Geochemistry
The latest chemistry news and research on geochemistry, including isotopic composition, mineralogy and petroleum geochemistry, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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NewsWhy are buildings cracking-up in Ireland?
The chemistry behind an epidemic that is destroying concrete in houses, hospitals and schools
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FeatureExtremophiles are rewriting the rules of life on Earth
Creatures that survive extreme conditions like mind-boggling temperatures and toxicity challenge how we define life. Bárbara Pinho finds out how it will impact how we search for life beyond Earth
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ResearchClimate change driving extreme acidification of North American streams that threatens life in them
Oxidation of sulfides in melting permafrost acidifies stream and leaches toxic metals from minerals
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NewsWhy I’m leading an expedition in search of ‘dark oxygen’
Chemistry World spoke to Andrew Sweetman, the biogeochemist leading the upcoming excursion to the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific
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ResearchRising carbon dioxide levels leave conifer forests struggling to get enough nitrogen
Discovery implies boreal forests will grow slower and sequester less carbon
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OpinionAn analytical gold mine
How forensic techniques can help trace the origin of illegally sourced gold
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FeatureNitrous oxide emissions accelerate as agriculture drives climate threat
With N2O emissions up 40% in four decades, scientists are searching for answers. Anthony King looks at potential solutions to keep fertiliser nitrogen in the soil
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ResearchFerrihydrite in Martian dust may explain red planet’s colour – and hint at water-rich past
Idea of a dry past challenged, suggesting liquid water persisted longer than expected
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ResearchEarthquake-induced electricity offers answer to mystery of gold nugget formation
Under pressure quartz veins donate electrons to grow larger nuggets
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ResearchWater-splitting reaction reversal could extract lithium more sustainably and cheaply
Environmentally-friendly electrochemistry could cut extraction costs by 40%
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ResearchIsotope analysis reveals origins of asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs
The end-Cretaceous mass extinction was caused by a ruthenium-rich carbonaceous chondrite asteroid
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ResearchStonehenge Altar stone likely came from Scotland, not Wales
Mineral analysis matches sandstones from over 750km away
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NewsMetallic nodules sought by deep sea miners could be making oxygen in the depths
Water-splitting at the bottom of the Pacific holds intriguing implications for the origin of life on Earth – and further afield
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ResearchWater droplets accelerate formation of mineral nanoparticles essential for life
Calculations and experiments reveal that water microdroplets may play role in soil formation
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Research‘Dolomite problem’ that has puzzled scientists for centuries may have finally been solved
Solution helps to explain the mystery of why common mineral won’t crystallise in the lab
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FeatureThe perchlorate Martian mystery
Rachel Brazil looks at how the compounds might have formed on our neighbouring planet and whether they could be useful for future exploration
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ResearchOcean lithium concentrations declined sevenfold over 150 million years
The concentration of lithium in seawater, previously assumed constant, could be related to geologic and climate effects
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ResearchLithium discovery in US volcano could be biggest deposit ever found
Find could point to new ways to prospect for material in high demand for batteries.
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FeatureThe hunt for natural hydrogen reserves
For a long time, nobody thought there could be large quantities of the gas underground. Anna Demming talks to the people proving otherwise
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ResearchFirst high-pressure synthesis of iron polymorph found at centre of Earth
Recreation of ε-iron backs up theories on why seismic waves travel faster pole-to-pole following an earthquake