12. Reaction kinetics and mechanisms of water‑rock interaction at Earth’s surface
Session Organizers: Chen Zhu, Xiaofan Yang
Summary: Water–rock interactions at Earth’s surface are fundamental processes controlling landscape evolution, element cycling, and the chemical composition of natural waters. The kinetics and mechanisms of mineral dissolution, precipitation, adsorption, ion exchange, and redox reactions determine the release, transport, and fate of trace metals, nutrients, and carbon within terrestrial and aquatic environments. These processes are influenced by mineral properties, water chemistry, temperature, hydrological conditions, and microbial activities. Understanding the kinetics and mechanisms of water–rock interactions is therefore essential for revealing the evolution of subsurface environments, predicting geochemical responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, and improving interpretations of biogeochemical cycles.
This session welcomes contributions that investigate: (i) reaction kinetics and mechanisms controlling mineral–water interactions; (ii) the effects of mineral composition, surface properties, hydrological conditions, and microbial processes on reaction kinetics; (iii) the implications of water–rock interactions for weathering, nutrient cycling, contaminant mobility, and global climate change. We encourage submissions integrating laboratory experiments, field observations, and reactive transport modeling to advance understanding of the dynamic interactions between geological materials and surface environments.
13. Fluid-rock interactions and carbon cycle
Session Organizers: Xianjun Xie, Junbin Pu, Zhenjiao Jiang
Summary: Fluid–rock interactions play a fundamental role in regulating the global carbon cycle by controlling the transfer, transformation, and long-term storage of carbon within surface and subsurface systems. The exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere is strongly influenced by processes such as mineral weathering, carbonate precipitation and dissolution, organic carbon degradation, and carbon sequestration through water–rock reactions. In geological environments, fluid circulation facilitates carbon transport and promotes interactions between aqueous fluids and minerals, affecting carbon mobility, storage capacity, and the evolution of geological reservoirs. Understanding these coupled processes is critical for deciphering climate change developing strategies for carbon management.
This session welcomes contributions that investigate: (i) carbon transfer and transformation driven by fluid–rock interactions across different geological environments; (ii) the role of mineral reactions, hydrothermal processes, and subsurface fluid circulation in carbon storage and release; (iii) isotopic, geochemical, experimental, and modeling approaches for tracing carbon sources, pathways, and reservoirs. We encourage submissions from diverse research communities exploring the connections between geochemical processes, Earth system evolution, and carbon cycle dynamics across a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
14.WRI linking abiotic and biotic worlds
Session Organizers: Baogang Zhang, Juan Liu, Yao Du
Summary: Water–rock interactions represent a fundamental bridge connecting the abiotic and biotic components of Earth systems, controlling the exchange of elements and energy between geological environments and living organisms. Mineral dissolution, precipitation, redox reactions, and elemental cycling driven by water–rock processes provide essential nutrients and energy that support microbial communities and shape ecosystem development. At the same time, biological activities, including microbial metabolism, organic matter transformation, and biomineralization, can significantly modify mineral surfaces, fluid chemistry, and geochemical evolution. Understanding the dynamic feedbacks between geological and biological processes is therefore crucial for revealing the co-evolution of the Earth’s environment and life.
This session welcomes contributions that investigate: (i) the mechanisms of water–rock interactions regulating elemental cycling and energy transfer between abiotic and biotic systems; (ii) microbial mediation of mineral transformation, weathering processes, and geochemical evolution; (iii) the roles of biological processes in modifying water chemistry, mineral stability, and ecosystem development; (iv) isotopes and molecular techniques to understand coupled hydro-bio-geochemical processes. We encourage submissions exploring how interactions between rocks, fluids, and organisms influence environmental evolution, resource formation, and the sustainability of Earth’s ecosystems across diverse geological settings.
15. Hydrological and geochemical processes in the Critical Zone: In memory of Steven Banwart
Session Organizers: Congqiang Liu, Hongyan Guo, Tianyuan Zheng
Summary: The Critical Zone, extending from the top of vegetation and soils to the deep weathered bedrock and groundwater systems, represents a dynamic interface where hydrological, geological, chemical, and biological processes interact to sustain terrestrial ecosystems and regulate Earth’s surface environments. Inspired by the pioneering contributions of Professor Steven Banwart to Critical Zone science, this session focuses on advancing the understanding of coupled water–rock–soil–biota interactions that control weathering, elemental cycling, and ecosystem functioning. Hydrological processes govern the transport of water and solutes, while geochemical reactions and biological activities regulate mineral transformation, nutrient availability, carbon cycling, and the evolution of surface environments.
This session welcomes contributions that investigate: (i) hydrological and geochemical processes controlling Critical Zone development and evolution; (ii) mineral weathering, soil formation, and elemental cycling across different environmental gradients; (iii) interactions among water, rocks, soils, microorganisms, and vegetation in regulating ecosystem processes. We encourage submissions that advance interdisciplinary research on the coupled processes shaping the Earth’s surface environment and highlight new perspectives inspired by the legacy of Steven Banwart’s contributions to Critical Zone science.
16. WRI in extreme environments: Extremophiles, geotherms, and planetary bodies
Session Organizers: Qingcheng He, Hongchen Jiang, Yanlong Kong
Summary: Extreme environments on Earth and beyond provide unique opportunities to investigate the limits of water–rock interactions and the fundamental processes governing the co-evolution of geological and biological systems. In deep subsurface environments, hydrothermal systems, polar regions, and extraterrestrial settings, interactions between fluids and minerals control energy availability, elemental cycling, and the formation of chemically and physically distinct habitats. Extremophilic microorganisms thrive under high temperature, pressure, acidity, salinity, and other challenging conditions by exploiting geochemical energy sources generated through water–rock reactions. Meanwhile, studies of planetary bodies such as Mars, icy moons, and other extraterrestrial environments rely on understanding fluid–mineral interactions to reconstruct past habitability and geological evolution.
This session welcomes contributions that investigate: (i) water–rock interaction processes under extreme temperature, pressure, chemical, and environmental conditions; (ii) the role of hydrothermal and geochemical systems in supporting extremophile communities and sustaining microbial ecosystems; (iii) mineral–fluid reactions, geochemical signatures, and potential biosignatures relevant to planetary exploration. We encourage submissions exploring the connections between geochemistry, microbiology, astrobiology, and planetary sciences to advance our understanding of life’s limits and the evolution of water-mediated geological systems.
