Mineralogy and (bio)geochemistry

Research is centered on petrographic, (isotope)geochemical and mineralogical assessment of solid-liquid interface reactions from the nano- to bulk-scale, with focus on (palaeo)environmental reconstructions, Earth surface processes, remediation technologies, material sciences and development of novel analytical methods in geosciences.

Keywords: Clay Mineralogy; Environmental Geochemistry; Element Cycles; Fluid-rock Interaction; Interface Processes.

Contact: Andre Baldermann

Geochemistry and Environmental Monitoring

Focus of my research, teaching and consulting activities are subsurface geosystems. This includes access to deep reservoirs in the course of geothermal energy exploitation, tunneling, storage operations, caves, speleothem and vein formation and diverse mineral deposits.

Hydrogeochemical processes are related to geology, hydrology and (micro)biological conditions underground. Methodological approaches involve field-based sampling strategies and data loggers, laboratory analytical and experimental work, as well as computer modeling. Bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical application is targeted.

Keywords: fluid-solid interaction, environmental archives, forensic approach, mineral precipitates, carbonates.

Contact: Ronny Boch

Experimental Geochemist and elemental/isotope proxies

My research is focused on an experimental approach of the incorporation of trace metals (e.g., Zn, Cu, Ni, Co) within carbonate minerals and its implication as forming conditions proxies. Experiments of crystal growth are setting up under highly controlled parameters (e.g., pH, temperature, ionic strength) followed by a chemical and isotopic characterization of both minerals and reactive fluids. Several other aspects as adsorption and diffusion processes are part of my research focus.

Keywords: trace element distribution, experimental crystal growth, non-traditional stable isotopes.

Contact: Jean-Michel Brazier

Geochemistry and Applied Mineralogy

My research focuses on formation mechanisms and kinetics of distinct mineral scale deposits in water drainage systems in (geo)technical settings. We focus on site-specific process understanding with regard to applicable environmental and engineering prevention strategies and investigate in particular the nucleation and growth dynamics of calcium carbonate minerals.

This approach comprises detailed petrographic analysis as well as mineral and water characterization combined with in-situ monitoring programs and hydrochemical modelling.

Keywords: calcium carbonate, scale deposit, drainage system, environmental monitoring, green inhibitor.

Contact: Stefanie Eichinger

Applied Mineralogy and Material Sciences

My research focus includes hydration and deterioration mechanisms of cementitious materials, application of advanced methodology for durability assessment and development of low-carbon cements.

Keywords: cement, low-carbon construction materials, hydration, durability, sustainability.

Contact: Isabel Galan

Experimental formation of carbonates

Research is focused on experimental designs to investigate carbonate mineral formation mechanisms (e.g. “classical” crystal nucleation, amorphous-to-crystalline transformation) and the control of physicochemical parameters on the distribution of elements and isotopes during mineral formation.

Keywords: amorphous calcium carbonate, calcite, aqueous complexation, trace element incorporation, Mg and SO₄, in situ monitoring.

Contact: Katja Götschl

Applied Mineralogy and Material Sciences

Fields of research include applied minerology and material sciences with focus on the development of inorganic, cement-based building materials and the evaluation of performance/deterioration mechanisms of the latter in various (bio)chemical aggressive environments, based on microstructural, chemical, mineralogical and environmental proxy.

I am involved in several national and international projects and an active RILEM member (https://www.rilem.net/), currently working in two technical committees (TC – MCI 253 and TC – CCC) focusing on alkali activated materials and biochemical concrete deterioration.

Keywords: cement-based and alkali activated material; biochemical concrete deterioration; environmental proxies.

Contact: Cyrill Vallazza-Grengg

Sedimentary petrology and geochemistry using elemental/isotope proxies

My research focuses on field-based, petrological and geochemical approaches to investigate the formation mechanisms and kinetics of lacustrine carbonate deposits in order to elucidate their potential as environmental archives as well as local carbon storage systems. Field areas include the Pannonian lowlands, the Eastern Alps and the Bolivian Andes.

Keywords: lake systems, calcite, HMC, protodolomite, extracellular polymeric substances, natural carbon sequestration, element ratios, stable isotopes.

Contact: Dorothee Hippler

Applied mineralogy and hydrochemical modelling

Organic acids interacting with solids: i) Inhibiting and altering effect of e.g. poly-aspartic acid on CaCO3 formation; ii) The role of citric acid in the binding system of refractory materials. Advanced process understanding by application of monitoring and hydrochemical modelling.

Keywords: applied mineralogy, hydrochemical modelling, organic acids, green scaling inhibitors, monitoring.

Contact: Michael Pettauer

Experimental geochemistry and stable isotopes

The focus of my research is low temperature fluid-mineral interactions. In particular the use of stable isotope geochemistry to investigate and understand the physicochemical conditions of mineral formation as well as the processes that transform the structure, chemistry and isotope composition of biogenic and inorganic minerals within natural systems.

For this purpose, various experimental approaches are used, such as two-component batch reactor experiments paired with a broad set of traditional and novel analytical methods.

Keywords: stable isotopes, experiments, fluid-mineral interaction, diagenesis.

Contact: Franziska Stamm

Applied mineralogy and cement chemistry

My research is focused on chemical and mineralogical aspects of construction materials; e.g. durability and hydration processes in Portland-cement based concretes, development and characterisation of sustainable cement-based binders, experimental crystal growth of hydrated cement phases.

Keywords: applied mineralogy, construction materials, cement, durability, hydration.

Contact: Florian Steindl