I recently spoke at an event for high school students at my university about new and emerging sciences and technologies and social concepts. One of the other speakers was from the geoscience section of the Faculty of Science, who covered new and emerging science and technology and geology. So I thought I’d have look on the Net to see how much nanotechnology is appearing under the heading of geology.   

In Google so far, 461 hits are associated with the term 'nanogeology,' and 260 with the term ‘nano geochemistry.’  This is more than I found with nanoforestry in another column of mine.

As I often do, let me start with some conferences.

The Geology Society of America 2004 conference had a section on Nano-Geochemistry and Nano-Structures in Earth Systems with over 14 papers about the surface reactivity of nanoparticles, geochemical implications of nanometer scale pores in natural material, the importance of nanoparticles and their unusual properties in sediments and soil from heavy metal contaminated sites.The Geology Society of America 2007 conference had more than 20 papers covering nano and geology. 

Looking at other geology conferences, we find many more nano papers. An oral presentation in 2001 stated that potential applications for nanogeology include: ultra-small sensors and devices, including transducers for force, pressure, and chemical compounds; and molecular gears.

Work in nanogeology is taking place globally. A 1997 paper from China has the title "Experimental observation of the nano-scale particles in geogas matters and its geological significance."

Many countries fund nanogeology research. The Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany, has a Center for Nano Science, Department für Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften (Department for Geology and Environmental Sciences). Nanogeology is part of the R&D activities of the Programme Advisory Committee on Earth Sciences (PAC-ES) of the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology.

Some other papers covering different aspects of nanogeology are described below.

"Thermal behavior of metal nanoparticles in geologic materials" is a paper that looked at the stability in higher-temperature environments of naturally occurring nanoparticles -- such as gold nanoparticles (mean diameter 4 nm) -- incorporated in arsenian pyrite. The paper found that the thermal stability of nanoparticles depends on particle size and the surrounding host mineral. The paper states, “These findings not only provide new insights into the behavior of nanoparticulate Au and other metals during geological processes and throughout their metallurgical recovery from refractory ores, but also provide a new tool to define the thermal history of nanoparticle bearing geologic and planetary materials.“

Samples of rock from deep inside the San Andreas Fault suggest that nano-coatings of rocks grease earthquake zones.

A paper in Applied Physics Letters covers nanothermite,  a combination of the low-density composite of copper oxide nanorods (fuel) and aluminum nanoparticles (oxidizer) and states that the unique explosive properties of nanothermite are useful in geology and seismology.

There is a paper with the title "Using the Complete Nano Engineering Geological Spectrum to Assess the Performance of Clay Barriers," describing how clay is used in many applications, from buildings to barriers to contain waste.

An article on Ice-Age Nanotechnology talks about possible-extraterrestrial nano-artifacts from the upper Pleistocene in the Ural mountains that led to a heated debate. Work in nanogeology also covers non-earth geological material. An article from 2003, "Chomping on Nano-Nuggets," stated  that “Eight years ago, features resembling bacteria and measuring 20 to 100 nanometers across were discovered in the Martian meteorite ALH84001.” Interestingly, this led to a discourse on what life is.

The article went on: “NASA scientists interpreted these features to be the fossilized remnants of ancient life, but many scientists rejected that conclusion. The tiniest bacteria measure about 200 nanometers in size, and many believe that life can't get much smaller than that. A committee formed under the auspices of the US National Academy of Sciences determined that, due to the size requirements of such vital elements as enzymes and genetic material, organisms smaller than 200 to 300 nanometers in diameter could not be self-sustaining and therefore could not be considered to be 'life.' Others contend that life can be that small, and as proof they claim to have grown nanobacteria in the laboratory. In addition to the nanobacteria in the Martian meteorite, spheroidal features measuring 50 to 200 nanometers have been found in sedimentary rocks on Earth. Some claim that these spheroids are the fossilized remains of once living nanobacteria.”

The Choice is Yours

If one characterizes geology as “encompassing such things as rocks, soil, and gemstones, geology studies the composition, structure, physical properties, history, and the processes that shape Earth's components,” one would expect geology departments to be more involved in nano discourses, and nanogeology scientists to be more visible in environmental health and safety discourses around nanotechnology -- especially environmental nanotechnology, and nanotechnology related to remediation and clean-up operations.

Gregor Wolbring is a biochemist, bioethicist, disability/vari-ability/ability studies scholar, and health policy and science and technology governance researcher at the University of Calgary. He is a member of the Center for Nanotechnology and Society at Arizona State University; Part Time Professor at Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Canada; Member CAC/ISO - Canadian Advisory Committees for the International Organization for Standardization section TC229 Nanotechnologies; Member of the editorial team for the Nanotechnology for Development portal of the Development Gateway Foundation; Chair of the Bioethics Taskforce of Disabled People's International; and former Member of the Executive of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (2003-2007 maximum terms served). He publishes the Bioethics, Culture and Disability website, moderates a weblog for the International Network for Social Research on Disability, and authors a weblog on NBICS and its social implications.

© Gregor Wolbring, All Rights Reserved, 2008. Please contact the author for permission to reprint.