Volume 39 of Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry about Transformation Processes in Minerals summarises the current state of the art. The selection of transformation processes covered here is by no means comprehensive, but represents a coherent view of some of the most important processes which occur specifically in minerals. Contents: Rigid unit modes in framework structures Strain and elasticity at structural phase transitions in minerals Mesoscopic twin patterns in ferroelastic and co-elastic minerals High-pressure structural phase transitions Order-disorder phase transitions Phase transformations induced by solid solution Magnetic transitions in minerals NMR spectroscopy of phase transitions in minerals Insights into phase transformations from Mössbauer spectroscopy Hard mode spectroscopy of phase transitions Synchrotron studies of phase transformations Radiation-induced amorphization

Reviews in Mineralogy & Geochemistry (RiMG) volumes contain concise advances in theoretical and/or applied mineralogy, crystallography, petrology, and geochemistry.

The subject of mineralogy is moving away from the traditional systematic treatment of mineral groups toward the study of the behaviour of minerals in relation to geological processes. A knowledge of how minerals respond to a changing geological environment is fundamental to our understanding of many dynamic earth processes. By adopting a materials science approach, An Introduction to Mineral Sciences explains the principles underlying the modern study of minerals, discussing the behaviour of crystalline materials with changes in temperature, pressure and chemical environment. The concepts required to understand mineral behaviour are often complex, but are presented here in simple, non-mathematical terms for undergraduate mineralogy students. After introductory chapters describing the principles of diffraction, imaging and the spectroscopic methods used to study minerals, the structure and behaviour of the main groups of rock-forming minerals are covered, and the role of defects in the deformation and transformation of a mineral are explained. The energy changes and the rate of transformation processes are introduced using a descriptive approach rather than attempting a complete and rigorous treatment of the thermodynamics and kinetics. Examples and case histories from a range of mineral groups are set in an earth science context, such that the emphasis of this book is to allow the student to develop an intuitive understanding of the structural principles controlling the behaviour of minerals.

Fluid-aided mass transfer and subsequent mineral re-equilibration are the two defining features of metasomatism and must be present in order for metamorphism to occur. Coupled with igneous and tectonic processes, metasomatism has played a major role in the formation of the Earth’s continental and oceanic crust and lithospheric mantle as well as in their evolution and subsequent stabilization. Metasomatic processes can include ore mineralization, metasomatically induced alteration of oceanic lithosphere, mass transport in and alteration of subducted oceanic crust and overlying mantle wedge, which has subsequent implications regarding mass transport, fluid flow, and volatile storage in the lithospheric mantle overall, as well as both regional and localized crustal metamorphism. Metasomatic alteration of accessory minerals such as zircon or monazite can allow for the dating of metasomatic events as well as give additional information regarding the chemistry of the fluids responsible. Lastly present day movement of fluids in both the lithospheric mantle and deep to mid crust can be observed utilizing geophysical resources such as electrical resistivity and seismic data. Such observations help to further clarify the picture of actual metasomatic processes as inferred from basic petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical data. The goal of this volume is to bring together a diverse group of geologists, each of whose specialities and long range experience regarding one or more aspects of metasomatism during geologic processes, should allow them to contribute to a series of review chapters, which outline the basis of our current understanding of how metasomatism influences and helps to control both the evolution and stability of the crust and lithospheric mantle.

This book discusses the physicochemical changes (transformations) that metals deposited on urban road surfaces undergo during dry weather periods, in order to provide insights into their potential impacts on stormwater quality. Based on extensive field experiments, and laboratory and data analyses, it examines transformation characteristics of metals with respect to the particle size of road dust, antecedent dry days and land uses. Further, it proposes a new risk-assessment methodology, improving the original human health-risk indices based on the transformation characteristics and potential bioavailability of metals in order to evaluate the risks posed by metals in stormwater. This book is of interest to researchers and decision-makers developing appropriate pollution mitigation measures to enhance the quality of stormwater, targeting the effective reuse of stormwater in urban areas.

This book covers the entire spectrum of mineralogy and consolidates its applications in different fields. Part I starts with the very basic concept of mineralogy describing in detail the implications of the various aspects of mineral chemistry, crystallographic structures and their effects producing different mineral properties. Part II of the book describes different aspects of mineralogy like geothermobarometry, mineral thermodynamics and phase diagrams, mineral exploration and analysis, and marine minerals. Finally Part III handles the applications in industrial, medicinal and environmental mineralogy along with precious and semiprecious stone studies. The various analytical techniques and their significance in handling specific types of mineralogical problems are also covered.