organomineralische

Organomineralische is a German term used to describe substances, structures, or processes in which organic matter and minerals interact closely to form organomineral complexes. These interactions occur when organic molecules such as humic substances bind to mineral surfaces (clays, iron and aluminum oxides) or become incorporated into mineral precipitates. Binding can involve physical sorption, chemical bonding through functional groups (carboxyl, phenolic, amine), or co-precipitation that traps organic matter within mineral matrices.

In soils and sediments, organomineralische associations are common and play a key role in stabilizing soil organic carbon, influencing nutrient availability, water retention, and cation exchange properties. They can also affect the fate of contaminants, since metals and organic pollutants may bind to organomineral surfaces.

Formation is controlled by factors such as pH, mineralogy, the quality of organic matter, and environmental conditions. Iron and aluminum oxides are particularly effective at binding organics, as are clay minerals like illite and montmorillonite. Analytical approaches include spectroscopy, microscopy, and sequential extraction to quantify the organic and mineral components.

In pedology and environmental geochemistry, organomineralische interactions are central to understanding soil genesis, carbon cycling, and pollutant fate. The term is used in German-language literature to describe the organomineral character of substances and processes rather than a single mineral species.