Paleoenvironmental conditions during deposition of Kolosh and Gercus formations in northern Iraq as deduced from clay mineral distributions

A mineralogical study using X-ray diffraction supported by scanning electron microscopic examination on the Paleocene- Eocene Kolosh and Gercus formations from northern Iraq is conducted to show the distribution of clay minerals and their paleoenvironmental implications. Smectite palygorskite, kaolinite, illite, and chlorite are commonly present in varying proportions within the Kolosh and Gercus formations. Association of smectite and chlorite in the claystone of the Paleocene Kolosh Formation refers to marine environment of this formation, whereas development of palygorskite fibers from smectite precursor may relate to post-depositional diagenesis. In addition, the abundance of illite and kaolinite in the Eocene Gercus Formation suggests a greater influence of terrigenous input in humid conditions, affecting the distribution of these clay minerals. The study shows vertical change in clay minerals distribution when illite and kaolinite dominate in the Eocene Gercus Formation, in comparison to chlorite and smectite abundance in the Paleocene Kolosh Formation which may relate to global warming in the Eocene.

Geochemical And Mineralogical Assessment Of Secondary Gypsum In Al-Najaf, Iraq And Employment As Raw Material For Cement Industry

The Portland cement industry is one of the strategic industries in any country. The basis of an industry success is the availability of raw materials and, the low extraction in addition to transportation costs. The Bahr Al-Najaf region is abundant with limestone rocks but lacks primary gypsum. An investigation had been carried out to identify the source of secondary gypsum as an alternative to primary gypsum. Twelve boreholes were drilled for a depth of 2 m, as the thickness of suitable secondary gypsum layer ranges from 1 to 1.5 m. The mineralogical study revealed the predominance of gypsum followed by quartz and calcite, with an average of 62.9%, 19.6% and 14.35%, respectively. The geochemical analysis revealed that the content of SO3 is appropriate and ranging from 41.92% to 32.89% with an average of 37.73%. The SO3 content is within an acceptable range. The mean abundance of the major oxides of the study area may be arranged as SO3 > CaO> SiO2> MgO> Al2O> Fe2O3. The insoluble residue was at an acceptable rate. The laboratory experiments for milling secondary gypsum with clinker has successfully proven the production of Portland cement that matches the limits of the Iraqi Quality Standard (IQS) No. 5 of 1984. Great care must be taken when using secondary gypsum; secondary gypsum must be mixed well to maintain the chemical properties before blending with clinker and utilizing in the cement mill in the cement plant.

Insight into volcanic garnet: origin and significance of garnet as exemplified by a detailed petro-mineralogical study of the Breziny andesite (Central Slovakia Volcanic Field, Western Carpathians, Central Europe)

Almandine-rich garnets from a Neogene andesite of Slovakia can be divided into two main types. Garnet megacrysts are magmatic and form a chemically homogeneous group that contains, on average, about 5 wt% CaO and 4.5 wt% MgO as petrogenetically significant components. Garnets occurring in lithic fragments and garnets aggregated in garnetite lenses are characterised by Ca-poor cores (CaO <= 2 wt%) that testify for a two-step history and correspond respectively to inherited pre-anatectic and peritectic garnets. Available experimental data show that the composition of magmatic garnet megacrysts is compatible with a peritectic origin, through the fluid-absent melting of an immature metasedimentary protolith or a tonalitic gneiss. However, thermal evolution evidenced by zircons shielded in garnet rather suggests that garnet nucleated and grew by cooling of a hybrid magma pool, resulting from the complete mixing of crust- and mantle-derived melts.

Mineralogical Study of Levels with Magnesian Clay Minerals in the Santos Basin, Aptian Pre-Salt Brazil

The object of this study is magnesian clay minerals present in carbonate rocks of the post-rift phase of the pre-salt in the Santos Basin. These rocks developed in an Aptian-age alkaline lacustrine environment. This study summarizes the formation of clay minerals associated with different lithotypes in a range of 19 m and a depth of more than 5100 m. They were characterized from petrographic analysis by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (total sample and clay fraction), and modeling by Newmod®; and examined and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. An approach based on identifying lithotypes and characterization of microsites allowed us to understand the occurrence of different clay minerals. Kerolite was the most abundant mineral in the sampled range. It occurs in lamellar aggregates under greater preservation of the original rock lamination and in association with spherulites and shrubs. The Stv/Ker mixed layers occurs in the same association, and formed finer unlaminated aggregates associated with the more intense dolomitization and silicification processes. Saponite occurs associated with detrital minerals forming clayey levels intercalated with microcrystalline carbonates. Fluids with a high Mg/Si and pH < 9 favor the precipitation of kerolite. The increase in pH during diagenesis may be responsible for the formation of Stv/Ker mixed layers.

Reconstruction of Copper Smelting Technology Based on 18–20th-Century Slag Remains from the Old Copper Basin, Poland

This research was conducted on historical copper slags from Leszczyna and Kondratów in Lower Silesia, Poland. The area, formerly known as the Old Copper Basin, was a mining and smelting centre between the 18th and 20th centuries, with a dominant period in the 19th century. Cu-carbonates and residual chalcocite dominate local strata-bound copper deposits. Ore bodies are restricted to carbonate strata. A geochemical and mineralogical study of slag samples from four research sites allowed us to establish that a low amount of sulphur in slags results from S-poor ores, and pyrite with gypsum was implemented as reducing agents. Arkose sandstones served as a flux. During smelting, oxygen availability was limited, and temperature exceeded 1200 °C (18th- and 19th-century smelting) and 1400 °C (20th-century smelting). Calculated viscosity indexes mark the low efficiency of metal separation between the silicate and metallic phases. The skeletal and dendritic form of the crystals proved that slag melt was relatively rapidly cooled after formation, usually in air conditions. We estimated that approx. 2000 m3 of slag was created during the leading smelter (Stilles Glück) activity. The research provided various details of the historical copper smelting technological process in Leszczyna and Kondratów.

Comparison between Siliceous Concretions from the Ionian Basin and the Apulian Platform Margins (Pre-Apulian Zone), Western Greece: Implication of Differential Diagenesis on Nodules Evolution

Siliceous concretions (nodules), from two different geological settings—the Apulian platform margins in Kefalonia island, and the Ionian Basin in Ithaca, Atokos, and Kastos islands—have been studied both in the field and in the laboratory. Nodule cuttings are mainly characterized by the development of a core, around which a ring (rim) has been formed. Mineralogical study, using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis, showed that the rim is usually richer in moganite than the core. Homogeneous concretions, without discernible inner core and outer ring, were observed generally in both settings. Mineralogical analysis of the selected siliceous concretions from Kefalonia island showed the presence mostly of quartz and moganite, while calcite either was absent or participated in a few samples in minor/trace abundances. Moganite was generally abundant in all the samples from Kefalonia island. Concretions from the Ionian Basin showed a variation in the quartz, moganite, and calcite contents. Mineralogical differences were recognized both between the different studied geodynamic settings and internally in the same setting, but with different stages of development. The above-mentioned differential diagenesis on nodules evolution could be related to the presence and/or abundance of stylolites, later fluid flows, restrictions from one area to another due to synchronous fault activity, and the composition of substances dissolved in fluids. Moreover, the development of concretions produced secondary fractures in the surrounding area of the nodule-bearing rocks.

HOW TECHNOLOGICAL MINERALOGY CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS OF INTEGRATED PROCESSING OF MINERAL RAW

The development of mineral resources of solid mineral resources goes mainly together with problems because of natural factors, which determines current position of modern technological mineralogy. We paid particular attention to problems of mineralogical study of refractory ores of natural and technogenic genesis, associated with technical, technological and economic factors. We showed that many provisions of “Strategy for the development of Russian industry for the processing, utilization and disposal of industrial and consumer wastes for the period up to 2030” are related to the field of technological mineralogy. Intensive development and improvement of physical methods of mineralogical analysis resulted in need for their metrological support. Creation of a strict metrological basis for quality control of mineralogical works ensures the reliability of results of performed researches. The formation of new methods and techniques, both research tools and technologies for studying the composition, structure and properties of solid minerals, contribute to understanding interrelationships of mineral phases and resulting spatial and temporal patterns of coexistence of minerals in rocks, ores and other natural and technogenic formations. We considered achievements, problems and prospects for the development of technological mineralogy, an algorithm for the application of its methods and approaches in the management of complex processing of mineral raw. The main emphasis is placed on the development of scientific and methodological prerequisites for solving problem of rational development of mineral raw, the maximum possible extraction and integrated use of all minerals (both main and accompanying), expansion and strengthening of the mineral resource base in the light of the global challenges of the economic and environmental doctrines of modern civilization. The studies of complex mineral systems increasingly use information technologies “big data”. For the best solution of complex tasks of geological and technological mapping and mineragenic research, methods of remote sensing using the Landsat program are becoming popular. We emphasized importance of interactive forms and methods of teaching mineralogical research for specialists from organizations of different departmental affiliation.