Journal Description
Environmental Sciences Proceedings
Environmental Sciences Proceedings
is an open access journal dedicated to publishing findings resulting from conferences, workshops, and similar events, in all areas of environmental sciences.
Latest Articles
Specific Ion Effects on the Behavior of Mixtures of Sodium Iso-Butyl Xanthate and Sodium Diethyl Dithiophosphate during the Flotation of a Cu-Ni-PGM Ore: Effects of CaCl2 and NaCl
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-10632 - 07 Jul 2021
Abstract
Inorganic electrolytes present in the process water used during froth flotation may have both beneficial and detrimental effects. These effects are said to be ion specific, as some ions may result in enhanced froth stability, increased mineral recoveries and decreased concentrate grades, while
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Inorganic electrolytes present in the process water used during froth flotation may have both beneficial and detrimental effects. These effects are said to be ion specific, as some ions may result in enhanced froth stability, increased mineral recoveries and decreased concentrate grades, while others may bring the opposite effects. Onsite process water quality variations have intensified the need to understand the relationship between inorganic electrolytes and flotation reagents on flotation performance. The use of mixtures of thiol collectors in sulfide flotation is a common practice across the globe; however, very few investigations have considered these in process waters of varying compositions. This study considers the effect of common cations, Na+ and Ca2+, in process water on the behavior of mixtures of thiol collectors. Single-salt solutions of NaCl and CaCl2 at an ionic strength of 0.0213 mol·dm−3 were used to investigate the behavior of mixtures of two thiol collectors. These were carefully selected to understand how mixtures of thiol collectors behave in the presence of a monovalent cation versus a polyvalent cation. Bench-scale froth flotation tests were conducted using a Cu-Ni-PGM ore from the Merensky Reef. The results have shown that the divalent cation, Ca2+, resulted in higher %Cu and %Ni recoveries at all collector mixtures compared to the monovalent cation, Na+. The concentrate grades were, however, slightly compromised, as slightly more gangue reported to the concentrate in the presence of Ca2+. This behavior is attributed to the effect of polyvalent cations on bubble coalescence and froth stability.
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Spatiotemporal Distribution of Soil Moisture Content over Ukraine and Its Relationship to Atmospheric Conditions
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 4(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecas2020-08117 - 13 Apr 2021
Abstract
Spatiotemporal distribution of the soil moisture content of 0–10 cm underground has been assessed across the aroclimatic zones of Ukraine for the period 2000–2019. Calculated Soil Moisture Anomaly Index (SMAI) was used to characterize the degree of saturation of the soil, comparing to
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Spatiotemporal distribution of the soil moisture content of 0–10 cm underground has been assessed across the aroclimatic zones of Ukraine for the period 2000–2019. Calculated Soil Moisture Anomaly Index (SMAI) was used to characterize the degree of saturation of the soil, comparing to normal conditions. The North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO) and the European Continental Blocking Index (ECBI) were used for the estimation of the influence of atmospheric circulation on soil moisture content in different seasons. The clear annual soil moisture content course is observed in all agroclimatic zones of Ukraine, when the maximum is observed in February, and the minimum is in August. The lowest soil moisture values are fixed in the Western Steppe and the maximum in the Carpathian region and Polesie. The analysis of time series of the SMAI showed the tendency to transition from mostly positive values to negative values in the past decade in summer and autumn. In winter and spring, no significant trends were found in the SMAI values. Analysis of the statistical relationship between the SMAI and the NAO indices, and the SMAI and the ECBI indices showed the features of the state of zonal flow and determined certain anomalies of soil moisture content.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Atmospheric Sciences)
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Mineralizing Events of the World-Class Volta Grande Gold Deposit, Southeastern Amazonian Craton, Brazil
by
, , , and
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09537 - 01 Apr 2021
Abstract
The southeastern region of the Amazonian Craton has been the target of several metallogenetic surveys, which recently led to the identification of the world-class Volta Grande gold deposit with gold reserves of ~3.8 Moz at 1.02 g/t. This deposit is located ~60 km
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The southeastern region of the Amazonian Craton has been the target of several metallogenetic surveys, which recently led to the identification of the world-class Volta Grande gold deposit with gold reserves of ~3.8 Moz at 1.02 g/t. This deposit is located ~60 km southeast of Altamira city, Pará state, and is hosted by the Três Palmeiras intrusive greenstone belt that is located in the northern Bacajá tectonic domain (2.24–2.0 Ga). The mineralization is hosted by a high-level intrusive and mylonitized suite. Local kinematic indicators suggest dip-slip movement in which the greenstone moves up relative to the intrusive rocks. Native gold mostly occurs as isolated grains in centimeter-wide quartz veins and veinlets associated with pervasive carbonate alteration that was synchronous with dynamic metamorphism. Part of the gold is also associated with disseminated sulfides in this generally low-sulfide mineralization. These relationships are compatible with orogenic lode-type gold systems elsewhere. New petrographic studies from core samples along a stratigraphic profile reveal the presence of lava flows and dykes of rhyodacite, rhyolite, and plutonic rocks such as quartz monzonite, granodiorite, monzodiorite, and subordinate microgranite crosscutting an earlier style of mineralization. These rocks are characterized by potassic, propylitic, intermediate argillic, and/or carbonate hydrothermal alterations in selective, pervasive, or fracture-controlled styles. Within the hydrothermal volcano-plutonic sequence, gold occurs as disseminated isolated grains or replacing sulfides. Both native gold and sulfides are also present in centimetric quartz veinlets. Such features of the deposit are similar to those from porphyry-type and low- to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal systems already identified in the Amazonian Craton. The Volta Grande deposit data suggest a second mineralizing event, common in large-tonnage gold deposits, and can represent a new exploration guide.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Mineral Science)
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Subgrade Black Cotton Soil Stabilization Using Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS) and Lime, an Inorganic Mineral
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09390 - 11 Mar 2021
Abstract
The rapid growth of population and fast urbanization has resulted in the reduction of the good quality of available land. Black cotton (BC) soil is one of such problematic soils, though they are very fertile soils, they are not suitable for the foundation
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The rapid growth of population and fast urbanization has resulted in the reduction of the good quality of available land. Black cotton (BC) soil is one of such problematic soils, though they are very fertile soils, they are not suitable for the foundation of roads and buildings. They are expansive clays with a high potential for shrinking or swelling as a result of changing moisture content. Due to the intensive shrink-swell process, surface cracks appear during dry seasons. A small amount of rainfall, such as 6mm can make these soils impassable for all traffic. About 23% of the area in India is covered by BC soil. To utilize expansive soils effectively, proper ground improvement techniques are to be adopted. One of the most widely used techniques is to stabilize the expansive soil with conventional admixtures like lime, GGBS, cement, and fly ash. In the present study, an attempt is made to modify the engineering properties of black cotton soil. This research work presents the improvement of engineering characteristics of expansive soils using Lime and GGBS as an additive. For experimental work, Lime of 2%, 4%, and 6% used and corresponding 5%, and 10% of GGBS is used. Tests like the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS) test, proctor test, Atterberg’s limits performed. After stabilization, it was found that UCS and CBR of soil increased significantly.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Mineral Science)
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Nano-Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Contaminated Wastewater Ecosystems and Wetlands by Constructed Wetlands Planted with Waterlogging-Tolerant Mycorrhizal Fungi and Vetiver Grass
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09385 - 05 Mar 2021
Abstract
Wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, which are an important part of the ecological system and national resources that need to be well managed, are becoming polluted by toxic heavy metals (HMs) from the industrial mining and smelting of metalliferous ores, and agricultural activities. The
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Wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, which are an important part of the ecological system and national resources that need to be well managed, are becoming polluted by toxic heavy metals (HMs) from the industrial mining and smelting of metalliferous ores, and agricultural activities. The loss of wetlands may cause a loss of flora and fauna and thereby decrease biodiversity. Waterlogging resistant plants, their root associated microbes (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF)) and plant growth promoting rhizobia (PGPR) can provide potential tools in constructed wetlands (CWs) in order to allow for the Nano-Mycorrhizo-Phytoremediation (NMPR) of HM-polluted natural wetlands and aquatic ecosystems. AMF-CW systems should be considered ideal locations for the technical installations for phytoremediation and need to be optimized for the efficient functioning of phytoremediation in field trials. This presentation will address one of the major hurdles in the production of large quantities of indigenous and stress-adapted AMF inoculum for the purposes of constructing artificial AM-CW systems. The significance and potential role of floating islands of aquatic macrophytes such as Vetiver grass and their root associated microbes (AMF and PGPR) in an environmental cleanup of HM contaminated industrial, municipal, and mining effluents, will be highlighted in the presentation. During the environmental and pollutant stresses, the aquatic macrophytes and their root associated microbes produce nano-molecules of HM-binding cysteine-rich peptides, phytochelators (nano-molecules) forming HM-complexes that sequester HM-ions, protecting the host from contaminants. HM-adapted AMF not only enhance Vetiver grass growth, producing a greater biomass for bio energy production, but also uptake/stabilize HMs, e.g., Nano-Mycorrhizo-Phytoremediation (NMPR).
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Hybrid Pigments from Bixin Dye and Inorganic Matrices
by
, , , , and
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09382 - 02 Mar 2021
Abstract
Annatto dye is a natural organic dye belonging to carotenoids, whose main components are bixin and norbixin. Due to its low stability, it is convenient to protect the dye molecules with other materials. The use of clay minerals is an alternative, which are
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Annatto dye is a natural organic dye belonging to carotenoids, whose main components are bixin and norbixin. Due to its low stability, it is convenient to protect the dye molecules with other materials. The use of clay minerals is an alternative, which are phyllosilicates with attractive physico-chemical properties, such as high specific surface area, cation exchange capacity, mechanical/chemical stability and non-toxicity. The main purpose of this work was to develop hybrid materials, using annatto dye and clay mineral modified with different inorganic cations, and then, to evaluate the stability of the new pigments. The process of preparing the modified clay minerals involved mixing a synthetic montmorillonite in solutions containing the precursor salts of the metal cations. Subsequently, the dye was dissolved in a solution containing water and alcohol, followed by filtration and mixed with the modified clay, giving rise to the hybrid pigments. Through the characterizations, it was noted that a variety of colors were obtained, and the sample containing aluminum was the one that most adsorbed the dye and showed a significant increase in stability at high temperatures. This hybrid material was better to dye than its pure form. Therefore, the bixin/montmorillonite pigments are promising for replacing artificial colors in practical applications such as in the cosmetics, food or pharmaceutical industries.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Mineral Science)
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Increasing the Efficiency of Vacuum Belt Filter in Gol-E-Gohar Iron Ore Concentrate Production by Adding Surfactants
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09384 - 02 Mar 2021
Abstract
In this research, filtration experiments were carried out by four types of surfactants as filter aid. Sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate as anionic surfactant (SDS and SLES), polyethylene glycol as nonionic surfactant (PEG) and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide as cationic surfactant
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In this research, filtration experiments were carried out by four types of surfactants as filter aid. Sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate as anionic surfactant (SDS and SLES), polyethylene glycol as nonionic surfactant (PEG) and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide as cationic surfactant (CTAB) were used to were used in order to evaluate their effects on moisture reduction of concentrate and improvement of the filtration process. All of the tests were done at the optimal conditions include 60 KPa vacuum pressure, 120 s filtration time, 105 microns particle size and 60% (w/w) solid content of pulp. Results showed that in all of the tests, cake moisture decreased by adding surfactants; however, anionic surfactants SDS and SLES were better than other chemicals. By adding 100 g/t SDS and SLES to the pulp, the filter cake moisture content was reduced by 2%. SDS and SLES improves filtration performance by increasing the ratio of throughput to moisture. At the concentration of 100 g per ton SDS and SLES, the highest throughput and lowest moisture was achieved. Although both of SDS and SLES have similar chemical structure and action, SLES was selected due to better solubility in hard water, economic justification and availability.
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A Computational Algorithm to Understand the Evolution of Size Distribution with Successive Breakage Events at Grinding
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09381 - 02 Mar 2021
Abstract
The kinetic population balance model (PBM) is widely used to predict the particle size distributions of grinding products. However, the model may not be solved if the rate of particle accelerates or decelerates in the mill hold-up, i.e., non-first-order breakage. This study presents
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The kinetic population balance model (PBM) is widely used to predict the particle size distributions of grinding products. However, the model may not be solved if the rate of particle accelerates or decelerates in the mill hold-up, i.e., non-first-order breakage. This study presents a computational algorithm coupled with a pseudo-matrix model to simulate the product size distributions (PSDs) of successive breakage events at grinding. The algorithm’s applicability and accuracy were validated against PSDs taken from different grinding equipment. The advantages of the algorithm are as follows—(i) time can be implicitly or explicitly added to the algorithm. (ii) The parameters required to run the algorithm are quite few. (iii) The proposed algorithm can predict PSDs in the normal or abnormal breakage region. Even a short-time grinding test will be sufficient to estimate the parameters if abnormal breakage effects are reduced or eliminated. (iv) The algorithm can work with arbitrary sets of parameters that are irrelevant to the mill feed and mill type. Also, the algorithm’s framework shows that grinding is not a chaotic process; yet it may be due to the surface/gravitational attraction forces between particles and grinding media.
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Geopolymers Based on Mechanically Activated Fly Ash Blended with Dolomite
by
, , , and
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09374 - 01 Mar 2021
Abstract
Man-made deposits of fly ash (FA)—a solid by-product of coal combustion—accompany practically every thermal power station and many industrial plants. The total annual production of FA worldwide is about seven–eight hundred million tons, of which less than one third is recycled. The accumulated
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Man-made deposits of fly ash (FA)—a solid by-product of coal combustion—accompany practically every thermal power station and many industrial plants. The total annual production of FA worldwide is about seven–eight hundred million tons, of which less than one third is recycled. The accumulated FA has become a problem for the environment due to its heavy metal content, which can be leached out. The mineral composition of FA is mainly represented by the glass phase and also by quartz, mullite, magnetite and other minerals. In the last decade, intensive studies have been carried out on the use of FA for the preparation of geopolymer materials. Due to their energy savings, environmentally friendly processing and high physical-mechanical properties, geopolymers are gaining attention in the construction industry as a potential replacement for Portland cement. In this work, we focused on the effect of natural dolomite addition to FA and mechanical activation of this blend on the geopolymerization process. The influence of dolomite dosage and duration of mechanical activation in a planetary mill on the reactivity of the blend in relation to NaOH solution and on the geopolymer compressive strength was studied.
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The Bayankhongor Metal Belt (Mongolia): Constraints on Crustal Architecture and Implications for Mineral Emplacement from 3-D Electrical Resistivity Models
by
, , , , and
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09360 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
The Bayankhongor Metal Belt, a metallogenic belt that extends for more than 100 km in central Mongolia, is an economically significant zone that includes sources of gold and copper. Unfortunately, the crustal architecture is poorly understood throughout this region. However, it is known
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The Bayankhongor Metal Belt, a metallogenic belt that extends for more than 100 km in central Mongolia, is an economically significant zone that includes sources of gold and copper. Unfortunately, the crustal architecture is poorly understood throughout this region. However, it is known that the crustal structure strongly influences the development and emplacement of mineral zones. Electrical resistivity is a key physical parameter for mineral exploration that can help to locate mineral zones and determine the regional crustal structure. We use natural-source magnetotelluric data to generate three-dimensional electrical resistivity models of the crust. The results show that anomalous, low-resistivity zones in the upper crust are spatially associated with the surface expressions of known mineral occurrences, deposits, and mining projects. We thus infer that the development of the mineralization is closely linked to the low-resistivity signatures and, therefore, to crustal structures, due primarily to their influence on fluid flow. The low-resistivity signatures are possibly related to associated sulfide mineralogy within the host complex and to structures and weaknesses that facilitated fluid movement and contain traces of past hydrothermal alteration. Thus, the crustal architecture, including major crustal boundaries that influence fluid distribution, exerts a first-order control on the location of the metallogenic belt. By combining our electrical resistivity results with other geological and petrological data, we attempt to gain insights into the emplacement and origin of mineral resources.
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Investigating the Effect of Reaction Temperature on the Extraction of Calcium from Ironmaking Slag: A Kinetics Study
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09366 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
Beneficiation of iron and steel slags have a great potential in mitigating high levels of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) gas emissions owing to their high contents of calcium and magnesium. Carbonation of calcium and magnesium leaching solutions produce precipitates that promise
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Beneficiation of iron and steel slags have a great potential in mitigating high levels of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) gas emissions owing to their high contents of calcium and magnesium. Carbonation of calcium and magnesium leaching solutions produce precipitates that promise to act as fluxing agents in various industries. There is also a need to study the physico-chemical factors affecting the extraction of these elements and their kinetic behaviour. A calcium-rich blast furnace ironmaking slag milled to 80%—75 µm was used in an experiment to study the effect of reaction temperature on the dissolution of calcium. An orbital shaking incubator was used by applying the one-factor-at-a-time method for a 2 h leaching test. Reaction temperature was controlled at 30 °C, 50 °C, 70 °C, and 100 °C at constant agitation speed of 200 rpm, 0.5 M of lixiviant concentration and solid-to-liquid ratio kept at 200 g/L. CH3COOH, (NH4)2SO4, and NH4Cl were tested individually as lixiviants. AAS, XRD and EDX were used to analyse the leach filtrate and residue. Consequently, the findings showed that temperature is the critical operating parameter that yielded exceptionally high calcium extraction. CH3COOH yielded 80–90% of calcium extracted under high reaction temperatures. The kinetic data for the effect of reaction temperature leaching data fitted one shrinking core model equation, which described diffusion-controlled leaching reactions. The diffusion controlled by a product layer model was fitted and the activation energy were calculated as 19.4930 kJ/mol for NH4Cl solvent. (NH4)2SO4 and CH3COOH did not fit into any model because of undefined kinetic data and formation of gelatinous silica layer during leaching process.
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The Exploration of Metallic Deposits Using Satellite Image Processing in the Parwan-Panjsher Area, Afghanistan
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09354 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
Unique tectonic features have resulted in diverse metallic and non-metallic mineralization in Afghanistan. Hence, this paper is focused on the development of exploration and mineral resource data in Afghanistan. The study area is located in the western Hindu Kush tract and on the
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Unique tectonic features have resulted in diverse metallic and non-metallic mineralization in Afghanistan. Hence, this paper is focused on the development of exploration and mineral resource data in Afghanistan. The study area is located in the western Hindu Kush tract and on the northern verge of the Hari Rud–Panjsher fault, Afghanistan, which mainly associates with the western Hindu Kush and Badakhshan plutonic belts. The rock units include crystalline limestones and diabase formed during the Paleozoic era and Triassic period. The aim of this study was to employ Remote Sensing (RS) methods by using the Landsat-8 satellite and ASTER sensor to spot iron and copper mineralization zones in the Parwan-Panjsher area. Therefore, Band Composition, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Band Ratio were applied to identify the iron oxide minerals. The detected area provided by satellite images had very good conformability with the results of field studies. Furthermore, mineralization of carbonate host-rock iron and Fe–Cu–(Au) skarn were observed during the field surveys. Hematite–Magnetite, Chalcopyrite, and pyrite mineralization have resulted from the injection of various diabase subvolcanic into carbonate units. Additionally, high heat flow has caused widespread marble formation in the area. The results were supported by microscopic and geochemical studies.
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The Ore and Gangue Mineralogy of the Newly Discovered Federation Massive Sulfide Deposit, Central New South Wales, Australia
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09348 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
The newly discovered Federation deposit, with a resource estimate of 2.6 Mt @ 7.7% Pb, 13.5% Zn, 0.8 g/t Au, and 9 g/t Ag, lies 10 km south of the Hera deposit within the Cobar Basin of the Lachlan Orogen. Located just north
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The newly discovered Federation deposit, with a resource estimate of 2.6 Mt @ 7.7% Pb, 13.5% Zn, 0.8 g/t Au, and 9 g/t Ag, lies 10 km south of the Hera deposit within the Cobar Basin of the Lachlan Orogen. Located just north of the Erimeran Granite contact and between the Lower Amphitheatre Group and underlying shallow marine Mouramba Group Roset Sandstone, the host siltstones and sandstones have been brecciated, intensely silicified, and chloritized close to mineralization. Oriented in an overall east-northeast strike and with a steep south-southeast dip, the siltstones mainly comprise quartz, clinochlore, biotite, and muscovite. Federation also has highly fragmented zones with breccia and vein-fill of calcite. The main ore mineralization includes sphalerite and galena, with lesser chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, gold, and very rare meneghinite. Mineralization occurs within silicified veins and breccias of Zn-Pb sulfides, which generally grade to moderate veining of sulfides with Pb and Cu dominant sulfides, as well as minor veining of base metals associated with visible gold. Mineralization throughout the deposit is fairly simple, with a low diversity of minerals. Iron concentration varies throughout the deposit, decreasing towards the center. Observations of massive sphalerite with gradations of red to honeycomb yellow indicate the transition from high Fe (7–10%) to low Fe (2–5%) within the coarse sulfide assemblages over a very short distance. Within the main mineralized corridor, fibrous amphibole inclusions within galena/sphalerite assemblages are observed at 251 m, as well as epidote associated with sulfides at 573 m. Other ore-associated gangue minerals include ilmenite, siderite, scheelite, magnetite, apatite, and rutile.
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Hera: Evidence for Multiple Mineralization Events and Remobilization in a Sediment-Hosted Au-Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit, Central New South Wales, Australia
by
, , , , , , , , and
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09345 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
The Hera Au-Ag-Pb-Zn deposit of central New South Wales, Australia with a total undepleted resource of 3.6 Mt @ 3.3 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, 2.6% Pb and 3.8% Zn occurs on the SE margin of the Cobar Basin. It is hosted by
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The Hera Au-Ag-Pb-Zn deposit of central New South Wales, Australia with a total undepleted resource of 3.6 Mt @ 3.3 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, 2.6% Pb and 3.8% Zn occurs on the SE margin of the Cobar Basin. It is hosted by the shallow marine Mouramba Group and overlying turbiditic Amphitheatre Group. The siltstones comprise various mixtures of quartz, plagioclase, muscovite-phengite, biotite and clinochlore, along with accessory titanite and ilmenite. The deposit comprises a number of discrete lodes which are steeply west-dipping and strike NNW. Each lode has different abundances of the main ore minerals sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and electrum-gold. The North Pod and Far West lenses have the most diverse mineralogy in additionally containing arsenopyrite, native silver, gudmundite, Ag-tetrahedrite, acanthite, dyscrasite, native antimony, nisbite and breithauptite. Electrum (continuous spectrum from Ag-rich to Au-rich) is associated with sulfides in the main ore lenses while native gold occurs in the host rocks along cleavages/lineations and away from the main ore. The sulfur isotope data from across the deposit indicates a magmatic source. Most of the deposit has experienced greenschist facies metamorphism with pervasive green chlorite alteration, though the North Pod differs in being distinctly Ag- and Sb-rich and has reached at least amphibolite facies metamorphism with a garnet-wollastonite-vesuvianite-tremolite assemblage. Tremolite is relatively abundant throughout most of the deposit suggesting widespread low-T skarn alteration. Cross-cutting pegmatites comprise quartz, plagioclase (labradorite-andesine) and microcline. Hydrothermal remobilization is relatively extensive and best explains the unusual Ag-Sb-As assemblages of the North Pod and Far West lodes.
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Mineralization, Alteration Assemblages and Stable Isotopes of the Intermediate-Sulfidation Epithermal Strauss Deposit, Drake Goldfield, North-Eastern NSW, Australia
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09350 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
The intermediate-sulfidation epithermal Strauss deposit is part of the Drake Goldfield of north-eastern NSW, Australia. The mineralization is gold dominant with minor silver and significant zinc, copper and lead. Strauss has a combined total resource of 2.66 Mt @ 1.5 g/T Au and
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The intermediate-sulfidation epithermal Strauss deposit is part of the Drake Goldfield of north-eastern NSW, Australia. The mineralization is gold dominant with minor silver and significant zinc, copper and lead. Strauss has a combined total resource of 2.66 Mt @ 1.5 g/T Au and 1.9 g/T Ag. Petrographic analysis has shown the deposit to be hosted by varying layers of dacitic ash flow tuffs and a cross-cutting lamprophyre dyke though previous authors classified some of the tuffs as intrusive andesites. Mineralization mainly occurs in the form of vein stockworks of three main orientations. Structural analysis indicates that these resulted from two fault system events and one conjugate fault system. Petrographic and SEM analysis shows that there are two different mineralization styles, a pyrite dominant and chalcopyrite dominant assemblage, with three main mineralization events. Correlation analysis for the assay data indicates that Au has a strong relationship with Ag and a moderate correlation with Pb. XRD analysis indicates widespread argillic-phyllic and propylitic alteration. Silver tellurides have been found as late-stage grains associated with the chalcopyrite mineralization assemblage. Sr shows a significant depletion due to the intense and pervasive alteration at Strauss. The carbon and oxygen isotopes of the vein carbonates suggests that the carbon from the late-stage carbonates was derived from a magmatic source with a significant input of low temperature meteoric water, while the sulfur isotopes indicate a magmatic sulfur source.
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Forms of Gold and Arsenic in Surface Sediments at the Novye Peski Gold Deposit and Their Sorption by Humic Acid
by
and
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09362 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
Forms of gold and arsenic, as one of the main pathfinders, were researched in the podzolic, illuvial, and parent material horizons of podzol soil at the Novye Peski gold deposit. Forms of gold and arsenic were studied with the sequential extraction method. The
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Forms of gold and arsenic, as one of the main pathfinders, were researched in the podzolic, illuvial, and parent material horizons of podzol soil at the Novye Peski gold deposit. Forms of gold and arsenic were studied with the sequential extraction method. The results of this study showed that the main forms of gold are water-soluble, bound to organic matter, and “insoluble”; for arsenic: bound to Fe and Mn-(oxy)hydroxides and bound to organic matter. The form bound to organic matter was considered in detail and gold and arsenic were analyzed in humic and fulvic acids solutions extracted from podzol soil. It was determined that gold is mainly bound to humic acid (HA), and arsenic to fulvic acid. Due to the prevalence of the form of gold bound to humic acid, the modelling process of different gold and arsenic (III) contents sorption on solid humic acid were observed and data on quantity of adsorbed ions per unit mass of HA and recovery ratio were obtained. More than 90% gold recovery rate was observed for concentrations less than 10 µg/cm3 and for arsenic it was in a range of 8–15%.
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Siliceous Fly Ash Utilization Conditions for Zeolite Synthesis
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09359 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
Fly ash is a coal combustion product partly disposed of in landfills since it finds no other application. Recycling this solid is of great benefit in terms of quality, cost effectiveness and the environment. The chemical and mineralogical composition of siliceous fly ash
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Fly ash is a coal combustion product partly disposed of in landfills since it finds no other application. Recycling this solid is of great benefit in terms of quality, cost effectiveness and the environment. The chemical and mineralogical composition of siliceous fly ash makes it an attractive and economic raw material for the synthesis of zeolites. Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals characterized by a three-dimensional network of tetrahedral units produced industrially on a large scale. In this work, synthetic X and A-type zeolite with high crystallinity and high value of surface area were synthesized by a pre-fusion method followed by a hydrothermal treatment under various conditions. The data indicate that zeolitic products were obtained using NaOH while no zeolitic material was crystallized using KOH and LiOH. Pre-treatment of fly ash with acid before being used in the synthesis of artificial zeolites is considered an important parameter for the purity phase of zeolites. Without sodium aluminate additions, synthetic zeolite A was not formed. The results confirm that temperature, crystallization time, SiO2/Al2O3 ratio and type of water (distilled water and seawater) are also important parameters influencing type of zeolite synthesized. Zeolite X was used as a novel catalyst for the alkylation of phenol using diethyl carbonate.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Mineral Science)
Open AccessProceedings
Spectral Response (VNIR-SWIR) Associated with the Octahedral Sheet of Smectites
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09352 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
A mineralogical characterization of a group of bentonite samples was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and visible-near infrared and short-wave infrared spectroscopy (VNIR-SWIR). As tested by XRD, all samples are very pure, composed mainly
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A mineralogical characterization of a group of bentonite samples was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and visible-near infrared and short-wave infrared spectroscopy (VNIR-SWIR). As tested by XRD, all samples are very pure, composed mainly of smectites with very small amounts of impurities, such as quartz and feldspar. The results of the chemical analysis show high contents of Al2O3 in all the samples except for COU(V), which has high contents of Fe2O3 and R4, which is a trioctahedral smectite. Within VNIR-SWIR spectra, absorption feature characteristics of the smectites due to the presence of Fe are observed at lowest wavenumber while, at the SWIR region, the absorptions are related to the M-OH bonds and there are differences among the samples according to their octahedral content.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Mineral Science)
Open AccessProceedings
Mineralization, Alteration Assemblages, Geochemistry and Stable Isotopes of the Intermediate-Sulfidation Epithermal Kylo Deposit, Drake Goldfield, North-Eastern NSW, Australia: Evidence for a Significant Magmatic Fluid Component
by
, , , , , and
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09347 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
The intermediate-sulfidation epithermal Kylo deposit is part of the Drake Goldfield of north-eastern NSW. The mineralization is gold-dominant with minor silver and significant levels of zinc, copper and lead. Kylo has a resource of 2.298 Mt @ 1.23 g/T Au and 1.35 g/T
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The intermediate-sulfidation epithermal Kylo deposit is part of the Drake Goldfield of north-eastern NSW. The mineralization is gold-dominant with minor silver and significant levels of zinc, copper and lead. Kylo has a resource of 2.298 Mt @ 1.23 g/T Au and 1.35 g/T Ag. Mineralization mainly occurs in the form of vein stockworks. Petrographic and SEM analysis shows that there are at least three mineralization events, with Au mineralization strongly associated with at least a deposit-scale alteration event. Quantitative XRD analysis shows a positive correlation between Au-mineralization and argillic-phyllic alteration. Electrum was found as an inclusion in massive sphalerite in the main mineralization stage. Correlation analysis for the assay data indicates that Au has a strong relation with Ag and Pb. Petrographic and geochemical analysis has identified three lithologies: rhyolite, rhyodacite/dacite and andesite, with Au mineralization more associated with the rhyodacites, while at deeper levels some of the andesites also show a relatively strong correlation with Au. Strontium shows a significant strong depletion, due to the intense and pervasive alteration at Kylo. The andesitic volcanics show moderate LREE enrichment with small negative Eu anomalies, and relative depletion in Nb, Ta and Ti, indicating an island arc tectonic setting. The carbon and oxygen isotopes of late-stage vein carbonates suggest that the late-stage fluid was mostly derived from a magmatic source, but with a minor contribution from low-temperature fluids intimately associated with alteration processes. The sulfur isotopes indicate that the sulfide mineralization had a magmatic sulfur source.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Mineral Science)
Open AccessExtended Abstract
A Cautionary Note on Amphibole Geobarometry
by
, , , , , and
Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021, 6(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/iecms2021-09346 - 25 Feb 2021
Abstract
The classical Al-in-hornblende barometer has been very successful in determining the depth of intrusion of the metaluminous cordilleran granitoid plutons that bear the buffering assemblage at near solidus conditions: horn-blende-biotite-plagioclase-orthoclase-quartz-sphene-two Fe-Ti-oxides (or one Fe-Ti oxide + epidote)-melt-vapor (e.g., [1–3]). [...]
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Mineral Science)
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