scholarly journals Oxidative conditions can lead to exceptional preservation through phosphatization

Geology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1164-1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Gueriau ◽  
Sylvain Bernard ◽  
François Farges ◽  
Cristian Mocuta ◽  
Didier B. Dutheil ◽  
...  

Abstract Exceptional preservation through phosphatization is primarily controlled by a reduction in pH, favoring the precipitation of apatite over that of calcite. Laboratory experiments have suggested that phosphatization results from anoxic decay. Here we report results of the fine-scale mineralogical characterization of Cretaceous phosphatized fossils of teleost fishes and crustaceans from the Jebel oum Tkout Lagerstätte (Morocco). Data collected using complementary laboratory and synchrotron-based X-ray techniques reveal that oxidative conditions were established at a certain step of decay. Supporting these conclusions are the presence, covering and embedded in the phosphatized tissues, of Fe(III)-rich mineral phases, the precipitation of which was likely biologically induced during decay. The present study highlights that the establishment of oxidative conditions during decay can be compatible with exceptional preservation of fossils through phosphatization.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4840
Author(s):  
Fatai Arolu Ayanda ◽  
Mohd Firdaus Mohd Anuar ◽  
Syaharudin Zaibon ◽  
Shamshuddin Jusop

The physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of the constituents of magnesium-rich synthetic gypsum produced in a rare earth-refining plant located in Gebeng, Pahang, Malaysia was conducted through elemental chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX)-analyzer, thermal analysis, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. The crystalline nature of the by-product was studied using FTIR spectroscopy. Elemental analysis confirmed the presence of Ca and Mg, which are essential macronutrients required by plants and this Ca alongside the high pH (9.17) of MRSG may confer on the material a high acid neutralization capacity. From the result, it was observed that the studied by-product is a heterogeneous crystalline material comprising of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) and other major components such as calcium (magnesium) compounds (hydroxide, oxide, silicates, and carbonate) and sulfur. These aggregates may contribute to give an acid neutralization capacity to MRSG. The XRD study of MRSG indicated a high content of gypsum (45.4%), shown by the d-spacing of 7.609 Å (2-theta 11.63) in the diffractogram. The infrared absorption spectra of MRSG indicate close similarities to mined gypsum. The results of the characterization indicated that MRSG has valuable properties that can promote its use in amending soil fertility constraints on nutrient-deficient tropical acid soils.


Cerâmica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (380) ◽  
pp. 483-495
Author(s):  
V. M. J. Salgado-Campos ◽  
L. C. Bertolino ◽  
F. J. da Silva ◽  
J. C. Mendes

Abstract This study reports the mineralogical characterization of kaolin occurrences in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to identify new kaolinite and halloysite deposits. Samples were collected in 10 pegmatites with varying sizes for X-ray diffractometry, chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy studies. The results indicated that the kaolin occurrences were of weathered origin, wherein some places there were occurrences of tubular halloysite. Concerning the regolith stratigraphy, samples located in the saprock zone were found to contain kaolinite and/or halloysite contents from 0 to 10.1%, while those located in the saprolite zone contained kaolinite and/or halloysite contents from 16.3% to 34.9%. Kaolinite and/or halloysite-7Å were formed from plagioclase weathering instead of K-feldspar or mica, and the halloysite-7Å occurrence was related to samples in regions with a higher degree of weathering.


2015 ◽  
Vol 820 ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
Neila Gondim Azeredo ◽  
Euzébio Barnabé Zanelato ◽  
Jonas Alexandre ◽  
Afonso Rangel Garcez de Azevedo ◽  
Gustavo de Castro Xavier ◽  
...  

The physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of a precursor clay body before firing is of relevance for understanding the technological performance of the fired clay ceramic. In particular, structural clay ceramic blocks used in building construction need to attend standard properties specified by the norms. In the present work the precursor clay body, typically used to fabricate structural blocks in Campos dos Goytacazes, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was characterized in terms of particle size distribution, X-ray diffraction, chemical composition and Atterberg limits. In addition, the performance of structural ceramic blocks, fabricated from the extruded clay body and fired at 850oC, was evaluated. The results indicated that the ceramic mechanical strength complies with the Brazilian norm but the water absorption is higher than the maximum specified by the norm. The characteristic of the clay body contribute to justify the structural blocks performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-210
Author(s):  
Máté Karlik ◽  
◽  
Ildikó GYOLLAI ◽  
Anna VANCSIK ◽  
Krisztián FINTOR ◽  
...  

The catchment (bedrock and soil) and sediments of lake Bolătău, Romania were studied by high resolution multi-methodological investigations to characterize paleoenvironmental and formation conditions. Particle size analyses, optical and cathodoluminescence microscopy, FTIR-ATR and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and XRF were applied for microtextural, chemical, micro-mineralogical and embedded organic material characterization and distribution of the sediments, especially concerning geochemical conditions, like pH and redox potential change. Our results support physical and chemical weathering in the process of soil formation with appearance of the new minerals appear (10Å sized phyllosilicates and clay minerals). Comparison of these studies offer possible differentiation of syn- and diagenetic mineralization, the clarification of debris contribution, microbial mediation and complex mineralization via decomposition of cell and extracellular polymeric substance. Based on the analyses on the abrasives, a suboxic environment prevailed in the depositional area and considerable microbial contribution is proposed via accumulation of lake sediments.


ICAME 2011 ◽  
2012 ◽  
pp. 593-598
Author(s):  
Humberto Bustos Rodríguez ◽  
Dagoberto Oyola Lozano ◽  
Yebrayl Antonio Rojas Martínez ◽  
Marlene Rivera Pinilla ◽  
German Antonio Pérez Alcázar

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Encarnación Garcia ◽  
Pura Alfonso ◽  
Esperança Tauler

The Camarasa Dam was built in 1920 using dolomitic aggregate and Portland cement with two different compositions: type A (dolomite and Portland cement) and type B (dolomite and sand-cement). The sand cement was a finely powdered mixture of dolomite particles and clinker of Portland cement. The mineralogy of concrete was studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray powder diffraction. Reaction of dedolomitization occurred in the two types of concrete of the Camarasa Dam, as demonstrated by the occurrence of calcite, brucite, and/or absence of portlandite. In the type A concrete, calcite, brucite, and a serpentine-group mineral precipitated as a rim around the dolomite grains and in the paste. The rims, a product of the dedolomitization reaction, protected the surface of dolomite from the dissolution process. In type B concrete, in addition to dolomite and calcite, quartz and K-feldspar were present. Brucite occurred in lower amounts than in the type A concrete as fibrous crystals randomly distributed in the sand-cement paste. Although brucite content was higher in the type A concrete, type B showed more signs of loss of durability. This can be attributed to the further development of the alkali-silica reaction in this concrete type.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graciela Ponce-Antón ◽  
Maria Cruz Zuluaga ◽  
Luis Angel Ortega ◽  
Juantxo Agirre Mauleon

Mortars from the cistern in Amaiur Castle (Navarre, Spain) were analysed to assess the mortar manufacturing process and application techniques. To this end, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman microspectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed. The study of both structural and plaster mortars from Amaiur Castle cistern show patterns/rules in the mortar manufacture according to the specific construction requirements. A multilayer application technique was used for the construction of the cistern tank. Deliberate selection of the aggregate nature and grading contributed to mortar impermeability. Ceramic and silico-aluminous rock fragments were used as aggregates in the cistern tank to confer hydraulicity to the mortars, instead of carbonated aggregates as used in the vault. Aluminosilicated phases present in the aggregates led to the formation of amesite, which is a magnesium aluminosilicate hydrate (M-A-S-H) phase conferring hydraulicity to the mortar. Two types of additives were identified in the outer pigmented layer of plaster. Beeswax was the identified organic additive used to improve the impermeability of mortar, while hematite was the identified inorganic additive giving rise to the reddish colour of the layer.


2015 ◽  
Vol 820 ◽  
pp. 56-59
Author(s):  
F.K.A. Sousa ◽  
I.A. Silva ◽  
W.S. Cavalcanti ◽  
Gelmires Araújo Neves ◽  
Heber Carlos Ferreira

Used in various branches of the industry, bentonitic clays are considered a valuable mineral, used specially in the petroleum industry for manufacturing of fluids used the drilling of petroleum wells in long depth. Recently, a deposit of this valuable mineral was discovered in the town of Olivedos-PB. There are data that prove that this is a very poor and underdeveloped town. So, this work aims at the physico-mineralogical characterization of clays recently discovered and, this way, verify if they present similar characteristics which allow them to replace the clays from Boa Vista-PB, and if they can be used by the industry, thus bringing social development for that town. The characterization was made by means of the analysis of chemical composition by X-ray fluorescence (EDX), thermogravimetric and thermal differential analyses (TG and DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cation-exchange capacity (CEC) and specific area (SA). The results show that the clays recently discovered in Olivedos-PB are polycationic clays, presenting MgO, CaO and K2O content, and that they are constituted by smectitic clay mineral, by quartz and kaolinite.


1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J. McCarthy ◽  
Lindsay P. Keller ◽  
Paul J. Schields ◽  
Mark P. Elless ◽  
Keven C. Galbreath

Mining Revue ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 78-82
Author(s):  
Nurudeen Salahudeen ◽  
Aminat Oluwafisayo Abodunrin

Abstract Local clay mineral was mined from Okpella Town, Etsako Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Mineralogical characterization of the clay was carried out using X-ray diffraction analyzer. Chemical characterization of the clay was carried out using X-ray fluorescence analyzer and the pH analysis of the clay was carried out using pH meter. The mineralogical analysis revealed that the clay was majorly a dolomite mineral having 72% dolomite. The impurities present are 18% cristobalite, 4.1% garnet, 5% calcite and 1% quicklime. The pH analysis of the clay revealed that the clay was acidic having average pH value of 3.9. The pH determined for the 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8 and 1:10 samples were 3.61, 3.85, 3.85, 4.05 and 4.09, respectively.


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