DESCRIPTION: Clay Science (anything that doesn’t fit into the other sessions.
Session 2: Clays as Paleoclimate Indicators
ORGANIZERS: Julia McIntosh (USGS), Kate Andrzejewski (KGS)
DESCRIPTION: Fossilized soils, or paleosols, may contain soil-formed clay minerals whose mineralogy and geochemical composition are reflective of the climatic conditions that impacted soil formation in the geologic past. Therefore, analyses of soil-formed clay minerals may be used to reconstruct terrestrial paleoenvironments and paleoclimates.
Though paleosols are common in the geologic record, the use of soil-formed clay minerals as paleoclimate proxies is limited in the literature owing to difficulties with sampling, isolation from non-clay minerals and organic materials, paleosols containing mixtures of clay mineral phases that are difficult to separate, susceptibility of soil-formed clay minerals to undergo diagenetic alteration, complex variations of chemical compositions for clay minerals, and limited to undefined stable isotope equilibrium fractionation factors between clay minerals-water for paleotemperature calculations.This session will provide a platform to explore the techniques and applications used to characterize clay minerals from paleosols for purposes of reconstructing paleoenvironments and paleoclimates. We welcome interdisciplinary submissions including but not limited to clay mineral preparation, X-ray diffraction, microscopy, stable isotope geochemistry (including light and non-traditional stable isotopes), and major, minor and trace element geochemistry. We particularly welcome research that integrates field, laboratory, and/or modeling methods. Students through Professionals are encouraged to submit.
Session 3: Clays in the computer
ORGANIZERS: Tom Underwood (PNNL)
DESCRIPTION: Molecular modeling of clays.
Session 4: Clay-hosted Critical Mineral Resources
ORGANIZERS: Anthony Boxleiter (GSU), Crawford Elliott (GSU), Prakash Malla, Paul Schroeder, and Yuanzhi Tan
DESCRIPTION: Critical Minerals are essential for key technologies, and they are vital for economic growth. Many countries are reliant on international sources for their supplies of critical minerals. Noteworthy findings of clay hosted critical minerals have provided the impetus to study further the occurrences in sedimentary and clay hosted rocks worldwide. This session provides a venue to present new data on the occurrences, speciation, extraction techniques, and resource calculations of critical minerals in clay-rich rocks and sedimentary systems more broadly. This session follows the Critical Minerals Session and the Kaolin workshop last year at the ICC.
Session 5: Software for Clays
ORGANIZERS: Emily Evans (BYU)
DESCRIPTION: This session highlights software packages developed with features designed to analyze any type of clay-related data, providing an opportunity for practitioners and research scientists to present and learn about tools to make our work easier and more precise.
Session 6: The use of clays, organoclays and nanocomposites for water treatment
ORGANIZERS: Giora Rytwo (Tel Hai College)
DESCRIPTION: Water is fundamental to sustainable development, with profound implications for poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability—directly affecting billions of lives worldwide.
Clay minerals, organoclays and nanocomposites offer promising technologies and innovative practices for developing reliable, cost-efficient processes to transform stream, lake, or pond water into high-quality potable water, and to remove hazardous pollutants from industrial and domestic effluents.
The foundation for such technologies has already been established, and clay scientists continue to advance these approaches through: improved pre-treatment and disinfection; photodegradation and other advanced oxidation of organic pollutants using clay-based catalysts; removal of inorganic contaminants and elimination of biological pathogens through adsorption or deactivation using specifically designed clay-based filters, and additional approaches focusing on improving water quality.
This session provides a platform to present a compelling vision for deploying these technologies to deliver high-quality, affordable, and environmentally sustainable water for the benefit of humanity.
Session 7: Science and Engineering of Bentonites and Other Clays for Nuclear Waste Disposal
ORGANIZERS: Marcelo Javier Sánchez Castilla, Youjun Deng, Ian C. Bourg, and Jeffery Greathouse, Arkadiusz (Arek) Derkowski
DESCRIPTION: We invite scientists, engineers, and program managers to contribute to a session on the use of clays, mainly bentonites, in nuclear waste disposal, including temporary storage and deep, long-term geological repositories. This session continues a series of related events held at international and domestic clay conferences across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Topics center on the characterization, monitoring, and prediction of clay thermal–hydrological–mechanical–chemical (THMC) responses within the evolving environments of nuclear-waste systems. We welcome research spanning raw materials description, analytical capabilities, experimental investigations and computational modeling of both natural and engineered clays.
Key areas of interest include:
Interactions between clays and radionuclides/nuclear waste
Hydro-mechanical behavior of clays over short and long timescales
Smectite structure and reactivity
Mineralogical and surface-chemistry evolution under repository conditions
Optimization and performance assessment of clay-based barrier materials
THMC and molecular-scale modeling approaches and multiscale upscaling
Applications of data science/AI for prediction, uncertainty quantification, and system design
Session 8: Investigating Clays on Planetary Bodies
ORGANIZERS: Sarah Vierling (ASU), Maitrayee Bose, Janice Bishop
DESCRIPTION: Weathering and surface processes on planetary bodies play a critical role in the formation of phyllosilicate minerals. These minerals are observed in meteorites and returned samples from asteroids Ryugu and Bennu, and have been characterized extensively on Mars using orbital and in situ investigations. Laboratory analyses of Ryugu and Bennu particles reveal Mg-rich phyllosilicates associated with carbonates, organics, and magnetite. On Mars, smectites and other clays are found in various locations, frequently with sulfates, iron oxides/hydroxides, or carbonates. Remote sensing of the dwarf planet Ceres also indicates phyllosilicates associated with NH4+, carbonates, and organics. Ocean worlds (e.g., Enceladus and Europa) may host environments conducive to hydrated silicate formation.
This session will highlight research advancements on the formation, alteration, and preservation of clays on planetary bodies through laboratory and spacecraft analyses and terrestrial analog experiments. We welcome contributions exploring:
Laboratory characterization of returned or analog samples
Remote sensing and in situ analyses of clay-rich bodies
Geochemical/thermodynamic modeling of clay formation and alteration
Comparative studies linking meteorites, planetary surfaces, and ocean worlds
By integrating these methods, the session aims to deepen our understanding of aqueous geochemistry throughout the Solar System and how phyllosilicates record the evolution of planetary environments and potential habitability.
Session 9: Sorption, transport, and remediation of emerging contaminants by natural and engineered clays
ORGANIZERS: Qianqian Dong (TAMU), Hui Li, Xingmao “Samuel” Ma
DESCRIPTION: We invite scientists, engineers, and policy makers to advance interdisciplinary communication on the interactions between clay and trace-level organic contaminants—including per- and polyfluorinated substances, and organic tire additives such as N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N’-phenyl-1,4-benzenediamine and their transformation products. Understanding these interactions is critical for elucidating fundamental mechanisms of the fate and transport of emerging contaminants, advancing nature-based waste management strategies, and supporting sustainable remediation at both local and global scales.
The session will provide a platform for discussing recent scientific advancements and technical developments in contaminant-clay interactions, spanning from fundamental mechanisms to practical solutions for sustainable management of contaminated sites. We particularly welcome research that integrates laboratory experiments, modeling, and field-scale studies to address current challenges in regulation and treatment of emerging contaminants.
Key areas of interest include:
Innovations in engineered clays and natural barriers: Field and laboratory evaluations of the effectiveness and longevity of natural and engineered clays for controlling migration of emerging trace organic contaminants in diverse environmental settings.
Molecular mechanisms and modeling: Experimental and computational studies probing sorption, desorption, and facilitated transformation of organic contaminants at clay interfaces, including molecular simulation, spectroscopy, and interfacial analysis.
Impact of geochemical factors in the interactions between clay and contaminants: Influence of geochemical factors such as redox conditions, natural organic matter, and competing ions on the mobility and fate of organic pollutants in clay-rich environments.
System design and predictive tools:
Application of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and novel modeling frameworks to predict clay-contaminant interactions, optimize clay modification strategies and clay-based remediation system design.
Session 10: Clay-Based Strategies for Mitigating Toxins
ORGANIZERS: Jakub Matusik (AGH University of Krakow), Youjun Deng (TAMU)
DESCRIPTION: Microbially derived toxins – including these produced by fungi, bacteria, and algae – pose persistent challenges to global food security, public and veterinary health, and environmental integrity. Clay minerals and their modifications as well as related layered materials have emerged as promising countermeasures due to their capacity to inactivate toxin-producing microorganisms and to sequester or degrade toxic metabolites via adsorption, catalytic, and photo-induced processes. This session will bring together researchers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders to present advances in the development and applications of clays and clay-based materials for microbial control and detoxification of biological toxins. Contributions may encompass fundamental mechanistic studies, benchtop and pilot-scale experiments, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility assessments, molecular modeling and simulations, as well as preclinical and clinical evaluations in animal and human systems. Submissions providing updates on regulatory frameworks, guidance documents and safety assessments relevant to clay-based detoxification technologies are also encouraged.
Session 11: Clays and zeolites in the oil and gas industry
ORGANIZERS: Michael Cheshire (Chevron), Rebecca Stokes (USGS)
DESCRIPTION: Clays and zeolites are integral to petroleum systems and operations, from influencing hydrocarbon formation and migration to use in drilling and refining. Clays control fluid properties and wellbore stability during drilling operations while influencing porosity, permeability, wettability, and rock mechanics—key factors for hydrocarbon recovery and damage prevention. Zeolites and clay drive critical refining processes such as fluid catalytic cracking and fuel purification, ensuring efficiency and product quality.
As global energy demand continues to rise, the petroleum industry faces unprecedented challenges to deliver sustainable and efficient energy solutions. Advancing our knowledge of clays and zeolites, both in natural formations and engineered applications, will be crucial to meeting these demands. This session will explore their multifaceted roles, bridging fundamental mineralogy with practical applications that drive the future of energy.
Session 12: Advanced Characterization of Clay Minerals: Pushing the Boundaries of Resolution, Sensitivity, and Interpretation
ORGANIZERS: Yiping Yang (Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry) and Huifang Xu (UW-Madison)
DESCRIPTION: A fundamental understanding of the structures, defects, interfaces, surfaces, and chemical reactivity of clay minerals depends on precise and advanced characterization techniques. This session invites contributions that showcase cutting-edge methodological advances and innovative applications in clay characterization that are driving new discoveries across the geosciences, materials science, and environmental science and engineering.
We welcome abstracts that apply or integrate state-of-the-art characterization techniques in clay mineral research, including but not limited to: (1) high-resolution and in situ electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, and STEM) and three-dimensional electron diffraction; (2) novel spectroscopic methods such as EELS, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, Mössbauer spectroscopy, high-field NMR, and nano-IR; (3) synchrotron-based X-ray techniques; and (4) advanced porosimetry for quantifying nanopores in clays and clay-based materials.
Contributions highlighting applications of these techniques to key scientific challenges — such as the identification of structure, defects, mixed-layer clays, interfaces, surface reactivity, and clay–fluid interactions under natural environmental conditions — are particularly encouraged. This session will provide a forum for discussing how emerging and enhanced characterization capabilities are being used to address longstanding challenges and open new frontiers in clay science.
Session 13: Tubular and fibrous Clay Minerals: From Structure and Surface Chemistry to Functional Hybrid Materials
ORGANIZERS: Peng Yuan (Guangdong University of Technology), Pilar Aranda (Materials Science Institute of Madrid), Antoine Thill (CEA Saclay), Aiqin Wang (Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Giuseppe Lazzara (University of Palermo)
DESCRIPTION: One-dimensional clay nanomaterials, such as halloysite and imogolite nanotubes, and sepiolite and palygorskite fibers, continue to attract attention as versatile building blocks for functional hybrid materials. Their nanoscale morphology, internal and accessible porosity, and surface reactivity enable controlled interfacial design and targeted functionalization, which are central to performance in related applications.
This session will cover (i) mineralogy and formation/synthesis routes; (ii) structural and surface characterization (including surface charge, porosity, and defect chemistry); (iii) functionalization strategies and interface engineering; and (iv) application-oriented studies where structure–property relationships are explicitly addressed. Key topics will include, but are not limited to, halloysite-based systems such as nanocarrier concepts and polymer nanocomposites, where loading/release behavior and processing–property links are evaluated; sepiolite and palygorskite studies highlighting fibrous clays as sorbents and functional additives, including adsorption-driven performance and stability considerations; and imogolite-focused contributions emphasizing its distinct nanotube chemistry and a growing body of studies connecting surface control with transport, interfacial, and optoelectronic properties.Overall, the session aims to provide a focused forum for researchers working across clay mineralogy and applied materials science, with an emphasis on reproducible functionalization, careful characterization, and realistic pathways from fundamental understanding to practical clay-based materials.
Session 14: Clay-sized minerals in soils: Characterization, reactivity, and agro-environmental implications
ORGANIZERS: Marcelo Alves (ESALQ/USP)
DESCRIPTION: The clay fraction of soils (ϕ ≤ 2 µm) is composed of inorganic materials that exhibit a continuum of crystallinity, from poorly-ordered phases to long-range crystalline structures. Clay-sized 2:1 and 1:1 phyllosilicates, Fe, Al, and Mn oxyhydroxides found in soils show great variability in properties such as specific surface area, crystal face exposure, and surface density of hydroxyl groups, even within the same mineral phase. This variability directly affects their reactivity and behavior in soils, making their accurate characterization essential yet challenging.
The identification, quantification, and characterization of these materials are fundamental to understanding the central role they play in soil properties and functioning, including plant nutrient availability, physical properties, organic matter dynamics, and the mobility of organic and inorganic contaminants.
This session will address cutting-edge methodological innovations in quali-quantitative analyses of inorganic constituents of the soil clay fraction, as well as recent studies on the influence of these materials on the physicochemical and electrochemical behavior of soils, their role as nutrient reservoirs, and as immobilizing agents of pollutant elements. Knowledge gaps and future research perspectives in the area will also be discussed.
The session will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person and virtual oral presentations, as well as in-person poster presentations.
Session 15: Clays and construction materials
ORGANIZERS: Yunfei Xi (Queensland University of Technology)
DESCRIPTION: TBD
Session 16: Mineral-Organic Matter Interactions Across Environments: Mechanisms, Variability, and Change
ORGANIZERS: Mengqiang Zhu (University of Maryland); Youjun Deng (Texas A&M University)
DESCRIPTION: Soils and sediments store vast amounts of organic carbon (OC) and represent major carbon pools that exchange carbon with the atmosphere, thereby influencing climate. A substantial fraction of OC is protected from microbial decomposition through interactions with minerals, including adsorption and occlusion within aggregates. Minerals can also directly transform organic compounds via redox processes and catalysis, promoting degradation and/or polymerization. Together, these mineral–organic matter interactions are central to OC storage and persistence in terrestrial and aquatic environments. At the same time, associations with organic matter can influence mineral formation and transformation, altering minerals’ capacity to stabilize OC. Although mineral–OC interactions have been widely studied, key gaps remain in our mechanistic understanding of how these interactions regulate the coupled dynamics of OC and minerals across environmental gradients. In particular, we know comparatively little about how mineral–OC interactions vary among diverse soils and sediments, and how they respond to environmental change (e.g., permafrost thaw, sea-level rise). This session focuses on: (1) mechanistic insights into mineral–OC interactions and their impacts on OC and mineral dynamics, especially using advanced analytical (e.g., mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, imaging) and modeling approaches; (2) how mineral–OC interactions differ across soil and sediment environments; and (3) how these interactions respond to environmental change. We welcome contributions spanning field observations and laboratory experiments/simulations.
