Mineral replacement reactions often proceed through an interface-coupled dissolution–precipitation (ICDP) mechanism, where the development of porosity networks can govern the extent of transformation. Here, we investigate how pre-existing porosity networks formed during a previous ICDP event influence subsequent mineral transformations. Specifically, we track the conversion into strontianite (SrCO3) of two kinds of materials: (a) pristine single crystals and (b) porous pseudomorphs generated in a previous replacement reaction. Our results reveal that, under identical experimental conditions, transformations from porous pseudomorphs advance significantly further and faster than in nonporous single crystals. In single crystals, the absence of porosity limits fluid access, while the interconnected pore network in pseudomorphs enables rapid fluid infiltration and fast initial and continuous reaction progress. These findings demonstrate that inherited microstructures play a key role in the efficiency of ICDP-driven mineral transformations, with implications for understanding fluid–rock interaction, metasomatism, and evolution of porosity in geological systems. Beyond their geological relevance, these findings open new opportunities for the control and design of reactive porous materials and the optimization of mineral transformation reactions in industrial applications.
Forjanes et al. (2026) studied this question.