⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of a hydrothermal pegmatitic buddingtonite–muscovite assemblage from Volyn, Ukraine

We determined 40Ar/39Ar ages of buddingtonite, occurring together with muscovite, with the laser-ablation method. This is the first attempt to date the NH4-feldspar buddingtonite, which is typical for sedimentary–diagenetic environments of sediments, rich in organic matter, or in hydrothermal environments, associated with volcanic geyser systems. The sample is a hydrothermal breccia, coming from the Paleoproterozoic pegmatite field of the Korosten Plutonic Complex, Volyn, Ukraine. A detailed characterization by optical methods, electron microprobe analyses, backscattered electron imaging, and IR analyses showed that the buddingtonite consists of euhedral-appearing platy crystals of tens of micrometers wide, 100 or more micrometers in length, which consist of fine-grained fibers of ≤ 1 µm thickness. The crystals are sector and growth zoned in terms of K–NH4–H3O content. The content of K allows for an age determination with the 40Ar/39Ar method, as well as in the accompanying muscovite, intimately intergrown with the buddingtonite. The determinations on muscovite yielded an age of 1491 ± 9 Ma, interpreted as the hydrothermal event forming the breccia. However, buddingtonite apparent ages yielded a range of 563 ± 14 Ma down to 383 ± 12 Ma, which are interpreted as reset ages due to Ar loss of the fibrous buddingtonite crystals during later heating. We conclude that buddingtonite is suited for 40Ar/39Ar age determinations as a supplementary method, together with other methods and minerals; however, it requires a detailed mineralogical characterization, and the ages will likely represent minimum ages.

Mineralogical Characterization of Early Bronze Age Pottery from the Svilengrad-Brantiite Site, Southeastern Bulgaria

Several pottery sherds from the Svilengrad-Brantiite site, Bulgaria, were mineralogically and petrographically analyzed. The aim was to add information to the very scarce material data available for Early Bronze Age pottery in the southeastern Thrace plain, Bulgaria, in order to examine a possible raw-material source of the pottery. The characterization techniques applied were optical microscopy (OM), petrographic microscopy (PM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The pottery samples consisted of two typological groups: a local-made type and a cord-impressed decoration type influenced by foreign cultures. All of the samples were produced from fine clay pastes that had a quite similar composition, with abundant mineral grains of similar mineral composition and fragments of metamorphic and granitic rocks. The chemical compositions of each mineral in the grains and fragments were almost identical, and consistent with those from metamorphic and granitic rocks from the Sakar-Strandja Mountains near the study site. The clay paste compositions corresponded to those of illite/smectite mixed-layer clay minerals or mixtures of illite and smectite, and the clay-mineral species were consistent with those in Miocene–Pleistocene or Holocene sediments surrounding the site.

Geomorfologia e estrutura superficial da paisagem de zonas costeiras rochosas: um estudo de caso na Ilha do Cardoso (Litoral Sul de São Paulo)

Com o intuito de contribuir para o conhecimento da geomorfologia litorânea de zonas costeiras rochosas, o presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a estrutura superficial da paisagem das escarpas litorâneas da Ilha do Cardoso (litoral sul de São Paulo). A metodologia consistiu na integração entre trabalhos, mapeamentos e descrições geológicas e geomorfológicas macroscópicas de campo, análises laboratoriais (petrografia) de amostras das unidades litológicas locais e análises de imagens aéreas e orbitais. Com relação a registros da estrutura superficial ligados predominantemente a configurações geomorfológicas e de níveis de base locais distintos das atuais, foram delimitados seis níveis de aplainamento em meio as serranias da Ilha, correlacionados com a geomorfologia litorânea descrita em estudos anteriores. Com relação a registros da estrutura superficial com maiores contribuições de processos atuais e subatuais, foram identificados e caracterizados feições morfológicas de detalhe e depósitos de blocos rochosos de fundos de vales fluviais serranos e de escarpas serranas sob influência direta do mar (costões rochosos). Efetuou-se a caracterização granulométrica, textural e litológica dos referidos registros, bem como ponderou-se sua contextualização na compartimentação da paisagem e na caracterização morfométrica, morfodinâmica, litológica e climática das Serranias da Ilha do Cardoso. Elencou-se que a diversidade da estrutura superficial rochosa local teria contribuição de nove distintos padrões de combinações entre depósitos, formas de relevo, unidades litológicas e processos exógenos, parte deles com sua génese tendo influência de variações climáticas inter-anuais locais e consequentes modificações sazonais na drenagem e escoamento superficial, e uma segunda parte ligada a distintas combinações entre as variações espaciais da caracterização mineralógica das unidades litológicas e dos fatores morfodinâmicos predominantes presentes na linha de costa da Ilha (segmentos expostos a processos lagunares versus segmentos expostos a processos de mar aberto). Geomorphology and surface structure of rocky coastal zones: study case on the Cardoso Island (south coast of São Paulo State, Brazil) A B S T R A C TIn order to contribute to the knowledge of coastal geomorphology of rocky coastal areas, the present study aimed to characterize the surface structure of the coastal escarpments of Ilha do Cardoso (south coast of São Paulo). The methodology consisted of integrating macroscopic geological and geomorphological mapping and field descriptions, characterizing patterns of precipitation and breaking waves in the area, laboratory analysis (petrography) of samples from local lithological units and analysis of aerial and orbital images. There were characterized nine distinct patterns of combinations between deposits, forms of detailed relief, lithological units and exogenous processes. The occurrences of such patterns of surface structure were contextualized amid the characterization of geomorphological compartmentation, precipitation patterns, the prevailing conditions of agitation of the waters surrounding the island, and the mapping and petrographic characterization of local lithological units. Thus, it was pointed out that the genesis of the island's surface structure patterns would have a contribution of overlaps between local inter-annual climatic variations and consequent seasonal changes in drainage and surface runoff, and to different combinations between the spatial variations of the mineralogical characterization of the lithological units and the predominant morphodynamic conditions present on the island (segments exposed predominantly to lagoon processes versus segments exposed to open sea processes versus segments exposed to fluvial action and runoff). The different lithological units of local hard rocks linked to different petrographic characterizations when exposed to the same morphodynamic conditions linked to the action of coastal waters result in features of detail relief and deposits quite different from each other in terms of degree of preservation and inclinations of the rocky platforms, as well as the dimensions and degrees of roundness of the rock fragments deposits. It was interpreted that such heterogeneities would have a contribution of different successibility of the different compositions and mineralogical arrangements of each local hard rock lithological units to the weathering patterns linked to each of the three sets of predominant morphodynamic processes operating in this coastal segmentKeywords: planning levels, coastal rocky cliffs, valley floor deposits, coastal geomorphology, rocky coasts

Industrial Wastes-Cum-Strength Enhancing Additives Incorporated Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) for Energy Efficient Building: A Comprehensive Review

Lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) exhibits the advantages of thermal insulation, reduces energy consumption building costs, improves building efficiency and easy construction. Furthermore, the utilization of industrial wastes in concrete is advantageous in terms of environmental sustainability. In order to explore this, several researchers investigated the idea of integrating industrial wastes in LWAC. However, the lack of knowledge regarding the performance of industrial waste-based lightweight aggregate concrete hinders the adaptation of this concept and application of LWAC in the construction sector. Therefore, this paper summarizes the research in relation to the sustainable LWACs containing oil palm shell (OPS), lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA), vermiculite, perlite, pumice and sintered fly ash as lightweight aggregate, along with industrial wastes and strength-enhancing additives (viz. fibers, polymers, etc.). Firstly, desirable physical, chemical, morphological and mineralogical characterization of different lightweight aggregates are presented, and then a comprehensive overview on fresh, hardened, durability and thermal properties of LWAC incorporating industrial wastes are discussed in comparison with normal weight concrete. The review also highlights the current challenges and suggests the research gaps for further development of eco-friendly LWAC. It is concluded that vermiculite, perlite, pumice, OPS, sintered fly ash and LECA with some suitable industrial waste materials have the potential to be used in the construction sector. Moreover, LWAC with industrial waste has 50–65% lower carbon emission (kg CO2 eq/m3) in the environment. The scientific contribution of this paper provides insights into different LWACs and the knowledge base for future research and paradigm shift of using LWACs as more common alternative building materials.

Mineralogical Characterization and Acid Pretreatment of a Gold Calcine Leach Residue

Miners around Zimbabwe used to supply gold concentrates from sulphide flotation to the Kwekwe Roasting Plant (Zimbabwe) for toll treatment. The concentrates were roasted in Edward’s roasters and the calcine product was leached by cyanidation. Due to inefficient roasting, overall gold recoveries of 75–80% left behind a rich calcine leach residue at the Kwekwe Roasting Plant. The characterization performed to establish a potential process route involved several techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fire assaying and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Assays conducted on samples from the 350,000 tons tailings dam residue, created over the operational years, gave an average Au grade of 8.58 g/t and 12.54 g/t for Ag. The base metals assayed—0.11% Cu, 0.10% Pb, 0.17% Zn and 26.05% Fe. SiO2 (36.1%), Fe2O3 (36.9%), Mg3Si4O10 (OH)2 (8.9%), NaAlSi3O8 (6.9%), and Fe3O4 (6.4%)—were the major mineral phases in the cyanide leach residue. SEM gold scans on 24 polished sections showed only 2 discrete gold particles of less than 5 µm, with one partially liberated and associated with quartz, while the other was fully liberated. Therefore, the particulate gold in the calcine leach residue was negligible. It was deduced from the analysis after ultrafine milling (P80 < 5 µm) followed by cyanidation that 68.53% of the gold was sub-microscopic. Direct cyanidation using bottle roll resulted in only 2.33% of the total gold being leachable, indicating that the calcine leach residue was highly refractory. Diagnostic leaching by sequential use of acids in order of their strength resulted in HCl leachable phases (CaCO3, CaMg(CO3)2, PbS, Fe1-XS, and Fe2O3) freeing 4.2% of the total Au during subsequent cyanidation leach. H2SO4 leachable phases (Cu–Zn sulphides, labile FeS2) released an additional 26.57% during cyanidation, whereas HNO3 leachable phases (FeS2, FeAsS) released a further 20.98% of Au. After acid treatment and subsequent cyanidation, hot caustic leach of the residue followed by carbon in pulp resulted 4.43% of the total gold being eluted. Therefore, 4.43% of the total gold was surface bound. From the analysis after diagnostic acid leaching, it was deduced that a total of 54.08% of the gold was in the acid-leachable phase. Due to cost and environmental considerations, H2SO4 was selected for the evaluation of acid digestion as a pretreatment stage followed by cyanidation. Increasing the H2SO4 strength for the pretreatment of the calcine leach residue increased gold recoveries during cyanidation.

Organic geochemistry and mineralogical characterization of the Paleocene Ranikot Formation shales in selected areas of Southern Indus Basin Pakistan.

Southern Indus Basin is one of the promising regions in Pakistan as a commercially producing oil and gas perspective. The current research presents the geochemical characterization of the Ranikot Formation shales from Southern Indus Basin based on total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval (RE) pyrolysis, organic petrography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The average TOC of Ranikot shale is 4.6 wt. %, indicating very good hydrocarbon potential. Types III/IV kerogens were identified in Ranikot shale. The maceral data also suggest that the Type of kerogen present in Ranikot shale is dominantly Types II-III, with the minor occurrence of Type IV. The vitrinite reflectance, pyrolysis Tmax and methylphenanthrene indices values specify immature levels of the shales. The normal alkane data reflect that marine macrophyte, algae, and land plants were contributed to the organic matter of Ranikot shales. Dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene ratio (0.11), phytane/n-C18 ratio (0.53), pyrite, and glauconite elucidate that the depositional environment of the Ranikot shale is marine. The XRD analysis of the shale from the Ranikot Formation revealed that it is brittle shale and dominated by 39.5 to 50.9 wt. % quartz. The present study, integration with the US EIA report demarcated the Ranikot Formation influential horizon as a shale gas resource.

New Insights Into Recovery of Copper and Gold from Old Flotation Tailings from Bor, Serbia

Mining and processing tailings often contain significant amounts of valuable metals, that can represent valuable sources of secondary raw materials. Especially this is case in early-stage operations, in which the head grades were higher, and the tailings were higher grade. These tailings can also present a substantial risk to the environment. Serbia has copper deposits which have been exploited since ancient times, and these operations have generated large amounts of mineral processing tailings. The main objective of this study is to show how valuables can be recovered from chemically and mineralogically challenging tailings. After detailed chemical and mineralogical characterization, the laboratory scale flotation tests focused on evaluating the effect of particle size, different types of collectors, pH, and pulp potential. Based on the test work, copper and gold can be recovered effectively into pyrite concentrate

Mineralogical, Physicochemical and Morphological Characterization of Okpella Clay

Local clay mineral was mined from Okpella Town, Etsako Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Mineralogical characterization of the clay was carried out using X-ray diffraction analyzer. Chemical characterization of the clay was carried out using X-ray fluorescence analyzer and the pH analysis of the clay was carried out using pH meter. The mineralogical analysis revealed that the clay was majorly a dolomite mineral having 72% dolomite. The impurities present are 18% cristobalite, 4.1% garnet, 5% calcite and 1% quicklime. The pH analysis of the clay revealed that the clay was acidic having average pH value of 3.9. The pH determined for the 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8 and 1:10 samples were 3.61, 3.85, 3.85, 4.05 and 4.09, respectively.