Iron-bearing Phases Research Articles

Characterisation of Varying Iron Ores and Their Thermal Decomposition Kinetics Under HIsarna Ironmaking Conditions

In the pre-reduction cyclone of the HIsarna process, both thermal decomposition and gas reduction of the injected iron ores occur simultaneously at gas temperatures of 1723–1773 K. In this study, the kinetics of the thermal decomposition of three iron ores (namely OreA, OreB and OreC) for HIsarna ironmaking were analysed as an isolated process with a symmetrical thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) under an inert atmosphere. Using various methods, the chemical and mineralogical composition, particle size distribution, morphology and phase distribution of the ores were analysed. The ores differ in their mineralogy and morphology, where OreA only contains hematite as iron-bearing phase and OreB and OreC include goethite and hematite. To obtain the kinetic parameters in non-isothermal conditions, the Coats–Redfern Integral Method was applied for heating rates of 1, 2 and 5 K/min and a maximum temperature of 1773 K. The TGA results indicate that goethite and hematite decomposition occur as a two-stage process in an inert atmosphere of Ar. The proposed reaction mechanism for the first stage of goethite decomposition is chemical reaction with an activation energy ranging from 46.55 to 60.38 kJ/mol for OreB and from 69.90 to 134.47 kJ/mol for OreC. The proposed reaction mechanism for the second stage of goethite decomposition is diffusion, showing an activation energy ranging between 24.43 and 44.76 kJ/mol for OreB and between 3.32 and 23.29 kJ/mol for OreC. In terms of hematite decomposition, only the first stage was analysed. The proposed reaction mechanism is chemical reaction control. OreA shows an activation energy of 545.47 to 670.50 kJ/mol, OreB one of 587.68 to 831.54 kJ/mol and OreC one of 424.31 to 592.32 kJ/mol.

Investigation of converter copper slag reduction using spent cathode carbon as a reductant

ABSTRACT Aiming to address the difficulty of harmless treatment of fluorine in spent cathode carbon (SCC) and high metal content in copper slag, a new method of sustainable production of Fe-Cu alloys by reducing converter copper slag with SCC is proposed. Thermodynamic studies show that Fe-Cu alloys can be obtained at temperatures higher than 1250 °C and fluorine can be effectively fixated. Feasibility experiments were carried out in conjunction with theoretical analyses to clarify the feasibility of the method. At 1500 °C, the recovery of copper and iron reached 93.37% and 78.51%, respectively. During the smelting process, the iron-bearing phases in the slag forms Fe-Cu alloys with copper under high temperatures reducing conditions, and the fluorine is fixated in the slag through conversion to CaF2. This method achieves the effective utilisation of SCC during the reduction smelting process. The phase transformation and thermodynamics of the reduction process were investigated, and reaction mechanism was revealed. The process provides new ideas and perspectives for the environmentally sound treatment of SCC through a pyrometallurgical processes.

Impacts of Impurity Removal Chemical Pretreatment Procedures on the Composition and Adsorption Properties of Bentonites

This work is based on a detailed study of samples from three industrial bentonite deposits in Russia (10th Khutor, Zyryanskoe) and Kazakhstan (Taganskoe). The samples of the listed bentonites were undergoing stage-by-stage purification from carbonates, organic matter, and non-clay iron-bearing phase procedures. The conducted research revealed changes in the composition of bentonites already at the first stage of purification, which, however, were not noted for all bentonites, as well as a change in the forms of Fe in smectite structure. The latter is probably associated with changes in cis- and trans-vacant positions. Sorption characteristics with respect to 137Cs are determined using the localization and charges in the smectite layer and the slight changes during purification, along with the specific surface area indicators.

Iron-sulfur chemistry can explain the ultraviolet absorber in the clouds of Venus.

The clouds of Venus are believed to be composed of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and minor constituents including iron-bearing compounds, and their respective concentrations vary with height in the thick Venusian atmosphere. This study experimentally investigates possible iron-bearing mineral phases that are stable under the unique conditions within Venusian clouds. Our results demonstrate that ferric iron can react with sulfuric acid to form two mineral phases: rhomboclase [(H5O2)Fe(SO4)2·3H2O] and acid ferric sulfate [(H3O)Fe(SO4)2]. A combination of these two mineral phases and dissolved Fe3+ in varying concentrations of sulfuric acid are shown to be good candidates for explaining the 200- to 300-nm and 300- to 500-nm features of the reported unknown UV absorber. We, therefore, hypothesize a rich and largely unexplored heterogeneous chemistry in the cloud droplets of Venus that has a large effect on the optical properties of the clouds and the behavior of trace gas species throughout Venus's atmosphere.

Establishment of the iron-containing phase of the gavasaia porphyrite by the method of mössbauer spectroscopy for obtaining basalt fibers

The results of studies on the determination of the iron-bearing phase of trachybasalt porphyrite of the Karabulak site of the Gavasay deposit of Uzbekistan and their suitability for obtaining basalt fiber by the method of Mössbauer spectroscopy are presented. It has been established that on the basis of this igneous rock it is possible to obtain a continuous basalt fiber without corrective additives for heat-insulating materials.

Effects of key impurities (Al, Fe, P, Si and Na) on the precipitation process of vanadium in the novel ultrasound-assisted precipitation system

The effects of Al, Fe, P, Si and Na on the precipitation characteristics of vanadium in the ultrasound precipitation (UP) system were firstly investigated to establish the applicable vanadium-rich solution system and reveal the relevant mechanisms. The experimental results indicate that NaAl8V10O38•30H2O generated at 3.0 g/L Al hinders the reaction between vanadium and NH4+ and hence decreases the precipitation efficiency and purity of the vanadium products. Iron barely affects vanadium precipitation efficiency. Nevertheless, it might integrate into the precipitates by superficial adsorption or formation of an iron-bearing phase at 0.2 g/L and 0.4 g/L, respectively, leading to a significant decrease of the purity of products. Sodium has a negative effect on the purity of products when the concentration exceeds 15 g/L, ascribing to the formation of NaV3O8 and Na2V6O16•3H2O. Phosphorous can unevenly adsorb on the crystals' surface when the concentration exceeds 0.02 g/L, and it would induce the generation of sodium vanadate salts, which further hinders the growth process of the crystals and deteriorates the crystallinity and structure of the precipitates. Silicon has no adverse effects on the precipitation of vanadium at the studied concentration ranges. Herein, the concentration upper limit of Al, Fe, P and Na is confirmed as 0.3 g/L, 0.05 g/L, 0.02 g/L and 15 g/L, respectively. The precipitation rate constant at corresponding upper limit of Al, Fe, P and Na is 0.092 min−1, 0.118 min−1, 0.209 min−1 and 0.433 min−1, respectively, implying that the magnitude of the negative influence of impurities on vanadium precipitation kinetics decreases in the order Al > Fe > P > Na. The present work may provide theoretical and technical support for the industrial application of the UP technology.

Properties of self-hardened CaO-added bauxite residue pellets, and their behavior in hydrogen reduction followed by leaching and magnetic separation for iron and alumina recovery

Hydrogen reduction of bauxite residue (BR), calcite and quicklime pellets were carried out under isothermal conditions for further iron separation by magnetic separation, and alumina recovery from non-magnetics components. Before hydrogen reduction, self-hardened pellets were pelletized with varying limestone and quicklime amounts by keeping Al2O3 and CaO ratio constant in materials mixtures. The self-hardening of the pellets took place through the cementing effect of rapidly formed Ca(OH)2 in green pellets via exposure to atmospheric CO2. Dried pellets were reduced in a thermogravimetry furnace for a hydrogen reduction kinetic study. All iron oxide in the reduced pellet was converted to metallic iron, and a major fraction of alumina to mayenite. The reduced pellets were pulverized for further processing for physical, chemical, phase, and microstructural properties. Milled pellet products were studied using different advanced characterization methods. Alumina in mayenite was recovered by using alkali leaching with a recovery above 75%. The residue contained metallic iron and it was treated for iron recovery by a Davis Tube test at different magnetic intensities (800–3200 G). The results showed that the Fe could be upgraded from 22 to 33% under the lowest applied magnetic field of 800 G. Increasing the magnetic field to 1000 G led to an enhancement of iron recovery reaching 72% with the Fe grade of 26%. Dissemination of ultrafine-iron particles (5–6 μm) throughout the matrix of material and complex association of the iron-bearing phases were identified as the principal challenges of the magnetic separation processes. Further electrochemical and chemical processes followed by the physical separations were suggested as a potential solution for the present study.

Evidence for abundant organic matter in a Neoarchean banded iron formation

Abstract Microbial Fe(II) oxidation has been proposed as a major source of Fe minerals during deposition of banded iron formations (BIFs) in the Archean and Proterozoic Eons. The conspicuous absence of organic matter or graphitic carbon from BIFs, however, has given rise to divergent views on the importance of such a biologically mediated iron cycle. Here, we present mineral associations, major element concentrations, total carbon contents and carbon isotope compositions for a set of lower amphibolite-facies BIF samples from the Neoarchean Zhalanzhangzi BIF in the Qinglonghe supracrustal sequence, Eastern Hebei, China. Graphite grains with crystallization temperatures (~470 °C) that are comparable to that predicted for the regional metamorphic grade are widely distributed, despite highly variable iron (12.9 to 54.0 wt%) and total organic carbon (0.19 to 1.10 wt%) contents. The crystalline graphite is interpreted to represent the metamorphosed product of syngenetic bio-mass, based on its co-occurrence with apatite rosettes and negative bulk rock δ13Corganic values (–23.8 to –15.4‰). Moreover, the crystalline graphite is unevenly distributed between iron- and silica-rich bands. In the iron-rich bands, abundant graphite relicts are closely associated with magnetite and/or are preserved within carbonate minerals (i.e., siderite, ankerite, and calcite) with highly negative bulk rock δ13Ccarb values (–16.73 to –6.33‰), indicating incomplete reduction of primary ferric (oxyhydr) oxides by organic matter. By comparison, only minor graphite grains are observed in the silica-rich bands. Normally, these grains are preserved within quartz or silicate minerals and thus did not undergo oxidation by Fe(III). In addition, the close association of graphite with iron-bearing phases indicates that ferric (oxyhydr)oxides may have exerted a first order control on the abundance of organic matter. Combined, the biological oxidation of Fe(II) in the oceanic photic zone and subsequent burial of ferric (oxyhydr)oxides and biomass in sediments to form BIFs, suggests that a BIF-dependent carbon cycle was important in the Archean Eon. Although significant re-adsorption of phosphorus to ferric (oxyhydr)oxides and the formation of authigenic phosphate minerals at the sediment-water interface would be expected, oxidation of biomass in BIFs may have recycled at least a portion of the P (and other nutrients) released from reactions between organic matter and ferric (oxyhydr)oxides to the overlying water column, potentially promoting further primary productivity.

Synthesis and structural analysis of CaFe2O4-type single crystals in the NaAlSiO4-MgAl2O4-Fe3O4 system

AbstractOrthorhombic CaFe2O4-structured (Cf) Na-rich aluminous silicate (space group Pbnm) is a major mineral of metabasaltic rocks at lower mantle conditions and can, therefore, significantly affect the physical properties of subducted oceanic crusts. We attempted to synthesize single crystals of Cf-type phases in the systems NaAlSiO4, NaAlSiO4-MgAl2O4, NaAlSiO4-MgAl2O4-Fe3O4, and NaAlSiO4-MgAl2O4-Fe3O4-H2O at 23–26 GPa and 1100–2200 °C. Under dry conditions, single crystals of Cf-type phase up to 100–150 μm in size were recovered from 23 GPa and 2000–2200 °C. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and composition analyses suggest that the synthesized Cf-type phases have a few percent of vacancies in the eightfold-coordinated site with Na, Mg, and Fe2+ and partially disordered Al and Si in the octahedral sites. Iron-bearing Cf-type phases have 32–34% Fe3+ that is hosted both in the octahedral sites and in the eightfold-coordinated site. In NaAlSiO4-MgAl2O4-Fe3O4-H2O system, no formation of Cf-type phase was observed at 24 GPa and 1100–2000 °C due to the formation of hydrous Na-rich melt and Al-rich oxides or hydroxides, suggesting the possible absence of Cf-type phase in the hydrous basaltic crust. The single-crystal syntheses of Cf-type phases will be useful for investigating their physical properties, potentially improving models of lower mantle structure and dynamics.

Iron-bearing phases affecting the colour of upper Neogene clayey sediments from Dymaczewo Stare, west-central Poland

Abstract The present paper investigates the colour dependence of mineral compositions in clay-rich sedimentary strata, mainly clayey silts, the emphasis being on iron-bearing minerals (rather than clay minerals) by using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (57Fe-MS). The PXRD-based phase analysis has demonstrated the variable compositions of samples, consisting of, inter alia, quartz, calcite or gypsum, and admixtures of potassium feldspars and plagioclase. Hematite + goethite (sample D1, dark red), goethite (sample D2, pinkish brown), poorly crystalline goethite (sample D3, orange) and jarosite (sample D4, yellow) have been distinguished. A very low jarosite content was detected in sample D5 (light grey); this did not affect its colour. The potential yellow/brown shades in sample D6 (dark grey), coming from trace amounts of jarosite, are masked by macroscopically visible organic matter. In the case of the two last-named samples (D5 and D6), with trace amounts of Fe-bearing minerals, it is most likely that the organic matter was effective in influencing the light and dark grey colour of the sediment, respectively.

Comment on Kierlik et al. Application of Mössbauer Spectroscopy for Identification of Iron-Containing Components in Upper Silesian Topsoil Being under Industrial Anthropopressure. Materials 2020, 13, 5206.

Kierlik et al. recently reported their study in this journal on the application of Mössbauer spectroscopy in identifying the iron-containing components in Upper Silesian topsoil as being under industrial anthropopressure. While the presented work is an excellent example of characterizing topsoil, a significant part of the study involving iron-bearing samples using 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy is erroneous. In the spectral fitting routine for the obtained Mössbauer spectra of the sample IIA (Figure 2; Table 3), the authors have erroneously fitted only a single sextet for magnetite, which is unacceptable. The line width obtained by them is also incorrectly mentioned in Figure 2, as evident from fitting D1 and D2 doublets as well as of magnetite tetrahedral and octahedral sites, making the relative abundances of individual phases meaningless. The inaccurate line width makes the authors fit the inadequate number of doublets necessary for the iron-bearing phases present in these samples, resulting in incorrect relative abundance for the other phases found in the materials, making the subsequent discussion not much useful.

Uranium Retardation Capacity of Lithologies from the Negev Desert, Israel—Rock Characterization and Sorption Experiments

A series of batch experiments were performed to assess the uranium sorption capacity of four mineralogically distinct lithologies from the Negev Desert, Israel, to evaluate the suitability of a potential site for subsurface radioactive waste disposal. The rock specimens consisted of an organic-rich phosphorite, a bituminous marl, a chalk, and a sandstone. The sorption data for each lithology were fitted using a general composite surface complexation model (GC SCM) implemented in PHREEQC. Sorption data were also fitted by a non-mechanistic Langmuir sorption isotherm, which can be used as an alternative to the GC SCM to provide a more computationally efficient method for uranium sorption. This is because all the rocks tested have high pH/alkalinity/calcium buffering capacities that restrict groundwater chemistry variations, so that the use of a GC SCM is not advantageous. The mineralogy of the rocks points to several dominant sorption phases for uranyl (UO22+), including apatite, organic carbon, clays, and iron-bearing phases. The surface complexation parameters based on literature values for the minerals identified overestimate the uranium sorption capacities, so that for our application, an empirical approach that makes direct use of the experimental data to estimate mineral-specific sorption parameters appears to be more practical for predicting uranium sorption.

Comment on Oil-Dispersed α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles as a Catalyst for Improving Heavy Oil Oxidation

Mehrabi-Kalajahi et al. recently reported in this journal their study on oil-dispersed α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles as a catalyst for improving heavy oil oxidation. While the reported work was carried out certainly with meticulous planning, the analysis and presentation of the 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic data are erroneous, which constitute the major part of the above study and the conclusions. They have mentioned that “At 500 °C, two sextets are confirmed as α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3. The Mössbauer measurements confirm the XRD results and also prove the existence of new components”, but they are completely silent about the detailed observations and the “new components” observed from Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis. Unfortunately, they have not provided the relative abundance of individual iron-bearing phases that can provide a ferrous/ferric ratio, which makes Mössbauer spectroscopy the most powerful tool used for the purpose. They have not clearly mentioned the fitting scheme for these spectra shown in Figure 21 and have not provided the obtained hyperfine parameters (preferably in a tabular form), which are an essential, necessary, and undeclared protocol while presenting the Mössbauer spectroscopic data, prior to its interpretation. In summary, it can be understood that, although the choice of techniques was excellent considering the great potential of Mössbauer spectroscopy, especially for these types of studies, the inability to extract a great deal of information from the carefully obtained Mössbauer spectra make the study and its subsequent discussion of not much use.

Transformation of Cyanobacterial Biomolecules by Iron Oxides During Flash Pyrolysis: Implications for Mars Life-Detection Missions.

Answering the question of whether life ever existed on Mars is a key goal of both NASA's and ESA's imminent Mars rover missions. The obfuscatory effects of oxidizing salts, such as perchlorates and sulfates, on organic matter during thermal decomposition analysis techniques are well established. Less well studied are the transformative effects of iron oxides and (oxy)hydroxides, which are present in great abundances in the martian regolith. We examined the products of flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (a technique analogous to the thermal techniques employed by past, current, and future landed Mars missions) which form when the cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis are heated in the presence of a variety of Mars-relevant iron-bearing minerals. We found that iron oxides/(oxy)hydroxides have transformative effects on the pyrolytic products of cyanobacterial biomolecules. Both the abundance and variety of molecular species detected were decreased as iron substrates transformed biomolecules, by both oxidative and reductive processes, into lower fidelity alkanes, aromatic and aryl-bonded hydrocarbons. Despite the loss of fidelity, a suite that contains mid-length alkanes and polyaromatic hydrocarbons and/or aryl-bonded molecules in iron-rich samples subjected to pyrolysis may allude to the transformation of cyanobacterially derived mid-long chain length fatty acids (particularly unsaturated fatty acids) originally present in the sample. Hematite was found to be the iron oxide with the lowest transformation potential, and because this iron oxide has a high affinity for codeposition of organic matter and preservation over geological timescales, sampling at Mars should target sediments/strata that have undergone a diagenetic history encouraging the dehydration, dihydroxylation, and oxidation of more reactive iron-bearing phases to hematite by looking for (mineralogical) evidence of the activity of oxidizing, acidic/neutral, and either hot or long-lived fluids.

Comparison of the 57Fe hyperfine parameters for iron-bearing phases in some undifferentiated and differentiated meteorites

Comparison of the 57Fe hyperfine parameters for iron-bearing phases in some undifferentiated and differentiated meteorites

Nanoporous Carbon Magnetic Hybrid Derived from Waterlock Polymers and Its Application for Hexavalent Chromium Removal from Aqueous Solution

Sodium polyacrylate is the superabsorbent waterlock polymer used in disposable diapers, which are the third largest single consumer item in landfills. As diapers are difficult to recycle, their use produces an incredible amount of environmental waste. In the present article, we present a reliable and facile approach to transform sodium polyacrylate, the main constitute in the used diapers, in a carbon-based magnetic sorbent material, capable for use in environmental applications. A nanoporous carbon magnetic hybrid material was prepared by reacting NaPA with iron acetate species under chemical activation conditions. Analysis of the characterization results revealed, the creation of a nanoporous structure, with high specific surface area value (SgBET = 611 m2/g), along with the formation of nanosized zero valent iron nanoparticles and iron carbide (Fe3C), inside the carbon pore system. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy verified also the existence of these two main iron-bearing phases, as well as additional minor magnetic phases, such as Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) measurements of the obtained hybrid confirmed its ferromagnetic/ferrimagnetic behavior. The hybrid material demonstrated a rapid sorption of Cr(VI) ions (adsorption capacity: 90 mg/g, 24 h, pH = 3). The results showed highly pH-dependent sorption efficiency of the hybrids, whereas a pseudo-second-order kinetic model described their kinetics.

A reversed redox gradient in Earth's mantle transition zone

The Earth's mantle hosts a variety of reduced and oxidized phases, including iron-bearing alloys, diamond, and sulfide and carbonate melts. In the upper mantle, increasing pressure favors the stabilization of reduced iron-bearing phases via disproportionation of ferrous iron into ferric and metallic iron. Pressure-driven disproportionation is thought to continue into the transition zone, based on the extrapolation of experiments conducted at lower pressures. To test this hypothesis, we performed high-temperature and high-pressure experiments on basaltic and peridotitic compositions at pressures of 10 to 20 GPa, buffered at different oxygen fugacities. Under these conditions, majoritic garnet is the dominant ferric-iron bearing phase. We analyze our experimental run products for their ferric iron concentrations with EELS and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Contrary to expectations, results show that at iron saturation, ferric iron content of majorite peaks in the upper transition zone and then decreases between 500 and 650 km depth, destabilizing and resorbing reduced phases. This peak can be explained by decreases in the effective volume of ferrous minerals in transition zone assemblages. We also show that natural diamond-hosted majorite inclusions that equilibrated in the sublithospheric mantle grew from variably reduced fluids. These results are consistent with the idea that these diamonds formed during progressive reduction of an originally carbonatitic melt.

Effect of Al2Ca Addition and Heat Treatment on the Microstructure Modification and Tensile Properties of Hypo-Eutectic Al-Mg-Si Alloys.

The current study investigated the microstructure modification in Al–6Mg–5Si–0.15Ti alloy (in mass %) through the minor addition of Ca using Mg + Al2Ca master alloy and heat treatment to see their impact on mechanical properties. The microstructure of unmodified alloy (without Ca) consisted of primary Al, primary Mg2Si, binary eutectic Al–Mg2Si, ternary eutectic Al–Mg2Si–Si, and iron-bearing phases. The addition of 0.05 wt% Ca resulted in significant microstructure refinement. In addition to refinement, lamellar to fibrous-type modification of binary eutectic Al–Mg2Si phases was also achieved in Ca-added (modified) alloy. This modification was related to increasing Ca-based intermetallics/compounds in the modified alloy that acted as nucleation sites for binary eutectic Al–Mg2Si phases. The dendritic refinement with Ca addition was related to the fact that it improves the efficacy of Ti-based particles (TiAl3 and TiB2) in the melt to act as nucleation sites. In contrast, the occupation of oxide bifilms by Ca-based phases is expected to force the iron-bearing phases (as iron-bearing phases nucleate at oxide films) to solidify at lower temperatures, thus reducing their size. The as-cast microstructure of these alloys was further modified by subjecting them to solution treatment at 540 °C for 6 h, which broke the eutectic structure and redistributed Mg2Si and Si phases in Al-matrix. Subsequent aging treatment caused a dramatic increase in the tensile strength of these alloys, and tensile strength of 291 MPa (with El% of 0.45%) and 327 MPa (with El% of 0.76%) was achieved for the unmodified alloy and modified alloy, respectively. Higher tensile strength and elongation of the modified alloy than unmodified alloy was attributed to refined dendritic structure and modified second phases.

Oxalate-extractable aluminum alongside carbon inputs may be a major determinant for organic carbon content in agricultural topsoils in humid continental climate

The relative importance of various soil mineral constituents (e.g. clay-sized particles, aluminum- and iron-bearing mineral reactive phases) in protecting soil organic carbon (SOC) from decomposition is not yet fully understood in arable soils formed from quaternary deposits in humid continental climates. In this study, we investigated the relationships between soil physico-chemical properties (i.e. contents of oxalate-extractable aluminum (Alox) and iron (Feox) and clay size particle < 2 µm), grain yield (as a proxy for carbon input) and total SOC as well as SOC in different soil fractions for samples taken from the topsoil of an arable field at Bjertorp in south-west Sweden. We found a positive correlation between Alox and total SOC content, where Alox explained ca. 48% of the spatial variation in SOC. We also found that ca. 80% of SOC was stored in silt- and clay-sized (SC) fractions, where Al-bearing reactive mineral phases (estimated by Alox) may be important for organic-mineral associations and clay aggregation. Our results were supported by data collated from the literature for arable topsoil in similar climates, which also showed positive correlations between SOC and Alox contents (R2 = 23.1 – 74.5%). Multiple linear regression showed that including spatially-variable crop yields as a proxy for carbon inputs improved the prediction of SOC variation across the Bjertorp field. Other unquantified soil properties such as exchangeable calcium may account for the remaining unexplained variation in topsoil SOC. We conclude that Al-bearing reactive mineral phases are more important than clay content and Fe-bearing reactive mineral phases for SOC stabilization in arable topsoil in humid continental climates.

Applications of Mössbauer Spectroscopy in Meteoritical and Planetary Science, Part II: Differentiated Meteorites, Moon, and Mars

Mössbauer (nuclear γ-resonance) spectroscopy is a powerful technique which is actively used in various fields from physics and chemistry to biology and medicine. Rudolf L. Mössbauer, who observed nuclear γ-resonance and published his results in 1958, got a Nobel Prize in physics in 1961 for this discovery. 57Fe is the most widely used nucleus in Mössbauer spectroscopy. Therefore, a large variety of compounds containing iron can be studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. It is well known that planetary matter contains various iron-bearing phases and minerals. Therefore, the extraterrestrial material from different meteorites, asteroids, and planets can be studied using 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy as an additional powerful technique. Two parts of this review consider the results of more than 50 years of experience of Mössbauer spectroscopy applied for the studies of various meteorites, soils and rocks from the Moon and a recent investigation of the Martian surface using two rovers equipped with miniaturized Mössbauer spectrometers. Part I considered the results of Mössbauer spectroscopy of undifferentiated meteorites. Part II discusses the results of Mössbauer spectroscopy of differentiated meteorites formed in asteroids and protoplanets due to matter differentiation, as well as Lunar and Martian matter.