Serpentinization Processes and Their Kinetic, Metallogenic, and Environmental Effects
A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 32
Special Issue Editors
Interests: water-rock interaction; serpentinization; serpentinization kinetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: submarine petrology; geochemistry; magmatic hydrothermal activity; serpentinization process
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Subduction zones play a pivotal role in global geodynamics and the cycling of volatiles (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, and methane). Within these zones, serpentinization—a process driven by the interaction of hydrothermal fluids with ultramafic rocks—acts as a critical bridge between mineral reactions, volatile recycling, and the formation of metal-rich deposits. During serpentinization, the hydration of olivine and pyroxene in mantle-derived rocks releases reducing volatiles such as hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4). These fluids not only influence subduction zone dynamics by modulating slab buoyancy and seismicity but also contribute to the deep Earth carbon cycle and the potential emergence of life, as evidenced by their role in sustaining microbial ecosystems at hydrothermal vents. The mineral reactions central to serpentinization simultaneously liberate metallic elements, including nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and platinum group elements (PGEs), which act as catalysts for abiotic CH4 synthesis. This interplay between fluid–rock interactions and metal mobility underpins the genesis of diverse ore deposits. In mid-ocean ridge settings, serpentinization-associated hydrothermal systems generate metal-rich sulfide deposits (e.g., black smokers), while in subduction-related and continental environments, it contributes to the formation of nickel laterites, asbestos, and PGE-enriched horizons. Furthermore, serpentinites possess a unique capacity to sequester CO2 through carbonation reactions, offering a natural mechanism for long-term carbon storage. This Special Issue highlights the cascading connections between subduction zones, serpentinization processes, volatile fluxes, catalytic mineral reactions, and metallogeny. We therefore welcome contributions that explore these linkages—from experimental kinetics to ore-forming systems and environmental impacts—in order to advance our understanding of this multifaceted phenomenon.
Prof. Dr. Ruifang Huang
Dr. Xiaohui Li
Dr. Kai Wu
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- serpentinization
- hydrogen
- methane
- metal deposits
- carbon sequestration
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