New Insights on the Diurnal Mechanism of Calcification in the Stony Coral, Stylophora pistillata

Scleractinian corals are evolutionary-successful calcifying marine organisms, which utilize an endo-symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellate algae that supply energy products to their coral hosts. This energy further supports a higher calcification rate during the day in a process known as light enhanced calcification. Although this process has been studied for decades, the mechanisms behind it are still unknown. However, photosynthesis and respiration also cause daily fluctuations in oxygen and pH levels, resulting in the coral facing highly variable conditions. Here we correlated gene expression patterns with the physiological differences along the diel cycle to provide new insights on the daily dynamic processes, including circadian rhythm, calcification, symbiosis, cellular arrangement, metabolism, and energy budget. During daytime, when solar radiation levels are highest, we observed increased calcification rate combined with an extensive up-regulation of genes associated with reactive oxygen species, redox, metabolism, ion transporters, skeletal organic matrix, and mineral formation. During the night, we observed a vast shift toward up-regulation of genes associated with cilia movement, tissue development, cellular movement, antioxidants, protein synthesis, and skeletal organic matrix formation. Our results suggest that light enhanced calcification is related to several processes that occur across the diel cycle; during nighttime, tissue might elevate away from the skeleton, extending the calcifying space area to enable the formation of a new organic framework template. During daytime, the combination of synthesis of acid-rich proteins and a greater flux of ions to the sites of calcification facilitate the conditions for extensive mineral growth.

Continuous cultivation of the lithoautotrophic nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing culture KS in a chemostat bioreactor

Laboratory-based studies on microbial Fe(II) oxidation are commonly performed over just a few weeks in small volumes with high substrate concentrations, resulting in geochemical gradients and volumetric effects caused by sampling. We used a chemostat to enable uninterrupted supply of medium, and investigated autotrophic growth of the nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing culture KS for 24 days. We analysed Fe- and N-speciation, cell-mineral associations, and the identity of minerals. Results were compared to different batch systems (50 and 700 ml – static/shaken). The Fe(II) oxidation rate was highest in the chemostat with 7.57 mM Fe(II) d-1, while the extent was similar (averaged 92% of all Fe(II)). Short-range ordered Fe(III) phases, presumably ferrihydrite, precipitated and later goethite was detected in the chemostat. 1 mM solid phase Fe(II) remained in the chemostat, up to 15 µM of reactive nitrite was measured, and 42% of visualized cells were partially or completely mineral-encrusted, likely caused by abiotic oxidation of Fe(II) by nitrite. Despite (partial) encrustation, cells were still viable. Our results show that even with similar oxidation rates as in batch cultures, cultivating Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms under continuous conditions reveals mechanistic insights on the role of reactive intermediates for Fe(II) oxidation, mineral formation and cell-mineral interactions.

Features of The Processes of Clinker Formation When Using Solid Waste From Caprolactic Production As A Mineralizer

The possibility of using a soda-sulfate mixture - an alkaline waste from the production of caprolactam, as a mineralizing additive in a Portland cement raw mixture containing, as a silica-containing component, flotation tailings of the lead-concentrating plant of Almalyk MMC, has been studied. The effect of this additive on the processes of mineral formation during the synthesis of Portland cement clinker is shown. The possibility of additional recovery of residual non-ferrous metals - lead and copper - by sublimation and trapping of their chlorides has been established.

Specific features of postmagmatic and hypergene kimberlite rock alteration research

Methods of studying postmagmatic and hypergene kimberlite rock alteration, as well as identifying secondary minerals and their associations are characterized. It is shown that secondary mineral formation processes took place in a wide temperature range and they are caused by their downward change of medium reaction from alkaline to acidic followed by neutralization, which resulted in dissolution, additional growth and emergence of new secondary mineral generations.

Biomineralization Induced by Cells of Sporosarcina pasteurii: Mechanisms, Applications and Challenges

Biomineralization has emerged as a novel and eco-friendly technology for artificial mineral formation utilizing the metabolism of organisms. Due to its highly efficient urea degradation ability, Sporosarcina pasteurii (S. pasteurii) is arguably the most widely investigated organism in ureolytic biomineralization studies, with wide potential application in construction and environmental protection. In emerging, large-scale commercial engineering applications, attention was also paid to practical challenges and issues. In this review, we summarize the features of S. pasteurii cells contributing to the biomineralization reaction, aiming to reveal the mechanism of artificial mineral formation catalyzed by bacterial cells. Progress in the application of this technology in construction and environmental protection is discussed separately. Furthermore, the urgent challenges and issues in large-scale application are also discussed, along with potential solutions. We aim to offer new ideas to researchers working on the mechanisms, applications and challenges of biomineralization.

Mineralogy of noble metals (Au, Ag, Pd, Pt) in Volkovskoe Cu-Fe-Ti-V deposit (Middle Urals, Russia)

Research subject. The mineral compositions of titanomagnetitic (apatite, titanomagnetite) and copper-titanomagnetitic (bornite, chalcopyrite, apatite, titanomagnetite) ores of the Volkovskoe Cu-Fe-Ti-V deposit (Middle Urals, Russia).Methods. The research was carried out using a Jeol JSM-6390LV scanning electron microscope and X-ray spectral microanalyzers JXA-5 (Jeol) at the Geoanalitik Collective Use Center of the IGG UB RAS. Results and conclusions.Native gold (with ≤ 0.3 wt % Pd, 0.2–0.4 wt % Cu; fneness 800–914 ‰), tellurides of Pd, Au and Ag (merenskyite, keithconnite, sylvanite, hessite) and Pt arsenide (sperrylite) were found in the copper-titanomagnetitic ores. For the frst time, two generations of native gold (fneness 1000 and 850–860 ‰) and palladium telluride (keithconnite Pd3-xTe) were detected in titanomagnetitic ores. The sequence of ore mineral formation and the features of their genesis were revealed. Native gold (fneness 1000‰) in the form of microinclusions in titanomagnetite was attributed to the magmatic stage. Noble metal minerals, intergrown with copper sulfdes (bornite, chalcopyrite, digenite) and associated with late hydroxyl-bearing minerals (amphibole, epidote, chlorite), are superimposed in relation to the magmatic minerals (pyroxene, plagioclase, hornblende, apatite, titanomagnetite, ilmenite, etc.) of these ores. Merenskyite, sperrylite, high fneness gold (800–914 ‰), as well as carrolite, cobaltite, copper-cobalt telluride and bismuth tellurium-selenide kawazulite Вi2Te2Se are syngenetic with copper sulfdes. The Au-Ag tellurides were deposited later than these minerals. It is shown that the high fugacity of tellurium, which binds Pd, Au, and Ag into tellurides, prevents the occurrence of native gold containing high concentrations of palladium and silver.

The Poldnevskoye deposit of demantoid (Middle Urals): Geology and mineralogy

Research subject. The results of studying the geology and mineralogy of the Poldnevskoye deposit of demantoid are presented. Material and methods. The factual material was collected during feld research. Demantoid samples were pro vided by mine owners. Rock and vein minerals were studied in hand specimens, polished specimens and thin sections; the chemical composition was determined by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe X-ray spectral microanalysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with laser sampling (LA-ICP-MS).Results. The Korkodinsky ultrabasic massif containing the deposit experienced strong decompression and syndecompression mineral formation during the ascent. At an early stage, veins of clinopyroxenite formed in dunite, which also experienced decompression cracking. Then the rocks underwent antigoritization and the appearance of vein antigorite, which was replaced by veins of clinochrysotile (+ magnetite ± carbonate ± demantoid). This was followed by the formation of lizardite (+ magnetite ± carbonate ± demantoid), which also developed along the earlier vein serpentines. Demantoid is represented by rounded grains and rounded grain aggregates with the signs of growth under the conditions of allround extension. The predominant color is brownish-green, yellow-green, rarely green and dark green. Green and dark green demantoids contain Cr2O3 0.52–2.3 wt %. In the central part of some grains and demantoid aggregates, a brown color is observed, which binds to TiO2, the content of which reaches 1 wt %. The demantoids of the Poldnevskoye deposit bear typomorphic features of the Ural-type demantoids (inclusions of the “horse’s tail” type). The distribution of demantoid is nested. The length of the veins with demantoid is frst meters. Their pillar-like shape is assumed. Conclusion.Demantoids from nests in serpentinized massive or brecciform dunites are more intact; demantoid nests in strongly serpentinized rocks were tectonic crushed and contain little gemstone.