Fuller's Earth Research Articles

The Mineral Products of Melos in Antiquity and their Identification

According to literary sources, the various products of vulcanicity were in great demand for both manufacturing and medicinal purposes in the ancient world, as they are today. These include pumice, fuller's earth (a form of calcium montmorillonite), sulphur, and the alumen of the Romans, which was probably aluminium sulphate, or a related substance. The island of Melos, in the Cyclades, was particularly noted in Antiquity for its mineral products, and in this brief article an attempt is made to summarize the references to these products by the various Greek and Roman authors, and to identify them and the people concerned with their mining and extraction in Antiquity, on the basis of recent geological and archaeological observations made by the author on the island.

S. H. Patterson 1974. Fuller's Earth and other Industrial mineral resources of the Meigs–Attapulgus–Quincy District, Georgia and Florida. U.S. Geological Survey Prof. Paper 828. iii + 45 pp., 11 figs, 5 tables, 2 pls. Washington. Price $2.40.

S. H. Patterson 1974. Fuller's Earth and other Industrial mineral resources of the Meigs–Attapulgus–Quincy District, Georgia and Florida. U.S. Geological Survey Prof. Paper 828. iii + 45 pp., 11 figs, 5 tables, 2 pls. Washington. Price $2.40.

Bernam bleachability test method for palm oil

AbstractA bleachability test method called the Bernam method is proposed for crude palm oil, based upon the percentage of color removed on the original color, as measured on a Lovibond 1 in. cell. The test uses absorption bleaching by 3% activated fuller's earth (Fulmont 237) at 150 C under inert gas blanket. It shows improved sensitivity over two existing bleach‐ability methods and to both primary and secondary oxidation of palm oil, as measured by the peroxide, anisidine, and total oxidation values. It has been applied successfully to detect changes in the quality of palm oil during production, storage, and shipment to the consumer. In view of its encouraging response to oxidation, it should be possible for the consumer to relate the method to process conditions in the refining of palm oil.

Zeta–Potential Control for Alum Coagulation

The zeta potential of different clays such as kaolinite, montomorillonite, and fuller's earth at 100, 250, 500, and 1 000 mg/l in 0.145, 0.58, 1.45, and 5.8 times 10‐4 M of aluminium sulphate at various pHs has been studied and compared with results for a surface water. The clays were selected on the basis of cation‐exchange capacity. The results are discussed with respect to the isoelectric point as an indicant for achieving optimum destabilization with an economically efficient coagulant dose.

The economic geology of the Weald

The major proportion of the minerals of economic importance in the Weald is consumed by the construction industry. These minerals include sand and gravel for aggregate, clay for brick manufacture, chalk for cement, limestone (ragstone) for roadstone, and gypsum for plaster, plasterboard and cement manufacture. In addition the Weald is a major source of silica sand, used in glass-making and for foundry purposes, and also of fuller's earth. The geological distribution of these minerals is described, together with an account of their quality, present exploitation and industrial usage.

Studies in the sedimentation of the Lower Greensand of the Weald, 1875–1975: a review and commentary

A review is given of developments in six fields of sedimentological studies during the last century: heavy mineral studies, mechanical analysis, cross-bedding studies and investigation of the formation of chert, of fuller's earth and of the processes of cementation and decalcification. Theories of the provenance of the Lower Greensand sediments are discussed. In conclusion the palaeogeography of Lower Greensand times, as suggested by sedimentological studies, is discussed and illustrated by means of a palaeogeographic map.

Bathonian volcanicity and North Sea rifting

SEVERAL years ago1,2 we proposed that the Bathonian and Aptian fuller's earths of southern England, which are montmorillonitic clays, are true bentonites and, therefore, of volcanic origin (see also ref. 3). With the evidence4 of Bathonian volcanicity associated with rifting in the North Sea, we can now develop the story a stage further.

Monocarbonyl compounds from catalytic decomposition of autoxidized unsaturated fatty acid esters

AbstractMonocarbonyl compounds formed by the decomposition of autoxidized triolein, methyl linolenate, and methyl arachidonate were converted into their 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives and analyzed by thin layer and paper chromatographies. From decomposition of autoxidized triolein with acid‐washed Fuller's earth alkanals were the only monocarbonyl products found, whereas, with metal catalysts or heat, 2‐alkenals were the primary products. Autoxidized methyl linolenate and methyl arachidonate decomposed with metal catalysts or heat yielded 23–55% of 2,4‐alkadienals but minor amounts with acid‐washed Fuller's earth. The differences in distribution of monocarbonyl products were attributed to a selective course of scission of the hydroperoxides that depended upon the conditions of decomposition.

Plasma Corticotropin Radioimmunoassay, with Use of Fuller's Earth for Extraction

Abstract A radioimmunoassay is described for plasma corticotropin whereby concentrations over the range of 6 to 1000 ng/liter can be measured. Corticotropin extracted from plasma on fuller's earth under carefully standardized conditions is assayed by a long-used double antibody radioimmunoassay procedure. Within (n = 6) and between (n = 12) assay precision is 39 ± 2 (SD) ng/liter and 44 ± 6 (SD) ng/liter, respectively. Normal basal corticotropin concentrations in plasma collected between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. ranged from 6 to 68 ng/liter. Corticotropin was not detected in hypophysectomized patients and in subjects pretreated with dexamethasone, but elevated concentrations were found in an Addisonian patient and in a patient with a thymoma.

Opaline Sediments of the Southeastern Coastal Plain and Horizon A: Biogenic Origin

Scanning electron microscope techniques show that Eocene opaline claystones (fuller's earth and buhrstone) of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain, deposits long considered volcanic in origin, are actually highly altered diatomites formed as transgressive facies in normal marine continental shelf environmnents. These findings are in agreement with a biogenic origin for time-equivalent horizon A and A deep-sea cherts of the North Atlantic and Caribbean.

Depositional environments in the lower part of the Great Oolite Group of Oxfordshire and North Gloucestershire

In Oxfordshire, the lower part of the Bathonian Stage is represented by the Chipping Norton Formation, the Sharp's Hill Formation (with the Stonesfield Member locally at the base) and the Taynton Limestone Formation. During the deposition of the Chipping Norton Formation, high energy carbonates were formed on a swell which followed the line of the Bajocian Moreton in Marsh swell. In a basin to the east of the swell carbonates were diluted with clastics. which entered from the east and south-east as coastal sediments derived from the London platform. Mobile substrates in this eastern basin are reflected in low diversity faunas consisting primarily of Liostrea, Aequipecten and Entolium . Highly mobile substrates are also correlated with similar low diversity faunas on the swell. In a second basin west of the swell, carbonates interdigitate with clays of the Lower Fuller's Earth Formation, where benthonic faunas include Liostrea and many other bivalves (both epifaunal and infaunal). The clays of the Sharp's Hill Formation, which succeed the sands of the Chipping Norton Formation over much of the eastern basin, suggest a deepening of the water coupled with a marine transgression over the source area of the sands. These clays have a relatively diverse marine benthos including bivalves, gastropods, corals, echinoids and rhynchonellids, which reflect slower rates of sedimentation and increased substrate stability. Locally (around Stonesfield in the eastern basin, and Stow-on-the-Wold in the western basin) this transgression is marked by silty beds of the Stonesfield Member, which accumulated in topographic lows as abnormally condensed mixtures of redistributed terrestrial and marine faunas and sediments. Elsewhere, the early phase of the transgression resulted in non-deposition and the development of hardgrounds capping the Chipping Norton Formation. Eventually, transgression over the London platform progressed to such a stage that clastics were no longer derived, but instead this new area of shallows became the main area of carbonate formation. The limestones of the Taynton Formation were derived during the culminating phase of the transgressive episode from this part of the London platform.

Investigation of a landslip in the Fuller's Earth Clay, Lansdown, Bath

Summary Rubbish dumping into an abandoned quarry in the Great Oolite on a south facing slope of Lansdown, Bath, has provoked a series of slides which now sterilises 12 acres of grazing land. The first major slide in October 1969 was followed by two further movements by January 1971. They account for a total downhill movement of 210 m. Where access to the site made investigation possible, a distinctive shear zone was exposed, sandwiched between the base of the fill and top of the weathered Fuller's Earth clays. Adjacent to the slip, the natural ground succession showed a mixed stony soft brown reworked clay (solifluction) layer, overlying interbedded clay mudstone bands of the Fuller's Earth series. Drained triaxial tests on the brown clay gave shear parameters of φ′ = 17·4°, c′ = 0; and an estimate of residual strength of φ = 12°. The former value would accord with a high (perched) water table on the adjacent slopes at 12·7°–8·7°. Whilst accurate back analysis is not presently possible, due to absence of specific measurements of the surface ground water levels, it is concluded that a limiting stability exists on the slope generally, irrespective of the fill dumping.

Opaline Spheres: Loosely-packed Aggregates from Silica Nodule in Diatomaceous Miocene Fuller's Earth

ABSTRACT Spheres of opaline silica, 1,000 A to 8,300 A in diameter, occur individually and in small aggregates around cavities of diatom fragments in a silica nodule from the middle Miocene Hawthorne Formation in south Georgia. The spheres are apparently equivalent to the silica spheres of precious opal, except that the spheres in precious opal are imperfectly close-packed and the spheres in this nodule are not close-packed, probably because of lack of sedimentation. The spheres are a high-silica variety of opal and presumably form in voids which are relatively inaccessible to other ions such as Al, Fe, and Mg. These opaline spheres are not present in isolated diatoms in the clay bed.

Factors affecting the performance of granular insecticides applied to field beans

AbstractFactors influencing the performance of various granular formulations of disulfoton and phorate after foliar application to field beans were investigated by bioassay in controlled environment rooms. Frequent rainfall and high temperature increased activity considerably but humidity had little effect. With disulfoton formulation on pumice rather than fuller's earth, and toxicant concentrations of 7.5% rather than 10% increased toxicity, but effects of formulation were small with phorate. The influence of rainfall and formulation were confirmed in a field experiment. There was evidence for an initial fumigant effect, particularly for phorate, in both laboratory and field experiments. The detailed effects of the various factors at different intervals after applying the granules are discussed in relation to the physical properties of the insecticides and granular carriers. It is suggested that the possibilities of controlling performance by influencing release rates from granules are limited for chemicals such as phorate and disulfoton which are appreciably adsorbed by soil.

Control of Fusarium solani rot of potato tubers with fungicides

SUMMARYTecnazene (up to 33 ppm) and dichloran (up to 500 ppm) had little effect on germination of spores or growth of Fusarium solani isolated from and causing a rot of potato tubers; they also did not decrease rotting when applied to wounds later inoculated with the pathogen.Benomyl and thiabendazole (up to 500 ppm) also had little effect on spore germination but did greatly decrease growth at 5 ppm. A pronounced pink coloration developed in cultures growing slowly in the presence of benomyl; a similar though less striking effect appeared in agar cultures containing thiabendazole.Benomyl suspended in water or diluted with Fuller's earth gave good control of rotting when applied to wounds inoculated later with F. solani. Still better control was obtained with thiabendazole; dusts containing 1% a.i. substantially decreased rots and those containing 10 % a.i. gave almost complete control when applied to wounds shortly before inoculation. Thiabendazole was also very effective when used 24 h after inoculation and a fair measure of control was obtained when it was applied 24 h later.Benomyl and thiabendazole placed on apparently intact surfaces of tubers caused tissue 5 mm deep to become toxic to F. solani 10 days later, and, unexpectedly, this tissue prevented spore germination.Fuller's earth alone substantially decreased rotting.The results obtained suggest that dusts containing thiabendazole have some promise for the control of Fusarium rots of potato tubers, especially of early crops.

The afferent pathway of the milk-ejection reflex in the mid-brain of the goat.

SUMMARY The position of the pathway for the release of oxytocin in the mid-brain was ascertained by exploration of a transverse stereotaxic plane (A4) in 23 anaesthetized goats. Electrical stimulation was applied between a monopolar electrode and an indifferent electrode in the scalp. Oxytocin release was monitored by simultaneous collection of blood samples during stimulation from a catheter in a jugular vein. The blood samples were extracted by the Sephadex G-25 or fuller's earth method and assayed for oxytocin content on the lactating guinea-pig preparation. Oxytocin release occurred occasionally after stimulation of certain sites in the tectum, central grey and reticular formation. Regular releases of oxytocin, however, were only obtained after stimulation of a pathway which was compact and lay in the lateral tegmentum of the mid-brain in association with the spinothalamic tract. The position of this pathway corresponds to that described previously for the afferent pathway of the milk-ejection reflex in the mid-brain of the guinea-pig and rabbit. In these three species therefore, the impulses concerned in oxytocin release appear to ascend through the mid-brain in the spinothalamic tract.

Beneficiation of Fuller's Earth

A process for purification of fuller's earth has been proposed. It consists of deflocculation of the clay to its ultimate particles using minimum amounts of deflocculating agent and water; stirring time was determined experimentally. The mineral impurities which are released during deflocculation are separated by sedimentation. Acid soluble impurities are removed by treating the clay slip with an acid after deflocculation and beneficiation. The advantages of this process over conventional process of benefication and activation have also been discussed.

Sedimentation, Petrogenesis and Radioisotopic Age of the Cretaceous Fuller's Earth of Southern England

Sedimentation, Petrogenesis and Radioisotopic Age of the Cretaceous Fuller's Earth of Southern England

Sedimentation, Petrogenesis and Radioisotopic Age of the Cretaceous Fuller's Earth of Southern England

Sedimentation, Petrogenesis and Radioisotopic Age of the Cretaceous Fuller's Earth of Southern England

III.—New Developments in Large-scale Plasma Fractionation

‘Selective transfusion of appropriate blood components is preferable to the routine use of whole blood.’ (American Association of Blood Banks.Physicians' Handbook of Blood Component Therapy, 1969).The rational use of donor blood in the environment of modern blood transfusion revolves around a series of developments in the field of component therapy. The fractionation of plasma, i.e. the separation of plasma into a series of subdivisions each containing one or other of the constituent proteins in varying degrees of purity and concentration, was one of the first of these developments to become established.Early fractionation of plasma was applied in various ways to the purification of animal antisera; initially to antipneumococcal serum for therapeutic use. These sera frequently provoked reactions in patients until Sabin showed that absorption with Fullers earth could abolish these side-effects by removing complexed molecules.