Solid Inclusions Research Articles

Micro- to nano-sized solid inclusions in magnetite record skarn reactions

Abstract. Magnetite is a widespread ore mineral in skarn systems and usually hosts a wide variety of inclusions. Micro- to nano-sized solid inclusions in magnetite are unique tools to track the evolutionary processes of its host mineral and, subsequently, to constrain the timing of the mineralization event. In this study, we characterize micro- to nano-sized solid inclusions in magnetite from the La Víbora magnesian skarn (Málaga, Spain) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) analyses and compositional mapping expose two types of nano-inclusions oriented along the (111) of magnetite: type 1 includes dolomite, spinel, and Mg–Fe–Al silicate, and type 2 is made up of Mg–Fe–Al silicates enveloping the Mg-bearing amorphous silica phase. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), and fast Fourier transform (FFT) patterns reveal that the majority of the solid inclusions display non-oriented matrices compared to the host magnetite, precluding the possibility of sub-solidus processes. Instead, these inclusions are thought to preserve skarn mineral assemblages that were entrapped during the growth of magnetite. However, the local supersaturation of fluids trapped in the boundary layer of crystallizing magnetite is evidenced by coherent lattice orientation of precipitated and host magnetite and by the occurrence of an Mg-bearing amorphous silica phase. Our findings reveal that skarn reactions observed at field and microscopic scales are also recorded in nano-sized inclusions within magnetite. These observations underscore the significance of micro- to nano-scale solid inclusions in magnetite to decipher overprinted skarn reactions as well as constraining the timing of Fe mineralization events in skarns.

Unravelling different mechanisms of metasomatism and geodynamic evolution of pyroxenite-veined subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the Central European Variscides

Abstract Pyroxenite-veined garnet peridotites from the Gföhl Unit of the Moldanubian Zone in the Bohemian Massif provide direct constraints on diverse mechanisms of mantle metasomatism and refertilization driven by a single pulse of melt beneath the Central European Variscides. Here, we provide a detailed study on an intriguing example of this rock association where the garnet peridotites show a fertile character (high Al2O3, CaO, TiO2), corresponding to the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). By contrast, their conspicuous LREE depletion and Sr–Nd isotopic signatures (87Sr/86Sr338 ≤ 0.7028; εNd338 ~7.3) are typical of depleted mantle residue after melt extraction. Such signatures reflect transformation of an original refractory protolith (likely harzburgite) to fertile lherzolite through percolation of primitive tholeiitic melts, parental to garnet pyroxenite in veins. The SCLM refertilization is further documented by the whole-rock positive correlation between incompatible elements (Zr, Yb, Sc, V), and trace element composition of clinopyroxene (high Ti/Eu and Ti/Nb) and garnet (elevated ∑REE, Zr, Ti). Trace element and Sr–Nd isotopic systematics of pyroxenites (87Sr/86Sr338 ~0.7025–0.7029; εNd338 ≤ 7.9) correspond to a source of melt similar to the depleted MORB mantle (DMM). Three mechanisms of metasomatism related to the interaction of this melt with the host peridotites were distinguished: (i) stealth metasomatism, reflected by extensive clinopyroxene and garnet crystallization in lherzolite adjacent to pyroxenite veins, (ii) cryptic metasomatism, recorded by lower Mg# values of orthopyroxene and olivine in lherzolite, and (iii) modal metasomatism, resulting in crystallization of amphibole and phlogopite in lherzolite close to the veins. The percolating basaltic melt was hydrous, moderately enriched in fluid-mobile elements (Cs, Rb, Ba, Pb, U, Li). Immiscible liquids, dense Ti-Mg-Fe-rich oxide melt and C-O-H fluid, trapped and crystallized as mono/multiphase solid inclusions in garnet, likely separated from a basaltic melt upon cooling. The lherzolite-pyroxenite interface reveals strong micro-scale element fractionation due to differentiation of a basaltic melt within the percolation channel. Volatile-bearing liquids that segregated from the melts migrating through wall-rock peridotites most likely caused chromatographic enrichment in highly incompatible elements (e.g. LREE) in distal peridotites relative to the LREE-depleted lherzolites adjacent to the veins. The DMM-like affinity of pyroxenites and pressure-temperature estimates for lherzolite (3.9–5.4 GPa/1010–1200 °C) and pyroxenites (2.8–4.2 GPa/860–1020 °C) point towards exhumation-driven SCLM refertilization. This was linked to decompression-induced partial melting of upwelling asthenosphere producing basaltic melts penetrating through and metasomatizing the SCLM beneath the Variscan orogenic belt in Central Europe.

Activity concentrations of 60 Co, 137Cs and 241Am in sieved soil and soil inclusions from the «Taiga» peaceful nuclear explosions site

The article presents results of comparative study of 137Cs, 60Co, and 241Am activity concentrations in components of the soil samples collected in 2009 on the territory adjacent to the «Taiga» peaceful nuclear explosions site (the Perm region, Russia). The objective of the study was to identify differences between: 1) non fractionated native soil, 2) the soil passed through a sieve with a mesh size of 1.2 mm, and 3) the screened out coarse components. Measurements of the radionuclides activities in counting samples were performed using a semiconductor gamma spectrometer. Statistically significantly lower activity concentrations of 137Cs (factor of 1.2), 60Co (factor of 2.2) and 241Am (factor of 2.6) were found in the finely dispersed sieved fraction of soil compared to the native soil. On the opposite, in the solid radioactive inclusions selected from the screened out coarse fraction, the activity concentrations of 137Cs, 60Co and 241Am were significantly higher compared to those in the native soil. Especially large differences (up to a factor of 10 and more) between the native soil and radioactive inclusions were observed for the refractory and low-volatile 60Co and 241Am. Presumably, these radionuclides were concentrated predominantly in the glassy substance of the radioactive inclusions. For 137Cs, the unevenness in the contamination of different soil components was less pronounced. The results obtained will be used to standardize methods for assessing radioactive contamination of the territory at the sites of peaceful nuclear explosions

Histo-anatomical features of garden lupin (lupinus polyphyllus lindl.)

Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. (garden lupin, large-leaved lupin) is a perennial herbaceous legume, used for ornamental purposes, for improving soil quality, as forage or in human food products. However, little is known about anatomical features this species’Lupin vegetative organs (roots, petioles, leaf blades) were collected, cross sectioned and analyzed by bright-field microscopy. Lupin roots showed primary and incipient secondary structures, with a cortex featuring large-sized cells with rich cellular content and granular solid inclusions. Leaf petioles had rare peltate hairs and large sub-stomatal lacunes, a large medullary lacune and rich parenchyma. Leaf blades had typical bifacial structure, with three-layered palisade tissue and less proeminent midrib, with a collateral bundle, protected by small caps of collenchyma. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 423-428, 2024 (September)

Agglomeration of carbonaceous particles in a pendant water slurry droplet

Liquid spraying is used in a number of engineering applications, such as spray cooling, drying, granulation, etc., which mostly deal with colloidal solutions or slurries. Depending on the application, solid particle agglomeration can be considered a positive or negative phenomenon. Therefore, to make engineering processes reliable and stable, it is necessary take account of secondary processes affecting the size distribution of the material involved. The agglomeration of solid particles in a pendant droplet was studied experimentally. Distilled water was used as the base liquid and 60–120-μm coal particles as solid inclusions. The coal concentration in a droplet was varied in the range of 0.5–10 %. The main parameters of particle agglomeration in a droplet were recorded using the shadow method. Particle sedimentation velocities and heights of the agglomerated particle layers in a droplet were recorded as part of the experiments. These characteristics were affected by the initial liquid volume, relative particle concentration and size. Equations were obtained for the relationships determined in the experiments. These equations can help extrapolate the corresponding functions to wider variation ranges of input parameters. Recommendations have been formulated on managing the processes of slurry droplet stratification over time.

Optimal design of broadband, low-directivity graded index acoustic lenses for underwater communication.

Manipulating underwater pressure waves is crucial for marine exploration, as electromagnetic signals are strongly absorbed in water. However, the multi-path phenomenon complicates the accurate capture of acoustic waves by receivers. Although graded index lenses, based on metamaterials with smoothly varying properties, successfully focus pressure waves, they tend to have high directivity, which hinders practical application. This work introduces three 2D acoustic lenses made from a metamaterial composed of solid inclusions in water. We propose an optimization scheme where the pressure dynamics is governed by Helmholtz's equation, with control parameters affecting each lens cell's density and bulk modulus. Through an appropriate cost function, the optimization encourages a broadband, low-directivity lens. The large-scale optimization is solved using the Lagrangian approach, which provides an analytical expression for the cost gradient. This scheme avoids the need for a separate discretization step, allowing the design to transition directly from the desired smooth refractive index to a practical lattice structure. As a result, the optimized lens closely aligns with real-world behavior. The homogenized numerical model is validated against finite elements, which considers acoustic-elastic coupling at the microstructure level. When homogenization holds, this approach proves to be an effective design tool for achieving broadband, low-directivity acoustic lenses.

Value addition to dietetic frozen yoghurt through use of fruit peel solids

The study pertains to preparing value added frozen yoghurt through use of orange peel powder (OPP). The quality aspects of medium-fat (6.0% fat) frozen yoghurt prepared using OPP at three levels (1.5, 2.5, 3.5% as T1, T2 and T3 respectively) was studied. Frozen yoghurt was prepared by freezing blend of fermented yoghurt base with ice cream mix (25:75 w/w); other ingredients were sugar, stabilizer-emulsifier and orange crush. Inclusion of OPP in frozen yoghurt impacted the orange flavour favorably and enriched product with β-carotene and dietary fiber. The control product (TC) was prepared in similar manner, avoiding OPP. As the level of OPP was raised in formulation, there was a marked increase in the protein, carbohydrate, ash and total solids when compared with TC. Presence of OPP markedly affected the acidity, viscosity, overrun and melting resistance of the product; maximum overrun was associated with TC. Product T3 had the maximum acidity and viscosity; T2 had maximum total sensory score. It is recommended to prepare medium-fat frozen yoghurt utilizing 2.5% OPP along with orange crush as flavouring. Such inclusion of peel solids enriched the product with β-carotene and dietary fiber, contributed to stabilization of product and enhanced the products sensory acceptance.

Bending-driven patterning of solid inclusions in lipid membranes: Colloidal assembly and transitions in elastic 2D fluids.

Biological or biomimetic membranes are examples within the larger material class of flexible ultrathin lamellae and contoured fluid sheets that require work or energy to impose bending deformations. Bending elasticity also dictates the interactions and assembly of integrated phases or molecular clusters within fluid lamellae, for instance enabling critical cell functions in biomembranes. More broadly, lamella and other thin fluids that integrate dispersed objects, inclusions, and phases behave as contoured 2D colloidal suspensions governed by elastic interactions. To elucidate the breadth of interactions and assembled patterns accessible through elastic interactions, we consider the bending elasticity-driven assembly of 1-10 μm solid plate-shaped Brownian domains (the 2D colloids), integrated into a fluid phospholipid membrane (the 2D fluid). Here, the fluid membranes of giant unilamellar vesicles, 20-50 μm in diameter, each contain 4-100 monodisperse plate-domains at an overall solid area fraction of 17 ± 3%. Three types of reversible plate arrangements are found: persistent vesicle-encompassing quasi-hexagonal lattices, persistent closely associated chains or concentrated lattices, and a dynamic disordered state. The interdomain distances evidence combined attractive and repulsive elastic interactions up to 10 μm, far exceeding the ranges of physio-chemical interactions. Bending contributions are controlled through membrane slack (excess area) producing, for a fixed composition, a sharp cooperative multibody transition in plate arrangement, while domain size and number contribute intricacy.

Optical properties, inclusions, and chemical composition of blue corundum from the Stazh-2 deposit, South-Western Pamir

Background. The Stazh-2 deposit of blue corundum is a representative object in the post- Soviet territory with prospects for mining of jewelry crystal raw materials. In terms of its geological position, the deposit can be classified as a contact-reaction (bimetasomatic) deposit formed in the contacts of granite veins and magnesites, being comparable to the world-famous Kashmir Sumjam deposit. During its study at the end of the last century, no mineralogical studies of blue corundum were conducted using precision methods, such as IR, Raman and absorption spectra, DiamindView luminescence, in order to establish patterns in color distribution, solid and gas-liquid inclusions, deformations and chemical composition. Determination of these parameters could serve as a basis for the involvement of crystal from this deposit in the jewelry industry.Aim. Examination of blue corundum from the Stazh-2 deposit located in Archean magnesite marbles of the Goran metamorphic series of the South-West Pamir using IR, Raman spectra, absorption spectra, and DiamondView luminescence to establish color distribution within crystals, solid and gas-liquid inclusions, deformations, and their chemical composition.Materials and methods. Four polished plates weighing from 0.48 to 0.76 carats with an area of about 1 cm2 and a thickness of 1.5—2 mm, as well as two faceted inserts — “Oval” 2.86 carats, 9.5x7.5 mm, and “Circle” 1.35 carats, 9 mm. The inserts were prepared from samples from the collection of the Department of Mineralogy and Gemology, Russian State Geological Prospecting University (MGRI). The research methodology comprised (1) optical microscopy using a Leica S9D stereomicroscope; (2) infrared spectroscopy in the mid-IR range from 400 cm-1 to 4500 cm-1 with a Nicolet iS50 FT-IR Thermo Scientific FT-IR spectrometer, detector DTGS KBr, aperture 200, resolution 4 cm-1 , PIKE DRIFTS attachment; (3) Raman spectroscopy using a confocal Renishaw InVia Qontor Raman-microspectrometer with an excitation solid-state laser 532 nm, nominal power 100 mW and diffraction grating 1800 lines/mm; (4) UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy by a PerkinElmer Lambda 1050WB spectrometer in the range of 270—1200 nm, a spectral resolution of 0.5 nm, a scanning speed of 56.7 nm/min; (5) micro-X-ray fluorescence analysis using a Bruker TORNADO M4 micro-XRF spectrometer with an X-ray tube power 20 W and a vacuum mode of 20 mbar, an X-ray beam diameter of 50 μm; (6) luminescence imaging in short-wave radiation 225 nm, recorded using a Diamond View device. Instrumental studies were carried out at the Gemstone Research Laboratory of Gokhran of Russia.Results. (1) For the first time, spectrometric data of blue corundum from the Stazh-2 deposit were obtained by IR-, Raman, and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy methods, as well as micro-XRF. (2) In blue corundum, a local (focal) content of chromium, an element alien to granites, was established. Here, metasomatites with corundum were formed. Areas with chromium exhibit sharp rectilinear boundaries. (3) Zircon, diaspore, boehmite, muscovite, calcite, as well as gas-liquid inclusions with CO2, were determined in the composition of blue corundum. (4) Two color generations due to newly formed fractures and minerals were identified. (5) The inclusions of diaspore, boehmite, muscovite, and calcite are the result of the hydration and carbonation reactions that occurred between corundum and anorthite at later development stages. (6) The blue corundum samples contained Ti and Fe with a predominance of Ti over Fe, which is a distinctive feature of the Stazh-2 deposit from other deposits of blue corundum and sapphires.Conclusion. The obtained materials can be used by Gokhran of Russia for identifying sapphires of the contact-reaction (bimetasomatic) genesis, which include Kashmir sapphires of the highest quality, as well as for educational purposes.

Practical Implications of Using an Online Data-Driven Optimizer for Calcium-Treated Steels

Calcium (Ca) additions during secondary steelmaking are a well-adopted practice to transform solid oxide non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) into globular-shaped liquid oxides. The claimed hypothesis that liquid NMIs reduce SEN clogging has been proven in the past by researchers. However, the exact quantity of Ca needed to transform the physical state of NMIs during steelmaking remains uncertain. Operators in the steel plant use a consistent quantity of Ca additions for specific steel grades, but this approach does not account for the varying physical states and evolving dynamics of NMIs characteristics in each ‘heat’. To overcome this, a study was conducted to explore the impact of varying Ca additions on the transformation and behavior of NMIs in low-alloyed Ca-treated steel grades. The aim was to establish a more reliable and responsive approach to Ca treatment, potentially leading to more effective control in preventing submerged entry nozzle (SEN) clogging. The proposed methodology involved online monitoring of NMIs state coupled with controlled variations in Ca addition, deviating from fixed quantity, to observe its effects on NMIs state transformations. Through careful analysis of collected data and the implementation of a data-driven optimizer, this study reports the practical implications of using optimal amounts of Ca during secondary steelmaking. The resulting change due to dynamic calcium silicide (CaSi)-cored wire additions and their impact on SEN clogging were evaluated. The findings reveal the significant role of optimal CaSi wire additions, leading to improved steel castability and a notable 30 pct reduction in SEN clogging tendencies. The results obtained after the implementation of the data-driven optimizer ‘ClogCalc’ have significant implications for steel manufacturers, offering new insights into enhancing Ca treatment efficiency.

Drag of Rankine bodies embedded in porous media at small Darcy numbers

This paper studies the flow over a solid inclusion embedded in a porous medium of low permeability. We study Rankine bodies which represent circular cylinders and spheres when the aspect ratio is one, and thin plates and almost uniform rods when the aspect ratio is small. Using boundary layer theory, the flow field and pressure distribution are determined. It is found that the pressure drag dominates the shear drag except for small aspect ratios. Thus, geometry plays a decisive role in the choice of using the Darcy equation or the Darcy-Brinkman equation. The results are important for the determination of flow resistance of a non-homogeneous porous medium which has solid inclusions.

Enrofloxacin Pharmaceutical Formulations through the Polymer-Free Electrospinning of β-Cyclodextrin-oligolactide Derivatives.

Enrofloxacin (ENR), a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics, is widely used in veterinary medicine to treat bacterial infections. Like many antibiotics, ENR has limited water solubility and low bioavailability. To address these challenges, drug formulations using solid dispersions, nanosuspensions, surfactants, cocrystal/salt formation, and inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins may be employed. The approach described herein proposes the development of ENR formulations by co-electrospinning ENR with custom-prepared cyclodextrin-oligolactide (CDLA) derivatives. This method benefits from the high solubility of these derivatives, enabling polymer-free electrospinning. The electrospinning parameters were optimized to incorporate significant amounts of ENR into the CDLA nanofibrous webs, reaching up to 15.6% by weight. The obtained formulations were characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy methods and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study indicates that the presence of CDLA derivative does not inhibit the antibacterial activity of ENR, recommending these formulations for further development.

On the effectiveness of using carbamide-based salt baths for low-temperature cyanidation of improved carbon and alloy steels

Purpose. A study of cyanidation of improved carbon and alloy steels of grades 30, 30HGT, 30H13 at a temperature of 550–580 °C was carried out in baths based on carbamide and sodium carbonate. Recommendations on the use of these baths for surface hardening of carbon and alloyed improved steels used for the manufacture of machine parts are formulated. Methods. The microstructure of the diffusion layer of steels on transverse sections was studied using a Quanta FEG – 650 electron scanning microscope with an EBCD focused ion beam microanalysis system. Cyanide wear tests were performed under friction conditions analogous to those of die tools. The wear resistance of the carbonitrided samples was investigated on a SMTs-2 friction machine. The tests were performed under both dry friction and boundary friction conditions. Results. The high efficiency of the proposed bath composition at a given temperature has been experimentally shown. As a result of cyanidation, modified layers saturated with solid inclusions (ε-phases) are formed on the surface of steels, characterized by high hardness, low coefficient of friction and high wear resistance. Conclusion. According to the results of the conducted research, it can be concluded that low-temperature cyanidation of improved steels of various grades can be carried out in cyanide-free salt baths. The optimal composition of the cyanide bath is 40% carbamide (NH2)2CO; 40 % soda ash Na2CO3 and 20 % NaCl table salt. The proposed bath does not contain toxic and scarce components, therefore it is environmentally safe and very cheap and can be used with great effect in machine-building, repair and tool industries.

Multiscale formulation for materials composed by a saturated porous matrix and solid inclusions

Despite all the progress achieved in the characterization of heterogeneous materials by using multiscale paradigms based on the Representative Volume Element concept (RVE), there are still many aspects that demand ongoing development. We mention, for instance, in-homogeneous media with internal micro-structure comprising a mixture of components that require a dissimilar number/character of primary fields to describe their physical behavior. Micro-structures constituted by a saturated porous matrix (described through the pair displacement/pore pressure fields) endowed with impermeable non-porous solid inclusions (described only by the displacement field) are a typical example among many other practical applications. This new level of heterogeneity, between the set of primal descriptors for each micro-scale constituent, claims detailed revisions and novel adjustments in multiscale RVE-based theories.In this work, we present a first-order RVE-based formulation to address with the aforementioned phenomenology at a smaller length scale. At the macro-scale, the well-known poromechanics theory is preserved, where the constitutive response is provided by homogenization of the corresponding micro-scale problem. Two important attributes feature the model: (i) it is encompassed within the general framework posited by the “Method of Multiscale Virtual Power (MMVP)”, this leads to a variationally consistent methodology; (ii) our formulation preserves the objectivity with respect to the RVE-size (an indispensable but uncommon characteristic in RVE-based multiscale approaches for saturated porous media), due to it is based in a recent contribution of the authors (the so-called Selective Order Expansion technique “SOE”).The formulation is implemented following the squared Finite Element (FE2) numerical scheme. The potentialities of the model are demonstrated through a detailed series of numerical examples, including rigorous comparisons against the Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) procedure.

C–S–H-PCE nanoparticles and anionic surfactants as nucleation agent in cement based materials: Focus on the antagonism

The small solid particles and surfactants inclusion have the potential to furnish abundant nucleation sites, yet the concurrent operation mechanisms in cement remain unclear. Thus, calcium-silicate-hydrate-polycarboxylate ether (C–S–H-PCE) nanoparticles and calcium stearate (CaSt2) all were introduced as composites nucleation agents in this work, and then the properties of fresh cement paste, hydration process and microstructure of hardened pastes were especially investigated. Experimental results demonstrated that C–S–H-PCE and CaSt2 enhanced cement hydration by utilizing their ability to provide nucleation sites, but they were less compatible. Therefore, the combination showed the antagonistic effects: a decrease in fluidity and compressive strength. The decrease in fluidity was mainly attributed to the lowered particle dispersion. The decrease in compressive strength was associated with a lower overall density and increased cumulative porosity of the C–S–H gels. This work establish the theoretical foundation for selecting components of green composite nucleation agents.

Integrative approach for improved dofetilide solubility using β-cyclodextrin and two its substituted derivatives: Solutions and solid dispersions

The complexation an anti-arrhythmia drug dofetilide (DFT) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) were studied using two main approaches: phase solubility diagrams and solid dispersions technique. The phase solubility diagrams were constructed in buffer solutions with physiological values рН 2.0 и 7.4. In accordance with the protolytic properties of the drug, the solubilizing effect of cyclodextrins turned out to be more effective in a neutral environment (buffer pH 7.4): the solubility improvement of DFT in the presence of β-CD, HP-β-CD and SBE-β-CD was 3.6, 11.8 and 18.1 times, respectively. In buffer pH 2.0, the tendency for an increase in the solubilizing effect, depending on the chemical nature of the CDs used, is maintained, but the solubility of the drug almost does not grow. The binding constants for the DFT/HP-β-CD and DFT/SBE-β-CD complexes equal to 344 L·mol−1 and 429 L·mol−1 in buffer pH 7.4 indicate the formation of stable inclusion complexes and belong to the optimal range for refinement bioavailability and stability of hydrophobic drugs. Amorphous solid dispersions DFT/β-CD, DFT/HP-β-CD and DFT/SBE-β-CD with stoichiometry 1:1 were obtained by grinding method. The combination FTIR, PXRD, DSC, TGA and SEM methods confirmed the inclusion complexes formation of the drug with cyclodextrins used. Dissolution profiles of solid dispersions DFT/β-CD, DFT/HP-β-CD and DFT/SBE-β-CD were graphing in buffer solutions рН 2.0 and 7.4. Enlargement factor of DFT solubility in the composition of solid dispersions DFT/β-CD, DFT/HP-β-CD and DFT/SBE-β-CD in the neutral medium are 3.4, 4.1 and 5.2, respectively. Whereas the formation of solid inclusion complexes DFT/CDs in an acidic buffer has virtually no effect on the increase in the equilibrium concentration of the active substance in the solution. Findings have demonstrated that the use of SBE-β-CD shows the best solubilization potential for DFT both in solution and as a solid dispersion.

Experimental constraints on the nature of multiphase solid inclusions and their bearing on mantle wedge metasomatism, Bohemian Massif

This study tests experimentally the hypothesis that calculated bulk compositions of multiphase solid inclusions present in minerals of ultrahigh pressure rocks, can be equated to the composition of the former trapped fluids. We investigated samples from the ultrahigh pressure garnet peridotites of the Bohemian Massif, spatially associated with ultrahigh pressure crustal rocks and representing a former subduction interface environment. Inclusions present in garnets, composed of amphibole + Ba-mica kinoshitalite + carbonates (dolomite + magnesite + norsethite), were taken to their entrapment conditions of c. 4.5 GPa and 1075 ºC. They (re)crystallized into a garnet fringe at the boundary between inclusion and host garnet, kinoshitalite ± olivine, carbonatite melt, and a hydrous fluid. Although the latter may have exsolved from the carbonatite melt upon quenching, microstructures suggest it was present at trapped conditions, and mass balance indicates that it corresponds to a Na-K-Cl-F-rich saline aqueous fluid (brine). Experiments demonstrate the stability of kinoshitalite at 4.5 GPa and 1075 ºC, and suggest that Ba-rich mica + carbonatite melt + brine coexisted at near-peak conditions. Barium is compatible in the carbonatite melt and mica with respect to the brine, with a partition coefficient between carbonatite melt and mica of ≈ 2.5–3. The garnet fringe formed from incongruent reaction of the former inclusion assemblage due to reversing the fluid(s)-host garnet reaction that occurred upon natural cooling/decompression. Loss of H2 or H2O from the inclusions due to volume diffusion through garnet and/or decrepitation, during geological timeframes upon decompression/cooling, may have prevented rehomogenization to a single homogeneous fluid. Our study shows that great care is needed in the interpretation of multiphase solid inclusions present in ultrahigh pressure rocks.

Fluid and solid inclusions in large halite veins in the Kłodawa Salt Dome (Central Poland) – insights into its development

Secondary rocks are often found in salt domes. Among these, large halite crystal (LHC) veins and nests are common, as in the Kłodawa Salt Dome of Poland. Mineralogical tests carried out on LHC here showed the presence of fluid and solid inclusions in the halite crystals. The halite itself commonly exhibits birefringence, suggesting lattice stresses. Among the solid inclusions, anhydrite is the most common. Three types of anhydrite crystals have been distinguished as regards their size and occurrence, while small, rounded inclusions of sylvite appear much less frequently. Fluid inclusions are generally rare and mostly of the secondary type. This type of fluid inclusion assemblage (FIA) comprises various kinds as regards their size and shape, as well as in their liquid-to-gas phase ratio. Primary FIAs are of two types: small, chevron-like inclusions containing sylvite daughter minerals, and large liquid-gas inclusions with carnallite and other daughter minerals. The melting temperature of sylvite ranged from 90 to 278°C, and for carnallite from 68 to 142°C. Complete homogenization of the inclusions took place at temperatures between 260 and 471.2°C. This indicates the high-temperature origin of the LHC and the presence of significant amounts of K+, Mg+2, Ca+2, and SO4-2 ions in the solutions.

Fracture of Solid Inclusions by Picks

Fracture of Solid Inclusions by Picks

Comparative physicochemical investigation of the inclusion compounds of cyclodextrins with arginine and histidine stereoisomers

The inclusion complexes of α-, β-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxypropyl-α-cyclodextrin with two amino acid stereoisomers (L-, D-arginine and L-, D-histidine) were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy methods. The solid inclusion compounds were prepared in a 1:1 molar ratio of the host and guest using the co-precipitation method. The pH measurements and structural visualization of complexes were carried out. The obtained results proved the formation of the complexes and revealed that the size and the symmetry of the cyclodextrin (CD) and also the structure and flexibility of the amino acid molecule had a significant influence on the complexation interaction. The correlation of the experimental data shows that βCD has a preference to form more stable complexes with levogir isomers of amino acid than αCD and 2-hydroxypropyl-α-cyclodextrin. The complexation of the amino acids isomers was accomplished by partial inclusion of the guest molecule in the CD cavity, and it was observed that CDs could better discriminate between histidine isomers than between arginine isomers.