磁铁矿-赤铁矿之间转化关系研究：以弓长岭铁矿为例

磁铁矿和赤铁矿是自然界铁氧化物的两种主要存在形式,也是弓长岭铁矿区的主要矿石矿物,二者之间的转化曾经 被认为是氧化还原反应的结果。文中根据近几年提出的非氧化还原反应成矿理论,对弓长岭铁矿区内磁铁矿/赤铁矿之间的 转化关系进行新的解释。通过对弓长岭矿区矿石样品进行偏光显微镜和扫描电镜背散射等实验研究,发现了赤铁矿交代磁 铁矿、针铁矿交代赤铁矿、黄铁矿与磁铁矿、赤铁矿共生等现象。结合前人研究成果,从矿物组合、矿石结构以及矿物转 化前后体积变化等方面,论证了部分后生的赤铁矿是在缺氧的环境下由磁铁矿经非氧化反应转变而成,为该区后生赤铁矿 的形成现象提供了一种新的解释。     

类质同像置换对磁铁矿表面反应性的制约:基于表面羟基位密度的角度

<正>铁(氢)氧化物在土壤、沉积物和水相颗粒物中分布广泛,表面氧化还原活性高,以及电子输运能力强,对环境污染物(重金属和有机污染物)的地球化学过程起着重要的控制作用。相比于常见的针铁矿和赤铁矿等含铁矿物,磁铁矿在吸附-转化污染物方面具有一些独特的结构优势:1)磁铁矿表面的Fe2+具有强还原性,能通过矿物表面或内部结构向有机物、重金属传递电子,使污染物还原;2)磁铁矿具有反尖晶石结构,八面体位同时被Fe2+和Fe3+占据,电子在这两种氧化态之间迅速转移,赋予磁铁矿良好     

铁氧化物氧同位素示踪原理及其在铁矿成因研究中的应用

铁氧化物(以磁铁矿和赤铁矿最为常见)是铁矿床中最主要的含铁矿物,其氧同位素地球化学对于铁矿的成因研究具有重要意义。本文在总结了铁氧化物氧同位素分馏理论、不同成因类型铁矿形成过程的基础上,对世界主要类型铁矿铁氧化物的氧同位素组成特征和分馏规律进行了总结,并以新疆智博、查岗诺尔、备战海相火山岩型铁矿为例,开展了磁铁矿氧同位素地球化学研究。结果发现,这些铁矿中磁铁矿氧同位素组成δ18OSMOW集中在1‰～3‰之间,表明其形成于岩浆作用主导的高温岩浆/岩浆-热液环境,后期低温热液作用对铁的成矿作用影响有限。     

辽宁鞍本地区沉积变质型富铁矿的成因：Fe、Si、O、S同位素证据

辽宁鞍本地区是我国最重要的鞍山式沉积变质型(BIF)铁矿矿集区,弓长岭铁矿是我国唯一的由鞍山式贫铁矿经后期热液改造形成的大型磁铁富矿.本文在前人工作基础上,对比研究了鞍本地区贫铁矿、富铁矿和蚀变围岩的铁、硅、氧、硫同位素组成特征和空间变化规律,结合磁铁富矿的地质特征,对成矿流体的性质、来源、成矿作用和富矿成矿机制提出了新的认识.指出鞍本地区富铁矿的成矿作用与辽东地区古元古代造山运动结束后(1.85 Ga)地壳抬升引发的非造山岩浆侵入和热液活动有关,成矿溶液由大气降水演化形成,而非变质热液或混合岩化热液;成矿溶液淋滤了辽河群蒸发盐地层中富13C碳酸盐、富34S石膏、CH4等成矿物质,成矿溶液具偏酸性弱还原特征;铁质活化再富集是鞍本地区富铁矿形成的重要机制,成矿溶液与贫铁矿及围岩反应使铁质以Fe2+形式活化迁移.温度降低、氧逸度升高或与大气降水混合是溶液中Fe2+氧化形成磁铁矿沉淀的主要原因;在Fe2+被氧化形成磁铁矿的同时,成矿溶液中的CH4被氧化形成石墨,与磁铁矿一起沉淀下来,形成含石墨磁铁富矿;溶液中SO42-被还原形成富34S黄铁矿.     

冀南邯邢地区白涧矽卡岩型铁矿磁铁矿成分特征与地质意义

对邯邢地区白涧铁矿矿体和岩体中磁铁矿的成分特征进行详细的成分分析,通过成因矿物学研究认为白涧铁矿矿床主要为接触交代成因,而非矿浆贯入成矿。富铁的岩浆热液在有利的断裂构造条件下充填到接触带和围岩裂隙当中,与碳酸盐围岩发生接触交代作用,形成矽卡岩型矿床。研究发现,矿区内磁铁矿以自形-半自形为主,部分有被赤铁矿、黄铁矿、黄铜矿等矿物交代的现象.围岩蚀变以矽卡岩化和钠长石化为主,具有分带性。矿体磁铁矿与岩体磁铁矿相比表现出富Mg、Mn、Si、Ca贫Fe2+、V、Cr的特征,且与典型的矿浆型磁铁矿成分差别明显。根据成因投图及单位分子中各阳离子数之间的协变图解发现,Mg、Mn与Fe2+、Si与Fe3+呈现明显的负相关,Ca与Si呈现正相关。此外,成矿过程中发生的非氧化还原反应亦可以解释矿区上方出现气孔状矿石的现象,这些成分之间的差异、相关性及发生的非氧化还原反应具有典型矽卡岩型矿床的特征。     

澳大利亚Cloncurry地区铁矿化岩石与铜金矿化的时空关系

澳大利亚Cloncurry地区大部分被元古宙地层所覆盖,其中赋存有大量世界级的成矿热液系统。大型热液系统大都与含磁铁矿或赤铁矿等铁氧化物的铁矿化岩石密切相关。铁氧化物和铜金矿化的矿物学、地球化学及年代学特征反映出成矿过程可能涉及到多种流体间的作用和水岩反应。对Cloncurry地区典型矿床和区域Na-Ca热液系统的研究表明,含铁氧化物的铁矿化岩石与铜金矿化之间的关系可分为4类:①贫磁铁矿或赤铁矿的"Kiruna-型"铁矿化岩石;②铜金矿化赋存于含铁氧化物的铁矿化岩石中;③与铁氧化物有关的铜金矿化;④少量或者不含铁氧化物的铜金矿化。该分类提供了一些与铁氧化物有关的铜金矿化成因联系、矿物学和矿化类型信息。     

铁锰氧化物对苯酚氧化降解的实验研究

为了考察铁锰氧化物对酚类污染物的氧化降解能力,采用天然以及合成的铁锰氧化物对苯酚的氧化降解进行对比实验研究。土壤中铁锰氧化物样品分别为天然针铁矿及氧化锰,合成铁锰氧化物样品分别为合成针铁矿及软锰矿。结果表明：苯酚与铁锰氧化物发生氧化还原作用时,还可能与土壤中杂质发生吸附等作用;铁锰氧化物还原反应强度随着反应介质pH值的升高而迅速下降;可用零级反应动力学方程拟合铁氧化物还原溶解反应,针铁矿溶解反应的强度与介质的pH值呈负相关关系;天然针铁矿对酚类污染物的氧化降解能力明显高于合成针铁矿,pH值对天然针铁矿溶解反应影响较大;可用一级指数衰减方程拟合锰氧化物还原溶解反应,锰氧化物溶解反应的强度与介质的pH值呈指数衰减关系;pH值对软锰矿还原溶解反应的影响大于对土壤中氧化锰的影响,pH值越小,影响越显著;对比pH值对铁和锰还原作用的影响发现,在pH=6.5时,锰氧化物仍有较强的氧化性能。     

南太行邯邢地区白涧矽卡岩型铁矿中磁铁矿与赤铁矿交代现象对矿床成因的启示

对邯邢地区白涧铁矿中磁铁矿与赤铁矿进行成因矿物学研究,精细刻画了铁的成矿过程。在岩相学观察过程中作者发现该矿床中存在2个期次的赤铁矿,其分别交代磁铁矿或被磁铁矿交代。根据磁铁矿和赤铁矿的交代关系,我们将赤铁矿划分为早、晚2个期次,并根据成矿流体的演化,将铁矿化过程划分为4个阶段。成矿流体从岩浆中分离并交代碳酸盐围岩形成矽卡岩,同时形成接触带矿(第1成矿期),随着接触带磁铁矿的形成,具有更高氧逸度的演化的流体沿着断裂带充填和交代碳酸盐地层形成早期赤铁矿(第2成矿期)。随着赤铁矿形成,氧逸度降低至磁铁矿-赤铁矿缓冲线之下,形成层间的磁铁矿(第3成矿期),SO42-转化成HS-,同时形成大量自由氧,导致成矿流体的氧逸度进一步升高,从而形成晚期赤铁矿(第4成矿期),伴随温度和氧逸度的进一步降低,成矿作用进入硫化物形成时期。整个成矿过程中氧逸度控制了成矿过程及其产物,对矽卡岩型铁矿的形成起到了主导作用。     

磷灰石对湖泊沉积物中水铁矿稳定性的制约

通过在滇池开展原位实验,研究探讨了湖泊沉积物中磷灰石制约水铁矿分解和转化的机制,以及二者共存时的环境效应。结果表明:将水铁矿放置到沉积物中1个月,矿物保持稳定;放置时间达到3个月时,添加磷灰石实验中水铁矿发生了显著物相转变。冬天(12—2月)实验中,转化产物随深度的变化趋势为针铁矿+磁(赤)铁矿→针铁矿+纤铁矿→针铁矿;夏天(6—9月)实验中,转化产物随深度的变化趋势为针铁矿+纤铁矿+磁(赤)铁矿→针铁矿+纤铁矿→未转化。透射电镜分析结果显示冬天实验中生成的磁性铁氧化物为纳米磁铁矿和磁赤铁矿,夏天实验中产生的则主要为纳米磁铁矿。X射线光电子能谱分析结果显示冬天表层实验样品具有较高P含量。分析表明的湖泊沉积物中磷灰石促进水铁矿转化的过程为:(1)微生物促进磷灰石溶解;(2)磷灰石溶解释放的P促进铁还原菌生长;(3)铁还原菌促进水铁矿还原;(4)水铁矿还原产生的溶解态Fe²⁺催化水铁矿向针铁矿、纤铁矿和磁铁矿转化。冬天及沉积氧化-还原界面最适宜磷灰石分解菌和铁还原菌生长,水铁矿的转化和P释放能力也更强,相应地内源磷释放的风险也更大。     

早前寒武纪BIF原生矿物组成及演化、沉积相模式研究进展

条带状铁建造(BIF)原生矿物组成有助于约束其沉积相和沉积环境,当前主要认为三价铁氢氧化物或铁硅酸盐微粒(主要成分为铁蛇纹石或黑硬绿泥石)可能是BIF原生矿物的主要成分,在后期成岩或变质作用过程中转变为赤铁矿、磁铁矿、菱铁矿等矿物。根据BIF的矿物组合可将其沉积相划分为氧化物相、硅酸盐相和碳酸盐相。通过沉积地层学和地球化学等方法研究,以古元古代大氧化事件为标志将沉积相总结为"缺氧还原"和"分层海洋"2种相模式:大氧化事件前,古海洋整体处于缺氧还原环境,BIF沉积相从远岸到近岸呈赤铁矿相—磁铁矿相—碳酸盐相分布,如南非West Rand群BIF(2.96~2.78 Ga)和Kuruman BIF(约2.46 Ga);大氧化事件期间及之后,古海洋上部氧化、下部还原,BIF沉积相与之前截然相反,从远岸到近岸呈碳酸盐相—磁铁矿相—赤铁矿相分布,如中国袁家村BIF(2.2~2.3 Ga)和加拿大Sokoman铁建造(约1.88 Ga)。总体看来,只有特定的沉积环境才能形成这种特殊的地质历史上不再重复出现的沉积建造,而原生矿物组成的甄别和推导、沉积相的形成机制、BIF沉淀条件的准确限定和微生物活动与BIF的关联等问题是推测古海洋环境的关键所在,也是目前亟待解决的问题。     

Redox and nonredox reactions of magnetite and hematite in rocks

Redox and nonredox reactions causing pseudomorphic replacement of hematite by magnetite and magnetite by hematite are compared.Pseudomorphic replacements resulting from redox reactions are known as martitization [replacement of magnetite by hematite due to oxidation; reaction (1)] and mushketovitization [replacement of hematite by magnetite due to reduction; reaction (2)]. These two replacements cause characteristic ore textures and volume changes (reaction (1): increase of 1.66%; reaction (2): decrease of 1.64%). These small volume changes are the reason that martitization and mushketovitization are widespread in many rocks under condition, however, that oxidizing or reducing fluids (solutions) are present.The same initial and end products may also be involved in nonredox reactions. Reaction (3) is the replacement of hematite by magnetite due to simple addition of Fe²⁺ atoms under basic conditions. This reaction causes an increase of the volume of 47.6%. Reaction (4), causing a volume decrease of 32.2%, is the replacement of magnetite by hematite due to leaching of Fe²⁺ atoms under acidic conditions. From these volume changes it is concluded that reaction (4) may occur in many rock types, whereas reaction (3) is restricted to unlithified sediments only. However, ore textures caused by nonredox reactions are unknown and therefore their occurrence in rocks is hypothetical.     

Mechanisms of iron oxide transformations in hydrothermal systems

Coexistence of magnetite and hematite in hydrothermal systems has often been used to constrain the redox potential of fluids, assuming that the redox equilibrium is attained among all minerals and aqueous species. However, as temperature decreases, disequilibrium mineral assemblages may occur due to the slow kinetics of reaction involving the minerals and fluids. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments in which hematite or magnetite was reacted with an acidic solution under H₂-rich hydrothermal conditions (T = 100-250 °C, ) to investigate the kinetics of redox and non-redox transformations between hematite and magnetite, and the mechanisms of iron oxide transformation under hydrothermal conditions. The formation of euhedral crystals of hematite in 150 and 200 °C experiments, in which magnetite was used as the starting material, indicates that non-redox transformation of magnetite to hematite occurred within 24 h. The chemical composition of the experimental solutions was controlled by the non-redox transformation between magnetite and hematite throughout the experiments. While solution compositions were controlled by the non-redox transformation in the first 3 days in a 250 °C experiment, reductive dissolution of magnetite became important after 5 days and affected the solution chemistry. At 100 °C, the presence of maghemite was indicated in the first 7 days. Based on these results, equilibrium constants of non-redox transformation between magnetite and hematite and those of non-redox transformation between magnetite and maghemite were calculated. Our results suggest that the redox transformation of hematite to magnetite occurs in the following steps: (1) reductive dissolution of hematite to and (2) non-redox transformation of hematite and to magnetite.     

Sources and formation conditions of ferromanganese mineralization of the Bureya and Khanka massifs,Russian Far East

The geochemical features of typical representatives of ferromanganese deposits are studied in the eastern Bureya and Khanka massifs (Russian Far East). Based on the major-, trace-, and rare-earth element distribution, the hydrothermal–sedimentary (with hydrogenic component) nature of their mineralization is established and the geodynamic setting and depth of ore formation are estimated. The differences in the depth and redox conditions of ore formation resulted in the metallogenic zonation of the Khingan block (Bureya Massif), which is expressed in a westward change in ore composition from the magnetite ores of the Kosten’ga–Kimkan zone to the hematite–magnetite and iron–manganese ores of the South Khingan zone. The conclusions about the participation of hydrothermal sources in the formation of ore mineralization of the studied deposits and the specifics of their localization require revision of the strategy of exploration and evaluation of ferromanganese ores in the southern Far East.     

滇西北衙多金属矿田矿床成因类型及其与富碱斑岩关系初探

北衙金多金属矿田是与金沙江-哀牢山新生代富碱斑岩有关的成矿作用的典型代表之一,近年来在矿产勘查方面又有重大突破,金已达到超大型矿床,伴生铁、铜、银、铅、锌也达到了大-中型矿床规模。本文基于野外观察与室内研究,结合前人研究成果,对北衙多金属矿的成因类型,富碱斑岩与成矿作用的关系及成矿机制进行了系统总结,对与成矿相关的富碱斑岩进行了主量元素及锆石LA-ICP-MS的测试,探讨了铁矿的成因。研究表明,矿田原生金属矿床可分为:斑岩型铜金矿化,夕卡岩型铁、金、铜、铅、锌矿化,爆破角砾岩筒中的铁、金、铅、锌矿化以及热液型金、银、铅、锌矿化。其中夕卡岩型和热液型矿床是该区最主要的成矿类型。新生代富碱斑岩(石英正长斑岩)的年龄分别34.92±0.66Ma和36.24±0.63Ma。属于钾质碱性岩系列。它不仅为含矿流体的上升提供了动力和热能,而且还是成矿物质和成矿流体的主要来源,因此形成以斑岩体为中心,由斑岩型、夕卡岩型、热液型等矿床构成的一个连续的成矿系统。钾质碱性岩及矿床是在碰撞造山走滑构造系统深部壳幔相互作用的产物。本区岩体接触带中发育大量由菱铁矿和磁铁矿组成的铁矿体,其中大部分的磁铁矿是一种具有赤铁矿的板状晶或聚片双晶假象的穆磁铁矿。对磁铁矿和菱铁矿形成条件的分析表明,磁铁矿和菱铁矿主要是在碱性环境下交代含铁夕卡岩矿物形成的。当热液中H+的浓度降低时,赤铁矿被还原为磁铁矿,但仍保留了赤铁矿的晶形,于是成为穆磁铁矿。由此推测,本区成矿作用是在成矿流体及夕卡岩化交代作用长时间反复持续进行的条件下发生的,这可能是本区得以形成巨量金属堆积的重要原因之一。     

Mechanism and kinetics of hydrothermal replacement of magnetite by hematite

The replacement of magnetite by hematite was studied through a series of experiments under mild hydrothermal conditions(140 -220℃, vapour saturated pressures) to quantify the kinetics of the transformation and the relative effects of redox and non-redox processes on the transformation. The results indicate that oxygen is not an essential factor in the replacement reaction of magnetite by hematite, but the addition of excess oxidant does trigger the oxidation reaction, and increases the kinetics of the transformation. However, even under high O_2(aq) environments, some of the replacement still occurred via Fe²⁺ leaching from magnetite. The kinetics of the replacement reaction depends upon temperature and solution parameters such as pH and the concentrations of ligands, all of which are factors that control the solubility of magnetite and affect the transport of Fe²⁺ (and the oxidant) to and from the reaction front. Reaction rates are fast at ~200℃, and in nature transport properties of Fe and,in the case of the redox-controlled replacement, the oxidant will be the rate-limiting control on the reaction progress. Using an Avrami treatment of the kinetic data and the Arrhenius equation, the activation energy for the transformation under non-redox conditions was calculated to be 26 ± 6 kJ mol^-1.This value is in agreement with the reported activation energy for the dissolution of magnetite, which is the rate-limiting process for the transformation under non-redox conditions.     

Micro- to nano-scale characterization of martite from a banded iron formation in India and a lateritic soil in Brazil

The pseudomorphic transformation of magnetite into hematite (martitization) is widespread in geological environments, but the process and mechanism of this transformation is still not fully understood. Micro- and nano-scale techniques—scanning electron microscopy, focused ion bean transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy—were used in combination with X-ray diffraction, Curie balance and magnetic hysteresis analyses, as well as Mössbauer spectroscopy on martite samples from a banded iron formation (2.9 Ga, Dharwar Craton, India), and from lateritic soils, which have developed on siliciclastic and volcanic rocks previously affected by metamorphic fluids (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Octahedral crystals from both samples are composed of hematite with minor patches of magnetite, but show different structures. The Indian crystals show trellis of subhedral magnetite hosting maghemite in sharp contact with interstitial hematite crystals, which suggests exsolution along parting planes. Grain boundary migrations within the hematite point to dynamic crystallization during deformation. Dislocations and fluid inclusions in hematite reflect its precipitation related to a hydrothermal event. In the Brazilian martite, dislocations are observed and maghemite occurs as Insel structures and nano-twin sets. The latter, typical for the hematite, are a transformation product from maghemite into hematite. For both samples, a deformation-induced hydrothermally driven transformation from magnetite via maghemite to hematite is proposed. The transformation from magnetite into maghemite comprises intermediate non-stoichiometric magnetite steps related to a redox process. This study shows that martite found in supergene environment may result from earlier hypogene processes.     

Trace element composition of magnetite from the Xinqiao Fe–S(–Cu–Au) deposit,Tongling, Eastern China: constraints on fluid evolution and ore genesis

The Xinqiao deposit is one of several polymetallic deposits in the Tongling ore district. There are two types of mineralization in the Xinqiao: skarn-type and stratiform-type. The skarn-type mineralization is characterized by iron oxides such as magnetite and hematite, whereas stratiform-type mineralization is characterized by massive sulfides with small amounts of magnetite and hematite. We defined three types of ores within the stratiform-type mineralization by the mineral assemblages and ore structures. Type I ore is represented by magnetite crosscut by minor calcite veins. Type II is a network ore composed of magnetite and crosscutting pyrite. Type III is a massive ore containing calcite and hematite. Type I magnetite is characterized by highly variable trace element content, whereas Type II magnetite has consistently higher Si, Ti, V, and Nb. Type III magnetite contains more In, Sn, and As than the other two types. Fluid–rock interaction, oxygen fugacity (fO₂), and temperature (T) are the main factors controlling element variation between the different magnetite types. Type I magnetite was formed by more extensive fluid–rock interaction than the other two types at moderate fO₂ and T conditions. Type II magnetite is thought to have formed in relatively low fO₂ and high-T environments, and Type III in relatively high fO₂ and moderate-T environments. Ca?+?Al?+?Mn and Ti?+?V discrimination diagrams show that magnetite in the Xinqiao deposit is hydrothermal in origin and is possibly linked with skarn.     

Transformation of magnetite to hematite and its influence on the dissolution of iron oxide minerals

Deformed rocks of the Itabira Iron Formation (itabirites) in Brazil show microstructural evidence of pressure solution of quartz and iron oxides; it appears that magnetite was dissolved and hematite precipitated. The dissolution of magnetite seems to be related to its transformation to hematite by oxidation of Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺. The transformation of magnetite to hematite occurs along {111} planes, and results in the development of hematite domains along {111} that are parallel to the foliation. The difference in volume created by the transformation of magnetite to hematite and the shear stress acting on the interphase boundaries allow fluids to migrate along these planes. The dissolution of magnetite involves the hydrolyzation of the Fe²⁺—O bonds at interphase boundaries of high normal stress. The high fugacity of oxygen in the fluid phase promotes the reaction of Fe²⁺ (in solution) with oxygen. Fe²⁺ ions oxidize to Fe³⁺ and precipitate as hematite platelets with their longest axes oriented parallel to the direction of maximum stretching. The transformation of magnetite to hematite during deformation plays an important role in the fabric evolution of the iron formation rocks. The transformation along {111} creates planes of weakness that facilitate fracturing. The fracturing plus the dissolution result in a reduction of magnetite grain size, and the oriented precipitation results in layers of hematite platelets. These processes produce a new fabric characterized by a penetrative foliation and lineation.     

Surface structure effects on direct reduction of iron oxides by Shewanella oneidensis

The atomic and electronic structure of mineral surfaces affects many environmentally important processes such as adsorption phenomena. They are however rarely considered relevant to dissimilatory bacterial reduction of iron and manganese minerals. In this regard, surface area and thermodynamics are more commonly considered. Here we take a first step towards understanding the nature of the influence of mineral surface structure upon the rate of electron transfer from Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 outer membrane proteins to the mineral surface and the subsequent effect upon cell “activity.” Cell accumulation has been used as a proxy for cell activity at three iron oxide single crystal faces; hematite (001), magnetite (111) and magnetite (100). Clear differences in cell accumulation at, and release from the surfaces are observed, with significantly more cells accumulating at hematite (001) compared to either magnetite face whilst relatively more cells are released into the overlying aqueous phase from the two magnetite faces than hematite. Modeling of the electron transfer process to the different mineral surfaces from a decaheme (protoporphyrin rings containing a central hexacoordinate iron atom), outer membrane-bound cytochrome of S. oneidensis has been accomplished by employing both Marcus and ab initio density functional theories. The resultant model of electron transfer to the three oxide faces predicts that over the entire range of expected electron transfer distances the highest electron transfer rates occur at the hematite (001) surface, mirroring the observed cell accumulation data. Electron transfer rates to either of the two magnetite surfaces are slower, with magnetite (111) slower than hematite (001) by approximately two orders of magnitude. A lack of knowledge regarding the structural details of the heme-mineral interface, especially in regards to atomic distances and relative orientations of hemes and surface iron atoms and the conformation of the protein envelope, precludes a more thorough analysis. However, the results of the modeling concur with the empirical observation that mineral surface structure has a clear influence on mineral surface-associated cell activity. Thus surface structure effects must be accounted for in future studies of cell-mineral interactions.