Site Of Deposition Research Articles

Decreased transport of nano- and micro-plastics in the presence of low-molecular-weight organic acids in saturated quartz sand

Low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) and nano- and micro-plastics (NPs and MPs) are both widely distributed in terrestrial systems. To better understand the influence of LMWOAs on the transport of NPs and MPs, the effects of 0.5 mM citric- (CA), malic- (MA), and tartaric- (TA) acid on the transport of nano- (0.51 μm, PS NPs) and micro- (1.1 μm, PS MPs) polystyrene particles (2 mg L−1) in saturated quartz sand were investigated. All three LMWOAs decreased the transport of PS NPs and MPs, regardless of ionic composition or strength (0.1–10 mM NaCl and 0.1–1 mM CaCl2). Further investigation revealed that the interfacial interactions between PS-quartz sand surfaces and PS-PS were altered by LMWOAs. LMWOAs adsorbed to quartz sand surfaces could serve as new deposition sites, as evidenced by the decreased transport of PS NPs and MPs in quartz sand that was subjected to pre-equilibration with selected MA, the low inhibition of PS transport with low concentrations of LMWOAs (0.1 mM), and also the adsorption of LMWOAs onto quartz sand surfaces by batch experiments. Meanwhile, the adsorption of LMWOAs on PS, hydrodynamic measurement and visual TEM observation together clarified the slight aggregation of PS NPs and MPs in suspensions, inducing the subsequent decrease in transport. Among them, the adsorption of LMWOAs onto quartz sand surfaces was found to be the main factor dominating the decreased transport of both PS NPs and MPs in saturated quartz sand.

Using seismic petrophysical modeling and prestack simultaneous inversion to provide insights into the physical properties of uranium-bearing reservoirs: Implications for favorable sites of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits

Seismic prospecting has been accepted as one of the most widely available methods for exploring sandstone-hosted uranium deposits (SUDs). However, conventional seismic interpretation faces a challenge in the identification and characterization of a uranium reservoir’s complexity. How to characterize in detail a uranium reservoir’s physical complexity and effectively improve uranium reservoir prediction accuracy remain unresolved problems. To address this, we develop a novel combination of petrophysical modeling and prestack simultaneous inversion to understand in detail the physical properties of uranium-bearing reservoirs and efficiently predict favorable SUD sites. First, we develop a workflow of rock-physics modeling for SUD logs using the Xu-White method to calculate the modulus of elasticity of the grain matrix; subsequently, we extend the Walton model for the modulus prediction of the dry rocks and the Gassmann equation for one of the saturated rocks after a massive calculation test; and then, we predict the S-wave data used for the following inversion. Second, we execute a prestack simultaneous inversion to obtain the petrophysical parameters (e.g., P-impedance, density [[Formula: see text]], shear modulus [[Formula: see text]], Lamé coefficient [[Formula: see text]], and Young’s modulus) that can provide insights into the physical properties of a uranium metallogenic environment. Accordingly, we discover that sites bearing uranium mineralization strongly correspond to areas with low elastic-parameter values (especially [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]), whereas nonuranium anomalies occur in high-value sites. This indicates that weakened elastic characteristics are caused by the enhancement of the total organic content and total clay mineral volumes of the uranium-bearing layers. In summary, the developed combination approach can yield an effective and accurate characterization of the geologic properties of uranium-bearing formations, and it can provide prediction factors (e.g., parameters related to the shear modulus) for uranium mineralization.

Interfacial Engineering of Zn Metal via a Localized Conjugated Layer for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc Ion Battery.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are regarded as promising and efficient energy storage systems owing to remarkable safety and satisfactory capacity. Nevertheless, the instability of zinc metal anodes, characterized by issues such as dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions, poses a significant barrier to widespread applications. Herein, we address this challenge by designing a localized conjugated structure comprising a cyclic polyacrylonitrile polymer (CPANZ), induced by a Zn2+-based Lewis acid (zinc trifluoromethylsulfonate) at a temperature of 120 °C. The CPANZ layer on the Zn anode, enriched with appropriate pyridine nitrogen-rich groups (conjugated cyclic -C=N-), exhibits a notable affinity for Zn2+ with ample deposition sites. This zincophilic skeleton not only serves as a protective layer to guide the deposition of Zn2+ but also functions as proton channel blocker, regulating the proton flux to mitigate the hydrogen evolution. Additionally, the strong adhesion strength of the CPANZ layer guarantees its sustained protection to the Zn metal during long-term cycling. As a result, the modified zinc electrode demonstrates long cycle life and high durability in both half-cell and pouch cells. These findings present a feasible approach to designing high performance aqueous anodes by introducing a localized conjugated layer.

Interfacial Engineering of Zn Metal via a Localized Conjugated Layer for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc Ion Battery

AbstractAqueous zinc‐ion batteries are regarded as promising and efficient energy storage systems owing to remarkable safety and satisfactory capacity. Nevertheless, the instability of zinc metal anodes, characterized by issues such as dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions, poses a significant barrier to widespread applications. Herein, we address this challenge by designing a localized conjugated structure comprising a cyclic polyacrylonitrile polymer (CPANZ), induced by a Zn2+‐based Lewis acid (zinc trifluoromethylsulfonate) at a temperature of 120 °C. The CPANZ layer on the Zn anode, enriched with appropriate pyridine nitrogen‐rich groups (conjugated cyclic −C=N−), exhibits a notable affinity for Zn2+ with ample deposition sites. This zincophilic skeleton not only serves as a protective layer to guide the deposition of Zn2+ but also functions as proton channel blocker, regulating the proton flux to mitigate the hydrogen evolution. Additionally, the strong adhesion strength of the CPANZ layer guarantees its sustained protection to the Zn metal during long‐term cycling. As a result, the modified zinc electrode demonstrates long cycle life and high durability in both half‐cell and pouch cells. These findings present a feasible approach to designing high performance aqueous anodes by introducing a localized conjugated layer.

PROMETHEUS: Probability in the Mediterranean of Tephra dispersal for various grain sizes. A tool for the evaluation of the completeness of the volcanic record in medial-distal archives

PROMETHEUS is a statistical tool that allows creating maps showing the probability of finding tephra deposits of different grain sizes, originating from eruptions of a specific volcanic source, at any location around the vent. It couples wind profiles at different heights in the Mediterranean area with terminal velocity of volcanic particles. The input parameters include the height of the eruption column (which characterizes the intensity of the eruption), wind statistics (directions and intensities), and tephra deposits of a selected grain size. In particular, we used the parameterizations provided by Costa et al. (2016) and performed simulations using the HAZMAP tephra dispersal model to determine the maximum reachable distances that tephra can cover under weak, medium, and strong wind conditions (e.g. 7, 30, and 70 m/s velocities at the tropopause) and with column heights of 10, 20, and 30 km, depositing of at least the loading corresponding to 0.1 mm (corresponding to cryptotephra). Three alternative configurations of the model are validated analyzing first the eruptive source of Somma Vesuvius, with the related explosive eruptions from 22 ka Pomici di Base to the 1944 eruption. A further validation is made by comparing the probabilistic maps with the tephrostratigraphy of known marine and terrestrial cores using standard test of proportions (binomial distributions) and the binary logistic regression model, statistically quantifying the effectiveness of the model against the tephrostratigraphy recorded within this time frame. Based on this validation, a preferred configuration of PROMETHEUS is selected. PROMETHEUS probability maps will guide the selection of sampling sites for specific tephra deposits and could also support the study of the completeness of overall eruption catalogs over time.

Metagenomic analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes and their contribution to marine sediment biodiversity

Marine sediments constitute the world’s most substantial long-term carbon repository. The microorganisms dwelling in these sediments mediate the transformation of fixed oceanic carbon, but their contribution to the carbon cycle is not fully understood. Previous culture-independent investigations into sedimentary microorganisms have underscored the significance of carbohydrates in the carbon cycle. In this study, we employ a metagenomic methodology to investigate the distribution and abundance of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in 37 marine sediments sites. These sediments exhibit varying oxygen availability and were isolated in diverse regions worldwide. Our comparative analysis is based on the metabolic potential for oxygen utilisation, derived from genes present in both oxic and anoxic environments. We found that extracellular CAZyme modules targeting the degradation of plant and algal detritus, necromass, and host glycans were abundant across all metagenomic samples. The analysis of these results indicates that the oxic/anoxic conditions not only influence the taxonomic composition of the microbial communities, but also affect the occurrence of CAZyme modules involved in the transformation of necromass, algae and plant detritus. To gain insight into the sediment microbial taxa, we reconstructed metagenome assembled genomes (MAG) and examined the presence of primary extracellular carbohydrate active enzyme (CAZyme) modules. Our findings reveal that the primary CAZyme modules and the CAZyme gene clusters discovered in our metagenomes were prevalent in the Bacteroidia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria classes. We compared those MAGs to organisms from the same taxonomic classes found in soil, and we found that they were similar in its CAZyme repertoire, but the soil MAG contained a more abundant and diverse CAZyme content. Furthermore, the data indicate that abundant classes in our metagenomic samples, namely Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidia and Gammaproteobacteria, play a pivotal role in carbohydrate transformation within the initial few metres of the sediments.

Path length and sediment transport estimation from DEMs of difference: a signal processing approach

Abstract. The difficulties of measuring bedload transport in gravel-bed rivers have given rise to the morphological method wherein sediment transport can be inferred from changes in riverbed elevation and estimates of the distance traveled by sediment: its path length. Because current methods for estimating path length are time- and labor-intensive, we present a method to estimate a characteristic path length from repeat digital elevation models (DEMs of difference, i.e., DoDs). We propose an automated method to extract the spacing between erosional and depositional sites on the DoD by the application of variational mode decomposition (VMD), a signal processing method, to quantify the spacing as a proxy for path length. We developed this method using flume experiments where bed topography and sediment flux were measured and then applied it to published field data with physical path length measured from tracer measurements. Our sediment transport estimates were not significantly different than the measured sediment flux at lower discharges in the lab. However, we observed an underestimation of sediment flux at the higher discharges in the flume study. We interpret this as a limit of the method in confined settings, where sediment transport becomes decoupled from morphological changes. We also explore how the time between survey acquisitions, the morphological active width relative to the channel width, and DoD thresholding techniques affect the proposed method and the potential issues they pose for the morphological method in general.

Horizontally Arranged Zn Platelet Deposition Regulated by Bi2O3/Bi toward High-Rate and Dendrite-Free 3D Zn Composite Anode.

Aqueous Zn-metal battery is considered as a promising energy-storage system. However, uncontrolled zinc dendrite growth is the main cause of short-circuit failure in aqueous Zn-based batteries. One of the most efficient and convenient strategies to alleviate this issue is to introduce appropriate zincophilic nucleation sites to guide zinc metal deposition and regulate crystal growth. Herein, this work proposes Bi2O3/Bi nanosheets anchored on the cell wall surface of the 3D porous conductive host as the Zn deposition sites to modulate Zn deposition behavior and hence inhibit the zinc dendrite growth. Density functional theory and experimental results demonstrate that Bi2O3 has a super zinc binding energy and strong adsorption energy with zinc (002) plane, as a super-zincophilic nucleation site, which results in the deposition of zinc preferentially along the horizontal direction of (002) crystal plane, fundamentally avoids the formation of Zn dendrites. Benefiting from the synergistic effect Bi2O3/Bi zincophilic sites and 3D porous structure in the B-BOGC host, the electrochemical performance of the constructed Zn-based battery is significantly improved. As a result, the Zn anode cycles for 1500cycles at 50mAcm-2 and 1.0 mAhcm-2. Meanwhile, the Zn@B-BOGC//MnO2 full cell can operate stably for 2000 cycles at 2.0Ag-1.

Heterostructured WOx/W2C Nanocatalyst for Li2S Oxidation in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries with High-Areal-Capacity.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries show extraordinary promise as a next-generation battery technology due to their high theoretical energy density and the cost efficiency of sulfur. However, the sluggish reaction kinetics, uncontrolled growth of lithium sulfide (Li2S), and substantial Li2S oxidation barrier cause low sulfur utilization and limited cycle life. Moreover, these drawbacks get exacerbated at high current densities and high sulfur loadings. Here, a heterostructured WOx/W2C nanocatalyst synthesized via ultrafast Joule heating is reported, and the resulting heterointerfaces contribute to enhance electrocatalytic activity for Li2S oxidation, as well as controlled Li2S deposition. The densely distributed nanoparticles provide abundant binding sites for uniform deposition of Li2S. The continuous heterointerfaces favor efficient adsorption and promote charge transfer, thereby reducing the activation barrier for the delithiation of Li2S. These attributes enable Li-S cells to deliver high-rate performance and high areal capacity. This study provides insights into efficient catalyst design for Li2S oxidation under practical cell conditions.

Interface engineering for high-strength and high-ampacity of carbon nanotube/copper composite wires

Demands for lightweight and high strength electrical power transmission wires continue to rise, especially for electric vehicles, aerospace and 5G communication applications. Carbon nanotubes/copper composite wire is regarded as one of the promising candidate material systems for transmitting electricity and thermal energy. However, the improvements of the electrical conductivity and ampacity of CNT/Cu composite fiber often sacrifices the strength heavily. In this paper, a facile and robust approach including densification and Ni discontinuous nanoparticle layer (NiDPL) pre-seeding prior to Cu electroplating, was developed to enhance simultaneously the strength and ampacity of CNT/Cu composite fiber. Benefiting from the densification process, the conductivity and strength of CNT fiber were improved greatly. Further, NiDPL seeds formed using organic Ni salt (such as nickel acetate) were served as active sites for subsequent Cu layer deposition. The NiDPL were constructed on the surface of CNT fiber to improve both the chemical affinity and the electrons transfer between CNT and Cu. Finally, CNT/Cu composite wire with NiDPL achieved both high strength (2.54 GPa) and ampacity (1.68 × 106 A/cm2).

Long-Range Uniform Deposition of Ag Nanoseed on Cu Current Collector for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries.

Uniform lithium deposition is essential to hinder dendritic growth. Achieving this demands even seed material distribution across the electrode, posing challenges in correlating the electrode's surface structure with the uniformity of seed material distribution. In this study, the effect of periodic surface and facet orientation on seed distribution is investigated using a model system consisting of a wrinkled copper (Cu)/graphene structure with a [100] facet orientation. A new methodology is developed for uniformly distributed silver (Ag) nanoparticles over a large area by controlling the surface features of Cu substrates. The regularly arranged Ag nanoparticles, with a diameter of 26.4nm, are fabricated by controlling the Cu surface condition as [100]-oriented wrinkled Cu. The wrinkled Cu guides a deposition site for spherical Ag nanoparticles, the [100] facet determines the Ag morphology, and the presence of graphene leads to spacings of Ag seeds. This patterned surface and high lithiophilicity, with homogeneously distributed Ag nanoparticles, lead to uniform Li+ flux and reduced nucleation energy barrier, resulting in excellent battery performance. The electrochemical measurements exhibit improved cyclic stability over 260 cycles at 0.5mAcm-2 and 100 cycles at 1.0mAcm-2 and enhanced kinetics even under a high current density of 5.0mAcm-2.

First-Year Mortality of Four Early-Successional Species on Severely Degraded Sites in Eastern Canada as Influenced by a Factorial of Site Preparation Treatments

Barren, severely disturbed sites lacking soil, such as mine sites and waste deposit sites, present severe challenges to ecological service restoration because of high temperatures, solar radiation, and wind speeds; extreme temperature changes; and low soil moisture and nutrient availability. An ecological restoration experiment using three site preparation treatments was conducted. Straw (S), Meri-Crusher (MC), and coarse woody debris (CWD) were assessed in a site, no site preparation 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, including a control treatment, on sites barren for 25 years. In addition, four early-successional species: white birch (WB, Betula papyrifera Marsh), gray birch (GB, Betula populifolia Marsh), green alder (GA, Alnus viridis Vill. ssp. crispa Ait) and speckled alder (SA, Alnus incana L. ssp. rugosa Du Roi), were examined for mortality. Mortality was measured after three time periods, summer-related 2021, winter-related, and frost heave mortality (spring 2022). Summer-related mortality was predominantly influenced by S treatments (reduced mortality) and their interactions. Straw’s ability to retain moisture strongly suggests it mitigated summer-related drought mortality. S interactions were not rank changes but magnitude effects. The species × straw interaction showed that SA had the greatest magnitude difference, with 25% and 3.6% summer-related mortality for NS and S treatments, respectively. SA, a hydrophilic species, accounted for nearly half the total summer-related mortality, and there were strong species effects and species interactions. The full combination of site preparation treatments had the lowest summer-related mortality, at 1%. Winter-related mortality only affected 1.9% of the total sample size, and there were no species effects or interactions, but contrary to other results, S was the leading cause of mortality due to fungal presence found on expired seedlings. For frost heave mortality, it was clear that the S treatment was effective, with 1.2% and 20.7% overall mortality for S and NS, respectively. MC alone had the greatest negative effect, with 46.9% frost heave mortality; however, when interacting with S or CWD, the mortality decreased substantially. Frost heave had no species interactions and only a species effect, with SA having the greatest mortality. Over the first full year, MC alone and control had the greatest mortality, with 60% and 38%, respectively, after one year. Overall, one-year mortality showed S reduced mortality by 27% and CWD by 19%, while MC increased mortality by approximately 4%. When treatments were combined in any way, mortality dropped significantly, showing an additive effect, with the three-combination treatment resulting in the lowest one-year mortality, of only 3.1%. Straw provided the strongest effect, both as an effective barrier to moisture evaporation, providing up to 10% more soil moisture under dry conditions and provided an effective thermal barrier that substantially reduced the frost heave mortality. Even early-successional species such as WB, GB, GA, and SA need site preparation treatments to establish and survive the first year on long-term barren lands.

Probable chronic pain, brain structure, and Alzheimer’s plasma biomarkers in older men

Chronic pain leads to tau accumulation and hippocampal atrophy in mice. In this study, we provide one of the first assessments in humans, examining the associations of probable chronic pain with hippocampal volume, integrity of the locus coeruleus (LC)—an upstream site of tau deposition—and Alzheimer’s Disease-related plasma biomarkers. Participants were mostly cognitively unimpaired men. Probable chronic pain was defined as moderate-to-severe pain in 2+ study waves at average ages 56, 62, and 68. At age 68, 424 participants underwent structural magnestic resonance imaging (MRI) of hippocampal volume and LC-sensitive MRI providing an index of LC integrity (LC contrast-to-noise ratio). Analyses adjusted for confounders including major health conditions, depressive symptoms, and opioid use. Models showed that men with probable chronic pain had smaller hippocampal volume and lower rostral-middle—but not caudal—LC contrast-to-noise ratio compared to men without probable chronic pain. Men with probable chronic pain also had higher levels of plasma total tau, beta-amyloid-42, and beta-amyloid-40 compared to men without probable chronic pain. These findings suggest that probable chronic pain is associated with tau accumulation and reduced structural brain integrity in regions affected early in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. PerspectiveProbable chronic pain was associated with plasma biomarkers and brain regions that are affected early in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Reducing pain in midlife and elucidating biological mechanisms may help to reduce the risk of AD in older adults.

Sedimentary stratigraphy and provenance off Dronning Maud Land (East Antarctica) during the mid-Pleistocene transition: Implications for paleoclimate and ice dynamics

Glacial-marine sediments from the Antarctic continental margin provide a record of depositional environment, oceanographic variability and ice dynamics that is tapped with scientific ocean drilling. This study focuses on Ocean Drilling Program Core 693A-2R, a 9.7 m sediment core retrieved from near the continental margin of the Archean Grunehogna Craton in Dronning Maud Land (DML), East Antarctica. The results contribute to a better understanding of ice-shelf behavior in DML during the mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT), a well-known transition from 40-kyr to 100-kyr cycle periods. The age model, constructed based on Sr isotope stratigraphy and geomagnetic reversals, indicates that the core spans 1.20 to 0.65 Ma. The dynamic behavior of DML ice shelves with periodic iceberg calving is revealed by the glacial–interglacial variation in sedimentation patterns, with interglacials characterized by higher concentrations of ice-rafted debris (IRD) associated with enhanced paleoproductivity than glacial intervals. The responses of DML ice shelves to warm climates are represented by a prolonged interglacial period at 1.0–1.1 Ma (MIS 31–27) and significant interglacial expressions during MIS 19 and 17. The 40Ar/39Ar ages of individual ice-rafted hornblende grains are compared with the on-land geology of DML and neighboring regions to determine the provenances of IRD. Specifically, 40Ar/39Ar results record primarily late Neoproterozoic to Cambrian ages (600–400 Ma) with a predominant peak of 520–480 Ma. This Pan-African/Ross orogeny signature is very common in East Antarctica but is not found in the most proximal margin of the Grunehogna Craton, and is instead associated with the region of DML several hundred kilometers east of the deposition site. This indicates that significant discharges of icebergs occurred in the remote DML, which were then transported by the westward-flowing Antarctic Coastal Current to deposit IRD at the studied site during the MPT. This study establishes a confirmed MPT sedimentary sequence off DML, against which future MPT proxy records from the Weddell Sea embayment and other sectors in Antarctica can be compared and correlated, and provides a basis for more detailed analyses of the response of DML ice sheet to Pleistocene climate variations.

Provenance, diagenesis, and depositional environment of Miocene Kamlial Formation, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sub Himalayas, Pakistan: Evidences from field observations and petrography

Petrographical characterization and field observations were caried out to evaluate Kamlial Formation in Bagh district, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Based on detailed petrography, the lithic arenite consisted of quartz (20–25%), feldspar (7–11%), rock fragments (20–37%), cementing materials (11–21%), and accessory minerals. Grains are mostly angular to subrounded and poorly to moderately sorted. The analysis revealed that the lithic arenite is mineralogically immature; also, the current activity during the time of deposition was low. Polycrystalline quartz indicates that the sandstone was derived from metamorphic source, while monocrystalline quartz indicates a granitic origin. Quartz having an angular shape suggests the source rock was near the depositional site, while quartz having a rounded shape represents long transportation. The presence of feldspar in the lithic arenite suggests the rocks were deposited at high relief or cold temperatures. Primary porosity in sandstone was reduced by calcite cements around the grain, while secondary porosity was developed by fracturing of quartz and feldspar. Tectonic uplift in the study area was demonstrated by fractured quartz and mica in thin sections. Field observations of various sedimentary structures were observed such as load casts, ripple marks, and mud cracks, etc. The presence of conglomerates and load casts in the study area indicates that the Kamlial sandstone was deposited by fluvial and shallow marine environment. Furthermore, the ripple marks indicate that the tidal flat environment controlled the deposition of the sediments.

Water treatment sludge management in the context of changing environmental legislation in Russia

To consider changes in the regulation of sludge handling in natural and waste water treatment, national projects that contribute to the greening of the sludge handling process, and to present an overview of the market of domestic equipment for sludge treatment and disposal. The changes in regulatory, technical and legal documentation were analysed in the environmental protection sphere and in the field of sludge handling at centralised water treatment plants. Using open sources of information, the market of Russian equipment for sludge dewatering, drying and incineration was reviewed. Taking into account the changes in legislation in the field of waste management, clarifications of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation, natural and sewage sludge can be positioned not only as a waste, but also as a secondary resource, secondary raw material or by-product. The adopted amendments do not reduce the responsibility of water supply and sewerage organisations in matters of sludge handling; they are aimed at increasing the interest of industrialists in the involvement of sludge in industrial turnover and simplification of sludge disposal processes. The amendments to the regulatory and legal documentation are likely to contribute to the elimination of such low-ecological objects of natural and sewage sludge disposal as deposition sites. It seems necessary to take incentives for organisations willing to use sludge in their production.

ОЦЕНКА СВЕРХНОРМАТИВНЫХ ПОТЕРЬ ПОЛЕЗНОГО ИСКОПАЕМОГО НА ПРИМЕРЕ РАЗРАБОТКИ ИЗВЕСТНЯКОВОГО МЕСТОРОЖДЕНИЯ

The article presents methodological provisions for the assessment of increased mineral losses during open-pit mining of deposits with difficult mining and geological conditions. As an example, the indicators of mineral losses during the development of the Kostanok site of the Chanvin deposit of limestones used for the production of caustic soda are given. The actual level of losses exce-eding 30 % of the volume of extraction of raw materials has been established. The main reasons for the increased limestone losses compared to the level justified by the project are outlined. It was found that during the detailed exploration of the limestone massif, karst zones and areas with a high clay content, lying in the form of «veins» in areas of increased fracturing, were not identified. As a result, as a result of blasting, the exploding quarried, clogged areas with pure limestone are mixed, its contamination to values exceeding those allowed by the project, which leads to the loss of balance reserves of minerals during excavation. Recommendations are given for calculating the level of losses during the development of complex faces, which are characterized by the intermittency of rocks with productive limestone strata and karst zones.

An artificial aluminum-tin alloy layer on aluminum metal anodes for ultra-stable rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries.

Rechargeable aluminum ion batteries (RAIBs) exhibit great potential for next-generation energy storage systems owing to the abundant resources, high theoretical volumetric capacity and light weight of the Al metal anode. However, the development of RAIBs based on Al metal anodes faces challenges such as dendrite formation, self-corrosion, and volume expansion at the anode/electrolyte interface, which needs the rational design of an aluminum anode for high-performance RAIBs. This work proposes a novel and low-cost strategy by utilizing an alloy electrodeposition method in a low-temperature molten salt system to fabricate an aluminum-tin (AlSn) alloy coating layer on copper foil as the anode for RAIBs, which successfully addresses the issues of dendrite formation and corrosion at the anode/electrolyte interface. The artificial AlSn alloy layer could enhance the active sites for metal Al homogeneous deposition and effectively retard the dendrite formation, which was verified by an in situ optical microscopy study. The symmetric AlSn@Cu cell demonstrates a low average overpotential of ∼38 mV at a current density of 0.5 mA cm-2 and a long-term lifespan of over 1100 h. Moreover, the AlSn@Cu//Mo6S8 full cells deliver a high capacity of 114.9 mA h g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 and maintain ultra-stable cycling stability even over 1400 cycles with a ∼100% coulombic efficiency (CE) during the long-term charge/discharge processes. This facile alloy electrodeposition approach for designing high-performance Al-based anodes provides insights into the understanding of artificial interface chemistry on Al-based anodes and potentially accelerates the design of high-performance RAIBs.

Alkalized MXene/carbon nanotube composite for stable Na metal anodes.

Ti3C2 MXenes are emerging 2D materials and have attracted increasing attention in sodium metal anode fabrication because of their high conductivity, multifunctional groups and excellent mechanical performances. However, the severe self-restacking of Ti3C2 MXenes is not conducive to dispersing Na+ and limits the function of regulating sodium deposition. Herein, an alkalized MXene/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite (named A-M-C) is introduced to regulate Na deposition behavior, which consists of Na3Ti5O12 microspheres, Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets and CNTs. Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets with large interlayer spaces and "sodiophilic" functional groups can provide abundant active sites for uniform nucleation and deposition of Na. Plenty of nanosheets are grown on the surface of the microsphere, thereby reducing the local current density, which can guide initial Na nucleation and promote Na dendrite-free growth. Furthermore, CNTs increase the electrical conductivity of the composite and achieve fast Na+ transport, improving the cycling stability of Na metal batteries. As a result, at a capacity of 1 mA h cm-2, the A-M-C electrode achieves a high average coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.9% after 300 cycles at 2 mA cm-2. The symmetric cells of A-M-C/Na provide a long cycling life of more than 1400 h at 1 mA cm-2 with a minimal overpotential of 19 mV at an areal capacity of 1 mA h cm-2. The A-M-C/Na//NVP@C full cell presents a high coulombic efficiency of 98% with 100 mA g-1 in the first cycle. The strategy in this work provides new insights into fabricating novel MXene-based anode materials for dendrite-free sodium deposition.

Dittrichia graveolens (Asteraceae), rapidly spreading along European highways, recorded in Lithuania

For a long time, railways were the main pathway for the accidental introduction of alien plant species, but now highways and other roads are becoming increasingly important in this process. Considering that Dittrichia graveolens is spreading rapidly along highways in Central Europe and neighbouring Poland, a targeted search was conducted in Lithuania in 2023. Dittrichia graveolens was recorded at two sites along the Kalvarija–Kaunas highway (Kazlų Rūda district, in the environs of Pentupiai, and Kaunas city, in the environs of Jonučiai). At both sites, the species occupied relatively compact stands consisting of several hundred individuals, suggesting that the stands were formed from locally matured seeds. The mean number of flowers per capitulum in Lithuania in 2023 was 20.5 ± 4.9, and the realised fecundity was 89.7% of the potential fecundity. It is presumed that the seeds of Dittrichia graveolens were accidentally introduced into Lithuania by trucks, probably attached to tyres. Currently, this species is classified as a casual alien, but its naturalisation is expected. The study revealed that the first record of Dittrichia graveolens in Poland was not in 2013, as previously reported, but more than 20 years earlier, in 1990, near Kraków, at the slag deposit site of the Nowa Huta Steelworks.