apologies for multiple postings

Deadline for on-line abstract submission is January 15, 2005

        As the Jan 15 deadline for abstract submissions approaches, we would 
like to remind you of a session currently being planned for the 2005 
15th Annual Goldschmidt Meeting, May 20 - 25 in Moscow Idaho.

SS-39: Interaction along mineral grain boundaries: Diffusion, mass 
transfer, and the role of fluids

        The boundary between two adjoining mineral grains in a rock can 
show a variety of interactions ranging from no apparent interaction, 
either physical or chemical; to element diffusion profiles, in either 
or both mineral grain rims, perpendicular to the grain boundary; to a 
wide variety of reaction rims ranging from simple mono-mineralic rims 
to intricate and highly evolved symplectitic intergrowths. The presence 
of such an interaction or lack thereof is a function of the P-T 
conditions; the chemistry of the adjoining mineral grains; and the 
presence or absence of fluids and/or melts along the boundary 
separating the two mineral grains.

        The first goal of this symposium would be to bring together 
mineralogists, petrologists, geochemists, geophysicists, and 
experimental petrologist/mineralogists in order to first describe and 
then interpret various examples of interactions between minerals along 
their common grain boundaries. A second goal would be to seek some 
common understanding as to the physics and chemistry of how such 
interactions occur and under what P-T conditions; how the creation or 
consumption of space affects the reaction between two adjoining mineral 
grains; how fluids may aid or hinder mineral grain boundary 
interactions; and what implications mineral grain boundary interactions 
may have on the rock fabric as a whole with respect to its 
permeability, response to deformation, and various geophysical effects 
such as conductivity.

        A full list as well as description of all 81 symposia can be found at 
the following web address:

http://www.the-conference.com/2005/gold2005/abstracts.php

Information on the submission process is available at:

http://www.the-conference.com/2005/gold2005/index.php?_=

        Key note speakers include:

                        Jane Selverstone (Univ of New Mexico, USA)
                        Ian Parsons (Univ of Edinburgh, UK).

        Invited speakers include:

                        Brian Evans (MIT, USA)
                        Ethan Baxter (Boston Univ, USA)
                        Andreas Luttge (Rice Univ, USA)
                        Marian Holness (Univ of Cambridge, USA)
                        Jay Ague (Yale Univ, USA) 	
                        Tom Foster (Univ of Iowa, USA)  	
                        Reid Cooper (Brown Univ, USA).

        Based on these people we think the symposium is already shaping up to 
be quite an exciting one.  We hope to see you there.

                                                                                        Dan and Bruce


PS.  A complimentary symposium to this one is SS-18  Diffusion-reaction 
systems in the earth sciences: new characterization and modeling 
approaches sponsored by Carl Steefel, Sumit Chakraborty, and Phillipe 
Van Cappellen (see abstract below).  Both sessions will scheduled such 
that they don't overlap thereby allowing interested people to attend 
both.


Daniel E. Harlov
GeoForschungsZentrum
Section 4.1 Experimental Geochemistry and Mineral Physics
Telegrafenberg
D-14473 Potsdam                                         tel   0 (331) 288-1456
FR Germany                                                      fax   0 (331) 288-1402
                                                                        intl. tel +49 
(331) 288-1456
   email: [log in to unmask]        intl. fax +49 (331) 288-1402


Bruce Watson
Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Room 1W19 Science Center
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY        12180-3590
ph:  (518) 276 8838
fax: (518) 276 2012
http://www.rpi.edu/~watsoe



SS-18: Diffusion-reaction systems in the earth sciences: new 
characterization and modeling approaches

        Intergranular diffusion-reaction systems are extremely important in 
influencing and even controlling elemental and nutrient fluxes and 
water-rock interaction in a large range of geologic settings.  Such 
seemingly diverse processes as  microbially-mediated biogeochemical 
reaction networks in marine sediments, contaminant transport in 
aquifers, chemical weathering, and water-rock interaction processes in 
deep crystalline rocks all can be described partly or wholly as 
diffusion-reaction systems.  The purpose of this special session is to 
explore new and innovative characterization, experimental, and modeling 
approaches to unravel the dynamics of the diffusionreaction systems in 
a variety of geologic environments.  Special emphasis will be on 
integrated studies that illuminate the fundamental, cross-cutting 
aspects of diffusion-reaction systems as they are manifested in the 
diverse branches of the geosciences.