Discovery of Disulfane (H2S2) in Fluid Inclusions in Rubies from Yuanjiang, China, and Its Implications

Raman spectra of fluid inclusions in gem rubies from Yuanjiang deposit (China) within the Ailao Shan-Red River (ASRR) metamorphic belt showed the presence of compounds such as CO2, COS, CH4, H2S, and elemental sulfur (S8), accompanied by two bands at approximately 2499 and 2570 cm−1. These two frequencies could be assigned to the vibrations of disulfane (H2S2). This is the second case of the sulfane-bearing fluid inclusions in geological samples reported, followed by the first in quartzite from Bastar Craton of India. The H2S2 was likely in situ enclosed by the host rubies rather than a reaction product that formed during the cooling of H2S and S8, suggesting sulfanes are stable at elevated temperatures (e.g., >600 °C). By comparing the lithologies and metamorphic conditions of these two sulfane-bearing cases (Bastar and Yuanjiang), it is suggested that amphibolite facies metamorphism of sedimentary sequence that deposited in a continental platform setting might favor the generation of sulfanes. Sulfanes may play an important role in the mobilization of Cr that is essential for ruby crystallization.

Determination Of Silver In Geological Samples Using Aerosol Dilution ICP-MS After Water-Bath Extraction With Inverse Aqua Regia

A valid method for trace silver (Ag) detection in geological samples was developed in this study using aerosol dilution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after extraction with inverse aqua regia. This was proposed primarily to reduce the interference from Nb and Zr during mass spectrometric measurements. Almost 93% of Nb and Zr was removed after the extraction. By mixing an appropriate amount of Ar with the sample aerosol using an aerosol dilution system prior to plasma, the residual Nb oxides and Zr oxides or hydroxides could be successfully removed. The relative yields of the interfering oxides and hydroxides were as low as 0.087% (NbO/Nb) and 0.013% (ZrOH/Zr), which were 3–5 times lower than those in the traditional mode without the addition of Ar. Moreover, the signal-to-noise ratio of Ag was five times higher than that in the traditional mode. The proposed method was applied to the determination of Ag in 68 standard reference materials (SRMs) of soil, sediment, and rock. The results for 47 of these geological SRMs were in good agreement with the reference values. The Ag levels in three SRMs (GSP-2 Granodiorite, STM-2, and SGR-1b) are being reported for the first time herein. For these SRMs, 10 separate aliquots of the sample were digested and analyzed over a period of three months, and analysis revealed that the determined values were reasonable. Thus, the proposed method shows significant potential for the accurate determination of trace Ag in various geological samples.

Russian Polar expedition and geopolitical interests at the turn of the XIXth and XXth centuries. Part 2. E.V. Toll’s expeditions and their geopolitical significance

Русская Полярная экспедиция (РПЭ) была важна с точки зрения геополитических интересов России: она имела широкий научный и общественный резонанс, находилась под Высочайшим покровительством президента Императорской Академии наук Великого князя Константина Константиновича. Оставшиеся в живых участники РПЭ и их последователи преодолели все сложности для того, чтобы спасти и сохранить геологические коллекции, собранные Э.В. Толлем на Таймыре и Новосибирских островах. Научные данные, полученные в ходе экспедиции, были столь значительны, что их обработка продолжалась вплоть до «дела Академии наук» (1929–1931 гг.) и ее реорганизации. Геологические образцы и некоторые документы Русской Полярной и других экспедиций с участием Э.В. Толля хранятся ныне в Рудно-петрографическом музее ИГЕМ РАН и доступны для дальнейших исследований. The Russian Polar Expedition (RPE) was important for Russian geopolitical interests: it had a broad social and academic resonance and was under the auspices of Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich, the President of the Russian Imperial Academy of Sciences. The survived personnel of RPE and their followers managed to overcome the diffi culties to preserve the geological collections gathered by E.V. Toll at the Taimyr Peninsula and New Siberian Islands. The scientifi c results of the expedition were of paramount importance and were continuously studied and processes until the lawsuit of «The Plot at the Academy of Sciences of the USSR» was launched in 1929–1931, after which the Academy of Sciences of the USSR was reorganized. Geological samples and some documents of the Russian Arctic and other expeditions with the participation of E.V. Toll are now housed at the Ore and Petrographic Museum at IGEM RAS and are available for further studies.

Determination of Silicon and Chromium in Gold Matrix Using Proton Induced X-Ray Emission

The research aimed at the determination of elemental concentrations of silicon and chromium in five geological samples at the mining site of Garin Awwal area using the method of PIXE for analyses. The choice PIXE method in this research was due to its high sensitivity and multi-element capability that analyzes any element from sodium to uranium in a single spectrum. PIXE technique of 2.5MeV proton beam was used to characterize five samples. Samples were irradiated and analyzed at Centre for Energy Research and Development, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. From the Spectra and results generated, silicon and chromium are of commercial deposit in the area, alongside other elements such as Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg) and Aluminium(Al) which appear to be deposited in commercial quantities in the area.

Determination of Lead and Other Elements in Gold Matrix Using Proton Induced X-Ray Emission At Maga, Danko Wasagu, Kebbi, Nigeria

Lead poisoning is becoming an epidemic in and around Kebbi State lately. Five samples were collected from mining Sites believed to have high lead concentration. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique of 2.5MeV proton beam was used to characterize five geological samples collected from Maga, Danko Wasagu LG, Kebbi State, Nigeria to determined concentration of Lead (Pb) and other trace elements. Samples were irradiated and analyzed at Centre for Energy Research and Development, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The result obtained indicated that Pb is of commercial deposit in all the samples. Alongside, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, P, V, Mn, Cl, Ce and Ni were determined. The result obtained for Pb concentration in samples A, B, C, D and E were 943ppm, 445ppm, 3279ppm, 212𝟶ppmand 529ppm respectively, which is above the world health recommendation of 400ppm for areas with children.Also element Si and Fe concentrations appear to be deposited in commercial quantities. These values imply that the miners and surrounding communities of Maga, Danko Wasagu LG, Kebbi State, Nigeria are at risk of learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, behavioural problems, stunted growth, hearing problems, anaemia, kidney damage, stomach pain, mental retardation, coma, and death due to the high concentration of Pb.

The symbolic role of the underground world among Middle Paleolithic Neanderthals

Cueva de Ardales in Málaga, Spain, is one of the richest and best-preserved Paleolithic painted caves of southwestern Europe, containing over a thousand graphic representations. Here, we study the red pigment in panel II.A.3 of “Sala de las Estrellas,” dated by U-Th to the Middle Paleolithic, to determine its composition, verify its anthropogenic nature, infer the associated behaviors, and discuss their implications. Using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, we analyzed a set of samples from the panel and compared them to natural coloring materials collected from the floor and walls of the cave. The conspicuously different texture and composition of the geological samples indicates that the pigments used in the paintings do not come from the outcrops of colorant material known in the cave. We confirm that the paintings are not the result of natural processes and show that the composition of the paint is consistent with the artistic activity being recurrent. Our results strengthen the hypothesis that Neanderthals symbolically used these paintings and the large stalagmitic dome harboring them over an extended time span.

Zastosowanie analizy planimetrycznej w badaniach geologicznych – eksperymenty i spostrzeżenia

Planimetric analysis is a well-known and commonly used method for determining the content of a given component in the area of the analyzed surface. In geology, it is used to determine both the mineral and maceral composition, and its results are helpful in solving a wide range of research problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the obtained results of planimetric analysis and the density of the measurement grids, which can be adapted to specific situations in geological samples in order to optimize the ratio of the accuracy of the result to the time of analysis. The research was divided into two stages. Models were used in the first stage, while in the second, coal samples were investigated. In the first stage, a virtual grid of measurement points with dimensions of 100 by 100 points was created, which gave a total of 10 000 points. After creating the measurement grid model, 102 scenarios were established, differing in the content of the analyzed component A (0.1%, 0.5% and from 1 to 100%). In each of the adopted scenarios, 100 combinations were carried out so that the arrangement of points on the measurement grid corresponding to component A was random. Then, the number of measuring points was reduced several times from the original 10 000 to 100 and each time content of component A was calculated. The obtained average component A content in most cases turned out to be only slightly different from the original, which cannot be stated in the case of both minimum and maximum values – here a wider range of results is observed. In the second stage, 3 coal samples of varying maceral composition complexity were investigated and a measurement grid of 100 by 100 points was used. The original grid density was gradually reduced (down to 144 points) and maceral composition was calculated each time. Results obtained from models as well as from samples show a clear trend of decreasing accuracy with decreasing density of the measuring grid. The obtained results were also analyzed in terms of the established acceptance criteria for which the content of the component was assumed to be different from its content based on a grid of 10 000 points by up to 5%, 10% or 30% of the original value. The analysis of the relationship between the accuracy of the obtained results and the time of conducting the analysis seems to indicate that the choice of the measurement grid based on 500 points is optimal.

Structure-from-Motion, Capturing Geological Samples v1

Structure-from-Motion (SfM) is a photogrammetry process that creates 3D models from overlapping 2D images. This protocol focuses on its application related to geological and geophysical samples. The samples includes fossil, hand samples and rocks. This is a recommended practice to be used later for the publication on United States Geological Survey website.