Nanominerals, Mineral Nanoparticles, and Earth Systems

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 319; no. 5870; pp. 1631 - 1635
• Main Authors: Hochella, Michael F., Lower, Steven K., Maurice, Patricia A., Penn, R. Lee, Sahai, Nita, Sparks, Donald L., Twining, Benjamin S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Association for the Advancement of Science 21.03.2008; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Atmosphere; Atmospherics; Atomic structure; Biochemistry; Biology; Biosphere; Chemical properties; Crystal structure; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Ferrihydrite; Geochemistry; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Groundwater; Hematite; Humans; Hydrosphere; Kinetics; Mineralogy; Mineralogy: general, methodology, regional studies; Minerals; Minerals - chemistry; Minerals - metabolism; Nanoparticles; Oceans; Oceans and Seas; Oxides; Particle Size; Pedosphere; physicochemical properties; Reviews; Solubility; Thermodynamics; topography; Zincblende; United States; Montana; experimental studies; toxicity; minerals; possibilities; oxides; heavy metals; simulation; chemical properties; catalysis; metals; cycles; North America; manganese; chemical reactions; ferrihydrite; variations; particles; stability; oxidation; hematite; transport; hydroxides; oxihydroxides; kinetics; surface properties; dimensions
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1141134

Minerals are more complex than previously thought because of the discovery that their chemical properties vary as a function of particle size when smaller, in at least one dimension, than a few nanometers, to perhaps as much as several tens of nanometers. These variations are most likely due, at least in part, to differences in surface and near-surface atomic structure, as well as crystal shape and surface topography as a function of size in this smallest of size regimes. It has now been established that these variations may make a difference in important geochemical and biogeochemical reactions and kinetics. This recognition is broadening and enriching our view of how minerals influence the hydrosphere, pedosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.