Session 1: Mineralogy and Crystallography - a Modern Perspective

Conveners: Tamara Đorđević, University of Vienna; tamara.djordjevic(at)univie.ac.at

Ronald Bakker, Montanuniversität Leoben; ronald.bakker(at)unileoben.ac.at

This session will focus on the transformative role of modern analytical techniques in advancing the frontiers of mineralogy and crystallography. Methods such as electron diffraction, synchrotron studies, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have revolutionized our ability to study minerals at unprecedented scales and resolutions. These techniques provide critical insights into complex phenomena such as defect structures, phase transitions, and the nanoscale behavior of minerals, offering new perspectives on long-standing scientific questions. 

The application of these state-of-the-art methods extends beyond pure mineralogical research. They are increasingly being used in environmental studies, where understanding the interactions between minerals and their environment is crucial to addressing issues such as pollution remediation, carbon sequestration and resource recovery. Spectroscopic techniques, including Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, complement these tools by providing powerful means to probe chemical compositions, electronic states and bonding environments in minerals.

We warmly encourage master’s and PhD students to attend this session. Whether you are just beginning your research journey or seeking inspiration for advanced studies, this session will provide valuable insights, foster meaningful connections, and serve as an excellent platform for exchanging ideas with leading experts in the field. Your participation and fresh perspectives are not only encouraged but highly valued.

Session 2: Mineral Raw Materials

Conveners: Phillip Gopon, Montanuniversität Leoben; phillip.gopon(at)unileoben.ac.at

Clifford Patten, University of Innsbruck; clifford.patten(at)uibk.ac.at 

With the rapid de-carbonization of our infrastructure, the world is facing a raw materials shortage to achieve the energy transition. This session will focus on raw materials, with a particular focus on those raw materials necessary for the energy transition, i.e. critical raw materials. Any contributions dealing with raw materials and/or the processes that form ore deposits are welcome. These might include the economics of raw materials or hydrothermal, orogenic, magmatic, and/or sedimentary processes. Those abstracts dealing with critical metals, and particularly critical metal deposits in Europe are especially welcome.

Session 3: Applied and Environmental Mineralogy

Conveners: Martin Dietzel, Technical University Graz; martin.dietzel(at)tugraz.at

Ferdinand Hampl, Montanuniversität Leoben; ferdinand.hampl(at)unileoben.ac.at

This session invites contributions on the broad and dynamic field of Applied and Environmental Mineralogy, encompassing both classical and cutting-edge topics. We encourage submissions addressing industrial and (geo)chemical applications of mineralogy, such as contributions on glass/refractory/processing materials, tailored mineral nucleation/growth, clay mineralogy, natural and artificial building stones, (low-carbon) cements, mineral carbonation / carbon sequestration, mineral-based solutions for environmental pollution and remediation, waste disposal and treatment, archaeometry etc. Additional focus areas include isotope and geochemical forensics, and innovative analytical, multi-proxy and experimental approaches. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, this session will highlight the role of mineralogy in addressing the understanding of mineral (trans)formation kinetics and mechanisms considering industrial challenges and environmental sustainability.

Session 4: Metamorphic and Igneous Petrology

Conveners: Bastian Joachim-Mrosko, University of Innsbruck; bastian.joachim(at)uibk.ac.at

Johann Raith, Montanuniversität Leoben: johann.raith(at)unileoben.ac.at

This session focuses on recent advances in metamorphic and igneous petrology, providing a comprehensive view of the processes that shape the Earth's crust and mantle. Presentations in this session may highlight innovative experimental, analytical or modelling approaches, including high P-T experiments, geochemical and isotopic studies, phase equilibrium modelling and field-based investigations. Emphasis will also be placed on the role of petrology in unravelling tectonic processes, crust-mantle interactions, and the shallow and deep cycling of trace elements. This session aims to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and discussion. Researchers, students and professionals interested in the mineralogical, structural and geodynamic aspects of petrology are therefore encouraged to attend.

Session 5: Chronology of Geological Processes

Conveners: Daniela Gallhofer, University of Graz; daniela.gallhofer(at)uni-graz.at

Etienne Skrzypek, University of Graz; etienne.skrzypek(at)uni-graz.at

Constraining the age or rate of a geological process involves two important steps. First, a precise and accurate analysis of the geological material has to be performed. Second, the interpretation of analytical data must consider the physico-chemical conditions at which the material formed or evolved. This is a crucial approach to turn a date into the age of a geological event. This session wishes to bring together researchers dealing with one or both aspects. The session welcomes contributions that aim at constraining the absolute age, time span or rates of various processes like magmatic activity, metamorphic reaction, pressure-temperature evolution, mineralization, mass transfer or exhumation. We particularly look forward to receiving studies about the petrogenesis of both classical and less common geochronometers. Studies dealing with analytical aspects will also be welcome.

Session 6: Environmental / Low-temperature Geochemistry

Conveners: Andre Baldermann, Technical University Graz; baldermann(at)tugraz.at

Franziska Stamm, Technical University Graz; fstamm(at)tugraz.at

The terrestrial and marine biogeochemical cycles of elements in Earth surface environments are closely coupled with the evolution of life and driven by energy and material fluxes between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, pedosphere and lithosphere. Understanding the direction and magnitude of the complex processes that control fluxes in low-temperature settings of Earth‘s (re)active surface is key to decipher mineral/rock-fluid interactions in general and to assess various dissolution-precipitation phenomena occurring at solid-liquid interfaces from the nanoscale to the global scale. This session brings together research focused on the geochemistry and mineralogy of surface-near (sedimentary and raw mineral) deposits using field studies and laboratory-based experimental studies at various spatiotemporal resolution, as well as their integration with reaction transport and hydrochemical modeling. Themes that are covered by this session include, but are not limited to: 1) processes (e.g., weathering phenomena, global element cycles, fluid mixing, kinetics vs thermodynamics), 2) controls (e.g., climate change, ecosystems, fluid chemistry, crystal structures), 3) reactions (e.g., anthropogenic influences, pollution, element mobilization vs complexation, mineral (trans)formation in aqueous systems) and 4) approaches (e.g., isotopes and tracers, in-situ analysis, modelling, novel methods). We also attempt to find synergies with other proposed sessions.

Session 7: Analytical and Experimental Methods

Conveners: Róbert Arató, Montanuniversität Leoben, robert.arato(at)unileoben.ac.at

Thomas Meisel, Montanuniversität Leoben, thomas.meisel(at)unileoben.ac.at

This session invites submissions from the broad field of experimental methods and geoanalytics. We welcome studies related to mineralogical and/or geochemical experiments, which aim at a better understanding of geological systems. We also invite contributions about the detailed analysis of mineralogical-geochemical systems via various analytical tools, which can include (but should not be restricted to) Raman- and IR spectroscopy, (LA)-ICP-MS, LIBS as well as electron-beam and X-Ray-based techniques and any combination of these. We welcome submissions focusing on fundamental geochemical questions but also on applied approaches dealing with raw material-related and society-related challenges. Studies at all stages from experiment planning to data analysis, and methodological development at any stage, are invited encompassing a broad spatial range from micro to global scale.

Session 8: Open Session

Conveners: Viktor Bertrandsson-Erlandsson, Montanuniversität Leoben, viktor.erlandsson(at)unileoben.ac.at

This Open Session invites researchers from various fields related to mineralogy and/or petrology to present and discuss their latest work and exchange ideas across disciplines. Whether you are exploring new theoretical frameworks, applying novel methodologies, or addressing pressing challenges, this session provides a platform for diverse perspectives and groundbreaking research. 

We encourage contributions from all areas of mineralogy and petrology, as well as from interdisciplinary projects that bridge gaps between fields, which do not fit to the other, typical, established sessions.