Mineral processes at low temperature

The research group studies the processes affecting lithosphere, from surface conditions to low-grade metamorphism, in particular the behavior of phyllosilicates, phosphates, carbonates and metallic ores. Using crystallographic, mineralogical, (bio)-geochemical, and metallogenetic approaches to rocks and sediments, we apply field, laboratory and computational techniques, to analyse the composition, stability, structure, formation, mechanisms and reaction dynamics, morphology, self-organization and properties of minerals and related natural systems. Industrial applications of special clays and geo-environmental studies are also considered. We also study fundamental geochemical processes occurring in soil, by analysing different organic and inorganic compounds, as well as the improvement of degraded soils quality. Another research focuses on geochemical isotopes (C, O, H) on carbonate materials, clay and water to estimate paleoclimatic, paleoenvironmental and postformational alterations.