An international research team involving scientists from the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Physics has described the process of growing three-dimensional manganese dendrites. This knowledge can be used in industry, for example in the production of synthetic materials with new properties. The research results were published in the journal “Geology”.

An international research team involving scientists from the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna and University of Edinburgh has described the process of growing three-dimensional manganese dendrites. The researchers found that it occurs through the accretion of manganese oxide nanoparticles. Understanding the dynamics of the growth of three-dimensional mineral dendrites is important for various fields of science – physics, geology, material sciences and even the study of extraterrestrial environments. Not only are scientists gaining valuable insights into the history of rocks and minerals, the knowledge can also be used in industry, for example in the production of synthetic materials with new properties.

Mineral dendrites

A recent study has shed light on the growth dynamics of mineral dendrites providing the pioneering insights into their formation and the geological history they encode. This discovery challenges conventional crystallization pathways and offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex world of mineral formation. Unlike the metallic or crystalline dendrites that form from supercooled melts, mineral dendrites are a result of unstable aqueous growth processes driven by fluid motion and chemical concentration gradients. Manganese dendrites, in particular, are known to develop as two-dimensional structures on rock surfaces. However, until now, the growth processes of three-dimensional dendrites have remained largely enigmatic.

“By combining high-resolution X-ray and electron-based imaging techniques with numerical modelling, we were able to unlock the secrets hidden within these intricate mineral formations,” says Dawid Woś, a student of the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Physics and creator of the numerical model used in the study.

The researchers discovered that the growth of dendrites occurred through the accretion of manganese oxide nanoparticles.

“These nanoparticles formed when Mn-rich fluids mixed with oxygenated pore-water, leading to the development of complex dendritic structures. Remarkably, the geometry of these dendrites recorded the hydro-geochemical history of the rock, including the concentration of ions, the volume of infiltrating fluid, and the number of fluid pulses. In essence, these three-dimensional dendrites can serve as geological fingerprints, preserving a record of past environmental conditions,” explains Dr Zhaoliang Hou from the Department of Geology of the University of Vienna, lead author of the publication.

Non-classical crystallization pathway

The study also highlighted a non-classical crystallization pathway in which dendrite growth proceeds through the formation, diffusion, and attachment of Mn oxide nanoparticles. This pathway challenges traditional views of crystal growth and emphasizes the significance of particle attachment processes in the natural world. It further aligns with the growing recognition of this mechanism as a vital and widespread type of crystal growth.

“The study of three-dimensional Mn dendrites has unveiled a captivating world of non-classical crystallization pathways and the hidden stories recorded within geological structures. By combining advanced imaging techniques and numerical modeling, scientists have taken a significant step forward in unraveling the mysteries of these intricate mineral formations. As we delve deeper into the secrets of crystal growth, we open doors to a better understanding of Earth’s history and the fascinating mechanisms at play in the natural world,” concludes Prof. Piotr Szymczak from the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Physics.