Mineralization is the process by which organic substances are converted into inorganic constituents, or the formation and deposition of inorganic solid materials (minerals). As an academic concept, it is investigated across diverse fields including biogeochemistry, geology, and environmental science to understand the biological, chemical, and physical mechanisms, rates, and environmental controls governing elemental transformations from organic to inorganic forms and the precipitation of mineral phases. Its significance is paramount in processes such as nutrient cycling, the formation of geological deposits, and the preservation of biological structures.