Mineralogy, Crystallography and Biogeochemistry of the Critical Element Tellurium in Earth's Surface Environments

My thesis examines the environmental behaviour of tellurium in Earth’s surface environments. Humans are using more tellurium than ever before in applications such as solar panels. However, its biogeochemical cycling is poorly studied, meaning if any tellurium contamination occurs, its environmental behaviour is difficult to predict. My research shows strong evidence for tellurium cycling, especially in areas surrounding tellurium-rich mines. My work includes characterisation of microbes living on tellurium minerals, plus the identification of natural tellurium nanoparticles. Additionally, the atomic structures of six surface-environment tellurium minerals were determined, including the naming and description of the new minerals tomiolloite and wildcatite.