Removal of lead from aqueous solutions using three biosorbents of aquatic origin with the emphasis on the affective factors

The biosorptive potentials of three aquatics-based biosorbents, including shells of a bivalve mollusk and scales of two fish species for Pb removal from aqueous solutions were evaluated, for the first time. A Box–Behnken design with the response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of the seven important variables (contact time, temperature, initial concentration, dosage, size, salinity and pH) on the sorption capacity of the sorbents. Among the seven studied factors, the effects of biosorbent dosage, initial concentration and pH were significant for all the response variables, while biosorbent size was not significant for any of the responses. The initial concentration was the most influential factor. The presence of Pb ions on the surfaces of the biosorbents after the adsorption was clearly confirmed by the SEM–EDX and XRF analyses. The maximum sorption capacities of the biosorbents were comparable to the literature and the descending order was as follows: scales of Rutilus kutum and Oncorhynchus mykiss and the shells of Cerastoderma glaucum. The isotherm studies revealed Langmuir model applicability for the Pb adsorption by R. kutum and O. mykiss scales, while Freundlich model was fitted to the adsorption C. glaucum shells.

Synthesis and Characterization of Industrial Casting Sand Based Silica Aerogel

In this study, a commercial foundry sand (Seydisehir Eti Aluminium Co. Inc.) was provided as the starting material. Using this supplied casting sand, silica aerogel production was carried out by sol-gel method. Starting materials chemical components were determined by doing XRD and XRF analyses to starting industrial casting sand respectively. After analysing studies, sodium silicate solution was produced from commercial casting sand. During silica aerogel synthesize, 5 different pH degree was investigated including 2-4-6-8 and 9. Silica aerogel modification (Super hydrophobic) was made by choosing the optimum pH value. Afer then, on the synthesized experiment sample, FT-IR, BET, SEM and contact angle characterization studies were realised respectively. As a result of preliminary experiments done with different pH experiments, sample with the lowest density was determined as pH 8 value. Keywords: Casting sand, Sol-gel, Silica aerogel

Scientific Analysis and Conservation Treatment on the Buddhist Scriptures of Paper Relics Excavated from Sum Tolgoi, Mongolia

This study analyzed the composition and structure of materials with Buddhist paper scriptures excavated from architectural sites in ‘Sum Tolgoi’ of the 17th century and carried out conservation treatment base on the result of the analysis. The scriptures were covered in dust and foreign sub stances, and were so crumpled that it was impossib le to identify the form. The damage, loss, and discoloration have been identified. Buddhist scriptures written in Tibetan used indigo and ink sticks on paper as a result of UV-Vis analysis, and ink sticks as black character materials from scriptures written ancient Mongolian. SEM-EDS and Micro-XRF analyses revealed that the outlines were drawn with red lines using a mix of Minium (Pb3O4) and Cinnabar (HgS), or Cinnabar (HgS) alone, and the contents of the scriptures were written with silver paint. Silver chloride (AgCl) and Calcium (Ca) were identified in the silver paint component of the characters, while Calcium and Orpiment (As2S3) were identified in the yellow lines. Concerning the paper ground, Buddhist scriptures written in ancient Mongolian were characterized by herbal plant fiber and bast fiber, and those written in Tibetan, by bast fiber. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the paper for the scriptures was produced b etween the 15th and 17th centuries. Conservation treatment of the scriptures was carried out based on the experiment on the production of pre-coated paper and how to coat that to prevent the second damage due to the deformation and fragility of the excavated paper. The scriptures were preserved and mounted, and a neutral box was made to identify the contents of the scriptures recorded on both sides after the treatment. This conservation treatment is the result of a study that applied new conservation treatment materials and methods according to the principle of conservation treatment reversibility.

A possible source of raw material for ceramics from the area of the towns Yambol and Elhovo – preliminary results

The application of geological methods of investigation to archeological objects gives the necessary information about the source of materials (rocks, clays, etc.) for preparation of different tools during the Prehistoric time. Using XRF analyses of clays from natural outcrops along the valley of the Tundzha River and of ceramic vessels from the area of the towns of Yambol and Elhovo we found out that these vessels were prepared from clays from this region.

Heavy Metal Bioremediation by Novel Microbial Strains Proteus Mirabilis and Bordetella Avium

The entitled study focuses on exploring the microbial diversity and its applicability in the remediation of metal contaminated soil using microbes which is a reliable, and cost effective technique. Present investigation studied microbiota present in tungsten enriched soil of kuhi-Agargaon-Khobna region using culturable approach confirmed by ICP-MS and SEM-EDS analysis. Furthur applicability in Bioremediation and Azo Dye degradation was studied. XRF analyses of soil samples were performed followed by traditional microbiological analysis for isolation of tungsten tolerant bacteria’s. Tungsten accumulation was confirmed using ICP-MS and SEM-EDS techniques. Different metals and azo dye tolerance studies were conducted. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed the antibiotic resistance profile of these microbes. XRF analyses of soil samples from these regions measured about 300 ppm tungsten/kg of soil at the Agargaon region and 200 ppm tungsten/kg of soil at the Khobna region. The traditional microbiological analysis resulted in two bacterial isolates which were identified for tolerance to tungsten named as Proteus mirabilis strain RS2K and Bordetella avium strain RS3K through 16S rDNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. These microbes were found to accumulate tungsten intracellularly as confirmed through ICP-MS and SEM-EDS analyses. In addition to (sodium) tungsten, the microbes were tolerant to tungstic acid, ammonium metaparatungstate, mercuric chloride, cobalt chloride and azo dyes .Microbes exhibited well-equipped cellular mechanisms for metal tolerance to survive in heavy metal-laden ecology. The novel strains obtained through a culturable approach in this study contain substantial potential in bioleaching of heavy metals and green mining.

MAGNETIC AND GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATIONS OF IRONSAND DEPOSITS FROM CIREBON COASTAL AREA, WEST JAVA

Cirebon is a densely populated port city which has ironsand deposits at its coastal area. Due to its vicinity to the port and the estuary, these deposits might contain anthropogenic pollutants including, heavy metals. Magnetic measurements, X-Ray diffraction (XRD) as well as X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses were carried out on iron sand samples from three sites along the Cirebon coastal area to identify the anthropogenic pollutants. The samples were separated based on the grain size before the measurement and analyses. Preliminary results show that the ironsand is less magnetic and has smaller frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility values than ironsand found on Bayuran Beach in Central Java. Combined XRD result and the regional geological map shows that most of the minerals were originated from eroded volcanic rocks. The XRF results show that the samples have a relatively high content of Si. XRF analyses also show relatively high concentrations of Cr and Zn, the Geoaccumulation Index shows that the sediment is moderately to heavily polluted by Cr and Zn indicating the possibility of anthropogenic origin. The Cr and Zn content exceeds the stipulated value in the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGS).

Fabrication of Silica (SiO2) Foam from Rice Husk Ash (RHA): Effects of Solid Loadings

Silica (SiO2) foams have been widely applied in numerous fields, mainly filters and catalysts supports, due to their characteristics of high permeability, high porosity and specific surface area. In this study, foams of SiO2 from rice husk ash (RHA) was fabricated via polymeric sponge replication method. Polymeric foam initially was used as template and dipped into SiO2 slurry followed by drying and sintering to yield the replica of the original polymeric foam. Different solid loadings of SiO2 as-derived from RHA (20 to 35 wt. %) slurry and sintering temperature of 1150 °C were applied. Phase identification and chemical composition of the green and sintered foams were conducted using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Morphological observations were performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Density and porosity of the SiO2 foams were characterized using Archimedes method. Compressive strengths of the foams were determined as per ASTM C773-88 (1999). XRD analyses confirmed that the SiO2 as derived from the RHA were of tridymite and cristobalite phases with as high as 93% purity, as confirmed by XRF analyses. The density of SiO2 foams fabricated was in the range of 0.614 to 0.989 g/cm3, whereas the porosity values was in the range of 70% to 82%%. Compressive strengths were found to increase from 0.05 to 0.30 MPa respectively, proportionate with the increased SiO2 solid loading. Excellent properties of the SiO2 foams definitely signifies that the polymeric replication method is indeed a promising technique for SiO2 as derived from RHA foam fabrication.

Two different basalt provinces (MORB vs. WPB) in the evaporitic Permian Haselgebirge Formation (Eastern Alps, Austria) and possible tectonic implications

<p>The evaporitic Haselgebirge Formation hosts in many places small occurrences of basaltic rocks. The geochemistry of these basalts can potentially provide information about the tectonic setting of the Haselgebirge Formation and the evolution of the Meliata ocean, respectively. We present here 70 new XRF analyses of these basaltic rocks from various localities (Pfennigwiese, Annaberg, Wienern, Hallstatt, Moosegg, Lammertal) and compare the results with previous data from local studies (GRUBER et al., 1991; KIRCHNER 1979; KIRCHNER 1980a; KIRCHNER 1980b; KRALIK et al, 1984; LEITNER et al., 2017; SCHORN et al., 2013; ZIEGLER, 2014; ZIRKL, 1957). Based on the concentrations of immobile trace elements (Zr, Nb, Y, Ti), a predominance of MORB-like compositions is observed for the Lower Austrian occurrences and for the locality Wienern (Grundlsee). On contrast, basalts from the localities Lammertal, Moosegg and Hallstatt have predominantly within-plate-type compositions.</p><p>We discuss this striking regional (east-west) difference of basalt types in terms of existing palinspastic models for the Haselgebirge formation (LEITNER et al., 2017; STAMPFLI & BOREL, 2002; McCANN et al., 2006).</p><p> </p><p>GRUBER, P., FAUPL, P., KOLLER, F. (1991) Mitt. Österr. Miner. Ges., 84, 77-100.</p><p>KIRCHNER, E. (1979) Tschermaks Min. Petr. Mitt. 26, 149-162.</p><p>KIRCHNER, E. (1980a) Mitt. Österr. Miner. Ges.71/72, 385-396.</p><p>KIRCHNER, E. (1980b) Verh. Geol. Bundesanstalt 1980, 249-279.</p><p>KRALIK, M., KOLLER, F., POBER, E. (1984) Mitt. Österr. Miner. Ges., 77, 37-55.</p><p>LEITNER, C., WIESMAIER, S., KÖSTER, M.H., GILG, H.A, FINGER, F, NEUBAUER, F. (2017) GSA Bulletin 129, 1537-1553.</p><p>McCANN, T., PASCAL, C., TIMMERMAN, M.J., KRZYWIEC, P., LÓPEZ-GÓMEZ, J., WETZEL, L., KRAWCZYK, C.M., RIEKE, H., LAMARCH, J. (2006) Mem. Geol. Soc. London, 32, 355-388.</p><p>SCHORN A, NEUBAUER F, GENSER J, BERNROIDER M (2013) Tectonophysics 583, 28-48.</p><p>STAMPFLI G.M., BOREL G.D. (2002) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 196, 17-33.</p><p>ZIEGLER, T. (2014) Unpubl. MSc thesis University of Salzburg, p. 174.</p><p>ZIRKL, E.J. (1957) Jb. Geol. Bundesanstalt 100, 10-137-177.</p>

Obsidian from the Site of Piano dei Cardoni, Ustica (Palermo, Italy): Preliminary Results on the First Occupation of the Island

New investigations on Ustica (Palermo, Sicily) originated from the need to improve our knowledge of the island’s archaeological and environmental heritage. Through field surveys, particular attention was paid to human occupation in the Neolithic phases and focused on the less investigated southern side of the island. The systematic survey of the area of Piano dei Cardoni in 2018 brought to light a new Middle/Late Neolithic site, already partially documented in the literature. The island was settled for the first time during these phases, as also testified from the area of Punta Spalmatore. The presence of Serra d’Alto, incised dark burnished, and Diana styles suggests that the site and the archaeological assemblage dates from the mid to late 5th millennium BC, as confirmed by AMS dating. In addition to pottery, obsidian artifacts were also recovered, and a preliminary study of these materials is presented here. Portable XRF analyses on a sample of 41 obsidian artifacts, representing a high percentage of the lithic assemblage compared to chert tools, show that the provenance of the raw material is Gabellotto Gorge (Lipari) and Balata dei Turchi (Pantelleria). These results provide new insight into broader regional debates about obsidian technology and its exchange during the Neolithic and open an important consideration for sites that are far from the raw material sources.