scholarly journals Mineralogical Study and Genetic Model of Efflorescent Salts and Crusts from Two Abandoned Tailings in the Taxco Mining District, Guerrero (Mexico)

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 871
Author(s):  
Teresa Pi-Puig ◽  
Jesús Solé ◽  
Adriana Gómez Cruz

The mineralogy of surface crusts and efflorescent salts of two old abandoned tailings (Xochula and Remedios) of the mining district of Taxco, Guerrero, was studied by short-wave infrared spectroscopy (SWIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemistry of the selected samples was studied with induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Principal mineralogy is composed of hydrated sulfates of iron (di-trivalent), other less-soluble sulfates such as gypsum and jarosite, and oxides–hydroxides of iron, all of which are the result of the weathering of sulfides (mainly pyrite) accumulated in mining waste. Using quantitative X-ray diffraction (Rietveld method) and the spatial distribution of secondary minerals, two main zones (lateral and central) have been established in both tailings. The genetic model for their formation shows that the secondary iron minerals (sulfates, oxides, and hydroxides) in these deposits have been formed at least in three different stages, mainly by oxidation, dissolution, and precipitation processes in combination with dehydration and primary sulfides neutralization reactions. The chemical analyses of some salts confirm the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in their structure and therefore indicate that the dissolution of the efflorescences in these deposits is a potential source of contamination during the wet season.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 108-121
Author(s):  
Ozge Ozer Atakoglu ◽  
Mustafa Gurhan Yalcin

Purpose.The purpose is to determine geological and geochemical characteristics of the Sutlegen (Antalya, Turkey) bauxites, to identify the elements that played a major role in their formation. Methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineral phase analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis, plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the petrographic and mineralogical analyses, and multivariate statistical methods were used. Findings. The major element content of the ore was determined as Al2O3 (60-35.2 wt%), SiO2 (39.5-0.2 wt%), Fe2O3 (48.4-19.5 wt%), TiO2 (36.9-16 wt%), and P2O5 (0.5-0.1 wt%). The Sutlegen region, which shows epirogenetic action with the uplift of the earth's crust, is generally rich in neritic carbonates. It was revealed that the bauxite ores have undergone moderate and strong laterization as a result of the deferruginization in the environment, and they were classified into four groups as lateritic, ferritic, kaolinitic, and bauxite. The increase in the aluminosilicate minerals, which were formed during the formation of bauxite in the environment was found to be directly proportional to the laterization processes. In this context, it was considered that the lateritic material that was firstly formed in the environment filled the cavities and pores of the karst-type limestones and sedimentary units in the region by superficial transfer phenomena. The bivariate diagrams of Log Cr vs. Log Ni revealed that the bauxite that formed in the region had an ultrabasic source. Originality. In literature, no scientific studies have been found on bauxite mineralization in the Sutlegen deposits that have been operated for a long period. Practical implications. In this context, the geochemical characteristics of bauxites revealed that the source of the laterization process in the region was the ultrabasic igneous rocks. The lateritic material moved by superficial transfer was accumulated on sandstone, claystone, siltstone, and limestone and in karstic cavities; then, it formed karstic bauxite (kaolinitic and bauxite) of different classifications due to the effect of metamorphism.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 766
Author(s):  
Uxue Sanchez-Garmendia ◽  
Javier G. Iñañez ◽  
Gorka Arana

Ancient ceramics recovered after a long burial period have probably undergone several alterations and contaminations, introducing a chemical variability, affecting the ceramic’s natural variability. That is, the chemical and the mineralogical compositions of the ceramic pastes after their deposition will not be the same as they originally were. Therefore, it is known that the alteration and contamination processes, and the discrimination of some elements, should be considered when studying the ceramics to avoid incorrect interpretations about their provenance, technology and the use of the artefact, as well as its proper preservation. In the present work, the authors performed an experimental approach in order to study the alterations and contaminations that occurred in 60 ceramic cylinders buried in two different underwater environments. Once the pieces were taken out from the water environments, they were characterized by a multi-analytical approach. For this purpose, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS) and Raman spectroscopy were used. Newly formed minerals of different forms have been identified, with different crystallization grades. Some examples are the needles, flakes, sponges and long and short prisms composed of several elements such as Ca, F, S and O.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kupczak ◽  
Rafał Warchulski ◽  
Mateusz Dulski ◽  
Dorota Środek

Slags from the historic metallurgy of Zn-Pb ores are known for unique chemical and phase compositions. The oxides, silicates, aluminosilicates, and amorphous phases present therein often contain in the structure elements that are rare in natural conditions, such as Zn, Pb, As. The study focuses on processes occurring on the contact of the melted batch and the refractory materials that build the furnace, which lead to the formation of these phases. To describe them, chemical (X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)) and petrological ((X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron probe micro-analyses (EPMA), Raman spectroscopy) analyses were performed on refractory material, slag, and contact of both. Two main types of reactions have been distinguished: gas/fluid- refractories and liquid- refractories. The first of them enrich the refractories with elements that migrate with the gas (Pb, K, Na, As, Zn) and transport the components building it (Fe, Mg, Ca) inward. Reactions between melted batch and refractory materials through gravitational differentiation and the melting of refractories lead to the formation of an aluminosilicate liquid with a high content of heavy elements. Cooling of this melt causes crystallization of minerals characteristic for slag, but with a modified composition, such as Fe-rich pyroxenes, Pb-rich K-feldspar, or PbO-As2O3-SiO2 glass.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Finch ◽  
J. G. Fletcher ◽  
A. Kindness ◽  
J. M. S. Skakle

High-quality powder X-ray diffraction data for a well-characterised natural sample of natrolite (Na2Al2Si3O10.2H2O, space group Fdd2, Z = 8) are presented. Refined cell parameters were a = 18.2984±0.0007 Å, b = 18.6502±0.0008 Å, and c = 6.5589±0.0003 Å. The sample was characterised using thermogravimetric techniques (to determine water content), EPMA and ICP-MS (to determine composition). Available data suggest that the crystal matches the expected stoichiometry of natrolite. Our powder data show close similarity with the proposed structure of natrolite using the Rietveld method, giving R values of 8.54%, and suggest that preferred orientation is not present in the sample.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-562
Author(s):  
Anatoly V. Kasatkin ◽  
Fabrizio Nestola ◽  
Radek Škoda ◽  
Nikita V. Chukanov ◽  
Atali A. Agakhanov ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Hingganite-(Nd), ideally Nd2□Be2Si2O8(OH)2, is a new gadolinite group, gadolinite supergroup mineral discovered at Zagi Mountain, near Kafoor Dheri, about 4 km S of Warsak and 30 km NW of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. The new mineral forms zones measuring up to 1 × 1 mm2 in loose prismatic crystals up to 0.7 cm long, where it is intergrown with hingganite-(Y). Other associated minerals include aegirine, microcline, fergusonite-(Y), and zircon. Hingganite-(Nd) is dark greenish-brown, transparent, has vitreous luster and a white streak. It is brittle and has a conchoidal fracture. No cleavage or parting are observed. Mohs hardness is 5½–6. Dcalc. = 4.690 g/cm3. Hingganite-(Nd) is non-pleochroic, optically biaxial (+), α = 1.746(5), β = 1.766(5), γ = 1.792(6) (589 nm). 2Vmeas. = 80(7)°; 2Vcalc. = 84°. Dispersion of optical axes was not observed. The average chemical composition of hingganite-(Nd) is as follows (wt.%; electron microprobe, BeO, B2O3, and Lu2O3 content measured by LA-ICP-MS; H2O calculated by stoichiometry): BeO 9.64, CaO 0.45, MnO 0.10, FeO 3.03, B2O3 0.42, Y2O3 8.75, La2O3 1.63, Ce2O3 12.89, Pr2O3 3.09, Nd2O3 16.90, Sm2O3 5.97, Eu2O3 1.08, Gd2O3 5.15, Tb2O3 0.50, Dy2O3 2.50, Ho2O3 0.33, Er2O3 0.84, Tm2O3 0.10, Yb2O3 0.44, Lu2O3 0.04, ThO2 0.13, SiO2 23.55, H2O 2.72, total 100.25. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 2 Si apfu is (Nd0.513Ce0.401Y0.395Sm0.175Gd0.145Pr0.096Dy0.068La0.051Ca0.041Eu0.031Er0.022Tb0.014Yb0.011Ho0.009Tm0.003Th0.003Lu0.001)Σ1.979(□0.778Fe2+0.215Mn0.007)Σ1.000(Be1.967B0.062)Σ2.029Si2O8.46(OH)1.54. Hingganite-(Nd) is monoclinic, space group P21/c with a = 4.77193(15), b = 7.6422(2), c = 9.9299(2) Å, β = 89.851(2)°, V = 362.123(14) Å3, and Z = 2. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 6.105 (95) (011), 4.959 (56) (002), 4.773 (100) (100), 3.462 (58) (102), 3.122 , 3.028 (61) (013), 2.864 (87) (121), 2.573 (89) (113). The crystal structure of hingganite-(Nd) was refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R = 0.034 for 2007 unique reflections with I > 2σ(I). The new mineral is named as an analogue of hingganite-(Y), hingganite-(Yb), and hingganite-(Ce), but with Nd dominant among the rare earth elements.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mariana M. V. M. Souza ◽  
Alex Maza ◽  
Pablo V. Tuza

In the present work, LaNi0.5Ti0.45Co0.05O3, LaNi0.45Co0.05Ti0.5O3, and LaNi0.5Ti0.5O3 perovskites were synthesized by the modified Pechini method. These materials were characterized using X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction coupled to the Rietveld method. The crystal structure of these materials is orthorhombic, with space group Pbnm (No 62). The unit-cell parameters are a = 5.535(5) Å, b = 5.527(3) Å, c = 7.819(7) Å, V = 239.2(3) Å3, for the LaNi0.5Ti0.45Co0.05O3, a = 5.538(6) Å, b = 5.528(4) Å, c = 7.825(10) Å, V = 239.5(4) Å3, for the LaNi0.45Co0.05Ti0.5O3, and a = 5.540(2) Å, b = 5.5334(15) Å, c = 7.834(3) Å, V = 240.2(1) Å3, for the LaNi0.5Ti0.5O3.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1788-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olushola S. Ayanda ◽  
Olalekan S. Fatoki ◽  
Folahan A. Adekola ◽  
Bhekumusa J. Ximba

In this study, fly ash was obtained from Matla power station and the physicochemical properties investigated. The fly ash was characterized by x-ray fluorescence, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Surface area, particle size, ash and carbon contents, pH, and point of zero charge were also measured. The results showed that the fly ash is alkaline and consists mainly of mullite (Al6Si2O13) and quartz (SiO2). Highly toxic metals As, Sb, Cd, Cr, and Pb as well as metals that are essential to health in trace amounts were also present. The storage and disposal of coal fly ash can thus lead to the release of leached metals into soils, surface and ground waters, find way into the ecological systems and then cause harmful effect to man and its environments.


2018 ◽  
Vol 280 ◽  
pp. 58-64
Author(s):  
Tinesha Selvaraj ◽  
Johar Banjuraizah ◽  
S.F. Khor ◽  
M.N. Mohd Zainol

A facile strategy was proposed to incorporate the dopant Fe into 8YSZ-based material, which can be potentially applied as solid electrode materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). In this study, 8YSZ powder was investigated in terms of densification, conductivity and thecrystal structure as a solid electrolytes. Therefore, varying mol% of Fe included 1, 2, and 3 were prepared for investigation. The crystalline structure of the pristine and Fe doped samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the phase contents were evaluated by using the Rietveld method. Rietveld quantitative phase analysis demonstrates that the monoclinic-ZrO2phase increases (12.8 wt% to 39.7 wt%) as the concentration of Fe increases, while the amount of tetragonal-ZrO2phase drop (40.4 wt% to 11.9 wt%) dramatically. Sintering activity was applied to improve incorporation of the 8YSZ powder and the dopant Fe where the relative density increases from 77% to 92%. Sample YSZ-2Fe has been fitted with CPE equivalent circuit and achieved 6.251 x 10-6S/cm at 300 °C in air. However, it was found that conductivity levels decreased as the mol% of Fe increased. In short, sample YSZ-2Fe ceramic demonstrated good results in terms of densification (92.09%), cubic ZrO2phase (22 wt%) and conductivity 6.251 x 10-6S/cm.


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