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Keywords = FeZnNa@SiO2-C

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15 pages, 2671 KB  
Article
Mechanisms of Thermal Color Change in Brown Elbaite–Fluorelbaite Tourmaline: Insights from Trace Elements and Spectral Signatures
by Kun Li and Suwei Yue
Minerals 2025, 15(10), 1032; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15101032 - 29 Sep 2025
Viewed by 274
Abstract
This study investigates the mechanism behind the heat-induced color change (brown to yellowish green) in Mn- and Fe-rich elbaite tourmaline under reducing atmosphere at 500 °C. A combination of analytical techniques including gemological characterization, electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma [...] Read more.
This study investigates the mechanism behind the heat-induced color change (brown to yellowish green) in Mn- and Fe-rich elbaite tourmaline under reducing atmosphere at 500 °C. A combination of analytical techniques including gemological characterization, electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy was employed. Chemical analysis confirmed the samples as intermediate members of the elbaite–fluorelbaite series, with an average formula of X(Na0.660.26 Ca0.08) Σ1.00Y(Li1.29Al1.10Mn0.31 Fe2+0.15Ti0.01Zn0.01) Σ2.87 ZAl6T[Si6O18] (BO3)3V(OH)3.00W(OH0.51F0.49) Σ1.00, enriched in Mn (17,346–20,669 μg/g) and Fe (8396–10,750 μg/g). Heat treatment enhanced transparency and induced strong pleochroism (yellowish green parallel c-axis, brown perpendicular c-axis). UV-Vis spectroscopy identified the brown color origin in the parallel c-axis direction: absorption bands at 730 nm (Fe2+ dd transition, 5T2g5Eg), 540 nm (Fe2+→Fe3+ intervalence charge transfer, IVCT), and 415 nm (Fe2+→Ti4+ IVCT + possible Mn2+ contribution). Post-treatment, the 540 nm band vanished, creating a green transmission window and causing the color shift parallel the c-axis. The spectra perpendicular to the c-axis remained largely unchanged. The disappearance of the 540 nm band, attributed to the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ eliminating the Fe2+–Fe3+ pair interaction required for IVCT, is the primary color change mechanism. The parallel c-axis section of the samples shows brown and yellow-green dichroism after heat treatment. A decrease in the IR intensity at 4170 cm−1 indicates a reduced Fe3+ concentration. The weakening or disappearance of the 4721 cm−1 absorption band of the infrared spectrum and the near-infrared 976 nm absorption band of the ultraviolet–visible spectrum provides diagnostic indicators for identifying heat treatment in similar brown elbaite–fluorelbaite. Full article
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15 pages, 13169 KB  
Article
Assessment of the Accumulation of Certain Metals in Human Globus pallidus Using Particle-Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive Microanalysis (EDX)
by Martin Kopáni, Daniel Kosnáč, Ján Pánik, Miroslav Ješkovský, Jakub Zeman, Pavel P. Povinec and Štefan Polák
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 9897; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15189897 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 365
Abstract
Metals are essential for the physiological and biochemical processes in the human brain. However, their accumulation can cause neurotoxic effects, including the generation of reactive oxygen species and structural changes in biomolecules. This study aimed to assess the presence and distribution of metals [...] Read more.
Metals are essential for the physiological and biochemical processes in the human brain. However, their accumulation can cause neurotoxic effects, including the generation of reactive oxygen species and structural changes in biomolecules. This study aimed to assess the presence and distribution of metals in the human globus pallidus internus using Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). Post-mortem brain tissue samples from six individuals without clinical neuropathological findings were analysed. PIXE analysis revealed the presence of Fe, Cr, Al, Zn, Pb, and Ca. SEM-EDX analysis provided the qualitative elemental composition of an observed aggregate, revealing C, N, O, Na, Ca, Al, Si, S, K, Mg, Cl, Fe, Ni, and Cr. Our findings suggest that metal accumulation in the brain can result from environmental pollution and protein aggregation, as well as biomineralisation processes that sequester metal ions to mitigate their harmful effects. A deeper understanding of these accumulation pathways could contribute to improved therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases associated with metal toxicity. Full article
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17 pages, 7952 KB  
Article
Achyrophanite, (K,Na)3(Fe3+,Ti,Al,Mg)5O2(AsO4)5, a New Mineral with the Novel Structure Type from Fumarolic Exhalations of the Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
by Igor V. Pekov, Natalia V. Zubkova, Natalia N. Koshlyakova, Dmitry I. Belakovskiy, Marina F. Vigasina, Atali A. Agakhanov, Sergey N. Britvin, Anna G. Turchkova, Evgeny G. Sidorov, Pavel S. Zhegunov and Dmitry Yu. Pushcharovsky
Minerals 2025, 15(7), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15070706 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 553
Abstract
The new mineral achyrophanite (K,Na)3(Fe3+,Ti,Al,Mg)5O2(AsO4)5 was found in high-temperature sublimates of the Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, [...] Read more.
The new mineral achyrophanite (K,Na)3(Fe3+,Ti,Al,Mg)5O2(AsO4)5 was found in high-temperature sublimates of the Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with aphthitalite-group sulfates, hematite, alluaudite-group arsenates (badalovite, calciojohillerite, johillerite, nickenichite, hatertite, and khrenovite), ozerovaite, pansnerite, arsenatrotitanite, yurmarinite, svabite, tilasite, katiarsite, yurgensonite, As-bearing sanidine, anhydrite, rutile, cassiterite, and pseudobrookite. Achyrophanite occurs as long-prismatic to acicular or, rarer, tabular crystals up to 0.02 × 0.2 × 1.5 mm, which form parallel, radiating, bush-like, or chaotic aggregates up to 3 mm across. It is transparent, straw-yellow to golden yellow, with strong vitreous luster. The mineral is brittle, with (001) perfect cleavage. Dcalc is 3.814 g cm–3. Achyrophanite is optically biaxial (+), α = 1.823(7), β = 1.840(7), γ = 1.895(7) (589 nm), 2V (meas.) = 60(10)°. Chemical composition (wt.%, electron microprobe) is: Na2O 3.68, K2O 9.32, CaO 0.38, MgO 1.37, MnO 0.08, CuO 0.82, ZnO 0.48, Al2O3 2.09, Fe2O3 20.42, SiO2 0.12, TiO2 7.35, P2O5 0.14, V2O5 0.33, As2O5 51.88, SO3 1.04, and total 99.40. The empirical formula calculated based on 22 O apfu is Na1.29K2.15Ca0.07Mg0.34Mn0.01Cu0.11Zn0.06Al0.44Fe3+2.77Ti1.00Si0.02P0.02S0.14V0.04As4.90O22. Achyrophanite is orthorhombic, space group P2221, a = 6.5824(2), b = 13.2488(4), c = 10.7613(3) Å, V = 938.48(5) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest reflections of the PXRD pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are 5.615(59)(101), 4.174(42)(022), 3.669(31)(130), 3.148(33)(103), 2.852(43)(141), 2.814(100)(042, 202), 2.689(29)(004), and 2.237(28)(152). The crystal structure of achyrophanite (solved from single-crystal XRD data, R = 4.47%) is unique. It is based on the octahedral-tetrahedral M-T-O pseudo-framework (M = Fe3+ with admixed Ti, Al, Mg, Na; T = As5+). Large-cation A sites (A = K, Na) are located in the channels of the pseudo-framework. The achyrophanite structure can be described as stuffed, with the defect heteropolyhedral pseudo-framework derivative of the orthorhombic Fe3+AsO4 archetype. The mineral is named from the Greek άχυρον, straw, and φαίνομαι, to appear, in allusion to its typical straw-yellow color and long prismatic habit of crystals. Full article
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16 pages, 6091 KB  
Article
Seasonal Dynamics of Microbial Communities in PM2.5 and PM10 from a Pig Barn
by Qian Tang, Minyang Zhang, Lili Yu, Kaidong Deng, Huihua Mao, Jingwen Hu and Chuang Wang
Animals 2025, 15(8), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15081116 - 12 Apr 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 680
Abstract
Modern, intensive, high-density farming practices cause elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) inside livestock barns. PM in livestock barns is predominantly biological, hence, it contains abundant microorganisms. Understanding the microbial composition of PM is crucial for assessing the hazards of air emitted from [...] Read more.
Modern, intensive, high-density farming practices cause elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) inside livestock barns. PM in livestock barns is predominantly biological, hence, it contains abundant microorganisms. Understanding the microbial composition of PM is crucial for assessing the hazards of air emitted from livestock barns. PM10 and PM2.5 from a pig barn were collected in winter and spring, and morphological, chemical, and microbial analyses were performed. The PM samples exhibit diverse morphological characteristics. The top three elements detected in the PM samples were O, C, and Si. Other elements, including N, Al, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, P, W, Ba, Fe, S, Cl, and Ti, were also identified in these samples. For bacterial α diversity, the Sobs and Chao1 indices for PM10 were significantly higher than those for PM2.5 in winter (p < 0.05), and in spring, the ACE index for PM10 was significantly higher than that for PM2.5 (p < 0.05). For fungal α diversity, the Shannon index for PM10 was significantly higher than that for PM2.5 in winter (p < 0.01), and in spring, the Ace index for PM10 was significantly higher than that for PM2.5 (p < 0.05). The β diversity results indicate that season, rather than the particle size, had a significant effect on the microbial composition in the PM samples. A total of seven bacterial pathogen genera and 16 fungal allergen genera were identified in PM samples. In winter, the relative abundances of total bacterial pathogens and fungal allergens in PM2.5 were higher than those in PM10. In contrast, the relative abundance of fungal allergens in PM10 was higher in spring than in winter. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of PM from a pig barn across the particle sizes and seasons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal System and Management)
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13 pages, 4608 KB  
Article
Sodium Promoted FeZn@SiO2-C Catalysts for Sustainable Production of Low Olefins by CO2 Hydrogenation
by Zhijiang Ni, Mingxing Cai, Shiyu Zhong, Xiaoyu Chen, Hanyu Shen and Lin Su
Catalysts 2023, 13(12), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13121508 - 12 Dec 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2279
Abstract
A prepared FeZnNa@SiO2-C catalyst with graphitized carbon (C)-modified mesoporous SiO2 supports metal nanoparticles with the sol–gel method. The effect of adding metal Na and Zn promoters as a dispersion on the CO2 hydrogenation to low olefins was systematically studied. [...] Read more.
A prepared FeZnNa@SiO2-C catalyst with graphitized carbon (C)-modified mesoporous SiO2 supports metal nanoparticles with the sol–gel method. The effect of adding metal Na and Zn promoters as a dispersion on the CO2 hydrogenation to low olefins was systematically studied. The results showed that Zn–Na, as a combination, could promote the absorption of CO2 and improved the conversion rate of CO2. Na as an alkaline substance can improve the absorption of more acidic CO2, which could increase the conversion rate of CO2 to 59.03%. Meanwhile, the addition of secondary metal Zn to Fe-based catalysts to form a surface alloy could alter the adsorption of CO2 and the activation of C-O bonds, inhibit the subsequent hydrogenation of olefins to paraffins, and facilitate the reduction of Fe2O3 and the formation of active Fe5C2 species. The formation of active Fe5C2 species was found in TEM and XRD, and the selectivity of the target product was 41.07%. The deep hydrogenation of olefins was inhibited, and the space–time yield (STY) of low olefins was raised again by inhibiting their deep hydrogenations, up to 0.0436. However, the corresponding STY did not increase infinitely with the increase of Na doping, and higher catalytic performance for CO2 hydrogenation could be exhibited when the Na doping reached 6.4%. Compared with Fe@SiO2-C catalyst, Na- and Zn-promoted Fe-based catalysts, prepared by the modified sol-gel method, can be used directly for highly efficient CO2 hydrogenation to low olefins and thus has a more promising application prospect in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Selective Hydrogenation of CO and CO2)
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21 pages, 6593 KB  
Article
Influence of Process Parameters in Three-Stage Purification of Aluminate Solution and Aluminum Hydroxide
by Vladimir Damjanovic, Radislav Filipovic, Zoran Obrenovic, Mitar Perusic, Dusko Kostic, Slavko Smiljanic and Srecko Stopic
Metals 2023, 13(11), 1816; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13111816 - 27 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3699
Abstract
The influence of process parameters in the three-stage purification of aluminate solution from the Bayer process and aluminum hydroxide was considered in this paper. One of the ways of purification is treating the aluminate solution in order to reduce the concentrations in the [...] Read more.
The influence of process parameters in the three-stage purification of aluminate solution from the Bayer process and aluminum hydroxide was considered in this paper. One of the ways of purification is treating the aluminate solution in order to reduce the concentrations in the starting raw material (solution) and then treating the aluminum hydroxide at a certain temperature and time in order to obtain an alumina precursor of adequate quality. The purification process itself is divided into three phases. The first phase involves the treatment of sodium aluminate with lime in order to primarily remove Ca2+ and (SiO3)2− impurities. Phase II aims to remove impurities of Zn2+, Fe2+, and Cu2+ by treatment with controlled precipitation using specially prepared crystallization centers. In Phase III, Na+ is removed by the process of hydrothermal washing of Al2O3 ∙ 3H2O. In this work, parameters such as temperature (T), reaction time (t), and concentration of lime (c) were studied in order to remove the mentioned impurities and obtain the purest possible product that would be an adequate precursor for special types of alumina. Full article
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21 pages, 4897 KB  
Article
Exploring Wild Edible Plants in Malakand, Pakistan: Ethnobotanical and Nutritional Insights
by Muhammad Ibrahim, Naveed Akhtar, Abdul Wahab, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei and Mikhlid H. Almutairi
Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 12881; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712881 - 25 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3475
Abstract
Human beings have used wild edible plants (WEPs) for food since ancient times. The poor and underprivileged people of the district of Malakand, Pakistan, also depend on wild edible plants (WEPs) to fulfill their food and nutrition needs. Wild edible plants (WEPs) are [...] Read more.
Human beings have used wild edible plants (WEPs) for food since ancient times. The poor and underprivileged people of the district of Malakand, Pakistan, also depend on wild edible plants (WEPs) to fulfill their food and nutrition needs. Wild edible plants (WEPs) are a potential solution for overcoming food shortages for families living in rural areas. The current study evaluated the ethnobotanical, nutritional, and elemental potential of some wild edible plants (WEPs) commonly used by local people in the district of Malakand, Pakistan. Ethnobotanical information was collected from local people through a semi-structured questionnaire. The ethnobotanical information collected about wild edible plants revealed that two wild edible species belong to the family Fabaceae, two plant species belong to the family Polygonaceae, and one plant species belongs to each family Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Malvaceae, Oxalidaceae, and Portulaceae. The plants collected were all herbs, and the parts used as edible parts were mostly leaves and young shoots. All the collected plants were predominantly used as vegetables by local people. The proximate nutritional analysis was carried out according to the official methods of AOAC (from 2016). The proximate nutritional analysis revealed that the selected WEPs are a good source of important nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, fats, and caloric energy. The proximate nutritional analysis of selected WEPs revealed that the highest (%) moisture content was calculated in Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton (90.45 ± 0.3); the highest dry matter (%) was present in Oxalis corniculata L. (21.60 ± 0.2); the highest ash (%) in Chenopodium album L. (17.80 ± 0.3); the highest crude fibers (%) in Meliolotus indicus (L.) All (16.45 ± 0.5); the highest crude protein (%) in Meliolotus indicus (L.) All (14.40 ± 0.1%); the highest crude fats (%) in Rumex hastatus Don. (3.80 ± 0.04); the highest percentage of carbohydrates in Portulaca oleracea L. (65.38 ± 0.6); and the maximum energy value was calculated for Portulaca oleracea L. (321.38 ± 0.4 Kcal/100 g). The elemental analysis of wild edible plants (WEPs) was carried out through energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The EDX analysis showed that these WEPs consist of crucial and imperative elements such as C, O, N, P, Mg, K, S, Ca, Al, Si, Cl, Fe, Cu, Na, and Zn, which are integral parts of the human diet. Following the results of the EDX elemental analysis, Portulaca oleracea accounted for the highest concentration (%) of carbon, Oxalis corniculata accounted for the highest concentration (%) of oxygen, and Nasturtium officinale accounted for the maximum concentration of nitrogen (9.70%). The current study revealed that the research area is rich in diversity of wild edible plants (WEPs), a cheap and economical food source for locals. The study also showed that these wild edible plants (WEPs) possess all the crucial nutrients and elements imperative for human food and health. These wild edible plants (WEPs) will play a key role in a sustainable food system in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)
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24 pages, 7210 KB  
Article
Physico-Chemical Properties and Deposition Potential of PM2.5 during Severe Smog Event in Delhi, India
by Sadaf Fatima, Sumit Kumar Mishra, Ajit Ahlawat and Ashok Priyadarshan Dimri
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15387; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215387 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2721
Abstract
The present work studies a severe smog event that occurred in Delhi (India) in 2017, targeting the characterization of PM2.5 and its deposition potential in human respiratory tract of different population groups in which the PM2.5 levels raised from 124.0 µg/m [...] Read more.
The present work studies a severe smog event that occurred in Delhi (India) in 2017, targeting the characterization of PM2.5 and its deposition potential in human respiratory tract of different population groups in which the PM2.5 levels raised from 124.0 µg/m3 (pre-smog period) to 717.2 µg/m3 (during smog period). Higher concentration of elements such as C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Fe, Cl, Ca, Ti, Cr, Pb, Fe, K, Cu, Cl, P, and F were observed during the smog along with dominant organic functional groups (aldehyde, ketones, alkyl halides (R-F; R-Br; R-Cl), ether, etc.), which supported potential contribution from transboundary biomass-burning activities along with local pollution sources and favorable meteorological conditions. The morphology of individual particles were found mostly as non-spherical, including carbon fractals, aggregates, sharp-edged, rod-shaped, and flaky structures. A multiple path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model showed significant deposition potential of PM2.5 in terms of deposition fraction, mass rate, and mass flux during smog conditions in all age groups. The highest PM2.5 deposition fraction and mass rate were found for the head region followed by the alveolar region of the human respiratory tract. The highest mass flux was reported for 21-month-old (4.7 × 102 µg/min/m2), followed by 3-month-old (49.2 µg/min/m2) children, whereas it was lowest for 21-year-old adults (6.8 µg/min/m2), indicating babies and children were more vulnerable to PM2.5 pollution than adults during smog. Deposition doses of toxic elements such as Cr, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn, and Ni were also found to be higher (up to 1 × 10−7 µg/kg/day) for children than adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Integrated Human Exposure to Air Pollution)
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20 pages, 4261 KB  
Article
National-Scale Geochemical Baseline of 69 Elements in Laos Stream Sediments
by Wei Wang, Xueqiu Wang, Bimin Zhang, Qiang Wang, Dongsheng Liu, Zhixuan Han, Sounthone LAOLO, Phomsylalai SOUKSAN, Hanliang Liu, Jian Zhou, Xinbin Cheng and Lanshi Nie
Minerals 2022, 12(11), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12111360 - 26 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4539
Abstract
Geochemical baselines are crucial to explore mineral resources and monitor environmental changes. This study presents the first Laos geochemical baseline values of 69 elements. The National-scale Geochemical Mapping Project of Lao People’s Democratic Republic conducted comprehensive stream sediment sampling across Laos, yielding 2079 [...] Read more.
Geochemical baselines are crucial to explore mineral resources and monitor environmental changes. This study presents the first Laos geochemical baseline values of 69 elements. The National-scale Geochemical Mapping Project of Lao People’s Democratic Republic conducted comprehensive stream sediment sampling across Laos, yielding 2079 samples collected at 1 sample/100 km2, and 69 elements were analyzed. Based on the results of LGB value, R-mode factor analysis, and scatter plot analysis, this paper analyzes the relationship between the 69 elements and the geological background, mineralization, hypergene processes and human activities in the study area. The median values of element contents related to the average crustal values were: As, B, Br, Cs, Hf, Li, N, Pb, Sb, Zr, and SiO2, >1.3 times; Ba, Be, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, S, Sc, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, Zn, Eu, Al2O3, Tot.Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, and Na2O, <0.7 times; and Ag, Au, Bi, Cd, Ge, Hg, I, In, Nb, P, Rb, Se, Sn, Ta, Th, U, W, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and K2O, 0.7–1.3 times. R-mode factor analysis based on principal component analysis and varimax rotation showed that they fall into 12 factors related to bedrock, (rare earth, ferrum-group, and major Al2O3 and K2O elements; mineralization–Au, Sb, and As) and farming activities–N, Br, S, and C). This study provides basic geochemical data for many fields, including basic geology, mineral exploration, environmental protection and agricultural production in Laos. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Metal Minerals)
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17 pages, 7662 KB  
Article
Characterization of Ancient Burial Pottery of Ban Muang Bua Archaeological Site (Northeastern Thailand) Using X-ray Spectroscopies
by Chatdanai Boonruang, Krit Won-in, Nontarat Nimsuwan, Phakkhananan Pakawanit, Udomrat Tippawan, Chome Thongleurm and Pisutti Dararutana
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2568; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052568 - 1 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2951
Abstract
Ancient potteries found at Ban Muang Bua, located in northeastern Thailand, associate with Thung Kula Ronghai culture. Most of them are products used in daily life and grave goods. The potsherds were examined using techniques based on X-ray spectroscopy. Elemental composition and morphology [...] Read more.
Ancient potteries found at Ban Muang Bua, located in northeastern Thailand, associate with Thung Kula Ronghai culture. Most of them are products used in daily life and grave goods. The potsherds were examined using techniques based on X-ray spectroscopy. Elemental composition and morphology were analyzed using proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Three-dimensional analysis was performed using X-ray tomographic microscopy based on synchrotron radiation (SR XTM). Irregular plate-like particles of composites with a wide range of size distribution were found in the potsherds. The major (O, Si, and Al), minor (C, Fe, Ca, and K), and trace elements (P, S, Ti, Na, Mg, and Zn) which were observed can provide the information about raw materials and production of pottery. The 3D tomographic images show the internal feature of these samples. The combination of SEM-EDS, PIXE, and SR XTM is a powerful tool for archaeological research especially in terms of composition and internal structure. The results imply that the raw materials of pottery were sandy soil derived from marine sands, clays, and salt deposits that were mostly iron-rich-kaolin clay. The production was carried out with low firing temperatures (~600–900 °C) in open-air kilns. Full article
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23 pages, 7551 KB  
Article
Silicon Compounds in Sponges
by Anatoliy L. Drozdov, Lyudmila A. Zemnukhova, Alexandr E. Panasenko, Nataliya V. Polyakova, Arseniy B. Slobodyuk, Alexandr Yu. Ustinov, Nina A. Didenko and Sergey A. Tyurin
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(14), 6587; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146587 - 17 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4281
Abstract
A comparative study of the microscopic morphology and chemical characteristics of spicules of Hexactinellids (Hexactinellida) with different structural features of the skeletons, as well as the freshwater Baikal sponge belonging to the class of common sponges (Demospongia), was carried out. The trace element [...] Read more.
A comparative study of the microscopic morphology and chemical characteristics of spicules of Hexactinellids (Hexactinellida) with different structural features of the skeletons, as well as the freshwater Baikal sponge belonging to the class of common sponges (Demospongia), was carried out. The trace element composition of sponge spicules was determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The spicules of siliceous sponges contain many elements, arranged in decreasing order of concentration: Si, Ca, Fe, Cl, K, Zn, and others. It was shown that the surface layer of sea sponges contains mainly carbon (C), oxygen (O), and to a lesser extent nitrogen (N), silicon (Si), and sodium (Na). The spicules of the studied siliceous sponges can be divided into two groups according to the phase composition, namely one containing crystalline calcium compounds and one without them. Analysis of infrared absorption spectra allows us to conclude that the sponges Euplectella aspergillum, E. suberia and Dactylocalyx sp. contain silica partially bound to the organic matrix, while the silica skeleton of the sponges of the other group (Schulzeviella gigas, Sericolophus sp., Asconema setubalense, Sarostegia oculata, Farrea sp. and Lubomirskia baicalensis sp.) practically does not differ from the precipitated SiO2. This comparative study of the chemical composition of the skeletons of marine Hexactinellids and common freshwater sponge allows us to conclude that there are no fundamental differences in the chemical composition of spicules, and all of them can be used as a starting material for creating new composite silicon–organic functional materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomimetic Materials 2021)
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12 pages, 2070 KB  
Article
Synthesis and Hydration Characteristic of Geopolymer Based on Lead Smelting Slag
by Liwei Yao, Degang Liu, Yong Ke, Yuancheng Li, Zhongbing Wang, Jiangchi Fei, Hui Xu and Xiaobo Min
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(8), 2762; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082762 - 16 Apr 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3100
Abstract
Lead smelting slag (LSS) has been identified as general industrial solid waste, which is produced from the pyrometallurgical treatment of the Shuikoushan process for primary lead production in China. The LSS-based geopolymer was synthesized after high-energy ball milling. The effect of unconfined compressive [...] Read more.
Lead smelting slag (LSS) has been identified as general industrial solid waste, which is produced from the pyrometallurgical treatment of the Shuikoushan process for primary lead production in China. The LSS-based geopolymer was synthesized after high-energy ball milling. The effect of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) on the synthesis parameters of the geopolymer was optimized. Under the best parameters of the geopolymer (modulus of water glass was 1–1.5, dosage of water glass (W(SiO2+Na2O)) was 5% and water-to-binder ratio was 0.2), the UCS reached 76.09 MPa after curing for 28 days. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leaching concentration of Zn from LSS fell from 167.16 to 93.99 mg/L after alkali-activation, which was below the limit allowed. Meanwhile, C-S-H and the geopolymer of the hydration products were identified from the geopolymer. In addition, the behavior of iron was also discussed. Then, the hydration process characteristics of the LSS-based geopolymer were proposed. The obtained results showed that Ca2+ and Fe2+ occupied the site of the network as modifiers in the glass phase and then dissociated from the glass network after the water glass activation. At the same time, C-S-H, the geopolymer and Fe(OH)2 gel were produced, and then the Fe(OH)2 was easily oxidized to Fe(OH)3 under the air curing conditions. Consequently, the conclusion was drawn that LSS was an implementable raw material for geopolymer production. Full article
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15 pages, 4694 KB  
Article
Cleaner Extraction of Lead from Complex Lead-Containing Wastes by Reductive Sulfur-Fixing Smelting with Low SO2 Emission
by Yun Li, Shenghai Yang, Wenrong Lin, Pekka Taskinen, Jing He, Yuejun Wang, Junjie Shi, Yongming Chen, Chaobo Tang and Ari Jokilaakso
Minerals 2019, 9(2), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9020119 - 17 Feb 2019
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4953
Abstract
A novel and cleaner process for lead and silver recycling from multiple lead-containing wastes, e.g., lead ash, lead sludge, lead slag, and ferric sludge, by reductive sulfur-fixing smelting was proposed. In this process, coke and iron-containing wastes were employed as reductive agent and [...] Read more.
A novel and cleaner process for lead and silver recycling from multiple lead-containing wastes, e.g., lead ash, lead sludge, lead slag, and ferric sludge, by reductive sulfur-fixing smelting was proposed. In this process, coke and iron-containing wastes were employed as reductive agent and sulfur-fixing agent, respectively. A Na2CO3-Na2SO4 mixture was added as flux. The feasibility of this process was detected from thermodynamic and experimental perspectives. The influence of Fe/SiO2 and CaO/SiO2, composition of the molten salt, coke addition, smelting temperature, and smelting time on direct Pb recovery and sulfur-fixation efficiency were investigated. The optimal process conditions were determined as follows: WCoke = 15% WPb wastes, W Na 2 CO 3 / W Na 2 SO 4 = 0.7/0.3, Fe/SiO2 = 1.10, CaO/SiO2 = 0.30, smelting temperature 1200 °C, and smelting time 2 h, where W represents weight. Under these optimum conditions, 92.4% Pb and 98.8% Ag were directly recovered in crude lead bullion in one step treatment, and total 98.6% sulfur was fixed. The generation and emissions of SO2 can be avoided. The main phases in ferrous matte obtained were FeS, NaFeS2, Fe2Zn3S5, and a little entrained Pb. The slag was a FeO-SiO2-CaO-Na2O quaternary melt. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainability in Extractive Metallurgy)
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16 pages, 4577 KB  
Article
Vesuvianite from the Somma-Vesuvius Complex: New Data and Revised Formula
by Taras L. Panikorovskii, Nikita V. Chukanov, Vyacheslav S. Rusakov, Vladimir V. Shilovskikh, Anton S. Mazur, Giuseppina Balassone, Gregory Yu. Ivanyuk and Sergey V. Krivovichev
Minerals 2017, 7(12), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7120248 - 16 Dec 2017
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6447
Abstract
At present, the vesuvianite group of minerals consists of eight members, six of which are distinguished by the dominant cation in the Y1(A,B) five-coordinated site. We investigated two vesuvianite samples from the type locality by electron microprobe analysis, Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopy, [...] Read more.
At present, the vesuvianite group of minerals consists of eight members, six of which are distinguished by the dominant cation in the Y1(A,B) five-coordinated site. We investigated two vesuvianite samples from the type locality by electron microprobe analysis, Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopy, TGA/DSC, MAS NMR, single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures of these samples (# 27844 and 51062 from the Vesuvius collection, Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow) have been refined to R1 = 0.027 and R1 = 0.035, respectively. Both samples have the space group P4/nnc; a = 15.5720(3) and 15.5459(3), c = 11.8158(5) and 11.7988(4), respectively. In both samples low-occupied T1 and T2 sites are populated by minor B and Al, which agrees with their high-temperature origin. According to our experimental results, the general revised crystal-chemical formula of vesuvianite can be written as VII−IXX19VY1VIY12(Z2O7)4(ZO4)10(W)10, where X are seven- to nine-coordinated sites of Ca with minor Na, K, Fe2+ and REE impurities; VY has a square pyramidal coordination and is occupied predominantly by Fe3+ with subordinate Mg, Al, Fe2+ and Cu2+; VIY has octahedral coordination and is predominantly occupied by Al with subordinate Mg, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Mn3+, Ti, Cr and Zn; ZO4 = SiO4, sometimes with subordinate AlO4 and/or (OH)4, and W = OH, F, with minor O and Cl. The idealized charge-balanced formula of the vesuvianite end-member without subordinate cations is Ca19Fe3+(Al10Me2+2)(Si2O7)4(SiO4)10O(OH)9, where Ме = Fe2+, Mg2+, Mn2+. Full article
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26 pages, 8774 KB  
Article
Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusion Data from the Tumanpınarı Volcanic Rock-Hosted Fe-Mn-Ba Deposit, Balıkesir-Dursunbey, Turkey
by Ali Haydar Gultekin and Nurgul Balci
Minerals 2016, 6(4), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/min6040120 - 4 Nov 2016
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7519
Abstract
The Tumanpınarı mineralization is a volcanic rock-hosted epithermal Fe-Mn-Ba deposit located in the southwestern part of Dursunbey, Balıkesir, Turkey. The deposit constitutes one of the most important deposits of the Havran-Dursunbey metallogenic sub-province in which numerous Early Miocene Fe-Mn-Ba deposits are distributed. The [...] Read more.
The Tumanpınarı mineralization is a volcanic rock-hosted epithermal Fe-Mn-Ba deposit located in the southwestern part of Dursunbey, Balıkesir, Turkey. The deposit constitutes one of the most important deposits of the Havran-Dursunbey metallogenic sub-province in which numerous Early Miocene Fe-Mn-Ba deposits are distributed. The ore occurs as open-space fillings in faults, fractures, and breccias in the andesite. Early hydrothermal activity was responsible for four types of hypogene alteration in decreasing intensity: silicification, sericitization, hematization and argillic alteration. The mineral assemblage includes pyrolusite, psilomelane, hematite, and barite as well as minor magnetite, manganite, poliannite, limonite, braunite, bixbyite, galena, pyrite, and goethite. Mineralogically, three ore types are recognized as pyrolusite + psilomelane + hematite + barite ore, pyrolusite + psilomelane + poliannite ore and barite + pyrolusite + psilomelane + hematite ore (barite-dominant ore). In addition to Fe, Mn and Ba, the ore contains substantial quantities of Pb, Zn, As. Chemically, the transition from fresh to altered rocks has little effect on the elemental levels for Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, Rb, Sr and H2O. The homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions hosted in the main stage quartz and barite ranged from 113 to 410 °C with salinities ranging from 0.4 to 14.9 eq. wt % NaCl, respectively. Overall, the available data suggest that the deposits formed as the result of the interaction of two aqueous fluids: a higher-salinity fluid (probably magmatic) and a dilute meteoric fluid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Deposit Genesis and Exploration)
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