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Minerals
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Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Soil and Sediment
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Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Soil and Sediment

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2733

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jajati Mandal

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Guest Editor
School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
Interests: soil chemistry; micronutrient; arsenic; heavy metals; radionuclides; risk assessment; machine learning
Prof. Dr. Andrew S. Hursthouse

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley 13 PA1 2BE, UK
Interests: heavy metal in aquatic system; adsorption; radionuclides; environmental geochemistry; isotopes; risk assessment; soil sediment pollution; aquatic contamination; potentially toxic elements
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle (UON), University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Interests: environmental nanometerials; environmental remediation; environmental analytical chemistry; phytoremediation; risk analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Martín-García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: soil mineral provenance; clay minerals; soil mica; soil quartz; geochemistry; lanthanides (rare earth elements); aeolian mineral particles; soil iron oxides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil and sediment systems are fundamental components of global geochemical cycles, playing critical roles in shaping environmental quality, ecosystem resilience, and human health. Across diverse landscapes, their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics regulate the mobility, bioavailability, and long-term fate of nutrients and contaminants, including potentially toxic elements, organic pollutants, and emerging contaminants such as microplastics, pharmaceuticals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Understanding these complex interactions under dynamic environmental conditions is crucial for combating pollution, ensuring food security, and advancing the sustainable management of natural resources.

Building upon the growing interest in this area, Minerals is devoting a Special Issue to “Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Soil and Sediment”. This Special Issue will focus on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to the following:

  • Geochemical processes and mineral transformations in soils and sediments;
  • Contaminant dynamics, speciation, and bioavailability in soil and sediment systems;
  • Interactions between soil minerals and organic matter and microbes;
  • The role of soil and sediment mineralogy in controlling contaminant fate and behaviour;
  • Impact of climate change on geochemistry and mineralogy of soils and sediments;
  • Advanced analytical and modelling approaches for soil and sediment characterization;
  • Soil and sediment remediation and management strategies;
  • Emerging contaminants in soil and sediment environments;
  • Nutrient dynamics and soil fertility in relation to mineralogy;
  • Mineralogy and geochemistry of mine sites, mine wastes, and tailings: implications for remediation strategies;
  • Mineral–microbe interactions: mechanisms and environmental impacts;
  • Microbial processes in abandoned mine sites: biogeochemical transformations and remediation potential;
  • Interactions between soil minerals, organic matter, and contaminants;
  • Impact of legacy wastes from resource exploitation, storage, and inappropriate disposal.

We invite researchers working on these and related topics to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies for consideration in this Special Issue. By bringing together diverse contributions from the global scientific community, this Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of the geochemistry and mineralogy of soils and sediments, supporting informed decision-making for environmental protection, pollution mitigation, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Dr. Jajati Mandal
Prof. Dr. Andrew S. Hursthouse
Dr. Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Martín-García
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • soil geochemistry
  • sediment mineralogy
  • heavy metals
  • organic contaminants
  • nutrients
  • remediation

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1623 KB  
Article
Prediction of Solid Mineral Phases Controlling the Solubility of Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni in Contaminated Soils Using WHAM-VII Modeling
by Debasis Golui, Md. Basit Raza, Siba P. Datta, Brahma S. Dwivedi, Mahesh C. Meena and Prasenjit Ray
Minerals 2026, 16(5), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16050441 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 223
Abstract
The chemical equilibria of metal ions between soil solution and solid phases govern the solubility of metals in soil. However, the identity of these controlling phases remains poorly understood in historically polluted environments. This study aimed to identify the dominant mineral phases regulating [...] Read more.
The chemical equilibria of metal ions between soil solution and solid phases govern the solubility of metals in soil. However, the identity of these controlling phases remains poorly understood in historically polluted environments. This study aimed to identify the dominant mineral phases regulating the activities of Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+ in soils subjected to long-term contamination from sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, river water, and industrial effluents across India. The soil samples were collected from various locations historically polluted by sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, polluted river water and industrial effluents. The free ion activities of Zn2+ (pZn2+), Cd2+ (pCd2+), Pb2+ (pPb2+) and Ni2+ (pNi2+) in soil pore water were estimated using the geochemical speciation model WHAM-VII. The metal ion activities were higher in industrial effluents and solid waste-treated soils as compared to other contaminated soils. The solubility of Zn and Cd in soils contaminated with Zn-smelter effluents was controlled by franklinite (ZnFe2O4) in equilibrium with goethite (α-FeOOH) and otavite (CdCO3), respectively. Identification of minerals further reveals that nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) in equilibrium with lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) governs the activity of Ni2+ in cycle factory effluent-irrigated soils of Sonepat, Haryana. At the municipal solid waste-contaminated site, the Pb2+ activity was controlled by exchangeable Pb in soils, whereas Zn2+ activity was governed by willemite (Zn2SiO4) in equilibrium with quartz (SiO2). These findings provide new insights into mineralogical controls on heavy metal solubility under diverse contamination scenarios. Formation of highly soluble minerals like otavite, willemite, and nickel ferrite suggested the potential ecological risk of Cd, Zn, and Ni, respectively, in polluted soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Soil and Sediment)
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21 pages, 2366 KB  
Article
Molecular Modeling of Arsenic Species Adsorption on Clay Minerals and in the Presence of Organic Matter
by Sudip Sengupta, Kallol Bhattacharyya, Jajati Mandal and Asoke Prasun Chattopadhyay
Minerals 2026, 16(3), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16030319 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 613
Abstract
Arsenic (As) contamination of soils is a critical environmental and geochemical concern, with its mobility and bioavailability largely controlled by molecular-scale interactions with soil minerals. This study investigates the adsorption behavior of arsenate [As(V)] and arsenious acid [As(III)] on major clay minerals to [...] Read more.
Arsenic (As) contamination of soils is a critical environmental and geochemical concern, with its mobility and bioavailability largely controlled by molecular-scale interactions with soil minerals. This study investigates the adsorption behavior of arsenate [As(V)] and arsenious acid [As(III)] on major clay minerals to elucidate fundamental controls on As retention in soil and sediment systems. Molecular modeling approaches were employed to investigate these interactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on cluster models of illite, chlorite, montmorillonite, and kaolinite to evaluate adsorption configurations and binding energies of arsenate and arsenious acid. In addition, semiempirical (PM6) and classical force-field (UFF) methods were used to examine the influence of vermicompost-derived organic matter on arsenate-mineral interactions. Multiple adsorption configurations, including atop atom, bridge, three-fold filled, and three-fold hollow sites, were evaluated, and binding energies were calculated with correction for basis set superposition error. The results indicate that three-fold hollow sites are the most favorable, with As(V) binding energies of 60–65 kcal mol−1 on illite, chlorite, and montmorillonite, reaching 75 kcal mol−1 on kaolinite at a surface distance of 2.7 Å. In contrast, As(III) shows weaker and energetically flatter adsorption, with binding energies of 28–54 kcal mol−1 and larger equilibrium distances of 3.2–4.0 Å. Modeling of vermicompost addition suggests a substantial reduction in arsenate binding on most clay minerals, except illite, indicating competitive or disruptive interactions at mineral surfaces. These findings provide quantitative, atomistic insight into mineral- and amendment-specific controls on As stabilization and mobility in soil and sediment systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Soil and Sediment)
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23 pages, 3512 KB  
Article
Magnetic and Pedological Characterization of Soil Profiles from Weakly Magnetic Clastic Rock in Yunnan Province, China
by Xinglin Huang, Meichen Wang, Xiaoling Zhang, Haixia Li, Shiyu Li, Hongzhan Liu, Jianjie Wang and Guicai Yu
Minerals 2026, 16(3), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16030297 - 12 Mar 2026
Viewed by 281
Abstract
In this study, representative soil profiles developed on clastic rock parent materials in Yunnan Province were investigated to elucidate the formation mechanisms of soil magnetic properties under weakly magnetic parent material conditions and to evaluate the response of magnetic enhancement to chemical weathering [...] Read more.
In this study, representative soil profiles developed on clastic rock parent materials in Yunnan Province were investigated to elucidate the formation mechanisms of soil magnetic properties under weakly magnetic parent material conditions and to evaluate the response of magnetic enhancement to chemical weathering and pedogenic differentiation. A combination of environmental magnetic measurements, bulk geochemical analyses, weathering index calculations, and ternary diagram discrimination was applied to characterize soil magnetic behavior, magnetic grain size distribution, and chemical weathering processes. The results show that the clastic rock parent materials exhibit overall low magnetic intensities, with low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χlf) ranging from 2.543 × 10−8 m3/kg to 595.652 × 10−8 m3/kg. Under this weakly magnetic background, soils in the study area display pronounced pedogenic magnetic enhancement, with magnetic parameters showing clear and systematic vertical differentiation along soil profiles, indicating that soil magnetic signals are primarily controlled by pedogenesis. The frequency-dependent susceptibility (χfd%) generally falls within the range of 5.403%–17.574%, with a mean value of 12.898%, suggesting a substantial contribution from fine-grained magnetic particles. Magnetic grain size diagnostics further indicate that newly formed superparamagnetic (SP) and stable single-domain (SSD) particles generated during pedogenesis dominate the magnetic enhancement signal. The results of the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) indicate that approximately 78% of the profiles reach the strong weathering category (CIA > 85), while only 22% fall into the moderate weathering category (CIA: 65–85). Correlation analyses further reveal that grain-size-sensitive magnetic ratios (e.g., χfd%, χARM/SIRM) exhibit a strong correspondence with chemical weathering intensity indicators. These findings suggest that, under weakly magnetic parent material conditions, pedogenically induced magnetic enhancement can be more readily identified and quantitatively assessed. The integration of environmental magnetism and geochemical approaches, therefore, provides a robust framework for investigating pedogenic differentiation and supports high-resolution paleoenvironmental reconstruction in regions dominated by weakly magnetic parent materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Soil and Sediment)
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18 pages, 8718 KB  
Article
Distribution of Metals in Soils Surrounding Tailing Flotation Storages in Copper-Bearing Areas in Lower Silesia
by Agata Duczmal-Czernikiewicz, Natalia Hoska, Maciej Swęd and Marcin Siepak
Minerals 2025, 15(9), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15090992 - 18 Sep 2025
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Abstract
One of the most critical issues in soil science is the content of metals and their environmental toxicity. This is especially relevant to soil contamination by metals in industrial and postindustrial areas. The region of Lower Silesia, known for exploitation of Cu and [...] Read more.
One of the most critical issues in soil science is the content of metals and their environmental toxicity. This is especially relevant to soil contamination by metals in industrial and postindustrial areas. The region of Lower Silesia, known for exploitation of Cu and Ag deposits, along with Zn and Pb, is significantly affected by metal contamination near post-flotation waste facilities in both old and new copper districts. Metal concentrations in soils adjacent to abandoned tailings storage facilities in the copper district were measured to identify factors influencing contamination in agricultural and technogenic soils. Concentrations of copper, lead, and zinc were determined in 111 samples taken from nine soil profiles down to a depth of 1.60 m. Significant variation was observed in metal content: in agricultural soils, copper reached up to 2800 mg/kg, lead up to 150 mg/kg, and zinc up to 65 mg/kg. In forest soils, concentrations reached as high as 1700 mg/kg for copper, 1800 mg/kg for lead, and up to 1100 mg/kg for zinc. The metal content increased with proximity to the tailings storage. Soil profiles closest to the emission source showed the highest metal concentrations, while concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn decreased with distance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Soil and Sediment)
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