Mineral Ratios Research Articles

Mineral magnetism records shift in climate during the Kannur regolith formation, North Kerala, India

In this study, we conducted mineral magnetic analyses on three borehole core samples (∼40 m each) from the Kannur midland of northern Kerala, India to investigate iron oxide variations. Magnetic susceptibility (χlf) and its frequency dependency (χfd), Anhysteretic Remanence Magnetization (ARM), Isothermal Remanence Magnetization (IRM), Saturation IRM (SIRM), Hard IRM (HIRM), Soft IRM, and Munsell-Redness Rating were utilized to identify and estimate the iron oxide variations in these samples. We observed a notable shift from reductive to oxidative environments between 20 and 30 m depths among the studied cores, indicating a significant climatic or tectonic event in the region. This abrupt changeover is consistent with the lithologic change marked by a brief peat interval followed by lateritic sediments, which reflect the anoxic to oxic conditions within the closed system of the Kannur regolith basin. The basin-fill, characterized by the rapid hinterland erosion of upland laterites without the return of peat environments, suggests monsoonal intensification. The widespread occurrence of this interval within the basin may indicate a significant change in the climate. We observed an enrichment of authigenic magnetites in peat and lagoonal clays, which are succeeded by hematite and goethite-dominant estuarine to fluvial conditions inferred for monsoonal intensification during stabilized sea level and tectonic stability in the mid-Holocene. The goethite/hematite magnetic mineral ratio revealed the variation within warm-humid to warm-arid conditions, elaborating the monsoonal variability through the majority of the Mid to Late Holocene in the absence of chronology. We propose that this changeover in authigenic reductive to oxidative detrital magnetic mineralogy can serve as a stratigraphic benchmark for climate change during the Mid to Late Holocene in the Kannur basin of Kerala.

Assessment of nutritional values, phytochemical content, and antioxidant properties of Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) leaf and bulb

Natural herbs and spices have gained tremendous recognition as sources of bioactive substances, which include antioxidants. Shallot spice is a medicinal plant, an exceptional candidate for the health-oriented strategy required for the creation of foods with functional properties and remarkable therapeutic effects. This study comparatively assessed the nutritional values, phytochemicals, and in vitro antioxidant properties of shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) bulbs and leaves. Portions of the shallot bulb (SB), leaves (SL), and whole shallot (WS) were processed separately into flours, and their nutritive values (proximate, mineral, and phytochemicals compositions), total phenol and flavonoid contents were investigated. The in vitro antioxidant properties (Ferric reducing antioxidant potential, ABTS•, DPPH, OH• radical scavenging activities) were also assessed using standard methods. The SL exhibited the highest ash (15.00 g/100 g), crude fiber (16.33 g/100 g), and protein (12.54 g/100 g) contents; the SB exhibited the highest moisture 94.60 g/100 g) and carbohydrate (71.76 g/100 g) contents, and energy value (369.83 Kcal/100 g), while WS exhibited the highest fat (7.70 g/100 g) content (p<0.05). SL also exhibited the highest mineral contents (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, and Zn), followed by WS. The mineral to mineral ratios for all shallot samples are within safe and acceptable values. The phytochemical contents investigated were all present in reasonable amounts, and the phytate and oxalate mineral molar ratios revealed the high bioavailability of the minerals upon consumption. The WS exhibited the highest total phenol (17.98 mg GAE/g), flavonoid contents (3.40 mg RE/g), and antioxidant properties at the different concentrations under investigation. Results revealed various parts of shallot are important in human nutrition to ameliorate macro and micronutrient deficiency; however, the WS exhibited excellent antioxidant properties and free radicals scavenging abilities.

Provenance changes revealed by a multi-proxy approach to sandstone analysis and its implications on palaeogeography: Mesozoic Kutch Basin, India

Sedimentary rocks preserve the geological history of a basin and play a key role in constraining the palaeogeography. The Mesozoic Kutch Basin (India) comprises a number of sub-basins representing a pericratonic rift formed during the break-up of Gondwanaland. It preserves sediment deposited during the rifting and drifting of the Indian subcontinent. The current study identifies evidence of provenance changes recorded in Mesozoic sandstone units using a multi-proxy approach of quantitative modal analysis, quantitative heavy-mineral analysis and garnet chemistry. The Mesozoic sedimentary successions in the sub-basins are classified as the Kutch Mainland Group (KMG), the Pachchham Island Group (PIG) and the Eastern Kutch Group (EKG). Although the sub-basins are thought to share sediment from common source areas and the sandstone units are highly mature quartz arenites, the heavy-mineral assemblages (especially the content of zircon, tourmaline, rutile, apatite and staurolite) indicate previously unreported variation in the sediment source for the PIG when compared to the KMG and EKG. Moreover, an increase in the content of staurolite and kyanite in combination with rising trends of the ratios of staurolite–kyanite and zircon–tourmaline–rutile over garnet (St + Ky/Grt and ZTR/Grt) for the Callovian and younger strata is observed in the KMG and EKG. The above indicates a change in source from the older to the younger strata in each of the two sub-basins. The absence of their coeval strata in the PIG gives credence to the previously postulated rise of a subsurface basement high, the Median High in this basin. However, the timing of the rise remained so far unspecified, mentioned as “later in Jurassic” (Biswas, 2016b). The observations made in the current study constrain the rise of the Median High in the Kutch Basin to the Callovian time. The similarities in trends of the ratio of heavy minerals and garnet chemistry as well as variations in igneous garnet suggest recycling within the Kutch Basin from the Callovian to Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian strata in the EKG to the Kimmeridgian to Albian strata in the KMG.Besides revealing previously unknown details in the evolutionary and palaeogeographic history of the different sub-basins constituting the Kutch Basin, this multi-proxy study demonstrates the high potential of using recently developed techniques in provenance analysis i.e., the semi-automated heavy-mineral analysis by Raman spectroscopy and the state-of-the-art machine-learning aided garnet discrimination scheme. This study also provides a globally applicable workflow for other sedimentary basins, especially rift basins characterised by overall highly mature quartz arenites.

Synergistic degradation of chlorobenzene using intimate coupling of visible-light responsive TiO2/oxygenous groups decorated g-C3N4 composites and Ralstonia sp. XZW-1

The effective and economic treatment of chlorobenzenes has become one of the most intractable issues in the field of air pollution control. Herein, a visible-light photocatalysis coupled with biodegradation (VPCB) system was developed by integrating an innovative visible-light responsive TiO2/oxygenous groups decorated g-C3N4 (TiO2/OCN) with polyurethane carriers immobilized with Ralstonia sp. XZW-1 for chlorobenzene removal. Performance tests showed that light intensity, preparation of the MICs, catalyst dosage and composition of the TiO2/OCN cast significant influence on chlorobenzene removal efficiency, with the degradation efficiency, mineralization and dechlorination ratios of VPCB achieving 100%, 35.5%, and 99.4% under the optimal conditions, respectively, outcompeting the sum of visible-light photocatalytic system and biodegradation protocols. Cycling tests further demonstrated the excellent stability of VPCB. Mechanism analysis found that increased reactive sites, improved visible-light harvesting, accelerated charge transfer and separation, and the resulting abundant active species jointly contributed to the enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2/OCN. Photogenerated holes were most significant active species for chlorobenzene removal, followed by OH and O2− radicals. The carriers could effectively protect microorganisms from light illumination and strong oxidizing species, allowing the further microbial metabolism of chlorobenzene photocatalytic oxidation intermediates with good biodegradability, not only greatly promoting the microbial growth and activity, but further enhancing chlorobenzene photocatalytic degradation. Plausible synergistic mechanism for chlorobenzene degradation between photocatalysis and biodegradation was also revealed. Furthermore, the VPCB system constructed presented wide applicability towards various pollutants, and its performance was found closely related with the hydrophobicity of pollutants. This work provided insight into the design and application of the VPCB system for the efficient and economic treatment of refractory pollutants.

Hydrothermal Calcite Precipitation in Veins: Inspired by Experiments for Oxygen Isotope Fractionation between CO2 and Calcite from 1 °C to 150 °C

The oxygen isotope ratios of minerals are important for estimating the formation temperature of hydrothermal deposits. Calcite is generally found in most mining districts. The oxygen isotope ratio of hydrothermal calcite in isotopic equilibrium with a fluid depends on that of the fluid as well as the formation temperature. The isotope ratios of calcite are generally determined to measure the isotope ratios of CO2 generated via reaction with 100% phosphoric acid at 25 °C. This is why the oxygen isotope fractionation between CO2 and calcite at 25 °C is required to conduct the procedure. When using other carbonate minerals such as dolomite, ankerite, and siderite, the reaction requires higher temperatures. Therefore, the oxygen isotope fractionation between CO2 and calcite at higher temperatures should be known because the laboratory standard sample of carbonates is usually calcite. Here, the oxygen isotope fractionation in CO2 during the reaction of calcite with phosphoric acid at temperatures between 1 °C and 150 °C was thoroughly determined in the first half, and the value can be represented by the following equation: 1000 lnα = 0.494 (106/T2) + 4.64. The experiments raised questions such as the equilibrium vs. kinetics issue in isotopic reactions in the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits. The raised issue is discussed in the second half based on the findings of previous isotope studies in deposits.

Optimization of Chelating Process of Amino Acids of Leather Waste and Glycine with Different Minerals and Its Relationship with Arthrospira platensis Biological Activities

There are several factors were taken in consideration such as time, ratio, temperature and pH to improve the chelation process between the amino acids and inorganic ions. The current study aims to optimize the physical factors controlling the synthesis of chelated amino acids with different minerals and to enhance antioxidant and biodiesel production from Arthrospira platensis cultivated in culture enriched with different chelated minerals. In this study; various physical factors such as (ratio of amino acids and minerals; temperature, time and pH) were used for optimization of chelation formation. The blue -green alga Arthrospira platensis was cultivated under different synthesized chelated minerals (T1-T13), the growth rate, antioxidant, antiradical and biodiesel production were determined in all treated alga. The obtained results showed that the optimum conditions for production of chelated amino acid were ratio (2:1 M), temperature at 60 °C, the duration between 4:5 days and the suitable or stability of chelation at pH = 4, Also, the growth rate of A. platensis with Cu-glycinate higher than Cu-leather waste and Zarrouk media. The antioxidant activity results of different extracts of Arthrospira platensis showed that the water extract gave high antioxidant activity against DPPH radical assay than acetone extract in all treatments when compared with untreated culture (Zarrouk’s medium). Arthrospira platensis cultivated on Zarrouk medium supplemented with chelated amino acids with metals was showed an increase in algal pigments and lipids with Mn-LW, Zn-LW and Mg-LW treatments. Also, the results showed that the produced biodiesel was observed with M-LW treatments, which was more than that of glycinate treatments, untreated culture (Zarrouk) and LW biodiesel. Therefore, the highest biodiesel percentages were founded with Zn, Mn and Mg-LW (5.37, 5.25 and 4.86% respectively). The recorded results and material balance data concluded that possibility for use the chelated minerals (glycine and leather wastes) as plant fertilizer in future because its high yield and low fees for production.Graphical

Mineral and heavy metal content in dry dog foods with different main animal components

Dog caregivers, mainly for economic reasons and easy availability, choose dry, over the counter diets (OTC). The mineral composition of OTC foods depends primarily on the components used in the production of the pet food. Regardless of the main component of the food, it must meet the recommended minimum mineral content, established by nutritional guidelines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the mineral (Ca, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo) and heavy metal content (Pb, Co, Cd, Cr, Ni) using the methods of colorimetry and mass spectrometry, of OTC dry dog foods and to compare with the FEDIAF and AAFCO nutritional guidelines. Dry foods pose no risk to dogs in terms of heavy metal content. The worst results in terms of mineral content were obtained in mixed foods, therefore it is worth considering feeding the dog a mono-protein food. The PCA analysis disproved our hypothesis and revealed that the main animal source did not statistically significantly affect the levels of minerals and their ratios. However, the analysis of contrasts confirms the differentiation of the content of individual minerals between the groups of foods. For the first time, we proved that pet food with a mineral composition similar to the MIN-RL may be characterized by unfavorable mineral ratios.

Enhanced degradation performance and mineralization of ciprofloxacin by ionizing radiation combined with g-C3N4/CDs

In this study, the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) was investigated in the synergetic system of electron beam irradiation (EBI) combined with graphite carbon nitride/carbon nanodots (g-C3N4/CDs). The results suggested that the presence of g-C3N4/CDs could not only promote the degradation of CIP but also significantly enhanced the mineralization ratio. At 25 kGy, the mineralization ratio increased from 18.1% to 69.0% while g-C3N4/CDs was added. Regeneration experiments revealed that the g-C3N4/CDs composite possessed good reusability. In addition to finding that the presence of CO32−, HCO3−, NO3− and NO2− obviously restrained the radiolysis process of CIP, the adding of Cl− and SO42− could also have slight inhibitory effects. The effect of various water matrices in EBI&g-C3N4/CDs systems suggested that the degradation efficiency decreased in lake and tap water. Moreover, the studies in the presence of different radical scavengers suggested that ·OH was the main reactive species in the degradation process. The possible degradation pathway of CIP was proposed in the light of intermediate products using Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC–MS) analysis coupled with DFT calculations.

Hydrogen Isotopic Composition of Hydrous Minerals in Asteroid Ryugu

Rock fragments of the Cb-type asteroid Ryugu returned to Earth by the JAXA Hayabusa2 mission share mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic properties with the Ivuna-type (CI) carbonaceous chondrites. Similar to CI chondrites, these fragments underwent extensive aqueous alteration and consist predominantly of hydrous minerals likely formed in the presence of liquid water on the Ryugu parent asteroid. Here we present an in situ analytical survey performed by secondary ion mass spectrometry from which we have estimated the D/H ratio of Ryugu’s hydrous minerals, D/HRyugu, to be [165 ± 19] × 10−6, which corresponds to δDRyugu = +59 ± 121‰ (2σ). The hydrous mineral D/HRyugu’s values for the two sampling sites on Ryugu are similar; they are also similar to the estimated D/H ratio of hydrous minerals in the CI chondrites Orgueil and Alais. This result reinforces a link between Ryugu and CI chondrites and an inference that Ryugu’s samples, which avoided terrestrial contamination, are our best proxy to estimate the composition of water at the origin of hydrous minerals in CI-like material. Based on this data and recent literature studies, the contribution of CI chondrites to the hydrogen of Earth’s surficial reservoirs is evaluated to be ∼3%. We conclude that the water responsible for the alteration of Ryugu’s rocks was derived from water ice precursors inherited from the interstellar medium; the ice partially re-equilibrated its hydrogen with the nebular H2 before being accreted on the Ryugu’s parent asteroid.

GEYSERNAYA RIVER ALLUVIUM (KAMCHATKA): COMPOSITION AND FEATURES OF FORMATION&lt;a href="#FN2"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/a&gt;

A comprehensive compositional analysis of the alluvium from the river with active gas-hydrothermal manifestations was carried out for the first time. Geysernaya river alluvium is characterized by: poor roundness of boulders and pebbles (grades 1–2), poorly sorted fine-clastic component, abundance of rock fragments and intergrown minerals even in the fine sand fraction. All these indicate the sediment weak disintegration with significant amount of slope material in it, including redeposited by mudflows. The high content of smectite-zeolite and other newly formed (secondary) minerals aggregates (up to 70% of the light fraction 0.1–0.25 mm in size) and altered rock fragments (up to 70–80% in the pebble fraction of alluvium) indicate that a gas-hydrothermal activity significantly impact the bedrock and alluvium weathering within the thermal fields. The material accumulates predominant in the areas of: (1) active delivery of slope material (temporary dams), (2) the longitudinal profile flattening in dammed reservoirs, and (3) mudflow material removal. Formation of two dammed reservoirs over the past 15 years, as well as layers of fine sand found in the low terrace’s sediments, indicate that such short-lived basins form periodically in the Geysernaya river valley. The conditions of the fine sand deposition in sections of a single-branch channel and within dammed reservoirs are differ, which affects the heavy fraction leading minerals ratio. The well-rounded gravel and abundance of coarse sand, and their decrepit appearance indicates that, along with the processing of incoming slope and mudflow material large volumes the Geyzernaya river continues to cut in and erodes the ancient fluvial sediments.

Региональный критерий отнесения горнопромышленных регионов к территориям с наибольшей подверженностью геоэкологическим изменениям

Introduction. Territories adjacent to mining regions always experience a negative impact from the mining enterprise. The scale of such an impact on the environment is estimated by taking into account factors such as geographical location, climatic conditions, the amount of minerals extracted, as well as the ratio of mineral reserves to the area of the mining region. For geo-ecological assessment of the scale of impacts of the territory near the mining region on the environment, it is necessary to introduce a regional coefficient that takes into account the quantitative distribution of mining enterprises on the area of the mining region, as well as the ratio of reserves to area. In this regard, the question arises about the creation of a geo-ecological assessment methodology based on this indicator. Objective. Development of a criterion for a comprehensive geo-ecological assessment of mining regions impact, based on the regional indicator on the example of coal mining enterprises. Methodology. When carrying out the research, the analysis of literary domestic and foreign sources was used; generally accepted methods, including methods of geo-ecological assessment, assessment of natural potential, analysis of anthropogenic load, protection of the territory of the location of the coal mining enterprise. Results and discussion. A functional scheme of the stages of the geoecological assessment of the territory of a coal mining enterprise has been developed to calculate the geoecological assessment indicator with regard to the natural potential of the territory, the total anthropogenic load and the protection of the territory. It is proposed to use a regional indicator to classify the mining region as the territories most susceptible to geoecological environmental changes due to the ratio of the amount of coal production and reserves to the area of the mining region and taking this coefficient into account when allocating state subsidies to improve the environmental situation of the mining region. Conclusions. The main criterion of the geoecological assessment of the mining region– the regional indicator of the attribution of the mining region to the territories with the greatest susceptibility to geoecological changes has been established. The criterion is estimated by the ratio of the volume of production and coal reserves to the area of the mining region. This coefficient is crucial when allocating state subsidies to improve the environmental situation of the mining region. The introduction of a regional indicator creates optimal conditions for forecasting geoecological hazards and the appointment of environmental and nature restoration measures.

Influence of geomechanics parameters on stress sensitivity in fractured reservoir

The complex fractures aggravate stress sensitivity and heterogeneity of the reservoir and seriously restrict effective development. Therefore, it is of great significance to study and quantitatively evaluate the stress sensitivity of the fractured reservoir. Taking the typical block of the Longmaxi shale reservoir in southern Sichuan as the engineering background, one uses the finite element method to develop a numerical model of a two-dimensional fracture closure variation subjected to the non-hydrostatic stress field. It explores the influence of different fracture occurrences and rock mechanical parameters on stress sensitivity. The theoretical model verifies the numerical simulation results to reveal the stress sensitivity mechanism of the fractured reservoir. The results show that the influence of the dip angle of fracture on the stress sensitivity depends on the anisotropy of applied in-situ stresses. The stronger stress sensitivity occurs in low-dip angles where the lateral pressure coefficient is less than 1. One defines the lateral pressure coefficient. On the contrary, the stronger stress sensitivity occurs in high-dip angles where the lateral pressure coefficient is more significant than 1. It is because the normal stress differences under different stress fields apply to the fracture. Under a given stress condition, the stress sensitivity of fracture negatively correlates with aspect ratio, elastic modulus, and Poisson’s ratio. Pressure maintenance may be more critical in a reservoir with a low aspect ratio and rich in soft minerals. The theoretical predicting model of fracture permeability under different conditions is established based on the linear elastic theory. The relative error between theoretically predicted results and numerical simulation ones is less than 10%, which verifies the accuracy of numerical simulation results. The fundamental reason for stress sensitivity in the fractured reservoir is the fracture geometry and mineral deformation change. The research results are of great significance for establishing the productivity equation considering the stress sensitivity, accurately evaluating the variation of reservoir seepage capacity, and formulating reasonable drainage and production system.

Effects of neutron irradiation on densities and elastic properties of aggregate-forming minerals in concrete

The aggregate-forming minerals in concrete undergo volume swelling and microstructure change under neutron irradiation, leading to degradation of physical and mechanical properties of the aggregates and concrete. A comprehensive investigation of volume change and elastic property variation of major aggregate-forming minerals is still lacking, so molecular dynamics simulations have been employed in this paper to improve the understanding of the degradation mechanisms. The results demonstrated that the densities of the selected aggregate-forming minerals of similar atomic structure and chemical composition vary in a similar trend with deposited energy due to the similar amorphization mechanism. The elastic tensors of all silicate minerals are almost isotropic after saturated irradiation, while those of irradiated carbonate minerals remain anisotropic. Moreover, the elastic modulus ratio versus density ratio of irradiated minerals is roughly following the density–modulus scaling relationship. These findings could further provide basis for predicting the volume and elastic properties of irradiated concrete aggregates in nuclear facilities.

Transcriptome analysis reveals self-redox mineralization mechanism of azo dyes and novel decolorizing hydrolases in Aspergillus tabacinus LZ-M

Bio-degradation is the most affordable method of azo dye decontamination, while its drawbacks such as aromatic amines accumulation and low degradation efficiency must be overcome. In this study, a novel mechanism of azo dye degradation by a fungus was discovered. At a concentration of 400 mg/L, the decolorization efficiency of Acid Red 73 (AR73) by Aspergillus tabacinus LZ-M was 90.28%. Metabolite analysis and transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed a self-redox process of AR73 degradation, where the electrons generated in carbon oxidation were transferred to the reduction of -C-N = and –NN. The metabolites, 2-hydroxynaphthalene and N-phenylnitrous amide were mineralized into CO2 through catechol pathway and a glycolytic process. Furthermore, the mineralization ratio of dye was computed to be 31.8% by the carbon balance and electron balance. By using comparative transcriptome, a novel decoloring enzyme Ord95 was discovered in unknown genes through gene cloning. It hydrolyzed AR73 into 2-hydroxynaphthalene and N-phenylnitrous amide, containing a glutathione S-transferase domain with three arginines as key active sites. Here the new mechanism of azo dye degradation was discovered with identification of a novel enzyme in Aspergillus tabacinus LZ-M.

Tourmaline Breccias from the Río Blanco-Los Bronces Porphyry Copper District, Chile: Constraints on the Fluid Source and the Utility of Tourmaline Composition for Exploration

Abstract Tourmaline-cemented breccia bodies host much of the ore in the Río Blanco-Los Bronces porphyry Cu-Mo deposits. We determined the chemical and B isotope composition of tourmaline as well as S isotope ratios of anhydrite and sulfide minerals to shed light on the composition and origin of mineralizing fluids. Also, the utility of tourmaline as an indicator mineral was tested by comparing mineralized and barren breccias. Tourmaline in mineralized samples has a narrow Mg range (1.5–2 apfu) and variable, generally low Al contents (4–6.5 apfu). A strong negative correlation of Al with Fe indicates monovalent substitution of Al and Fe3+, implying relatively oxidizing fluids. In contrast, tourmaline from barren breccias has a narrower Al range (6–7 apfu), lower and more variable Mg (0.2–2.5 apfu), and a strong negative Mg-Fe correlation, suggesting more reduced fluids with a dominance of Fe2+. These features and the implications of redox contrast may have exploration significance. Tourmaline from all breccia samples yielded δ11B values from 1.8 to 7.9‰. A magmatic source of boron is concluded from the identical B isotope values of granite-hosted tourmaline in the district (1.2–7.7‰) and from the similar range of regional volcanic and porphyry rocks in the Central Andes. The δ34S values of coexisting anhydrite (11.6–14.5‰) and chalcopyrite (–1.5 to –0.2‰) in mineralized breccia give S isotope exchange temperatures of 377° to 437°C, consistent with fluid inclusion temperatures. Total sulfur δ34Sfluid estimates between 1.4 ± 3.9 and 8.8 ± 1.3‰ are broadly consistent with a magmatic source but not well constrained. However, published O and H isotope ratios of quartz and tourmaline from the Río Blanco-Los Bronces breccias have a clear magmatic signature, so this is the preferred scenario. Mass balance simulations of the boron budget show that typical magma flux rates, water contents, and boron concentration for the Central Andes could produce the estimated 107 tons of boron in the Río Blanco-Los Bronces breccias within the 4-m.y. duration of porphyry intrusions if (1) magma accumulated and evolved at midcrustal levels before emplacement and (2) boron partitioned strongly to the fluid phase (DBfluid/melt &amp;gt; 3).

Production of black herbal tea from Bacopa floribunda: effect on mineral profile, antioxidant and anticholinesterase properties of Bacopa floribunda leaves

This study investigate the effect of converting Bacopa floribunda BF leaves into Bacopa florbunda black herbal tea BFHT on the mineral profile, antinutrients, antioxidants, Anticholinesterase and lipid peroxidation inhibitory properties of Bacopa floribunda leaves. Bacopa floribunda leaves were plucked, destalked, withered, rolled, fermented/oxidized, milled, dried, cooled and packaged. The antinutrients phytate, saponin and tannin content of B. floribunda leaves reduced significantly (P ˂ 0.05) after processing into BFHT. The mineral ratios and molar ratios of minerals BFHT were within the critical values making them available for absorption. BFHT exhibited a very high and significant (P ˂ 0.05) total phenolics (60.08 mg GAE/g), total flavonoids (12.96 mg QE/g) and reducing power (50.38mg AAE/g). The scavenging activities of BFHT extract against DPPH and Nitric oxide (NO) was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) higher than freshly harvested B. floribunda leaves. BFHT (IC50 = 74.26 μg/ml) demonstrated a high significant (P ˂ 0.05) inhibitory capacity against Acetyl cholinesterase enzymes. The inhibition capacity of BFHT (IC50 = 0.65 μg/ml) against Fe2+ induced lipid peroxidation was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) higher than freshly harvested B. floribunda leaves (IC50 = 0.78 μg/ml). The study has demonstrated that high quality herbal tea BFHT could be produced from B. floribunda leaves and also serves as another method of food preservation.

Geochemical Features of River Runoff and Their Effect on the State of the Aquatic Environment of Lake Onego

This paper presents the results of seasonal observations of the geochemical composition of the waters of the large tributaries of Lake Onego. The mineralogy and geochemistry of the suspended matter and the isotopic composition (oxygen-18 and deuterium) of the river waters were studied for the first time. The dependence of the chemical and isotopic compositions of the tributary water on the season and characteristics of the catchment area (swampiness and lacustrine) was revealed. It is shown that the river waters belong to the bicarbonate class of the calcium group and have low mineralization, high color and a similar composition to the main minerals of the suspended matter. It is determined that the difference between the multielement spectra of the water and suspended matter of the different rivers is closely related to the geological and geomorphological structures of river basins. It is established that the quantitative characteristics of the mineral and organic parts of the suspended matter, the ratios of the different minerals andthe size and patterning of the particles of detrital material in the tributaries differ. The change in the mineralogical and geochemical compositions of the suspended matter of each individual river over the year is insignificant. The influence of the river runoff on the formation of lake waters is manifested in the chemical composition of the lake waters. The quantitative ratios of the main ions, biogenic elements and microcomponents in lake water mainly correspond to their ratios in river waters. The mineral part of the dispersed sedimentary matter of the lake in its geochemical characteristics is close to the suspended matter of the river waters.

Effects of conservation agriculture on carbon mineralization: A global meta-analysis

Soil carbon (C) sequestration, as an important means of mitigating climate change, is influenced by C mineralization. No-till (NT) and residue retention (RR) developed rapidly due to their soil C sequestration function. However, their effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization are still controversial, with positive and negative effects under NT and unclear effects on mineralization ratios under RR reported, which hinders the ability to predict SOC sequestration efficiency, SOC stabilization and CO2 emissions. Therefore, a global meta-analysis based on 132 peer-reviewed papers was used to investigate the effects of NT and RR on absolute mineralizable carbon (AMC) and specific mineralizable carbon (AMC per unit SOC, SMC) in laboratory incubation studies. The results showed that NT significantly increased AMC in surface (0–5 cm) and subsoil (> 20 cm) where it had been practiced over the long-term (>15 years), without crop rotation, and in alkaline soils (pH >7.8) compared to conventional tillage. RR generally increased AMC, and its negative effect on SMC was significant in soils with a high input of N fertilizer (> 300 kg N/ha) and sandy soils compared to residue removal. NT significantly reduced SMC in neutral and acidic soils (pH < 7.8), or compared to chisel plow or rotary tillage. Furthermore, RR and NT generally improved soil indicators except ammonium nitrogen and bulk density, and RR improved most of them significantly. The correlation analysis revealed that the change in AMC was significantly positively correlated with the indicators related to C/N, while SMC was significantly negatively correlated with SOC concentration. In general, both NT and RR significantly increased AMC, while SMC increased significantly with RR only, and NT+RR significantly decreased SMC. When combined with other measures, e.g. N application with RR, and applied in combination, NT and RR can increase SOC while decreasing its mineralization, thus improving the sequestration of C.

Evaluation of the nutrients in milk supplements suitable for children using LIBS and PAS technique

The presence of macro and micro nutrients essential for human health in four milk supplements is quickly identified using Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS). In addition to the minerals reported by the manufacturers, some additional spectral signatures of the elements like Na and K are also observed in the LIBS spectra which are not listed by some manufacturers. The ratio of various minerals like Ca/Mg, Na/Mg, etc. has been evaluated, and found a good correlation with the nutritional value listed on the product packaging. The organic elements C, H, N, and O together with the CN molecular band observed in the LIBS spectra of milk supplement indicate the presence of organic molecules. PAS is used for the identification of organic compounds such as Vitamins, Proteins, Fat, Taurine, and Sucrose in milk supplements. The results of the present study help in selecting milk supplements suitable for children suffering from chronic kidney diseases and diabetes. Based on the presence of minerals and their relative concentration, milk supplements are classified into three groups by applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Therefore, the results from the present work extend the application of LIBS and PAS together with PCA for the identification of the nutrients in milk supplements.

Green valorization of end-of-life toner powder to iron oxide-nanographene nanohybrid as a recyclable persulfate activator for degrading emerging micropollutants

The sustainable management of toner waste (T–raw) was performed via carbonization at 500 °C (T-500) and 600 °C (T–600) to produce iron oxide-nanographene nanohybrid (FeO-NG) for activating persulfate (PS) to efficiently degrade dyes (methylene blue, MB), antibiotics (sulfamethazine, SMZ), and pesticides (diazinon, DZN). Morphology, crystallinity, chemical structure, chemical composition, surface area, and pore size distribution of the synthesized materials were investigated using various analyses. High degradation ratios of MB were attained over a wide pH range (2–7), and the optimum operating conditions were determined. The FeO-NG/PS system was tested in different water matrices. MB degradation efficiency dropped from 80.13% to 78.56% after five succeeding experiments, proving the high stability of T–500. Trapping experiments proved the major role of sulfate radicals and the minor contribution of singlet oxygen. The toxicity evaluation of the treated and untreated MB solutions was conducted via measuring the cell viability, showing an increase in cell viability ratio after the degradation of MB. The degradation efficiencies of DZN and SMZ were 97.54% and 83.7%, respectively and the mineralization ratios were 74.08% and 60.37% at initial concentrations of sulfamethazine and diazinon of 50 and 100 mg/L, respectively. The high degradation efficiency of emerging micropollutants as well as the inexpensiveness, and facile synthesis of the catalyst boost the prospect of applying the proposed system on an industrial scale.