In this project funded by the Environmental Chemical Sciences program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Jonas Baltrusaitis and his students study reactions of magnesium-containing, low solubility mineral surfaces with aqueous ammonium and phosphate ions from model wastewater streams. The goal is to develop new, highly efficient nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) immobilization routes for use of these minerals as slow release fertilizers. The project utilizes readily available magnesium-containing minerals (e.g., magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, dolomite and serpentinite) as substitutes for low abundance, high solubility magnesium chlorides and sulfates that are currently used.