Key Laboratory of Computational Geodynamics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Corresponding author: E-mail address: [email protected] (Yi-wen Ju).
Cheng Huang
Key Laboratory of Computational Geodynamics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Yan Sun
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Cai-neng Zou
Petro China Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, China
Hong-ping He
Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Quan Wan
State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
Xue-qiu Wang
Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, CAGS, Key Laboratory of Geochemical Exploration, Ministry of Land and Resources, Langfang 065000, China
Xian-cai Lu
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Shuang-fang Lu
Research Institute of Unconventional Petroleum and Renewable Energy, Chinese University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Jian-guang Wu
China United Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd., Beijing 100011, China
Hong-tai Chao
Earthquake Administration of Shandong Province, Jinan 250014, China
Hai-ling Liu
Key Laboratory of Marginal Sea Geology of South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
Jie-shan Qiu
Carbon Research Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116012, China
Fei Huang
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Safe Mining of Deep Metal Mines, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northwestern University, Shenyang 110819, China
Hong-jian Zhu
Key Laboratory of Computational Geodynamics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Jian-chao Cai
Key Laboratory of Computational Geodynamics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China
Yue Sun
Key Laboratory of Computational Geodynamics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
ABSTRACT: Nanogeology is a subject that is a combination of geology and nanoscale science, and it has been a frontier field in recent years. It is also a new subject with the features of intersectionality and multidisciplinary. Digging deeper into geological problems and nanoscale phenomena helps better revealing the more essential mechanisms and processes in geological science, which is also an evitable path in the development of geology. In this paper, we elaborate the concept, feature and main subdisciplines, and summarize three stages of nanogeology development from preliminary research in the 1990s to subject formation in China. After summarizing the researchers’ achievements in this field, we illustrate some primary research progresses of nanogeology in China as eight subdisciplines. On the basis of the above content, we propose the development prospect of nanogeology in China. There are many geologic problems with scientific values and economic benefits, such as research of geologic fundamental problems, resource exploration and development, mechanism study and prediction of geological activities (disasters), mechanism research and management of environmental pollution and others. Nanogeology has a great potential in China to solve all of these problems. As a result, the theories and methods of nanogeology will become enriching and advanced. It offers important theoretical basis and technological methods to deal with major issues concerning the national economy and the people’s livelihoods, such as the prediction of geological activities, as well as resource distribution and its exploration and utilization.
