerous supergene orebodies at the expense of IOCG deposits and host rocks. The Alvo 118 deposit comprises massive and disseminated hypogene copper sulfides associated with gossan and mineralized saprolites. The hypogene reserves are 170 Mt, with 1% Cu and 0.3 ppm Au, while the supergenes are 55 Mt, comprised of 30% gossan and 70% saprolite, with 0.92% Cu and 0.03 ppm Au. The gossan includes goethite, malachite, cuprite, and libethenite zones. The saprolite comprises kaolinite, vermiculite, smectite, and relics of chlorite. In the hypogene mineralization, Ag, Te, Pb, Se, Bi, Au, In, Y, Sn, and U are mainly hosted by chalcopyrite and petzite, altaite, galena, uraninite, stannite, and cassiterite. In the gossan, Ag, Te, Pb, Se, and Bi are hosted by Cu minerals, while Au, In, Y, Sn, and U are associated with iron oxyhydroxides, in addition to Zn, As, Be, Ga, Ga, Mo, Ni, and Sc. As supporting information, δ65Cu values indicate that the gossan is immature and, at least partly, not affected by leaching. In the saprolite, Ga, Sc, Sn, V, Mn, Co, and Cr are associated with the iron oxyhydroxides, partially derived from the host rock weathering. The δ56Fe values indicate that hypogene low contribution of the hypogene mineralization to the saprolite iron content. The association of Al2O3, Hf, Zr, Th, TiO2, Ce, La, Ba, and Sr represents the geochemical signature of the host rocks, with dominant contributions from chlorites, while In, Y, Te, Pb, Bi, and Se are the main pathfinders of Cu mineralization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Evolution and Mineralization during Weathering)
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