Mineral-fluid interactions influence a wide range of processes, such as reactions that control fluid chemistry in geothermal systems; the transport of contaminants in near-surface environments; the mineral-catalyzed breakdown of hydrocarbons; and even the induction of pulmonary diseases.
Numerous minerals are known or believed to induce reactions that can ultimately result in disease. The asbestos minerals and silica are the most notorious, but some clays, zeolites, oxides, hydroxides, and other types of minerals are also believed to pose a risk.
The mineralogical mechanisms that cause disease are poorly understood. I'm working with bioscientists to identify potential mineralogical properties important in disease, including mineral-catalyzed oxidation/reduction, cation exchange, and surface structure.