mineralization

/ˌmɪnərəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
noun
  1. The process by which organic matter breaks down and releases minerals into the soil or water.
    • Mineralization of dead leaves returns nutrients to the forest floor.
    • Farmers rely on natural mineralization to enrich their fields without chemical fertilizers.
    • The rate of mineralization depends on temperature and moisture in the soil.
  2. The process of forming or depositing minerals in rocks, bones, or other materials.
    • Geologists study the mineralization of gold in quartz veins.
    • Tooth decay occurs when demineralization outpaces remineralization.
    • The mineralization of bones after death can turn them into fossils.
What does "mineralization" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean