Mineraloituneita

Mineraloituneita is a Finnish term that translates to "mineralized" or "petrified" in English. It refers to the process by which organic matter is replaced by minerals over geological time. This transformation typically occurs when an organism dies and is quickly buried by sediment, such as mud, sand, or volcanic ash. The burial protects the organism from decomposition by oxygen and scavengers.

Over long periods, groundwater rich in dissolved minerals percolates through the sediment and around the buried remains. As the water slowly moves, minerals precipitate out of the solution and fill the porous spaces within the organic material, such as cells, tissues, and bones. In some cases, the original organic material can be completely replaced by minerals, such as silica, calcite, or pyrite, creating a fossilized replica of the original form. This process is a key mechanism in the formation of fossils, preserving ancient life forms for scientific study. The type of mineral that replaces the organic matter often depends on the chemical composition of the surrounding groundwater and sediment.