Mixed Silicate Research Articles

Mixed silicates with three‐dimensional micro‐architecture toward accelerate the antibacterial hemostatic effects in wound healing

Silicates with the antibacterial hemostatic effects used in wound healing that could be served as antibiotic alternatives to traditional biomedicines. Mixed silicates containing two or more silicates with different morphologies exhibit an accelerated antibacterial hemostatic effects (e.g., the antibacterial rate toward kaolinite-montmorillonite against E. coli and S. aureus reached a maximum value of 59.14 ± 1.46% and 91.83 ± 0.85%, the blood clotting index and the hemostatic time toward kaolinite-montmorillonite reached a maximum value of 4.06 ± 1.56% and 165.67 ± 6.13s), that could be attributed to the individual silicate’s intrinsic antibacterial hemostatic effects arising from the silicate’s surface/edge charge and the constructed three‐dimensional micro‐architectural characteristics arising from the individual silicate’s loose stack state in mixed silicates. Besides, those ineffective antibacterial hemostatic effects were attributed to the unsuccessful three‐dimensional micro‐architectural construction originated from the silicate’s unreasonable mass ratio. The current findings illustrated that mixed silicates with an accelerated antibacterial hemostatic effects could be used in wound healing with taking into account biomedical functional module collocation and actual scenario orientation.

Preparation and corrosion resistance characterization of MAO coating on AZ31B magnesium alloy formed in the mixed silicate and phosphate electrolytes with pectin as an additive

AZ31B magnesium alloy as a medical implant material is hampered in its application due to its excessive corrosion rate in the human environment. This work used pectin as an electrolyte additive to prepare micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coatings on the surface of magnesium alloys. The surface and cross-section morphology, chemical composition of the coatings were examined using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The effect of pectin concentrations on the corrosion resistance of the coatings under simulated body fluid media was evaluated by electrochemical tests. The results showed that the addition of pectin could fill the pores (resulting in a reduction in porosity by 2.3 %) and micro-cracks within the coatings, increasing the corrosion resistance with the increase in pectin concentration. Notably, the MAO-0.75 coating exhibited densest coating structure and then best corrosion resistance with the corrosion current density as low as 1.259 × 10−6 A/cm2, which was four order of magnitudes lower compared to the substrate. The experimental results showed that the use of pectin as an additive prolongs the service life of magnesium alloy MAO coatings in simulated body fluids, thus giving them great potential as medical implant materials.

In vitro assessment of commercial multi-mycotoxin binders to reduce the bioavailability of emerging mycotoxins in livestock

The changing climate and agricultural practices continue to drive the increased prevalence and levels of both regulated and emerging mycotoxins in feed and food crops. This poses a considerable challenge for the agricultural sector in developing and developed countries as there is growing evidence that the emerging contaminants are capable of inducing a wide range of adverse health effects in livestock. This study evaluated and compared the capacity of commercially available mycotoxin binders to reduce the bioavailability of eight important emerging mycotoxins commonly found in livestock feeds. A novel in vitro model simulating the gastrointestinal track (GIT) of a monogastric animal was developed. Then, the efficiency of ten commercial binders with multi-mycotoxin binding claims were evaluated using the developed in vitro GIT model. Whist all the ten products demonstrated the capacity to simultaneously decrease the levels of more than one emerging mycotoxins, only one product (a mixed silicate) was able to considerably reduce the concentrations of all eight emerging mycotoxins simultaneously under the simulated in vitro conditions. This study highlights, for the first time, a significant gap in emerging mycotoxin mitigation through the deployment of binding agents and identifies the need for the development of novel mitigation strategies for this important group of mycotoxins.

Effects of torrefaction on ash-related issues during biomass combustion and co-combustion with coal. Part 3: Ash slagging behavior

Torrefaction is a competitive technology for biomass upgrading. Knowing that the effects of torrefaction on ash-related issues during biomass combustion and co-combustion with coal have been less investigated, Parts Ⅰ and Ⅱ of this work investigated the particulate matter emission and ash fouling behavior. To be a continuation, in the present paper, the effect of biomass torrefaction on ash slagging deposition which occurs in the high-temperature areas of the furnace was focused on. Two herbaceous biomass, one woody biomass, and their torrefied chars were fired and co-fired with two coals respectively on a drop-tube furnace at 1300℃. The slags were collected from mullite tubes placed in the furnace for quantification and characterization. Computer-controlled scanning electron microscope (CCSEM) was employed to obtain the distribution of particle size and inorganic species in the bulk ash. The results indicate that co-firing the biomass with high-Ca coal significantly reduces the ash slagging rates due to the substitution of alkalis by Ca from the silicates/aluminosilicates which inhibits the agglomeration and sintering of the ash particles, and finally reduces the inertial impaction and capture of the particles on the tube. Co-firing corn stalk with the high-Si/Al coal promotes the formation of alkaline aluminosilicates which are sticky at a high temperature. Therefore, the slagging tendency is exacerbated. Torrefaction reduces the ash slagging rate of sawdust resulting from the effective removal of S and Cl and the transformation of AAEMs (alkaline and alkaline earth metals) into less-reactive forms during torrefaction which reduces the vaporization and transformation of AAEMs into coarse particles as aluminosilicates by surface reactions. However, the ash slagging rates are increased by torrefaction for other fuels due to more retention of AAEMs after torrefaction resulting in more mixed silicates or aluminosilicates in bulk ash contributing to the growth of slagging deposits during combustion. Measures are suggested to be taken, such as optimizing the operation conditions, co-firing with high-Ca coals, using additives, etc. to alleviate the ash slagging during torrefied herbaceous biomass combustion.

Surface morphology regulation of colloidal Nanoparticles: A convenient Kinetically-Controlled seeded growth strategy

HypothesisExcept for chemical composition, surface morphology may endue colloidal nanoparticles with special interfacial behaviors, which is highly desired in certain scenarios, for example, ultra-stable Pickering emulsion for pharmaceutical applications where only limited chemicals are allowed. Herein, silica colloidal nanoparticle was chosen as a demo to illustrate a kinetically-controlled seeded growth strategy for the surface morphology regulation of colloidal nanoparticles. ExperimentsSurface chemical heterogeneity was primarily introduced to the silica seed nanoparticles by a seeded growth process in the presence of mixed silicate moieties with thermodynamical incompatibility. Then a further kinetically-controlled seeded growth step was performed to regulate the surface morphology of silica nanoparticles by promoting the selective condensation of tetraethoxysilane on the hydrophilic microdomains. FindingsUpon reducing the growing rate, tetraethoxysilane hydrolysates tend to condensate on silica microdomains, resulting in the formation of raspberry-like nanoparticles. The generality of the kinetically-controlled seeded growth strategy was validated by its success on differently-sized silica seeds modified with a range of silane coupling agents. This established strategy is facile and effective for massive production of raspberry-like silica colloidal nanoparticles with precisely-designed surface morphology and size, offering an ideal platform for the investigation on the exclusive contribution of morphology to the interfacial behaviors of nanoparticles.

On the Effect of Hot Rolling on Inclusion Size and Distribution in a Cast AISI 1070 Steel Railroad Wheel

The goal of this work is to examine the effect of hot deformation on shrinkage porosity and nonmetallic inclusions in an AISI 1070 grade steel industrially produced wheel casting. Steel cleanliness is an important consideration as it influences the mechanical properties of the final product. A high density of porosity and inclusions have been shown to be detrimental for mechanical properties, especially during hot rolling. Using a laboratory-scale rolling mill, cast preforms were subjected to a 66% cumulative reduction to determine the effect of thermomechanical processing on void closure and inclusions that may produce anisotropy in mechanical properties. Quantitative automated feature analysis, AFA, of inclusion type, size, morphology, and distribution was conducted utilizing an Aspex PICA 1020 scanning electron microscope to determine differences in inclusions and shrinkage porosity in the as-cast and as-rolled conditions. The results were compared with previously reported impact toughness values which indicated a trend with MnS projected length and average impact toughness in the T-L orientation. Reduction in shrinkage porosity was also verified utilizing 3D micro-X-ray CT scans. The AFA results showed a decrease in shrinkage porosity from 177 ppm in the as-cast condition to less than 35 ppm after rolling. Pores were in general much smaller and widely distributed after hot rolling and this would suggest improved impact properties. Analysis of nonmetallic inclusions revealed three primary categories of inclusions that included MnS, Al2O3, and complex inclusions that mainly consisted of MnS with an Al2O3 core, with small quantities of mixed silicates of Mn and Al and calcium aluminates (CaAl2O4).

A high-temperature adhesive for stainless steel 304: Effect of Cr growth at the interface of alkali silicate adhesive

With the recent advancements in the aerospace industry, the demand for adhesive materials with resistance to high temperatures has increased. Although the existing organic adhesive materials have a high adhesion strength, their heat resistance and pyrolysis temperature are low, thus limiting their application under high-temperature conditions. Therefore, we attempted to bond stainless steel 304 using an alkali silicate, an inorganic material-based adhesive with high heat resistance but low adhesive strength and analyzed the effects of surface oxidation of stainless steel 304 on its adhesion strength. The surface treatment of SUS304 was performed using mechanical polishing (MP) and electropolishing (EP). A Cr 2 O 3 dominant layer (CODL) and a Fe 2 O 3 dominant layer (FODL) were formed by heat treatment. The adhesion failed in MP, EP, and CODL specimens, when bonding was performed using mixed silicate (MS) because of the differences in thermal expansion coefficients between the metal and glass. FODL and CODL + FODL specimens displayed MS and adhesion strengths of 8.45 MPa and 11.36 MPa, respectively. Each surface and adhesion interface was analyzed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), cross-section scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), before and after adhesion. When CODL and FODL specimens were placed on both sides to bond with the MS, a needle-like Cr structure appeared on the MS layer from the Cr 2 O 3 layer that enhanced the mechanical adhesion with the MS and the overall adhesive strength. Based on these findings, we conclude that the adhesion strength can be improved by combining a CODL specimen and a FODL specimen and bonding with glass.

Microscopic impactor debris at Kamil Crater (Egypt): The origin of the Fe-Ni oxide spherules

Kamil crater (Egypt) is a natural laboratory for the study of processes and products associated with the impacts of small iron projectiles on the Earth’s crust. In particular, because of the distinctive composition of the impactor (an ungrouped Ni-rich ataxite) and the target (Cretaceous sandstones and minor wackes) it offers a unique opportunity to study impactor–target physical–chemical interactions. Continuing the study of impact melt ejecta, we investigated the mineralogy and geochemistry of 25 Fe-Ni spherules - representative of a suite of 135 - recovered from the soil around the crater. Samples were collected during our 2010 geophysical expedition and investigated by combining scanning electron microscope imaging, electron probe microanalyzer and Raman spectroscopy analyses. Spherules range in size from 100 to 500 µm and show a variety of dendritic textures and mineral compositions dominated by Fe-Ni oxides of the wüstite – bunsenite and magnetite – trevorite series or Fe-Ni metal. All these features indicate quenching of high temperature (1600–1500 °C) oxide or metal liquid droplets under varying oxidizing conditions. A geochemical affinity with the iron impactor recorded by the Fe, Co, Ni ratios in the constituent phases (average Ni/Co element ratio of 25.1 ± 7.6; average Ni/(Ni + Fe) molar ratio of 0.21 ± 0.13), combined with target contamination (i.e., the ubiquitous occurrence of Si and Al from trace to minor amounts), document their origin as impact melt spherules formed through the physical and chemical interaction between metal projectile and silicate target melts and air. We propose a petrogenetic model that envisions formation as liquid droplet residues of immiscible projectile in a mixed silicate melt and their subsequent separation as individual spherules by stripping during hypervelocity ejection. We also argue that this model applies to all impact events produced by small iron projectiles and that such individual Fe-Ni oxide and metal spherules should be common impact products, despite little documentation in the literature. Our detailed mineralogical and geochemical characterization will facilitate their distinction from other, similar spherules of different origin (cosmic spherules, ablation spherules) often encountered in the geologic record.

Experimental Study on the Mix Ratio of Restored Heritage Building Adobe

The reciprocating action of the external environment gradually reduces the mechanical properties and water stability of original heritage buildings, resulting in the gradual loss of their cultural value. In this paper, the adobe for the construction of raw soil and cultural relics in western Henan is taken as the research object. The local plain soil is used as the raw material, and the adobe samples are prepared with modified materials such as quicklime and sodium methyl silicate, in order to improve its mechanical properties and water stability. The degree of correlation between the compressive strength, capillary water absorption, pH value, particle size distribution, and the electrical conductivity of modified raw adobe, as well as the modification mechanism of the microstructure, was studied. The results show that the addition of quicklime and sodium methyl silicate can enhance the compressive strength and water resistance of the modified raw adobe, and the optimum dosage is 1.5% sodium methyl silicate; with the increase of the curing age, the compressive strength of the single-mixed quicklime sample, the single mixed sodium methyl silicate samples, and the composite sample were increased by 1.94 times, 12.6 times and 2.61 times, respectively, compared with the plain soil samples, and with the increase of compressive strength, the pH, conductivity and capillary water absorption of the samples decreased continuously. It is evident from the particle gradation test and SEM images that the internal pores of the samples in the modified group become smaller, and the particle structure of the sample doped with sodium methyl silicate is the densest. The results of the study provide support for the restoration of the soil and cultural-relic buildings.

Spherical red-emitting X1-Y2SiO5:Eu and α-Y2Si2O7:Eu phosphors with high color purity: The evolution of morphology, phase and photoluminescence upon annealing

Spherical silicate phosphor has widespread application in display or lighting industry. By using spherical silica particles as the core, we successfully prepared shell-thickness-controllable core/shell spherical particles, which can then be controllably converted to spherical X1-Y2SiO5:Eu (YSO:Eu) and α-Y2Si2O7:Eu (YPS:Eu) particles upon annealing. Even after 1000–1200 °C annealing, both X1-YSO:Eu and α-YPS:Eu particles still had the spherical shape and narrow size distribution. The shell thickness and annealing temperature synergistically controlled the phase evolution upon annealing. Thinner shell of around 30 nm, having extremely high chemical reaction activity, promoted the formation of spherical X1-YSO:Eu particles at 1000 °C and α-YPS:Eu particles at 1100 °C. Shell of around 85 nm produced spherical X1-YSO:Eu particles at 1100 °C and α-YPS:Eu particles at 1200 °C. Thicker shell also promoted the formation of spherical particles, but these particles usually had the mixed silicate phases. The phase-dependent photoluminescence properties were investigated in detail. Both spherical X1-YSO:Eu and α-YPS:Eu phosphors emitted reddish-orange color, with nearly 100% color purity and dominant wavelength of around 601 nm, which would absorb great attention for the application in display or lighting devices.

Highly improved mechanical and thermal properties of alkali silicate and graphene nanoplatelet composite adhesives

Inorganic adhesives have received increased attention due to their high temperature resistance, non-toxicity, and environment friendliness. However, poor adhesion strength of inorganic adhesives hinders their application. Further, graphene improves the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer composites. Herein, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) with different specific surface areas were added into a mixed silicate (MS) containing different ratios of alkali silicates. The results revealed that lap shear strengths increased from 7.4 MPa with the unmodified MS to 9.42 MPa with the MS/GNP 750_10% composite. In addition, the GNP powder with the highest surface area (MS/GNP 750_10% composite) formed maximum interfaces with the silicate matrix, leading to effective load transfer and reduction in stress concentration sites. Hardness and modulus increased as the GNP surface area increased; unmodified MS had the highest values because GNP changed MS from brittle to ductile. In addition, at room temperature, thermal conductivity increased by 60% in the vertical direction and 173% in the horizontal direction in the MS/GNP 750_10% composite compared to the unmodified MS. Furthermore, at a higher temperature (100 °C), the thermal conductivity of the MS/GNP 750_10% composite increased by 273% in the vertical direction and 412% in the horizontal direction. • This study investigated the effect of the surface area of GNP powder on the properties of Alkali silicate based adhesives. • The lap shear strength increased from 7.4 MPa in the bare MS to 9.42 MPa in the MS/GNP 750_10%. • The thermal conductivity increased by 60% in the vertical and 173% in the horizontal direction in the MS/GNP 750_10%.

Ceramic colors

Abstract Ceramic colors or stains consist mainly of pigments, glaze or body, and opacifiers. They are used for the decoration of porcelain, earthenware bone china and other ceramics. Glazes and enamels are the main application systems for ceramic colors. Pigments are the color giving components in the composition of a ceramic color. High temperature and chemical stability as well as high tinting strength are characteristics of stains. Technically important ceramic colors are cadmium sulfide and sulfoselenides (occluded in zircon), metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and copper (as colloidal particles), metal oxides (α-Fe2O3, Cr2O3, CuO, Co3O4/CoO, MnO2/Mn2O3, and NiO/Ni2O3), mixed metal oxides and silicates, zirconia-based and zircon-based compositions. Ceramic colors are often produced using solid state reactions.

Improving the water resistance and adhesion strength of a mixed alkali silicate adhesive by optimizing the molar ratio and curing conditions

It is important to eliminate the use of organic adhesives that are harmful to humans and cause environmental pollution. Environmentally friendly, harmless inorganic adhesives are being actively studied. Here, we found that optimized curing was possible when the curing time was controlled via temperature adjustment. We first prepared basic alkali silicate solutions, containing sodium, potassium, and lithium silicate, and compromised them in terms of water resistance. Adhesive strength was measured according to ASTM D3165 using a universal testing machine. The target material, a stainless steel (SUS) specimen, was prepared as described by ASTM D3165. Moreover, to develop fast thermal curing, the effects of two parameters were investigated: curing time and temperature. The temperature range tested was 80–140 °C for 2–36 h; we assessed adhesive strength. The maximum shear strength was obtained after thermal curing at 80 °C for 36 h, 120 °C for 12 h, and 140 °C for 2 h. However, when thermal curing proceeded past the maximum shear strength, the shear strength decreased, attributable to a reduction in the adherent area.

Bioleaching of silicon in electrolytic manganese residue using single and mixed silicate bacteria.

Electrolytic manganese residue (EMR) is a type of industrial solid waste with a high silicon content. The silicon in EMR can be used as an essential nutrient for plant growth, but most of the silicon is found in silicate minerals with very low water solubility, that is, it is inactive silicon and cannot be absorbed and used by plants directly. Thus, developing a highly effective and environmentally friendly process for the activation of silicon in EMR is important both for reusing solid waste and environmental sustainability. The aim of this study was to investigate the desilication of EMR using cultures of Paenibacillus mucilaginosus (PM) and Bacillus circulans (BC). The results showed that the two types of silicate bacteria and a mixed strain of them were all able to extract silicon from EMR with a high efficiency, but the desilication performance of the mixed PM and BC was the best. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that silicate bacteria can induce a suitable micro-environment near the EMR particles and release Si into the solution through their metabolism. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that layered crystal minerals, such as muscovite and diopside, were more likely to be destroyed by the bacterial action than quartz, which has a frame structure. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry proved that the silicate structures were destroyed and that Si in the residue was decreased, indicating the dissolution of silicon under the action of these microorganisms. This study suggests that bioleaching may be a promising method for the activation of silicon in EMR.

Improved Electrochemical Performance of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coating on Titanium in Simulated Body Fluid

The effect of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) pre-treatments on corrosion behavior of titanium in simulated body fluid (SBF) is investigated. Three pre-treatments are compared, using silicate, calcium phosphate and mixed silicate and calcium phosphate (1:1) electrolytes, respectively. The resultant coatings in different compositions and morphologies were examined by high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectrometer and x-ray diffraction. The PEO-treated specimens revealed distribution of coating species, mainly the titanium-rich inner coating region. However, findings show highly localized variations in composition within their crystalline structures, due to the melting and rapid solidification of the coating material in three different electrolytes. Corrosion behavior of the coatings was also examined in SBF at 37 °C by potentiodynamic polarization, revealing an improvement in corrosion resistance for mixed electrolyte compared to silicate and calcium phosphate electrolytes.

Proportional relationship between the flux of catchment-fluvial segment and their sedimentary response to diverse bedrock types in subtropical lacustrine rift basins

Abstract Sedimentary features of a source-to-sink (S2S) system produce distinct responses to diverse bedrock types (i.e., silicate and carbonate rocks) in the catchment; these majorly influence the sediment flux, volume, and grain size in the sink area. By comparing a modern S2S system of Holocene Erhai Lake Basin (ELB) (in southwestern China) and an ancient S2S of Eocene western Offshore Bohai Bay Basin (OBBB) (in eastern China), we investigated the differences and proportional ranges among sandy sediment flux (Qf) and sediment discharge (Qs) from catchment associated with diverse bedrock types in a humid and subtropical lacustrine rift basin by combining with the Google-topographic-map, BQART-model, and seismic-geomorphology analysis. Based on geomorphological and 3D visualization analysis, we identified the differences among multiscale catchment-fluvial segments and their sedimentary responses in S2S systems, and then extracted parameters of catchment-unit area (A), catchment relief (R), and total sediment discharge (Qs, calculated by BQART model). Furthermore, we analyzed sediment-dispersal patterns and sandy sediment fluxes in the nearshore (Qf) using regional geologic data, outcrops and the Google Earth database in the Holocene ELB, and using seismic geomorphology in the Eocene western OBBB. Finally, quantitative analysis of the modern and ancient S2S segments was used to investigate the total sandy sediment flux (Qf), which is supplied by >60% of the entire sediment discharge (Qs) for catchments with silicate bedrocks (e.g., metamorphic rock and granite), while the ratio Qf/Qs corresponding to carbonate bedrocks is less than 30%. Additionally, the ratio Qf/Qs for catchments with mixed silicate carbonate bedrocks ranges between 30% and 60%. These results not only provide a new perspective for investigating sandy sediments in a subtropical lacustrine rift basin, but also yield implications for better understanding of continental S2S system theory for diverse bedrock types.

Bioleaching behaviors of silicon and metals in electrolytic manganese residue using silicate bacteria

Electrolytic manganese residue (EMR) is a kind of solid waste generated along with the production of electrolytic manganese, with a high content of quartz and metals. The former can be used as silicon fertilizer for crops after activation, while the latter may cause harm to surrounding environment due to their toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bacterial on the activation of silicon and fixation of heavy metals in EMR by using microbe-mineral direct contact and indirect contact methods. Mixed cultures of Bacillus mucilaginosus (BM) and Bacillus circulans (BC) were used to achieve activation of silicon in EMR, and the leaching concentration of Mn, Co and Ni and their chemical forms in the leaching residue were also investigated. The results show that the microbe-mineral direct contact method has better performance for the activation of silicon in EMR with the available silicon in the leaching solution up to 163.27 mg L−1 than the indirect contact method. The metals (Mn, Co and Ni) remaining in the residue mainly exist as the stable state after bioleaching, with lower leaching concentration after bioleaching of 20 d. And the effect of silicon bacteria on activation of silicon and the fixation mechanism of metals including the effect of silicate and silicate bacteria is confirmed, and it is verified by the identification of metabolites and the analysis of chemical reaction process. This study investigates the treatment of EMR by using mixed silicate bacteria, and reveals the mechanisms of bacteria on the activation of silicon and fixaion of heavy metals in EMR. The bioleaching method not only provides silicon source for soil but also can realize the reclamation of EMR.

Geochemistry of Chilean Rivers Within the Central Zone: Distinguishing the Impact of Mining, Lithology and Physical Weathering

Several rivers of Chile from the latitude 30°–38° have been sampled during a stable anticyclonic period (October 2008). Firstly, our aim was to evaluate the dissolved chemical composition (major and trace elements) of poorly known central Chilean rivers. Secondly, we used a co-inertia analysis (see Doledec and Chessel in Freshw Biol 31:277–294, 1994) to explore the possible relationships between the concentrations of elements and the environmental parameters [surface of the basin (km2)/mining activity (%)/average height (m)/watershed mean slope (%)/% of the surface covered by vegetation, sedimentary rocks, volcano-sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks, granitoid rocks/erosion rate (mm/year)]. Globally, the major elements concentration could be explained by a strong control of mixed silicate and carbonate and evaporate lithology. The statistical treatment reveals that the highest metal and metalloids loads of Tinguiririca, Cachapoal, Aconcagua, Choapa, Illapel and Limari could be explained by the contribution of the mining activities in the uppermost part of these watersheds and/or by the higher geochemical background. Indeed, it remains difficult to decipher between a real mining impact and a higher geochemical background. Even if these rivers could be impacted by AMD process, the size of these watersheds is capable of diluting AMD waters by the alkaline character of tributaries that induce acid neutralization and decrease the level of metals and metalloids.

Interrelation of Diffusion and Thermodynamic Characteristics in Silicate Glass and Glass-Forming Melts

A correlation was established between the character of the concentration dependence of the self-diffusion coefficients and the deviation from ideality for mixed alkali silicate glass and melts and a melt containing alkaline and alkaline-earth cations.

AN EXPERIMENTAL LOOK AT THE TAPHONOMY OF CYANOBACTERIAL MATS IN SILICICLASTIC SEDIMENTS

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous in a variety of modern habitats, and siliciclastic sediments in particular are home to a wide diversity of microbial communities. Benthic microbial mats, typically established by cyanobacteria on modern Earth, were likely prevalent on Archean Earth, yet explicit traces of their ancestors in Archean siliciclastic rocks are difficult to detect. To understand the taphonomy of benthic microbial mats in sandy, subaquatic environments, cyanobacterial mats were incubated for five months under a range of temperatures representative of ambient (25°C) and eogenetic conditions (37°C, 70°C, and 100°C). Cyanobacterial materials including trichomes, sheaths, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and micro Raman spectroscopy. Textures were permineralized in all temperature regimes with phases that included mixed silicates, Na-carbonate, clays, gypsum-anhydrite, pyrrhotite, anatase, akaganeite, magnetite, natrojarosite, and ankerite. Pigments including chlorophyll, β-carotene, and scytonemin were identified in the lower temperature regimes, but were not easily detected in the samples incubated at 100°C. The morphological characteristics of trichomes and sheaths were maintained to some degree in all temperature regimes, but there was a higher relative abundance of EPS as temperatures increased. The profusion of EPS obscured the absolute differentiation between individual trichomes and sheaths at higher temperatures. The results indicate that over time, morphological, mineralogical, and carbonaceous features that formed at the end of these incubation experiments could collectively create the laminations characteristic of fossilized microbial mats found in sandstones throughout the geologic record. In Archean sandstones, where very little is preserved, these collective features may prove to be especially important in the detection of ancient life.