Geochemical and Mineralogical Characteristics of Palaeokarstic Bauxite Deposits

Dear Colleagues,

Bauxite deposits, which are residual weathering products generated through the weathering of a variety of metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary aluminosilicate-rich parent rocks under humid tropical to subtropical climates, have been the subject of study for many decades. In recent years, researchers have become increasingly interested in the geochemical features of bauxite deposits developed on carbonate and aluminosilicate bedrocks. Despite several decades of research, there is a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the geochemical features of bauxites formed on palaeokarsts, especially the mechanism of the enrichment and distribution of critical elements. In addition to the Al concentration, palaeokarstic bauxite deposits host several trace elements, such as Ti, Ni, Co, V, Cr, Li, Ga, Ta, Sc, Nb, Zr, U, and REE. The enrichment mechanisms of the critical elements, the distribution and fractionation patterns of these elements, and the determination of the provenance of bauxite ores are some of the most difficult challenges faced with palaeokarstic bauxite deposits. Perspectives on the study of the distribution, fractionation, and enrichment of elements in palaeokarstic bauxite deposits are to introduce novel potential mineral resources with economic concentrations of critical elements in the future for the world and also to present novel geochemical indices for the identification of the parental affinity of bauxite ores. Lastly, we invite articles covering the latest achievements from all geochemists and economic geologists worldwide, focusing on mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of palaeokarstic bauxite deposits from different parts of the world in this Special Issue.

We both kindly encourage you to join us. Let us make this Special Issue a highly referenced one!

Prof. Dr. Ali Abedini
Dr. Maryam Khosravi
Guest Editors

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