Increasing public awareness of environmental issues is encouraging mining and mineral-based industries to reconsider the impact of their operations on the natural world.
The role that minerals play in the release and removal of environmentally
important elements such as aluminum, fluorine, arsenic and radionuclides
is of primary concern. Mineral dissolution, and breakdown by chemical
and physical weathering or reprocessing, releases potentially toxic
elements into the environment. Contamination of soils, water resources
and the atmosphere may result. Only when we understand such chemical,
physical and biological processes will we be able to introduce
suitable protective measures when and where necessary.
The Department of Mineralogy has extensive experience in studies of mineral characterization, mineral breakdown and mineral-fluid interaction.
Field based and experimental research is undertaken within the
Department on a broad range of environmental problems utilizing
the Museum's world renowned collections and its excellent analytical
facilities.
Collaboration with life scientists and established links with other institutions complement the extensive expertise available within the Department.
The Department welcomes enquiries about its current research programmes and advisory services.
Illustrations
This project is part of the Environmental Quality Research Theme.
For further information contact:
Dr EH Bailey
The Natural History Museum,
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 171 938 9033 Fax: +44 (0) 171 938 9268
Email: ehb@nhm.ac.uk
