Programme

Conveners: John Moreau (Glasgow, GMBN), Casey Bryce (Bristol, GMBN), Jon Lloyd (Manchester, GMBN), + 1 (TBD)

Microbes and the geochemical reactions that they mediate impact elemental cycling from the lithosphere to the atmosphere, and in both natural and anthropogenically influenced environments. Many of these reactions involve one or more mineral stages, wherein the precipitation or dissolution of a mineral is being controlled directly or indirectly by biological processes. Often these processes can accelerate mineral formation or destruction to timescales many times faster than would otherwise occur in nature. This kinetic effect constrains the bioavailability of many important nutrients, as well as underpins both contaminant bioremediation and critical materials biomining efforts.

This session invites presentations from researchers exploring topics in this theme across a range of environments, particularly those undertaking multidisciplinary perspectives. Presentations can focus on any (or multiple) aspects of the biology and geochemistry of mineral formation, dissolution, alteration or adaptation in biogeochemical systems and in natural or contaminated settings. We encourage abstract submissions from related fields including (but not limited to) geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, environmental mineralogy and environmental aqueous geochemistry.

Convenors: L. Townsend (EMG), A. Neumann (CMG)

The ubiquity of both emerging and legacy contaminants throughout global natural and engineered environments poses a threat to water quality, soil quality, and human health. Thus, understanding contaminant mobility and fate, and the development of effective remediation strategies are high priorities for scientific research. Whether the contaminant comprises organic molecules produced as by-products of the chemical industry, or radionuclides present in the sub-surface at nuclear licensed sites, implementing effective remediation techniques is a vital step in restoring the natural environment following human activity.

Since the early development of mineral science, it has been understood that a wide range of minerals possess the capability to affect contaminant (biogeo)chemistry, thus allowing for the immobilisation or removal of these species from the biosphere. From iron (oxyhydr)oxides adsorbing heavy metals from mining sites, to redox active minerals undergoing reaction with pollutants in contaminated aquifers, and clay minerals intercalating radioactive caesium into their structure, the power of mineralogy in remediating the natural environment has always been clear.

This session aims to showcase the ongoing research into novel remediation methods and techniques using minerals in addition to contaminant fate studies. This session hopes to platform the best work in the areas of sustainable environmental remediation that have been taking place in recent years in the fields of biogeochemistry and mineralogy. This includes research is looking at in-depth laboratory mechanistic studies, computational modelling, or remediation techniques that are being trialled at a field-scale.

Conveners: John MacDonald (Glasgow, AMG/EMG/GG), David McNamara (Liverpool), Amanda Stubbs (UNDO Carbon, AMG/EMG/GG)

Sustainability is a key overarching theme for humanity, as exemplified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mineralogy plays an important role in many of the SDGs, from clean water to soil health for agriculture to climate action, covering the full spectrum of human interaction with the environment.

This session will seeks to showcase recent developments in all aspects of where mineralogy is key to sustainability in the environment. We welcome submissions on mineralogy related to carbon dioxide removal, ranging from CO₂ mineralisation in-situ and ex-situ, to Enhanced Rock Weathering, and relate topics. We also welcome submissions related to renewable energy, for example in geothermal energy systems. Submissions are not restricted to these topics of course, and we welcome submissions related to any aspect of minerals for a sustainable environment.

Conveners: Rick Kimber (UoM), Kirill Shafran (Altana), Chris Egan-Morriss (UoM)

As global demand for high-performance, sustainable materials continues to rise, engineered minerals are playing an increasingly pivotal role in driving technological advancement. Engineered minerals have emerged as crucial components in a diverse array of applications including catalysis, battery materials, electronics and photonics, paints and coatings industry, construction, data storage, sensing, nuclear waste management and beyond. Examples of engineered minerals include, but are not limited to, synthetic and biosynthesized materials, advanced ceramics, biomimetic structures, functionalized minerals, and mineral–polymer composites.

This session will explore the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of mineral-based materials engineered to meet the performance, economic, and sustainability demands of these diverse technological applications. We welcome a broad spectrum of contributions—from fundamental laboratory research and modelling studies to pilot-scale investigations.

Martin Smith (AMG), Hannah Grant (AMG), Adrian Finch (AMG), Holly Elliott (MDSG).

The transition from hydrocarbon based energy generation and transport to renewable energy will require a huge range of minerals and mineral derived products. Many of the required minerals and metals are not currently produced in high tonnages, do not occur as conventional ore deposits, are mainly concentrated as minor components or other ores, or all three. In order to meet the requirements of decarbonisation via mineral exploration, extraction and processing requires a step change in our understanding of the geology, mineralogy and geochemistry of critical raw materials.

This session aims to present the latest research in the mineralogy, geology and geochemistry of critical resource formation, and how these influence the pathways to more environmentally sensitive extraction and processing. We encourage contributions from all areas of ore deposit geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, mineral processing and geometallurgy dealing with critical minerals from resource formation to recycling.

Conveners: Alfred Wilson (Leeds, MPG), Fred Richards (Imperial, MPG), Simon Hunt +PDRAs (Manchester, MPG), Ollie Lord (Bristol, MPG)

The mineralogy of the Earth’s interior controls its material properties, dynamical processes, and thermochemical evolution. Our knowledge of the processes beneath the Earth’s surface relies on a holistic incorporation of observations with experimental and theoretical evidence. Understanding the high pressure mineralogy of the crust, mantle and core provides the means to understand how our planet has evolved in the past and how it might evolve in the future.

This session seeks to showcase recent developments in the understanding of observations, properties and dynamics of terrestrial planetary cores, particularly those that benefit from interdisciplinary perspectives. We encourage contributions from all areas of high-pressure mineralogy & crystallography including, but not limited to, mineral magnetism, molecular crystallography, computational mineral physics, geophysics, and planetary science.

Conveners: Mike Stock (TCD, VMSG), Steven Hollis (Edinburgh, MDSG), David Neave (Manchester, VMSG), Owen Weller (Cambridge, MSG)

Crystals can preserve valuable records of the crustal and mantle processes that drive hazardous volcanic eruptions and generate economically important mineral resources. Deciphering this record often involves using mineral compositions or morphologies as indirect archives of supra-solidus P-T-X conditions, including volatile and sulphide contents of liquids and/or immiscible fluids, which would otherwise be unobservable at Earth’s surface. However, these records can be difficult to access and interpret, often necessitating precise microanalysis, detailed prior knowledge of phase equilibria, and/or understanding physical growth dynamics. Hence, deciphering crystal records has emerged as a multidisciplinary endeavour within igneous, metamorphic and economic geology.

This session invites any contribution using crystal records to understand volcanic, magmatic or mineralised systems. This brief includes fundamental experimental, thermodynamic or physical studies, developing the primary knowledge required to interpret mineral compositions or morphologies in a geological context. However, we also welcome applied research using crystal records to gain novel insights into geological process and/or the evolution of a specific system.

Conveners: Richard Palin (Oxford, MSG), Richard White (University of St Andrews, MSG), Charlotte Simpson (Oxford, MSG)

Metamorphism in the crust and upper mantle invariably occurs within the presence of aqueous fluids and/or silicate melt, which can catalyse reactions, alter rock rheology, and facilitate substantial mass transfer over various length and time scales. The causes and effects of such fluid-rock and melt-rock interactions are often complex, yet can have dramatic impacts on the short- and long-term tectonic, geodynamic, and geochemical evolution of the continental and oceanic lithosphere. We invite contributions that explore the physicochemical mechanisms driving metamorphic transformations, the role of fluids and melts in element transport and mineral reactions, and the implications of these interactions for crustal and mantle evolution. Studies integrating field observations, experimental petrology, geochemical modeling, and thermodynamic approaches are particularly encouraged. This session aims to foster interdisciplinary discussion and celebrate how our understanding of lithospheric dynamics can be improved through the lens of metamorphic processes.