Sea Minerals Research Articles

Marine biominerals: perspectives and challenges for polymetallic nodules and crusts

Deep sea minerals in polymetallic nodules, crusts and hydrothermal vents are not only formed by mineralization but also by biologically driven processes involving microorganisms (biomineralization). Within the nodules, free-living and biofilm-forming bacteria provide the matrix for manganese deposition, and in cobalt-rich crusts, coccolithophores represent the dominant organisms that act as bio-seeds for an initial manganese deposition. These (bio)minerals are economically important: manganese is an important alloying component and cobalt forms part of special steels in addition to being used, along with other rare metals, in plasma screens, hard-disk magnets and hybrid car motors. Recent progress in our understanding of the participation of the organic matrices in the enrichment of these metals might provide the basis for feasibility studies of biotechnological applications.

Aged keratinocyte phenotyping: Morphology, biochemical markers and effects of Dead Sea minerals

The aging process and its characterization in keratinocytes have not been studied in depth until now. We have assessed the cellular and molecular characteristics of aged epidermal keratinocytes in monolayer cultures and in skin by measuring their morphological, fluorometric and biochemical properties. Light and electron microscopy, as well as flow cytometry, revealed increase in cell size, changes in cell shape, alterations in mitochondrial structure and cytoplasmic content with aging. We showed that the expression of 16 biochemical markers was altered in aged cultured cells and in tissues, including caspases 1 and 3 and β-galactosidase activities, immunoreactivities of p16, Ki67, 20S proteasome and effectors of the Fas-dependent apoptotic pathway. Aged cells diversity, and individual variability of aging markers, call for a multifunctional assessment of the aging phenomenon, and of its modulation by drugs. As a test case, we have measured the effects of Dead Sea minerals on keratinocyte cultures and human skin, and found that they stimulate proliferation and mitochondrial activity, decrease the expression of some aging markers, and limit apoptotic damage after UVB irradiation.

Skin smoothing effects of Dead Sea minerals: comparative profilometric evaluation of skin surface

The skin smoothing effects of three different liquid gels were compared on 20 mature women. Treatment applications were performed twice a day over a period of 4 weeks, and the skin roughness parameter (Rz) of all test participants was determined at the beginning and at the end of the study using a computer‐aided laser profilometry, in accordance with DIN 4768 ff. At the end of the application period, the liquid gel with 1% of a Dead Sea mineral solution had an average skin roughness parameter reduction of 40.7%. The liquid gel without mineral additives showed an average reduction in skin roughness of 27.8%. The control gel without anti‐wrinkle agents or the additives showed an average reduction of only 10.4%. Resume. On a teste l'influence d'une formulation aux liposomes d'un melange ceramide/phospholipide sur la fonction protectrice de la peau de personnes en test atopique, avec une peau saine, et apres extraction lipidique. On a utilise la perte d'eau transepidermique et l'hydratation de l'epiderme comme parametres d'evaluation de l'influence du traitement sur la fonction protectrice. On a en outre effectue apres application un test de la fonction protectrice avec un ester d'acide nicotinique. On a constate des effets stabilisateurs de la fonction protectrice apres application seulement sur peau atopique et apres extraction lipidique mais pas sur peau saine. Les resultats nous conduisent a esperer des effets positifs uniquement en cas d'alteration de la fonction protectrice.

Skin smoothing effects of Dead Sea minerals: comparative profilometric evaluation of skin surface

The skin smoothing effects of three different liquid gels were compared on 20 mature women. Treatment applications were performed twice a day over a period of 4 weeks, and the skin roughness parameter (Rz) of all test participants was determined at the beginning and at the end of the study using a computer-aided laser profilometry, in accordance with DIN 4768 ff. At the end of the application period, the liquid gel with 1% of a Dead Sea mineral solution had an average skin roughness parameter reduction of 40.7%. The liquid gel without mineral additives showed an average reduction in skin roughness of 27.8%. The control gel without anti-wrinkle agents or the additives showed an average reduction of only 10.4%.

Penetration of selected Dead Sea minerals through a healthy rabbit skin, from a sustained-release transparent varnish, as a prospective treatment for psoriasis

Bathing in the Dead Sea is an established treatment for psoriasis. Penetration of Dead Sea minerals into psoriatic skin is an effective factor in this treatment, but applying it clinically requires frequent bathing in the Dead Sea or in its bath-salt solution. We tested an ethyl-cellulose-based transparent varnish with a sustained-release property, for its penetrability of such minerals. Minerals tested were MgBr2 and KBr, known for their relevance in psoriatic proliferation. They were applied for up to three weeks. We could demonstrate that two weekly applications of the salt-containing varnish on healthy rabbit skin are enough to obtain elevated levels of magnesium and potassium in their plasma. We propose the application of Dead Sea minerals containing varnish as a clinical treatment for psoriasis.

Penetration of selected Dead Sea minerals through a healthy rabbit skin, from a sustained‐release transparent varnish, as a prospective treatment for psoriasis

AbstractBathing in the Dead Sea is an established treatment for psoriasis. Penetration of Dead Sea minerals into psoriatic skin is an effective factor in this treatment, but applying it clinically requires frequent bathing in the Dead Sea or in its bath‐salt solution. We tested an ethyl‐cellulose‐based transparent varnish with a sustained‐release property, for its penetrability of such minerals. Minerals tested were MgBr2, and KBr, known for their relevance in psoriatic proliferation. They were applied for up to three weeks. We could demonstrate that two weekly applications of the salt‐containing varnish on healthy rabbit skin are enough to obtain elevated levels of magnesium and potassium in their plasma. We propose the application of Dead Sea minerals containing varnish as a clinical treatment for psoriasis.

Risk, Information and the Development of Marine Resources

The development of offshore oil and gas, the mining of deep sea minerals and the disposal of wastes through ocean dumping have raised important questions about the way we harvest ocean resources and use the marine environment. From an economic perspective all of the above activities involve risk, either to private developers, society at large, or both. This paper presents a simple model of resource development with environmental risk. The model and subsequent modifications are used to characterize the risks inherent in the aforementioned marine activities, and to help define an appropriate role for public policy. The nature of the risks involved, the possibilities for risk spreading, the presence or absence of irreversible consequences, and the expected value of information are shown to be important in determining the rate of development and the way in which net benefits should be evaluated.

Animals in deep sea sediments

SynopsisRecent studies of the unexpectedly diverse assemblages of ainimals living either in, or on, deep sea sediments have revealed a community of extremely low standing crop—seemingly directly attributable to the low fallout of utilisable organic matter onto the bottom. This benthic community is also characterised by small organism size and probable low rates of biological activity measured as respiration or reproduction.Strictly comparable sampling methods demonstrate a close similarity between Rockall Trough (NE Atlantic) and the central N Pacific in terms of the proportions of major faunal groupings present, even if the constituent species are different, despite considerable differences in standing crop. Therefore the relative proportions of the wide spectrum of small, but not necessarily simple, forms of life that comprise the deep sea benthos may vary, but little, over wide areas of the world ocean. Moreover, considerable affinity of this fauna in Rockall Trough to that of the soft muds of Scottish sea lochs is suggested, even to species common to both habitats.The deep sea fauna seems homogeneously dispersed over large areas, the major variability occurring at the smallest possible scale—that of the size Of the organisms themselves: by structuring their habitat into a myriad of microniches these animals probably have evolved a biologically highly complex type of community, characteristically vulnerable to, and slow to recover from natural and anthropogenic perturbation. The effect on this fragile and still obscure natural community, in realizing proposals to harvest deep sea minerals, is thus likely to be local extinction of the community followed by extremely slow recovery by means of larval recruitment and immigration from surrounding areas.

Utilization of the dead sea minerals (a review)

A general description of the chemical industry of Israel, based on the minerals of the Dead Sea, is given. The production processes of potassium, sodium, and magnesium chlorides, as well as bromine and magnesium oxide, are outlined.

United States: Library of Congress Report on the law of the Sea Treaty — Alternative Approaches to Provisional Application

The United Nations Law of the Sea Conference is probably the most important international lawmaking conference ever held. It has the formidable task of concluding a comprehensive treaty on ocean use with provisions of breadth of territorial sea, transit through international straits, fisheries, protection of the marine environment, exploitation of deep sea minerals, and scientific research. The work of the Law of the Sea Conference, therefore, can affect every American whether he lives near or far from the ocean.

Radium, thorium, and uranium isotopes in the interstitial water from the Pacific Ocean sediment

The Ra, Th, and U isotopic concentrations were determined in the interstitial water expressed from a deep sea core of the eastern equatorial Pacific. The isotopes 226Ra, 228Ra, 230Th, and 228Th are higher by 1 to 3 orders of magnitude than their concentrations in seawater. Radium release from sedimentary phases with migration into the water column is indicated. The results are also compatible with the excess 228Th (relative to 232Th) found in authigenic deep sea minerals.

Arab League

The economic council of the Arab League was reported in January 1956 to have approved the establishment of an inter-Arab organization for economic development to be financed jointly by member states in proportion to their contribution to the general League funds. The capital of the new organizaton was to be £20 million. The economic council also approved the formation of a company to exploit Dead Sea minerals with headquarters at Amman, Jordan; the capital would be £4 million.