Search results for "MINERALOGY"
showing 10 items of 1516 documents
Quantitative analysis of crystal/grain sizes and their distributions in 2D and 3D
2011
Abstract We review methods to estimate the average crystal (grain) size and the crystal (grain) size distribution in solid rocks. Average grain sizes often provide the base for stress estimates or rheological calculations requiring the quantification of grain sizes in a rock’s microstructure. The primary data for grain size data are either 1D (i.e. line intercept methods), 2D (area analysis) or 3D (e.g., computed tomography, serial sectioning). These data have been used for different data treatments over the years, whereas several studies assume a certain probability function (e.g., logarithm, square root) to calculate statistical parameters as the mean, median, mode or the skewness of a cr…
Electron paramagnetic resonance and photoluminescence investigation of europium local structure in oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing SrF2 nanocry…
2017
Different compositions of europium doped aluminosilicate oxyfluoride glass ceramics prepared in air atmosphere have been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical spectroscopy methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements show presence of homogenously distributed SrF2 nanocrystals after the heat treatment of the precursor glass. Efficient Eu3+ incorporation in the high symmetry environment of glass ceramics is observed from the photoluminescence spectra. EPR spectra indicate Eu3+ → Eu2+ reduction upon precipitation of crystalline phases in the glass matrix. For composition abundant with Eu2+ in the glassy state such behaviour is …
Assessment of a possible genotoxic environmental risk in sheep bred on grounds with strongly elevated contents of mercury, arsenic and antimony.
1996
A part of Northern Palatinate country (Germany) was formerly influenced by mercury mining. Today, in many cases agricultural and housing areas are placed onto or near to former dump grounds of rubble. In the soil of these areas the concentration of mercury, arsenic and antimony was found ranging from basic natural contents up to strongly elevated levels. In a biomonitoring project, sheep bred on grounds contaminated with mercury (range 1-435 mg Hg/kg dry matter), arsenic (range 17-147 mg As/kg dry matter) and antimony (range 2-15 mg Sb/kg dry matter) were taken as example on the uptake of these elements from the environment and for possible effects of this exposure. Significantly elevated m…
Degassing of gaseous (elemental and reactive) and particulate mercury from Mount Etna volcano (Southern Italy)
2007
Abstract There is an urgent need to better constrain the global rates of mercury degassing from natural sources, including active volcanoes. Hitherto, estimates of volcanic fluxes have been limited by the poorly determined speciation of Hg in volcanic emissions. Here, we present a systematic characterisation of mercury partitioning between gaseous (Hg(g)) and particulate (Hg(p)) forms in the volcanic plume of Mount Etna, the largest open-vent passively degassing volcano on Earth. We demonstrate that mercury transport is predominantly in the gas phase, with a mean Hg(p)/Hg(g) ratio of ∼0.01 by mass. We also present the first simultaneous measurement of divalent gaseous mercury ( Hg ( g ) II …
Mercury and halogen emissions from Masaya and Telica volcanoes, Nicaragua
2008
We report measurements of Hg, SO2, and halogens (HCl, HBr, HI) in volcanic gases from Masaya volcano, Nicaragua, and gaseous SO2 and halogens from Telica volcano, Nicaragua. Mercury measurements were made with a Lumex 915+ portable mercury vapor analyzer and gold traps, while halogens, CO2 and S species were monitored with a portable multi gas sensor and filter packs. Lumex Hg concentrations in the plume were consistently above background and ranged up to 350 ng m-3. Hg/SO2 mass ratios measured with the real-time instruments ranged from 1.1 × 10-7 to 3.5 × 10-5 (mean 2 × 10-5). Total gaseous mercury (TGM) concentrations measured by gold trap ranged from 100 to 225 ng m-3. Reactive gaseous m…
Magnetic characteristics of industrial dust from different sources of emission: A case study of Poland
2015
Abstract Dust emission and deposition in topsoil have negative effect on individual components of the ecosystem. In addition to routine geochemical analyses, magnetic measurements may provide useful complementary information related to the type, concentration and grain-size distribution of the technogenic magnetic particles (TMPs) and thus the degree of contamination of the environment. The aim of this contribution is to use magnetic parameters in distinguishing dust from a wide range of sources of air pollution (power industry, cement, coke, ceramic industries and biomass combustion). We measured magnetic susceptibility, hysteresis parameters and thermomagnetic curves. Our results suggest …
Kidney Stones in Primary Hyperoxaluria: New Lessons Learnt
2013
To investigate potential differences in stone composition with regard to the type of Primary Hyperoxaluria (PH), and in relation to the patient’s medical therapy (treatment naïve patients versus those on preventive medication) we examined twelve kidney stones from ten PH I and six stones from four PH III patients. Unfortunately, no PH II stones were available for analysis. The study on this set of stones indicates a more diverse composition of PH stones than previously reported and a potential dynamic response of morphology and composition of calculi to treatment with crystallization inhibitors (citrate, magnesium) in PH I. Stones formed by PH I patients under treatment are more compact and…
Penalized linear discriminant analysis and Discrete AdaBoost to distinguish human hair metal profiles: The case of adolescents residing near Mt. Etna
2016
The research focus of the present paper was twofold. First, we tried to document that human intake of trace elements is influenced by geological factors of the place of residence. Second, we showed that the elemental composition of human hair is a useful screening tool for assessing people's exposure to potentially toxic substances. For this purpose, we used samples of human hair from adolescents and applied two robust statistical approaches. Samples from two distinct geological and environmental sites were collected: the first one was characterized by the presence of the active volcano Mt. Etna (ETNA group) and the second one lithologically made up of sedimentary rocks (SIC group). Chemica…
Metals and metalloids in hair samples of children living near the abandoned mine sites of Sulcis-Inglesiente (Sardinia, Italy)
2014
International audience; The Sulcis-Iglesiente district (SW Sardinia, Italy) is one of the oldest and most important polymetallic mining areas in Italy. Large outcrops of sulfide and oxide ores, as well as the products of the long-lasting mining activity, are present throughout the district releasing significant quantities of metals and metalloids into the surrounding environment. Here are reported concentrations of 21 elements determined in scalp hair samples from children (aged 11-13 years) living in different geochemical environments of southwestern Sardinia: Iglesias, hosting several abandoned mines, and the island of Sant׳Antioco, not affected by significant base metal mineralization ev…
Evidence for boron incorporation into the serpentine crystal structure
2011
Serpentinite mud volcanoes from the Mariana forearc comprise B-rich mantle wedge peridotites serpentinized by slab fluids. The major component of these rocks are serpentine group minerals [Mg 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 ], showing highly variable textural and geochemical features. Micro-Raman spectroscopy reveals that the serpentine minerals are well-crystallized lizardite and chrysotile. In situ SIMS spot analyses and element mapping via ToF-SIMS show that B is evenly distributed across serpentine grains, suggesting that serpentine, both lizardite and chrysotile in different textural regions, can host significant amounts of B (up to ~200 μg/g) into its crystal structure. As such structurally bound B…