Mineral Origin Research Articles

WHOLE ROCK AND CLAY MINERALOGY OF EARLY MIOCENE SEDIMENTARY ROCKS OUTCROPPING IN THE NORTHEAST OF KORKUT (MUŞ-TÜRKİYE)

This study was carried out to reveal the origins and formations of the minerals by determining the mineralogical compositions of Early Miocene aged sedimentary rocks outcropping in the northeast of Korkut district, 20 km from Muş. 75 rock samples were taken by measuring two stratigraphic sections from Mollababa Formation (Aquitanian) and Aktaş Formation (Burdigalian) cropping out in the study area. XRD (X-ray diffraction) WR (whole-rock) analyzes were performed on these rock samples, and calcite, quartz, feldspar, clinoptilolite and clay minerals were determined in their compositions. CF (clay fraction) mineralogical compositions were determined by performing XRD detailed clay analyzes on 20 selected rock samples. In clay fractions; chlorite, illite, serpentine, mixed- layered chlorite-vermiculite (C-V) and non-clay minerals such as calcite, quartz and feldspar were determined. SEM-EDS (scanning electron microscope - energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy) studies were carried out on five selected samples, and in addition to clay minerals such as feldspar, calcite, chlorite and C-V, fossils were also observed. When all the data were evaluated, it was interpreted that the chemical and biogenic origin of the calcite mineral, the detrital origin of the quartz, feldspar, chlorite and serpentine minerals, the neoformation product of clinoptilolite, C-V mineral formed from dark-colored minerals with negative transformation.

Comparative Assessment of Phyto and Physico-chemical Parameters of Laboratory prepared Two Renowned Samples of Polyherbal Formulation “Arq Aswad Barid” by Adopting Two Different Methods (Classical and Modern) for the Step of Fermentation Process with the Preliminary Study of Its Ingredients

There is an increasing awareness and general acceptability of indigenous drugs in today’s medical practice and over 80% of the world population depends on herbal drugs and products for healthy living due to their no side effects. Unani formulations are based on herbal, mineral, and animal origin and have been practiced in India for hundreds of years for treating various ailments by its holistic approach with natural means and drugs. Research is a creative work using existing knowledge for further development and advancement of knowledge and the approach, methodology and technique of research should be consistent with the ultimate objective because the scientific method of research is a combination of hypothesis, experimentation, observation, and reasoning. Therefore, the criteria of real scientific research are that its result should be reproducible under similar conditions. The paper deals with the objective of standardization and makes experimentation, and observation and particularly to check out Physico-chemical data of two in-house prepared samples of compound Unani formulation ArqAswadBaridunderSOP guidelines by adopting two different methods(classical and modern) of fermentation process separately and the content so obtained after distillation from fermented materials were utilized further to prepare two separate samples of the finished products i.e. Arq-e-Aswad Barid and underwent for the comparative assessment by following some Physico-chemical and quality control parameters like viscosity, specific gravity, refractive index, weight per ml, detection of aflatoxin, microbial load, pesticide residue, etc. of both the samples to achieve the objective of study. Besides, the preliminary physicochemical study of all ingredients used as raw material in the preparation of Arq-e-Aswad Barid was also conducted.

Fluid evolution in the Permian Maokou Formation in the Tailai Gas Field, eastern Sichuan Basin, China

The hydrothermal dolomite in the Middle Permian Maokou Formation is one of the main natural gas producing units in the Sichuan Basin. The development of this hydrothermal dolomite reservoir was controlled by the Emei magmatism, but its fluid evolution history in the Tailai Gas Field is not well understood. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the diagenetic sequences of veins, origins of minerals, salinity history and pressure evolution by an integrated examination of Raman spectroscopy, cathodeluminescence, geochemistry, fluid inclusions, and in situ U–Pb dating of the calcite and dolomite veins. The results show two stages of dolomite veins, three stages of calcite veins and two stages of quartz veins in the hydrothermal dolomite reservoirs. In situ U–Pb dating gave an age range of 264–251 Ma for the two stages of dolomite veins, and 246.9 − 245.3 Ma, 222.4 Ma, and 175.4 Ma, respectively, for the three stages of calcite veins. Fluid inclusion studies showed that the first and second stage of quartz veins were formed in around 173 Ma and 150 Ma, respectively. The 87Sr/86Sr, δ13C, δ18O and Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium data suggest that the two stages of dolomite veins originated from the pore fluids released from the Ordovician and Cambrian carbonate rocks, and the three stages of calcite veins were sourced from surrounding host rocks, pore fluids released from the Silurian shales, and hydrothermal fluids, respectively. Integrating these data with fluid inclusion data, the salinity evolution of pore fluid in the P2m3 hydrothermal dolomite reservoirs can be summarized into three stages, i.e., an increase from 8.55 wt% to 19.37 wt% NaCl equivalent from 260 to 240 Ma, followed by a decrease to 1.74 wt% NaCl equivalent from 240 Ma to 170 Ma, and remaining at low level (<7.45 wt% NaCl equivalent) from 170 Ma to 100 Ma. The reservoir fluid pressure evolution can also be summarized into three stages: (1) overpressure was generated with the pressure coefficient increasing from 1.00 to 2.14 from 260 to 222 Ma due to gas charge; (2) the overpressure rapidly increased with the pressure coefficient increasing from 2.14 to 2.41 from 222 Ma to 110 Ma owing to crude oil cracking; (3) the reservoir fluid pressure coefficients decreased to 1.16 in well TL6 and 1.52 in well TL7 because of tectonic uplift and gas escape, and remained almost constant in well TL601 because of well preservation from 110 Ma to present. The results in this work show that reservoir fluid pressure evolution is significant to identify the gas charge and escape, and can indicate the preservation conditions of reservoirs.

Garnet U-Pb dating and magnetite geochemistry: Constraints on the origin of Fe mineralization in the Huogeqi polymetallic deposit, Northern China

The Huogeqi Fe polymetallic deposit, which contains 48.17 Mt Fe, occurs in tremolite-diopside rocks of the Neoproterozoic Langshan Group in the north China. This study focuses on the magnetite mineralogy, texture and chemical composition, and U-Pb geochronology of garnet associated with magnetite and zircon from the granitoid related to mineralization in order to constrain the origin of Fe mineralization in Huogeqi deposit. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of magnetite-bearing garnets yields a lower intercept age of 277.5 ± 8.7 Ma, which is coeval with the emplacement age of the mineralized-related granitoid (275.3 ± 1.3 Ma). Three types of magnetite were formed in the Huogeqi deposit, including Mt-A (coarse-grained disseminated), Mt-B (stratiform and fine-grained dense disseminated), and Mt-C (massive). The Mt-A can be subdivided into high-Ti Mt-A1 and relatively low-Ti porous and fractured Mt-A2. The Mt-B can be subdivided into porous Mt-B1 with relatively high V and low Ti contents, dark porous Mt-B2 with a relatively low V contents, porous inclusion-rich Mt-B3 with low Fe and V contents, and high Si and Mg contents, and less-porous Mt-B4 with low Si and Mg contents. The Mt-C includes porous Mt-C1 with a low Ti contents and high Si, Al, Mn contents and less-porous Mt-C2 with low Si, Al, and Mn contents. The decreasing Ti and V contents in the subsequent magnetite types indicate progressive cooling of the mineralizing fluid, increasing oxygen fugacity, and more intense fluid-rock interaction. Dissolution and re-precipitation played an important role in the formation of different generations of magnetite of Mt-B and Mt-C. The magnetite from Huogeqi deposit has a high Ni/Cr mass ratio, a high Fe content, and a high (Ca + Al + Mn) value, and a low V content, a low Ni/(Cr + Mn) mass ratio, and a low (Ti + V) value. These geochemical characteristics indicate that the magnetite has a hydrothermal origin in a skarn-type deposit, which is related to Early Permian magmatism in the Langshan area in north China.

Durability and Accelerated Ageing of Natural Fibers in Concrete as a Sustainable Construction Material.

This paper presents an experimental study on the influence of alkaline environments on natural fibers of plant and mineral origin in concretes. The durability of concrete-based composite materials is influenced by the properties of the reinforcing fiber, and the serviceability of concrete is dependent on its durability. The aim of the present study is to investigate the strength, weight loss %, and surface degradation of jute, sugarcane, coconut, sisal, as well as basalt fibers through an accelerated aging method when used as reinforcements in concrete. The samples were immersed in an alkaline environment of sodium and calcium hydroxide at two different levels of pH for one week. Further, the fibers were immersed in NaOH and Ca(OH)2 solutions of 1 M, 2 M, 4 M, and 6 M concentrations for 48 h in order to investigate the gradual effect of an alkaline environment on the mechanical properties of the fiber. It was concluded that the weight loss % was greatest for jute fibers when used in concrete composite, while there was no significant effect on the basalt fiber samples. The strength of jute fiber in the concrete sample was also most severely affected by the aging process, compared to other fibers. The strength of basalt fibers in a concrete composite was least affected by the aging process. In some cases, the sisal fiber sample showed an increase in fiber tenacity after the aging process due to fibrillation, which might have increased the interfacial area. The fiber microstructure before and after the aging was evaluated through the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analyses of different fibers were carried out to investigate surface degradation. The fiber pull-out strength was found to be the greatest for basalt fiber, followed by jute and sisal. This is indicative of the excellent adhesion of such fibers with cement in a concrete composite. In these cases, the use of sisal fiber results in defibrillation and increased specific surface area. Sugarcane and coconut fibers ruptured due to their inherent weakness and provided only a small increment in the mechanical performance of the concrete. Basalt fiber-reinforced concrete offered the greatest compressive strength, followed by jute and sisal. These observations provide crucial information regarding the durability and aging of natural fiber-reinforced concrete.

Post-aseptic adaptation and ex vitro propagation of Ukrainian cultivars of Paulownia Sieb. et Zucc.

Plantation forestry using highly productive and fast-growing plants involves the use of high-quality improved planting material for genetic constancy, which is solved by microclonal reproduction. However, the high survival rate and stability of plants obtained in vitro are realised as a result of post-aseptic adaptation of regenerants. Therefore, the research aims to improve the survival techniques of paulownia regenerants of the Ukrainian varieties “Feniks” and “Enerdzhy” ex vitro. The study was conducted in December 2021 on the Ukrainian paulownia varieties “Feniks” and “Enerdzhy”, cultivar “Feniks”. The survival rate, development of regenerants, and their damage by facultative saprophytic pathogens differed on substrates of organic (Eco Plus, La Flora, Jiffy, coconut peat, cotton wool) and mineral (vermiculite, perlite, sand) origin. The biological products “Rise P” and “Prestop” proved to be effective for the control of pathogenic microorganisms on substrates of organic origin. The technological feasibility of using perlite substrate is substantiated. The pathophysiology of ex vitro regenerants of paulownia under Fusarium is described. The thickness of the films used for sheltering influenced the regeneration, engraftment, microbial damage, and temperature of the wet chambers. Growing regenerants with covering films of different thicknesses showed a high survival rate in the variants with stretch films of 10 and 23 µm thickness. In the case of using polyethene films with thicknesses of 60, 80 and 100 µm, a sharp increase in temperature was observed, which was 48, 53 and 650C, respectively. At these high temperatures, most of the regenerants died, after which they were colonised by facultative saprophytes, and the tissues were completely macerated within two days. The optimal ratio of juvenility reduction and the acquisition of adaptive traits is characteristic of the second, third and fourth generation ex vitro. The expediency of propagation by stem cuttings up to the fourth generation, which preserves the regenerative ability of shoot cuttings, was substantiated. The practical results of the research are a protocol for growing paulownia plants in vitro and ex vitro on different types of substrates for use by institutions engaged in paulownia propagation

Toxicity Assessment of a Biolubricant Exposed to Eisenia fetida

In the current search for products that are friendly to the environment, the intent is to reduce the use of domestic, food and industrial waste of mineral origin, thereby creating new products that are functional in industrial and agricultural processes. That is why the use of raw chicken skin fat was evaluated for the creation of a biolubricant with possible applications in the operation of heavy machinery, such as agricultural tractors. The acute toxicity of the biolubricant made from transesterified fatty acids obtained from chicken skin fat was determined experimentally, using bioassays with Eisenia fetida as a test organism, by means of the median lethal concentration (LC50) using the probit method (p &lt; 0.05) on the filter paper at 48 h and on an artificial substrate at 14 days, resulting in an LC50 of 878.675 mg mL−1 or 0.0268 mg cm−2 and 35.2348 mg kg−1, respectively. Likewise, the physiological damage was determined by means of histology, and it could be observed that there was no damage on the Eisenia fetida cell tissue. This indicates that the biolubricant is suitable for use in agricultural machinery since, in the event of an accidental spill, it does not cause damage to the soil or the organisms that live in it, as well as to the people who handle this type of product in their daily work.

The origin of fluorite-barite mineralization at the interface between the Paris Basin and its Variscan basement: insights from fluid inclusion chemistry and isotopic (O, H, Cl) composition

The origin of fluorite-barite mineralization at the interface between the Paris Basin and its Variscan basement: insights from fluid inclusion chemistry and isotopic (O, H, Cl) composition

A method to characterize precipitated minerals in organic waste and their transformation by anaerobic digestion: Focus on phosphorus

Unsustainable global phosphorus (P) management has led to the identification of digestate from anaerobic digestion (AD) as a potential source of P recovery. Understanding P interactions during AD is thus crucial for P recovery and modeling can help optimize recovery. Both understanding and modeling require accurate P fractionation into minerals that contain P, e.g., struvite, vivianite, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). The aim of this study was to develop a novel P fractionation method based on acidic leachate of P, Ca, Mg, Fe, K, and Al. Nine samples were acidified, three of which were digestate and six substrates used to feed a biogas unit. Acidification curves were obtained for each nutrient in each sample. Nutrient leachate was used to develop a fractionation algorithm based on P, allowing nutrient fractionation of all the samples. Dissolved nutrients during acidification were assumed to be issued from precipitated mineral origin. Precipitated P was found in all digestates, slaughterhouse sludge, and pig and cattle slurry and was originated from struvite, vivianite, and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) minerals. Struvite represents up to 70.6% of total P and ACP between 13.8% and 24.8% in digestates whereas vivianite was the main P precipitated form in slaughterhouse sludge (27.4%). Precipitated Mg were mainly found in samples where P was fractionated mainly as struvite. Precipitated Ca was fractionated into calcite and ACP while Fe was fractionated into vivianite and other ferrous minerals. No dissolved Al or K was found. Al was mainly fractioned as inert/organic, and K was mainly fractioned as soluble in all the samples. In conclusion, the acidification protocol and the fractionation algorithm developed in this study represent a useful, rapid and inexpensive P fractionation methodology for environmental samples during anaerobic digestion.

Anti-oomycete activities from essential oils and their major compounds on Phytophthora infestans

Botanicals are various plant-based products like plant extracts or essential oils. Anti-fungal activities of selected essential oils were tested on the pathogen causing potato and tomato late blight (Phytophthora infestans). Tests to evaluate anti-oomycete activities of commercial essential oils and their major compounds were carried out in vitro in microplate in liquid media. Anti-oomycete activities on Phytophthora infestans strain were obtained from essential oils/major compounds: Eucalyptus citriodora/citronellal; Syzygium aromaticum (clove)/eugenol; Mentha spicata/D-Carvone, L-Carvone; Origanum compactum/carvacrol; Satureja montana (savory)/carvacrol; Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree)/terpinen-4-ol, and Thymus vulgaris/thymol. As an active substance of mineral origin, copper sulfate was chosen as a control. All selected essential oils showed an anti-oomycete activity calculated with IC50 indicator. The essential oils of clove, savory, and thyme showed the best anti-oomycete activities similar to copper sulfate, while oregano, eucalyptus, mint, and tea tree essential oils exhibited significantly weaker activities than copper sulfate. Clove essential oil showed the best activity (IC50 = 28 mg/L), while tea tree essential oil showed the worst activity (IC50 = 476 mg/L). For major compounds, three results were obtained: they were statistically more active than their essential oils (carvacrol for oregano, D- and L-Carvone for mint) or as active as their essential oils sources (thymol for thyme, carvacrol for savory, terpinen-4-ol for tea tree) or less active than their original essential oils (eugenol for clove, citronellal for eucalyptus). Microscopical observations carried out with the seven essential oils showed that they were all responsible for a modification of the morphology of the mycelium. The results demonstrated that various essential oils show different anti-oomycete activities, sometimes related to a major compound and sometimes unrelated, indicating that other compounds must play a role in total anti-oomycete activity.

Occurrence and magmatic origin of platinum-group minerals in the Hongge layered intrusion, SW China

Occurrence and magmatic origin of platinum-group minerals in the Hongge layered intrusion, SW China

Geology, Pb and S Isotope Geochemistry, and Genesis of the Na Bop-Pu Sap Lead-Zinc Deposit in the Cho Don area, Northeastern Vietnam

The Na Bop-Pu Sap Pb-Zn ore bodies represent a typical vein-type lead-zinc deposit situated in the Cho Don area and are currently being extracted for their lead and zinc resources. This deposit is characterized by its significant scale and quality and is considered one of the prominent lead-zinc deposits in the Cho Don area. Despite its significance, this deposit has not received adequate attention, resulting in limited knowledge of its geology, mineralization, and deposit genesis model. To address this knowledge gap, our study utilized several methodologies, including field surveying, ore mineral analysis under a microscope, and S and Pb isotopic geochemistry. By employing these approaches, we were able to obtain specific insights into the origin of mineralization and the deposit model. Our field survey suggests that the ore deposits are formed as Pb-Zn-bearing veins along Devonian shale, claystone, and limestone faults. Microscopic analyses of the veins reveal the presence of galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, and pyrrhotite as ore minerals, and quartz, calcite, dolomite, and chalcedony as gangue minerals. Sulfur-isotope values (δ34SCDT) of galena 5.3 to 0.1‰ (average 2.8‰), sphalerite 6.8 to 2.5‰ (average 5.3‰), and pyrite 5.8 to 4.1‰ (average 4.9‰) indicate that the sulfide mineralization may be related to a deep source, possibly originating from magmatic activity in the region and contaminated by carbonate-bearing marine sedimentary rocks. Lead-isotope studies indicate a model age of 598-424 Ma for the lead reservoir, consistent with the possible presence of local source rocks containing sulfur. The lead and sulfur in the ore veins were probably contaminated by Devonian carbonate-bearing marine sedimentary rocks and leached from Neoproterozoic to Cambrian magmatic activity. The lead-zinc deposits in Na Bop-Pu Sap do not display any Mississippi valley-type (MVT) or Sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) lead-zinc deposit characteristics, as they appear to be related to shear zone-hosted lead-zinc deposits.

Medykamenty roślinne w szlacheckich regestrach zakupów, receptach i poradnikach medycznych w XVIII wieku

Herbal medicines in noble purchase registers, prescriptions and in the medical handbooks in the 18th century “Pharmacy expenses”, prescriptions, herbariums and medical handbooks are important sources for research on the history of medicine and pharmacy. They give an idea of both the level of pharmacy and court health care, as well as cultural trends in the field of health care, which were adhered to by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s society, and which were largely based on plant products. However, these sources are often fragmented, undated and anonymous, scattered in various collections, which we are not able to attribute to specific persons. It is also worth paying attention to the herbariums and pharmacopoeia, printed in mass since the mid-17th century, which are a kind of guide for pharmacists and medics who prepared drugs and prescribed medications to their patients. In the court’s libraries we can find medical handbooks that contained easy-to-prepare recipes, usually based on popular herbs found in the country, and served as first aid pharmaceuticals. Although the phytotherapeutic knowledge of this period was still based on the works of ancient authors, it was supplemented by the information about treatment possibilities of the new raw materials of herbal and mineral origin, which was caused by Europe’s opening to new continents and wide trade exchange with Asia, Africa and the Americas.

A near-zero waste process for the full-component utilization of deep-sea polymetallic nodules based on reductive leaching with SO2 followed by separation and recovery

Recovery of critical metals from marine minerals is a promising option to ensure the sustainable supply of critical metals, but existing recovery processes suffer from technical bottlenecks in terms of low resource utilization and large waste discharge. This paper presents a complete hydrometallurgical route for the full-component utilization of deep-sea polymetallic nodules (DPN). Leaching experiments were first carried out in the presence of SO2 because cheap SO2 can destroy the original mineral structure based on a reductive mechanism. The leaching efficiencies of Ni, Co, Mn, Cu, La, Ce, and Fe were reached 99.2%, 99.3%, 98.7%, 95.9%, 95.3%, 95.4%, and 91.4%, respectively, under the optimal conditions of 30 °C, L/S ratio of 6:1 mL/g, H2SO4 dosage of 37.5 wt%. The downstream process aimed at the sequential recycling of metal ions from the pregnant leach solution (PLS) consists of Fe recovery by the hematite process, selective solvent extraction of Cu and rare earth elements (REEs), co-extraction of Ni/Co/Mn, and Mn electrowinning. As a result, high-grade hematite (60 wt% of Fe), industrial-grade CuSO4, mixed rare earth oxides, battery-grade (Ni, Co, Mn)SO4 solution, and electrolytic manganese were obtained. During the whole process, the recovery efficiency of Ni, Co, Mn, Cu, La, Ce, and Fe reached 97.1%, 97.1%, 96.9%, 91.5%, 91.1%, 91.1%, and 91.3%, respectively. Since the hydrometallurgical process achieves the resource utilization of all the DPN constituents, it has the advantages of near-zero waste and low energy consumption.

Mechanical and physical aspects of the theory of interaction between a crusher hammer and an air-grain layer

When crushing various raw materials of mineral, vegetable and animal origin hammer crushers of various designs are widely used, in which the rotor with hammers attached to it can be located both horizontally and vertically. During the operation of a hammer crusher with a vertical axis, a stable air-grain layer is formed near its deck, upon contact with which the crusher hammers wear out, and the wear itself depends on the contact stresses acting in the layer and the path (stay time) of the hammers in it. The problem posed is similar to the well-known problem of applied physics about a rotating disk, with the difference that tensile stresses act on the disk, and compressive stresses act on the air-grain one. The article obtained a theoretical expression for the linear wear of the crusher hammer, which depends on the characteristics of the layer, the properties of the crushed material and the grinding time, and in a complex way - from the distance from the edge of the hammer to the axis of its suspension. A comparison of the theoretical wear curves with the real outlines of worn hammers shows their identity.

Age and mineralization origin of the Zhongshangou Au deposit, Zhangjiakou goldfield, North China: Constraints from molybdenite Re-Os age and sulfides S-Pb isotopes

The Zhangjiakou goldfield, located in the northern North China Craton (NCC) margin, is a typical gold mineral province in China, containing over 67 gold deposits with 260 t gold reserve. However, gold mineralization age in this district has not been well constrained. Here, we integrate mineral paragenesis, molybdenite Re-Os age and in situ sulfides S and Pb isotopes from the Zhongshangou Te-rich Au deposit to constrain the timing and origin of gold and tellurium mineralization. Molybdenite Re-Os dating yielded a weighted average age of 381.7 ± 2.0 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 0.37, n = 7). Molybdenite has similar δ34S value (-12.9 to −8.5‰, n = 10) to other sulfide minerals (23 pyrite, 2 chalcopyrite and 2 bornite, δ34S = -13.6 to −5.6‰). Lead isotope compositions also show no difference among these sulfide minerals. Considering the mineral paragenesis and S-Pb isotopes, we suggest that molybdenite coprecipitated with gold, tellurides and other types of sulfides from the ore-forming fluids, and that the molybdenite Re-Os data could represent the timing of Zhongshangou gold and tellurium mineralization. New and published age data define a ca. 380 Ma Au-Te mineralization event for the Zhangjiakou goldfield. These Au deposits were genetically associated with the Devonian alkaline magmatism.

Optimisation of trace mineral supplementation in diets for Atlantic salmon smolt with reference to holistic fish performance in terms of growth, health, welfare, and potential environmental impacts.

The aquafeed ingredient inventory is ever changing, from marine to plant based, and recently evolving to incorporate increasing amounts of low trophic, side stream and circular economy based raw materials, each one contributing with variable amounts and qualities of macro- and micronutrients. Meeting the micronutrient requirement of farmed fish for healthy and efficient growth under normal and challenging conditions is of paramount importance. In this study we run a trial based on a 2 × 4 factorial design with three replications for each dietary treatment, where Atlantic salmon smolt were fed one of 8 experimental diets supplemented with either organic or inorganic mineral premixes (copper, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc) at four dietary inclusion levels. We saw a trend for higher growth rate in the organic mineral groups irrespective of the dietary mineral levels. Mineral digestibility was negatively correlated with increasing mineral supplementation levels for all tested minerals but Se which increased with the increasing supplementation in the inorganic and up to the 2nd inclusion level in the organic mineral groups. Increasing mineral supplementation affected retention efficiency of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe while mineral source affected only the retention of Se which was higher in the organic mineral groups. Moreover, fish obtained higher EPA and DHA in their body and increased slaughter yield in the organic as compared to the inorganic mineral groups and corroborated that trace mineral inclusion levels play a key role on salmon fillet's technical quality. More effects from different origin and dietary inclusion levels of trace minerals were seen on fillet yield, fillet technical and nutritional quality, bone strength, skin morphology, organ mineralization and midgut transcriptome.

Origin of carbonate minerals and impacts on reservoir quality of the Wufeng and Longmaxi Shale, Sichuan Basin

The Ordovician-Silurian Wufeng and Longmaxi Shale in the Sichuan Basin were studied to understand the genesis and diagenetic evolution of carbonate minerals and their effects on reservoir quality. The results of geochemical and petrological analyses show that calcite grains have a negative Ce anomaly indicating they formed in the oxidizing environment of seawater. The high carbonate mineral contents in the margin of basin indicate that calcite grains and cores of dolomite grains appear largely to be of detrital origin. The rhombic rims of dolomite grains and dolomite concretions with the δ13C of –15.46‰ and the enrichment of middle rare earth elements were formed during the sulfate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane. The calcite in radiolarian were related to the microbial sulfate reduction for the abundant anhedral pyrites and δ13C value of –11.34‰. Calcite veins precipitated in the deep burial stage with homogenization temperature of the inclusions ranging from 146.70 °C to 182.90 °C. The pores in shale are mainly organic matter pores with pore size mainly in the range of 1–20 nm in diameter. Carbonate minerals influence the development of pores through offering storage space for organic matter. When calcite contents ranging from 10% to 20%, calcite grains and cement as rigid framework can preserve primary pores. Subsequently, the thermal cracking of liquid petroleum in primary pores will form organic matter pores. The radiolarian were mostly partially filled with calcite, which combining with microcrystalline quartz preserved a high storage capacity.

Mineralogy of Agates with Amethyst from the Tevinskoye Deposit (Northern Kamchatka, Russia)

The Tevinskoye agate deposit is located in the North of the Kamchatka peninsula (Russia) and represented by agate-bearing Eocene basaltic and andesitic rocks of the Kinkilsk complex. Agate mineralization occurs in lavas and tuffs as amygdales, geodes, lenses and veins, which are the main sources of the resupply of coastal agate placers. The present study aimed to perform a comprehensive mineralogical, geochemical, and O-isotope investigation of amethyst-bearing agates, and to evaluate data concerning the origin of mineralization and the conditions for amethyst formation. Agates exhibit spectacular textures, with variation in the sequence of silica filling of amygdales and geodes. The mineral composition of the agates is mainly represented by micro- and macro-crystalline quartz, amethyst, length-fast and zebraic chalcedony, moganite, goethite, and clinoptilolite. Carbonate forms individual bands in the outer zones of some agates. The presence of small amounts of native copper, covellite, chalcopyrite and pyrite is a feature of these agates. Copper and iron mineralization are probably typomorphic features related to the host rock composition. The measured values of crystallite size (525–560 Å) and the high moganite content (up to 50%) of agate with amethyst are evidenced by the young age (~45 Ma) of agate-hosting rocks. Agate formation temperatures (21–229 °C) were calculated from the O-isotope composition of chalcedony (+19.6 to +25.5‰), quartz (+18.1 to +22.3‰), and amethyst (+18.2 to +21.5‰). The cold-water monophase fluid inclusions revealed in amethyst crystals suggest that the mineralizing fluids have low temperatures (&lt;100 °C) and low salinity. Magnetite grains in host rock, together with goethite inclusions identified within the amethyst crystals, point to a change in redox conditions and the presence of iron in the agate-forming fluids, which entered the quartz lattice during crystallization and influenced the formation of the violet color.

Cryogenic cave minerals recorded the 1889 CE melt event in northeastern Greenland

Abstract. The investigation of cryogenic cave minerals (CCMs) has developed in recent decades to be a particularly valuable proxy for palaeo-permafrost reconstruction. Due to difficulties, however, in obtaining reliable chronologies with the so-called “fine” form of these minerals, such studies have thus far utilised the “coarse” form. In this study, we successfully investigate the northernmost-known deposit of fine-grained CCMs, which are situated in Cove Cave (Greenlandic translation: Eqik Qaarusussuaq), a low-elevation permafrost cave in northeastern Greenland (80∘ N). The Cove Cave CCMs display a complex mineralogy that consists of fine-grained cryogenic cave carbonates and sulfate minerals (gypsum, eugsterite, mirabilite, and löweite). Until now, previous attempts to date fine-grained CCMs have been unsuccessful; however, here we demonstrate that precise dating is possible with both isochron-based 230Th / U dating and 14C dating if the dead carbon fraction is reliably known. The dating result (65±17 a BP; 1885±17 CE) shows that the Cove Cave CCMs formed during the late Little Ice Age, a time interval characterised by cold temperatures and abundant permafrost in northeastern Greenland, making water infiltration into Cove Cave dependent on the water amount and latent heat. We relate the CCM formation to a combination of black carbon deposition and anomalously high temperatures, which led to widespread melting over large areas of the Greenland ice sheet in the course of a few days. We propose that the anomalous weather conditions of 1889 CE also affected northeastern Greenland, where the enhanced melting of a local ice cap resulted in water entering the cave and rapidly freezing. While calcite and gypsum likely precipitated concurrently with freezing, the origin of the other sulfate minerals might not be purely cryogenic but could be linked to the subsequent sublimation of this ice accumulation in a very dry cave environment.