The formation of mineral deposits : a vision on a molecular scale

The diversification of observation tools and spectacular advances in numerical simulation methods have led to a major evolution in mineralogical and geochemical concepts. This is particularly true for understanding the insertion of impurities into minerals, but also for grasping the importance of nano-phases and biological activity in geochemical transfers. This lecture aims to show the value of a molecular-scale vision, based on the short-range chemical organization around elements in minerals, formation media and at mineral-solutions interfaces. These unifying concepts provide a better understanding of metal concentration mechanisms. This approach shows the importance of speciation in the formation of deposits in magmatic, hydrothermal or surface environments.