The Aqueous Geochemistry and Mineralogy Group, led by Prof. Jeff Catalano, studies fundamental chemical processes governing Earth, environmental, and planetary systems. Our work on modern systems seeks to understand the underlying molecular-scale processes driving the distribution, mobilization, and accumulation of contaminants, micronutrients, and critical minerals at Earth’s surface. The goal of these studies is to identify novel phenomena that occur when water and solids interact in natural, human-impacted, and engineered systems. Our studies of ancient terrestrial and planetary systems seek to understand the chemical processes controlling the availability of energy and nutrients as well as reactions supportive of the onset of life. The goal of these studies is to determine abiotic processes that impact planetary habitability. To accomplish these goals, we apply laboratory-based analytical and microscopy tools, synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopic and scattering methods, and geochemical modeling techniques. In all of our efforts, we apply the structural mindset of mineralogists as we seek to understand processes occurring in aqueous fluids.