This study investigates the early-stage incongruent dissolution behavior and carbon mineralization potential of mafic rocks representative of potential Swedish subsurface CO₂ storage reservoirs, including a dolerite, a gabbro, and a metabasalt. Batch experiments show that the dolerite exhibits the highest elemental release, followed by the gabbro and metabasalt. Dissolution in dolerite is primarily controlled by olivine and augite, with contributions from labradorite, whereas gabbro dissolution is dominated by augite followed by plagioclase. In the metabasalt, element release reflects contributions from multiple phases, including pyroxene, chlorite, prehnite, and oligoclase, without a single dominant phase. These patterns are consistent with incongruent dissolution during early water-rock interaction. Carbonation experiments indicate the formation of secondary carbon-bearing phases in all samples. Elevated Fe-rich precipitation suggests conditions favorable for Fe-carbonate formation, while thermogravimetric analysis supports the presence of hydrated Mg carbonates as well as Fe- and Ca-bearing carbonates. These results demonstrate favorable dissolution behavior and potential for carbon mineralization, supporting further evaluation of the investigated lithologies. Reactivity is primarily controlled by the availability of reactive primary minerals and the degree of alteration. However, successful implementation also depends on adequate knowledge of subsurface physical conditions, particularly fracture networks and permeability, which are critical for maintaining fluid circulation during injection of CO2 dissolved into the reservoir.

Mineral carbonation in reactive bedrock offers a rapid and permanent method for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, converting CO2 into stable mineral phases within a geologically short timeframe. This study presents the first-ever systematic assessment of onshore CO2 mineral storage potential in Sweden, based on fieldwork, sampling, and mineralogical and geochemical analyses conducted at 23 localities. While this theoretical assessment cannot resolve uncertainties related to reactivity, dissolution capacity, and sequestration efficiency, it provides a critical foundation for identifying potentially favorable storage reservoirs. The findings highlight the Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall areas in central Sweden, hosting a gabbro-anorthosite complex together with a set of dolerites, as the more suitable lithologies for onshore CO2 storage. These rocks are distinguished by their high content of reactive minerals—including olivine, Ca-rich plagioclase, and clinopyroxene—and low content of alteration phases. In the few locations where secondary phases such as serpentine and chlorite were observed, they were confined to grain boundaries and microfractures and did not appear to be pervasive throughout the rock. This preservation of primary mineralogy and textures supports the interpretation that these two lithologies are among the most suitable for CO2 mineral storage within the studied rock formations, under geochemical and thermal conditions favorable for mineral carbonation. This work provides the necessary foundation for future and ongoing experimental validation of reactivity and permeability and detailed site-specific investigations.

Mafic to felsic adakitic intrusive and extrusive rocks in the Torud–Ahmad Abad magmatic belt occur south-southeast of Shahrood (north of the Central Iran Zone). These adakites, in the form of dykes and other hypabyssal igneous bodies, are emplaced into late Neoproterozoic amphibolite and mylonitized granites and a thick sequence of Paleocene to middle Eocene volcanic and volcano-sedimentary rocks. These high silica and low silica adakites (HSA and LSA) span a range of lithologies including basaltic andesite, andesite, trachyandesite, dacite, trachydacite, and dacite. The adakites are composed mainly of calcic pyroxene, Ca-Na amphibole, and plagioclase phenocrysts, with minor biotite and titanomagnetite. In these intrusions, iron-titanium oxides crystallized late (within the groundmass) or occur as secondary phases. One of the interesting features of these rocks is the opacitization (magnetite rich selvage) of ferromagnesian phenocrysts, such as hornblende, which is a localized replacement reaction. The intensity and color of these opacitized margins depend on the extent of titanomagnetite-magnetite formed. The SEM-EDS analysis results show that most of magnetite formed at temperatures >500°C related to pressure quenching of the melt due to emplacement and differential volcanic degassing. The phenomenon of opacitization is due to decreasing stability of Fe2+ and hydrous ferromagnesian phenocrysts, such as amphiboles, to form less hydrous to anhydrous pseudomorphs (selvage) in the near-surface environment with oxidative reactions linked to pressure quenching and differential devolatilization of H2 from the melt during hypabyssal emplacement. The rapid decrease in pressure during magma ascent causes hornblende instability and thus helps to create these opaque rims (opacitized) on ferromagnesian phases (magnetite and titanomagnetite-rich assemblage). Hornblende breakdown - destabilization increases due to melt degassing - devolatilization [decrease in P(H2O)] during the process of ascent—emplacement with reduction of magmatic total pressure (decompression) and/or melt oxidation due to differential degassing of H2.

The end-of-life recycling of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules and the utilisation of waste is of fundamental importance to future circular-economy societies. In the present work, the wet-chemistry synthesis route – a low-temperature dissolution–precipitation process – was explored to produce aluminosilicate minerals from waste c-Si solar cells. Nanostructured crystals were produced in an alkaline medium by increasing the reaction temperature from room temperature to 75 °C. The morphology of the produced crystals varied from nanolayered aggregates to rod-shaped crystals and was found to be dependent on the temperature of the reaction medium. Chemical and phase composition studies revealed that the synthesised compounds consisted of structurally different phases of aluminosilicate minerals. The purity and elemental composition of produced crystals were evaluated by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) analysis, confirming the presence of Al, O, and Si elements. These results give new insights into the processing of aluminosilicate minerals with sustainable attributes and provide a possible route to reducing waste and strengthening the circular economy.

Trace metal (molybdenum, uranium, vanadium, zinc, and nickel) mass changes are used to investigate secular variations in oceanic redox conditions in the succession of Copacabana (Upper Pennsylvanian-Early Permian) and Chutani (Upper Permian) formations of the Titicaca sub-basin (western Bolivia). These trace metal mass variations display evidence of suboxic depositional conditions, with episodes of oxygenation in the shallow carbonate platform of the Titicaca Basin. These episodes are consistent with the unrestricted renewal of deep waters of the Late Pennsylvanian Midcontinent Sea via lateral advection of oxygen-deficient waters of the western tropical Panthalassic Ocean. Trace metals in the Chutani Formation also attest intermittent suboxic conditions with oxic periods being recorded. These results, compared to other Upper Permian sections worldwide, suggest the idea that shallower platforms had oxygen during the mass extinction events of that period.

In order to maximise profit and sustainability of a mining operation, knowledge of the chemistry, mineralogy, texture, and structure of the ore is essential. Continuous advancements in analytical techniques enable studying these features with increasing detail. Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence is unparalleled in its simultaneously high spatial resolution and detection range. Yet, its application in ore geology research and the mining industry is still in its infancy. This study investigated opportunities of extreme-resolution synchrotron X-ray fluorescence mapping of ore samples. Analysis was performed at the NanoMAX beamline at the MAX IV synchrotron facility in Lund, Sweden. The samples investigated are from the Liikavaara Östra Cu-(W-Au) deposit, northern Sweden. Analysis covered areas of several hundreds of ÎŒm2 in grains of molybdenite, pyrite, and native Bi. Key results included successful mapping of the lattice-bound distribution of Re, Se, and W in molybdenite at 200 nm spot/step size and detection of nanometre inclusions of Au in native Bi at 50 nm spot/step size. Challenges were encountered concerning data acquisition and processing. In order to achieve satisfactory resolution of both light and heavy elements and to limit mapping artefacts, repeated scans of the same area with varied experimental parameters and very thin (quasi-2d) samples are required. For complex geological samples, the software used for analysing spectral data (PyMCA) requires a considerable degree of human examination, which may be a source of error. Overall, synchrotron X-ray fluorescence mapping has a strong analytical potential for ore geology research, in analysing and imaging trace elements that would constitute potential by-products in mining operations. Knowing in detail how these trace elements occur in the ores, appropriate metal extraction programs can be developed, and a larger part of the ore may then be utilized.