Search results for "engineering.material"
showing 10 items of 2352 documents
Carbonate deposition and diagenesis in evaporitic environments: The evaporative and sulphur-bearing limestones during the settlement of the Messinian…
2015
The depositional and diagenetic processes involved in the formation of carbonates in the evaporitic environment of the Messinian Salinity Crisis are investigated in Southern Italy (Sicily and Calabria). Strong differences are observed between the studied sections that reflect specific depositional and diagenetic evolution in the interconnected sub-basins resulting from the syn-sedimentary tectonic fragmentation of the Central Sicilian and Calabrian domains. These carbonates formed diachronously in restricted perched sub-basins between the Tripoli Formation and the hypersaline settings of the MSC. The Calcare di Base (CdB) that can be interbedded with gypsum layers occurs rhythmically at the…
Microbial-mediated pre-salt carbonate deposition during the Messinian salinity crisis (Calcare di Base fm., Southern Italy)
2017
Abstract A multi-scale analysis of sedimentary carbonate facies and post-sedimentary diagenetic features of the Calcare di Base Formation, the precursor to evaporites in Upper Messinian successions of Northern Calabria and Central Sicily, has revealed their microbial bio-mediated origin. Massive to laminated microbial boundstones represent the most common sedimentary facies forming flat to low relief cm to m scale stromatolitic and thrombolitic bodies. The fabric of the micrite varies from peloidal to aphanitic, and almost always preserves filamentous bacteria which characterized the original microbial mat. The mat was dominated by sulphur-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the Thiotrichaceae,…
‘Not All That Is White Is Lime’-White Substances from Archaeological Burial Contexts: Analyses and Interpretations
2019
Archaeological burial contexts may include a variety of white substances, but few analyses have been published. This study reports on the physico‐chemical characterization of such residues from seven archaeological sites. It is often assumed that white materials from burial contexts are lime. Our findings demonstrate that they can be gypsum, calcite (chalk), aragonite, brushite, degraded metal, natural (gum) resins or synthetic polymer–based products. These may be present as the result of diagenetic processes, funerary practices or modern contamination. This paper provides an analytical approach for the holistic investigation of white materials encountered in burial contexts.
Molluscan Shell Proteins: Primary Structure, Origin, and Evolution
2007
In the last few years, the field of molluscan biomineralization has known a tremendous mutation, regarding fundamental concepts on biomineralization regulation as well as regarding the methods of investigation. The most recent advances deal more particularly with the structure of shell biominerals at nanoscale and the identification of an increasing number of shell matrix protein components. Although the matrix is quantitatively a minor constituent in the shell of mollusks (less than 5% w/w), it is, however, the major component that controls different aspects of the shell formation processes: synthesis of transient amorphous minerals and evolution to crystalline phases, choice of the calciu…
Accurate trace element analysis of speleothems and biogenic calcium carbonates by LA-ICP-MS
2012
The high spatial resolution of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) microanalysis of speleothems and biogenic calcium carbonates makes it possible to improve our understanding of past climatic conditions. However, there are analytical problems associated with this method, such as molecular interferences, elemental fractionation, and mass-load-dependent matrix effects, when using NIST silicate reference glasses for calibration. Our study with a sector-field ICP-MS shows that many masses are affected by interferences, such as 24Mg+ by 48Ca++ or 31P+ by 15N16O+. Elemental fractionation and mass-load-dependent matrix effects have been detected for both 213 and…
Molluscan shell proteins
2004
Abstract The shell secreted by molluscs is one of the most remarkable examples of a matrix-mediated mineralisation performed outside living tissues. The calcifying matrix is a mixture of proteins, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides that precisely self-assemble and control the CaCO 3 polymorph (calcite, aragonite), the size, the shapes of the crystallites, and finally, the texture of the shell. In spite of several biochemical studies, the molecular aspects of the shell building are far from being understood. The present article makes an overview of the most recent molecular data on the proteinaceous components of the shell matrix. These data put into question the classical models of mollusca…
Structural Behavior of Natural Silicate–Carbonate Spurrite Mineral, Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3), under High-Pressure, High-Temperature Conditions
2017
We report on high-pressure and high-temperature angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction and high-pressure Raman data up to 27 GPa and 700 K for natural silicate carbonate Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3) spurrite mineral. No phase transition was found in the studied P–T range. The room-temperature bulk modulus of spurrite using Ne as the pressure-transmitting medium is B0 = 77(1) GPa with a first-pressure derivative of B0′ = 5.9(2). The structure compression is highly anisotropic, the b axis being approximately 30% more compressible than the a and c axes. The volumetric thermal expansivity value around 8 GPa was estimated to be 4.1(3) × 10–5 K–1. A comparison with intimately related minerals CaCO3 ca…
Clumped isotope analysis of carbonates: comparison of two different acid digestion techniques
2013
RATIONALE The kinetic nature of the phosphoric acid digestion reaction enables clumped isotope analysis of carbonates using gas source isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). In most laboratories acid digestions are performed at 25°C in sealed vessels or at 90°C in a common acid bath. Here we show that different Δ47 results are obtained depending on the digestion technique employed. METHODS Several replicates of a biogenic aragonite and NBS 19 were reacted with 104% H3PO4 in sealed vessels at 25°C and at 90°C using a common acid bath. The sample size varied between 4 mg and 14 mg. Purification methods that are standard for clumped isotope analyses were applied to the evolved CO2 before meas…
Bulk composition of northern African dust and its source sediments — A compilation
2013
Abstract This paper presents a review of bulk compositional data of northern African dust and its potential source sediments and includes elemental, isotope and mineralogical data. Northern African dust represents about one half of the total global atmospheric mineral dust burden, and its uplift, transport and deposition have strong impacts on climate and various terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The chemical data set shows, that an ‘average northern African dust’ exhibits comparable Si, Fe and Mn contents with respect to the average composition of the upper continental crust, is slightly depleted in the alkali metals K and Na, and enriched in Ti and P. However, the complete data set yield…
Clumped isotope thermometry of carbonate-bearing apatite: Revised sample pre-treatment, acid digestion, and temperature calibration
2016
Abstract It has recently been shown that the clumped isotopic composition (Δ47) of carbonate-bearing hydroxyapatite (CHAP) from teeth and bones reveals important information about the body temperature of vertebrates (Eagle et al., 2010, 2011). In this study we reinvestigate the temperature dependence of Δ47 in CHAP, extending the temperature range from 2 to 59 °C. In addition, the effects of chemical pre-treatment of CHAP on its bulk and clumped isotopic composition are studied. CHAP is best reacted with phosphoric acid at 90 to 110 °C minimizing the potential of evolved CO2 or reaction intermediates to re-equilibrate with traces of water in the acid environment. Reaction at 110 °C ensures …