Minéralisation

Minéralisation, or mineralisation, is a term used across geology, biology and environmental science to denote the deposition, formation, or transformation of minerals in rocks, tissues, or ecosystems. It can refer to natural ore formation, biological tissue processes, or the cycling of inorganic nutrients in the environment.

In geology, mineralisation describes the concentration of economically valuable minerals within a rock mass. This often results from hydrothermal fluids that transport and deposit minerals in veins, disseminations, or replacement bodies. Mineralised zones may host ore deposits such as sulfides, quartz veins, or carbonate bodies, formed by temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions deep underground or at contact metamorphic settings.

Biomineralisation (biological mineralisation) is the production of minerals by living organisms to harden or structure tissues. Examples include hydroxyapatite in bone, calcium phosphate in teeth, and calcium carbonate in shells and crustacean exoskeletons. Biomineralisation is tightly controlled by organic matrices and proteins and contributes to growth, defense, and signaling in many species.

In environmental and soil science, mineralisation refers to the microbial decomposition of organic matter into inorganic nutrients, releasing nitrogen, phosphorus, and other elements that plants can uptake. Mineralisation rates depend on temperature, moisture, carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, and microbial activity. Pathological or incidental calcification can also occur in medical contexts, where calcium salts accumulate in soft tissues or vascular structures.