HUN-REN-PE Environmental Mineralogy Research Group

The research group focuses on earth science questions with environmental implications, answered through interdisciplinary investigations in mineralogy, chemistry, and biology. Their instrumental background is provided by the Nanolab, established in 2018, equipped with transmission electron microscopy. General characteristics of their research include: 1) Inferences about large-scale processes based on observations in the nano- and micrometer size range; 2) Comparison of phenomena observed in natural systems with results from laboratory experiments; 3) Focus on the relationships between inorganic minerals and biological systems.

The group examines factors influencing carbonate mineral precipitation in aquatic environments, interactions between sediment minerals and photosynthetic organisms, and phosphorus cycling among minerals and microorganisms. Mineralogical examination of Lake Balaton sediment aids in understanding Holocene climate change and contemporary algal blooms. Atomic-resolution measurements clarify unresolved scientific questions related to the formation and structure of common rock-forming minerals such as aragonite and dolomite. Significant achievements include determining the unique properties of biominerals, especially bacterial magnetite, and biomimetic synthesis of magnetic nanostructures.