For other uses, see Mineralization

In biology, mineralization refers to the process where an organic substance is converted to an inorganic substance. Nitrogen is only available to plants in the inorganic form.

This may also be a normal biological process which takes place during the life of an organism such as the formation of bone tissue or egg shells, largely with calcium.

This term may also be used to indicate the digestion process in which bacteria utilize the organic part of the matter, leaving behind the minerals, see also Fossil. This can also take place as the organic material decays and water percolating through the soil dissolves mineral salts that precipitate in place of the tissue.

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