Multi-analytical approach for chemical-mineralogical characterization of reaction rims in the lime mortars from Amaiur Castle (Navarre, Spain)

2020 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 104303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graciela Ponce-Antón ◽  
Maria Cruz Zuluaga ◽  
Luis Angel Ortega ◽  
Juantxo Agirre Mauleon
Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Fernanda Carvalho ◽  
Pedro Sousa ◽  
Nuno Leal ◽  
Joaquim Simão ◽  
Elissavet Kavoulaki ◽  
...  

The study of building materials constituting cultural heritage is fundamental to understand their characteristics and predict their behavior. When considering materials from archaeological sites, their characterization can provide not only relevant information for a broader understanding of the site and its importance and significance but can also increase knowledge about ancient materials and their performance. The Palace of Knossos is a very important archaeological site in the European history context, and its preservation benefits from the characterization of the constituent materials. Samples of mortars from this monument were collected under the scope of the H2020 HERACLES project, where a multi-analytical approach was chosen using established protocols for the different sample typologies. Instrumental techniques such as optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA) were used for the chemical, mineralogical, and morphological characterization of these mortar samples. The results indicate that the majority are lime mortars, both aerial and hydraulic, but gypsum-based mortars were also identified. Differences in the chemical composition of the samples in distinct areas of the monument allowed us to reflect on the variety of materials used in the construction of the Palace of Knossos.


Radiocarbon ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 545-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B Toffolo ◽  
Giulia Ricci ◽  
Rémy Chapoulie ◽  
Luisa Caneve ◽  
Ifat Kaplan-Ashiri

ABSTRACTAccurate radiocarbon (14C) dating of lime mortars requires a thorough mineralogical characterization of binders in order to verify the presence of carbon-bearing contaminants. In the last 20 years, cathodoluminescence (CL) has been widely used for the identification of geologic calcium carbonate (CaCO3) aggregates and unreacted lime lumps within the particle size fraction selected for carbon recovery. These components are major sources of older and younger carbon, respectively, and should be removed to obtain accurate age determinations. More recently, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) has provided another means of investigating the preservation state and composition of CaCO3 binders. Considered the growing interest of the mortar dating community in the latest advancements of these analytical methods, here we review the principles of CL and LIF of CaCO3, their instrument setup, and their application to the characterization of ancient lime mortars used for 14C dating. In addition, we provide examples of SEM-CL and LIF analyses using high-resolution instrumentation, we discuss current issues and propose future lines of research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 3910
Author(s):  
Saba Shirin ◽  
Aarif Jamal ◽  
Christina Emmanouil ◽  
Akhilesh Kumar Yadav

Acid mine drainage (AMD) occurs naturally in abandoned coal mines, and it contains hazardous toxic elements in varying concentrations. In the present research, AMD samples collected from an abandoned mine were treated with fly ash samples from four thermal power plants in Singrauli Coalfield in the proximate area, at optimized concentrations. The AMD samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and metal content before and after fly ash treatment. Morphological, geochemical and mineralogical characterization of the fly ash was performed using SEM, XRF and XRD. This laboratory-scale investigation indicated that fly ash had appreciable neutralization potential, increasing AMD pH and decreasing elemental and sulfate concentrations. Therefore, fly ash may be effectively used for AMD neutralization, and its suitability for the management of coalfield AMD pits should be assessed further.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4840
Author(s):  
Fatai Arolu Ayanda ◽  
Mohd Firdaus Mohd Anuar ◽  
Syaharudin Zaibon ◽  
Shamshuddin Jusop

The physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of the constituents of magnesium-rich synthetic gypsum produced in a rare earth-refining plant located in Gebeng, Pahang, Malaysia was conducted through elemental chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX)-analyzer, thermal analysis, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. The crystalline nature of the by-product was studied using FTIR spectroscopy. Elemental analysis confirmed the presence of Ca and Mg, which are essential macronutrients required by plants and this Ca alongside the high pH (9.17) of MRSG may confer on the material a high acid neutralization capacity. From the result, it was observed that the studied by-product is a heterogeneous crystalline material comprising of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) and other major components such as calcium (magnesium) compounds (hydroxide, oxide, silicates, and carbonate) and sulfur. These aggregates may contribute to give an acid neutralization capacity to MRSG. The XRD study of MRSG indicated a high content of gypsum (45.4%), shown by the d-spacing of 7.609 Å (2-theta 11.63) in the diffractogram. The infrared absorption spectra of MRSG indicate close similarities to mined gypsum. The results of the characterization indicated that MRSG has valuable properties that can promote its use in amending soil fertility constraints on nutrient-deficient tropical acid soils.


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