Influence of TiO_2 Mineralizer on the Crystalline Structure of Cordierite Synthesized from Aluminum Slag

By adding small amount of TiO2, aluminum slag could be used to synthesize cor- dierite. α-Al2O3, TiO2 and dehydrated talc could generate solid solution to accelerate the solid-state reaction to form cordierite. The experimental results show that the content of cordierite increases with the increase of TiO2 added. 3.0% of TiO2 is determined to be the best amount, because all crystalline substances are converted into cordierite at this content. Philips X’pert plus software analysis shows that when the content of TiO2 is from 0 to 1.0%, cordierite has the same hexagonal structure as the single crystal and the lattice parameters change slightly; when the content of TiO2 is from 1.0 to 2.0%, the cordierite still keeps hexagonal structure but the lattice parameters change greatly; when the content of TiO2 is from 2.0 to 3.5%, the cordierite is converted from hexagonal into rhombic and the lattice parameters change accordingly.

Influence of MnO_2 Mineralizer on the Crystal Structure,Properties of SiC Kiln Furniture Bonded with Fine Silicon Powder

The properties of SiC kiln furniture bonded with fine silicon powderare related to the bonder’s crystal structure. At high temperature, it will crystallize ina-cristobalite with great bulk effect. MnO2 mineralizer can make a-cristobalite convertto a-tridymite whose bulk effect is small. The crystal structure and its amount were investigated with XRD technique. The influence of different amounts of MnO2 on thecrystal structure and polycrystal transformation, and that of crystal structure on theproperties of kiln furniture were studied. The best proportion of MnO2 added was determined to be 2.0%.

Chang Gao Brand Water Purifier & Mineralizer

People are making excessive demands for their drinking water as they pay more and more attentions to the quality of life. Mineral water contains more calcium, magnesium and lots of trace elements than the running water, and therefore it is good for the digestion, promotion of metabolism, prevention of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis, and promotion of Children growth. It has become a favourite drink for many people.

Layered double hydroxides:Scale production and application in soil remediation as super-stable mineralizer

Soil contamination by heavy metals has presented severe risks to human health through food chain.As one of the most promising remediation technologies,in-situ immobilization strategy has been widely adopted in practice.However,considering the large quantities of contaminated soil,it is still a huge challenge to design low-cost amendments with strong and long-term immobilization ability.Layered double hydroxides(LDHs)have drawn tremendous attention in fundamental research and practical application because of their unique properties.Moreover,owing to its super-stable mineralization effect to heavy metal ions,LDHs have exhibited great potential in the field of soil remediation.In this work,we mainly focused on the scale production strategy of LDHs with low-cost,and its application in soil remediation.Besides,several key challenges in using LDHs as amendments for immobilization of heavy metal ions are presented.We hope that this mini-review could shed light on the sustainable development of LDHs as amendment for heavy metals in future research directions.

主余震序列作用下风力发电塔架结构的地震损伤研究

主震对于风电结构造成既定损伤后,余震的发生又会对结构造成“二次伤害”,进而使得只采用传统抗震设计方法的风电结构偏于不安全。为量化分析余震对于风电塔架结构的附加损伤,该文首先从美国太平洋地震中心选取了25条原始主余震序列,并基于重复法、随机法和衰减法来人工构造75条主余震地震动序列作为输入;其次,在建立风电塔架结构的有限元模型的基础上,提出了基于钢材疲劳累积损伤理论的余震附加损伤系数来定量描述余震引起的附加损伤,并对比分析了以上三种人工构造主余震的方法对于余震附加损伤的影响;最后,结合增量动力分析,探讨了主余震的峰值加速度及主余震峰值加速度的比值对于余震引起的附加损伤及风电塔架结构的动力响应的影响。研究结果表明:相较主震序列,余震序列的位移敏感区的分布区间更广,而加速度敏感区的分布区间更窄;采用衰减法来人工构造主余震序列最接近天然主余震序列的工况;余震附加损伤系数的变化规律依赖于主余震的峰值加速度比和具体风电塔架结构的主要能量耗散形式,其在非倒塔状态下的非主要能量耗散部分的变化不大,而在倒塔状态下的主要能量耗散部分则有激增现象。

High-pressure minerals and new lunar mineral changesite-(Y) in Chang’e-5 regolith

Forty-five years after the Apollo and Luna missions, China’s Chang’e-5 (CE-5) mission collected ∼1.73 kg of new lunar materials from one ofthe youngest basalt units on the Moon. The CE-5 lunar samples provide opportunities to address some key scientific questions related to theMoon, including the discovery of high-pressure silica polymorphs (seifertite and stishovite) and a new lunar mineral, changesite-(Y). Seifertitewas found to be coexist with stishovite in a silica fragment from CE-5 lunar regolith. This is the first confirmed seifertite in returned lunarsamples. Seifertite has two space group symmetries (Pnc2 and Pbcn) and formed from an α-cristobalite-like phase during “cold” compressionduring a shock event. The aftershock heating process changes some seifertite to stishovite. Thus, this silica fragment records different stagesof an impact process, and the peak shock pressure is estimated to be ∼11 to 40 GPa, which is much lower than the pressure condition forcoexistence of seifertite and stishovite on the phase diagram. Changesite-(Y), with ideal formula (Ca_(8)Y)◻Fe^(2+)(PO_(4))_(7) (where ◻ denotes avacancy) is the first new lunar mineral to be discovered in CE-5 regolith samples. This newly identified phosphate mineral is in the form ofcolumnar crystals and was found in CE-5 basalt fragments. It contains high concentrations of Y and rare earth elements (REE), reaching upto ∼14 wt. % (Y,REE)2O3. The occurrence of changesite-(Y) marks the late-stage fractional crystallization processes of CE-5 basalts combinedwith silicate liquid immiscibility. These new findings demonstrate the significance of studies on high-pressure minerals in lunar materials andthe special nature of lunar magmatic evolution.

Genesis of the Nuri Cu-W-Mo Deposit,Tibet,China:Constraints from in situ Trace Elements and Sr Isotopic Analysis of Scheelite

The Nuri deposit is the only Cu-W-Mo polymetallic deposit with large-scale WO3 resources in the eastern section of the Gangdese metallogenic belt,Tibet,China.However,the genetic type of this deposit has been controversial since its discovery.Based on a study of the geological characteristics of the deposit,this study presents mineralization stages,focusing on the oxide stage and the quartz-sulfide stage where scheelite is mainly formed,referred to as Sch-A and Sch-B,respectively.Through LA-ICP-MS trace element and Sr isotope analyses,the origin,evolutionary process of the oreforming fluid and genesis of the ore deposit are investigated.Scanning Electron Microscope-Cathodoluminescence(SEMCL)observations reveal that Sch-A consists of three generations,with dark gray homogenous Sch-A1 being replaced by relatively lighter and homogeneous Sch-A2 and Sch-A3,with Sch-A2 displaying a gray CL image color with vague and uneven growth bands and Sch-A3 has a light gray CL image color with hardly any growth band.In contrast,Sch-B exhibits a‘core-rim’structure,with the core part(Sch-B1)being dark gray and displaying a uniform growth band,while the rim part(Sch-B2)is light gray and homogeneous.The normalized distribution pattern of rare earth elements in scheelite and Sr isotope data suggest that the early ore-forming fluid in the Nuri deposit originated from granodiorite porphyry and,later on,some country rock material was mixed in,due to strong water-rock interaction.Combining the O-H isotope data further indicates that the ore-forming fluid in the Nuri deposit originated from magmatic-hydrothermal sources,with contributions from metamorphic water caused by water-rock interaction during the mineralization process,as well as later meteoric water.The intense water-rock interaction likely played a crucial role in the precipitation of scheelite,leading to varying Eu anomalies in different generations of scheelite from the oxide stage to the quartz-sulfide stage,while also causing a gradual decrease in oxygen fugacity(fO2)and a slow rise in pH value.Additionally,the high Mo and low Sr contents in the scheelite are consistent with typical characteristics of magmatic-hydrothermal scheelite.Therefore,considering the geological features of the deposit,the geochemical characteristics of scheelite and the O-H isotope data published previously,it can be concluded that the genesis of the Nuri deposit belongs to porphyry-skarn deposit.

Imaging the Architecture of Mineral Systems and the Pathways of Ore-forming Fluids across Mongolia with Magnetotellurics

In the framework of a mineral system approach,a combination of components is required to develop a mineral system.This includes the whole-lithosphere architecture,which controls the transport of ore-forming fluids,and favorable tectonic and geodynamic processes,occurring at various spatial and temporal scales,that influence the genesis and evolution of ore-forming fluids(Huston et al.,2016;Groves et al.,2018;Davies et al.,2020).Knowledge of the deep structural framework can advance the understanding of the development of a mineral system and the emplacement of mineral deposits.Deep geophysical exploration carried out with this aim is increasingly important for targeting new ore deposits in unexplored and underexplored regions(Dentith et al.,2018;Dentith,2019).

Research progress of CO_(2) capture and mineralization based on natural minerals

Natural minerals,such as kaolinite,halloysite,montmorillonite,attapulgite,bentonite,sepiolite,forsterite,and wollastonite,have considerable potential for use in CO_(2) capture and mineralization due to their abundant reserves,low cost,excellent mechanical prop-erties,and chemical stability.Over the past decades,various methods,such as those involving heat,acid,alkali,organic amine,amino sil-ane,and ionic liquid,have been employed to enhance the CO_(2) capture performance of natural minerals to attain high specific surface area,a large number of pore structures,and rich active sites.Future research on CO_(2) capture by natural minerals will focus on the full utiliza-tion of the properties of natural minerals,adoption of suitable modification methods,and preparation of composite materials with high specific surface area and rich active sites.In addition,we provide a summary of the principle and technical route of direct and indirect mineralization of CO_(2) by natural minerals.This process uses minerals with high calcium and magnesium contents,such as forsterite(Mg_(2)SiO_(4)),serpentine[Mg_(3)Si_(2)O(OH)_(4)],and wollastonite(CaSiO_(3)).The research status of indirect mineralization of CO_(2) using hydro-chloric acid,acetic acid,molten salt,and ammonium salt as media is also introduced in detail.The recovery of additives and high-value-added products during the mineralization process to increase economic benefits is another focus of future research on CO_(2) mineralization by natural minerals.

Geology and mineralization of the Dongping supergiant alkalic-hosted Au-Te deposit(>100 t Au)in Northern Hebei Province,China:A review

The Dongping deposit is the largest alkalic-hosted gold deposit in China containing>100 t of Au.This paper presents a new understanding for Dongping ore system,based on the previous studies.The mineralization originally occurred at 400-380 Ma,simultaneous with emplacement of the Shuiquangou alkaline complex,and was overprinted by the hydrothermal activity in the Yanshanian.Isotope compositions of ores indicate metals of the deposit are mainly provided by the Shuiquangou complex.Ore-forming fluids are characterized by increasing oxygen fugacity and decreasing sulfur fugacity,while tellurium fugacity increased in the Stage II-2 and decreased in Stage II-3.These systematic changes are closely related to the processes of mineral precipitation and fluid evolution.Sulfide precipitation from Stage Ⅰ to Stage Ⅱ was triggered by fluid boiling,which leads to the precipitation of Pb-Bi-Te,due to decrement of sulfur fugacity.Condensation of gas phase containing high concentration of H_2Te leads to precipitation of Te-Au-Ag minerals and native tellurium.Based on these hypotheses,this paper present a polyphase metallogenic model as follow.During the Devonian,fluids were released from alkaline magmas,which carried ore-forming materials form the surrounding rocks and precipitate the early ores.During the Jurassic-Cretaceous,fluorine-rich fluids exsolved from highly factionated Shangshuiquan granite,which extracted and concentrated Au from the Shuiquangou complex and the Sanggan Group metamorphic rocks,and finally formed the Dongping gold deposit.

Geochemistry, mineral paragenesis and geothermal conditions of oreforming fluids from the Ain El Bey Cu–Fe deposit: potential occurrence of native gold and precious metal traces (North African orogenic belt, Northern Tunisia)

The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization related to various hydrothermal fluid circulations. Petromineralogical studies indicate a rich mineral paragenesis with a minimum of seven mineralization phases and, at least, six pyrite generations. As is also the case for galena and native silver, native gold is observed for the first time as inclusion in quartz which opens up, thus, new perspectives for prospecting and evaluating the potential for noble metals associated with the mineralization. Scanning Electron Microscope--Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses show, in addition, a large incorporation of trace elements, including Ag and Au, in mineral structures such as fahlores(tetrahedrite-tennantite) and chalcopyrite ones. The mineral/mineral associations, used as geothermometers, gave estimated temperatures for the mineralizing fluids varying from 254 to 330 ℃ for phase Ⅲ, from 254 to 350 ℃ for phase Ⅳ, and from 200 to 300 ℃ for phases Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The seventh and last identified mineralization phase, marked by a deposit of native gold, reflects a drop in the mineralizing fluid’s temperature(< 200 ℃) compatible with boiling conditions. Such results open up perspectives for the development of precious metal research and the revaluation of the Cu–Fe ore deposit at the Ain El Bey abandoned mine, as well as at the surrounding areas fitting in the geodynamic framework of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.

Mineral Geochemistry of Apatite in the Jiama PorphyrySkarn Deposit,Tibet and its Geological Significance

The Jiama deposit,a significant porphyry-skarn-type copper polymetallic deposit located within the Gangdese metallogenic belt in Tibet,China,exemplifies a typical porphyry metallogenic system.However,the mineral chemistry of its accessory minerals remains under-examined,posing challenges for resource assessment and ore prospecting.Utilizing electron microprobe analysis and LA-ICP-MS analysis,this study investigated the geochemical characteristics of apatite in ore-bearing granite and monzogranite porphyries,as well as granodiorite,quartz diorite,and dark diorite porphyries in the deposit.It also delved into the diagenetic and metallogenic information from these geochemical signatures.Key findings include:(1)The SiO_(2) content,rare earth element(REE)contents,and REE partition coefficients of apatite indicate that the dark diorite porphyry possibly does not share a cogenetic magma source with the other four types of porphyries;(2)the volatile F and Cl contents in apatite,along with their ratio,indicate the Jiama deposit,formed in a collisional setting,demonstrates lower Cl/F ratios in apatite than the same type of deposits formed in a subduction environment;(3)compared to non-ore-bearing rock bodies in other deposits formed in a collisional setting,apatite in the Jiama deposit exhibits lower Ce and Ga contents.This might indicate that rock bodies in the Jiama deposit have higher oxygen fugacity.Nevertheless,the marginal variation in oxygen fugacity between ore-bearing and non-ore-bearing rock bodies within the deposit suggests oxygen fugacity may not serve as the decisive factor in the ore-hosting potential of rock bodies in the Jiama deposit.

Basalt Petrology, Water Chemistry, and Their Impact on the CO_(2) Mineralization Simulation at Leizhou Peninsula Sites, Southern China

Mineral carbonation, which precipitates dissolved carbon dioxide(CO_(2)) as carbonate minerals in basaltic groundwater environments, is a potential technique for negative emissions. The Leizhou Peninsula in southwest Guangdong province has extensive basalt, indicating a promising potential for CO_(2) storage through rapid mineralization. However, understanding of the basic geological setting, potential, and mechanisms of CO_(2) mineralization in the basalts of the Leizhou Peninsula is still limited. The mineralization processes associated with CO_(2)storage at two candidate sites in the area are investigated in this paper: Yongshi Farm and Tianyang Basin(of the dried maar lake). Petrography,rock geochemistry, basalt petrophysical properties, and groundwater hydrochemistry analyses are included in the study. Numerical simulation is used to examine the reaction process and its effects. The results show that basalts in the study areas mainly comprise plagioclase, pyroxene, and Fe–Ti oxides, revealing a total volume fraction exceeding 85%. Additionally, small amounts of quartz and fayalite are available, with volume fractions of 5.1% and 1.0%, respectively. The basalts are rich in divalent metal cations, which can form carbonate minerals, with an average of approximately 6.2 moles of metal cations per 1 kg of rock. The groundwater samples have a pH of 7.5–8.2 and are dominated by the Mg–Ca–HCO3 type. The basalts demonstrate a porosity range of 10.9% to 28.8%, with over 70% of interconnected pores. A 20-year geochemical simulation revealed that CO_(2) injection dissolves primary minerals, including anorthite, albite, and diopside, while CO_(2)mineralization dissolves precipitation secondary minerals, such as calcite, siderite, and dolomite. Furthermore, a substantial rise in pH from 7.6to 10.6 is observed in the vicinity of the injected well, accompanied by a slight reduction in porosity from 20% to 19.8%. Additionally, 36.8% of the injected CO_(2) underwent complete mineralization within five years, revealing an increasing percentage of 66.1% if the experimental period is extended to 20 years. The presence of abundant divalent metal cations in basalts and water-bearing permeable rocks in the Leizhou Peninsula supports the potential for mineral carbonation in basalts, as indicated by the geochemical simulation results. Additional research is necessary to identify the factors that influence the CO_(2) mineralization, storage, and sensitivity analysis of basalt in the Leizhou Peninsula.

Geology and mineralization of the Hongqiling large magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt deposit(22×10^(4)t)in Jilin Province,China:A review

The Hongqiling large nickel-copper-cobalt deposit(hereafter referred to as the Hongqiling deposit),a typical mafic-ultramafic copper-nickel deposit in China,boasts proven Ni(Ni)resources of approximately 22×10^(4)t,associated copper resources of 2×10^(4)t,and associated cobalt(Co)resources of 0.5×10^(4)t,with Ni reserves ranking 10th among China's magmatic nickel deposits.Geotectonically,the Hongqiling deposit is situated in the superimposed zone between the Xing'an-Mongolian orogenic belt and the circum-Western Pacific's active continental margin belt.Its ore-bearing plutons occur within the metamorphic rocks of the Ordovician Hulan Group,with the emplacement of plutons and the locations of orebodies governed by the deep-seated Huifahe fault and its secondary NW-trending Fujia-Hejiagou-Beixinglong-Changsheng fault zone.In the deposit,the rock assemblages of ore-bearing plutons predominantly encompass gabbro-pyroxenite-olivine pyroxenite-pyroxene peridotite(pluton No.1)and norite-orthopyroxenite-harzburgite(pluton No.7),with ore-bearing lithofacies consisting primarily of olivine pyroxenite and pyroxenite facies.The Hongqiling deposit hosts stratoid,overhanging lentoid,veined,and pure-sulfide veined orebodies.Its ores principally contain metallic minerals including pyrrhotite,pentlandite,chalcopyrite,violarite,and pyrite.Despite unidentified magma sources of ore-bearing mafic-ultramafic rocks,it is roughly accepted that the magmatic evolution in the Hongqiling deposit primarily involved fractional crystallization and crustal contamination.The ore-forming materials were primarily derived from the upper mantle,mixed with minor crustal materials.The ore-bearing mafic-ultramafic rocks in the deposit,primarily emplaced during the Indosinian(208-239 Ma),were formed in an intense extension setting followed by the collisional orogeny between the North China Plate and the Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range Block during the Middle-Late Triassic.From the perspective of the metallogenic geological setting,surrounding rocks,ore-controlling structures,and rock assemblages,this study identified one favorable condition and seven significant indicators for prospecting for Hongqiling-type nickel deposits and developed a prospecting model of the Hongqiling deposit.These serve as valuable references for exploring similar nickel deposits in the region,as well as the deep parts and margins of the Hongqiling deposit.

Petrogenesis, oxidation state and volatile content of Dongga tonalite in the Gangdese belt, Xizang: Implication for porphyry Cu mineralization

The Gangdese belt in Xizang has experienced both Jurassic subduction and Cenozoic continental collision processes, making it a globally renowned region for magmatic rocks and porphyry copper deposits. Numerous Jurassic intrusions have been identified in the belt. Apart from the quartz diorite porphyry in the large Xietongmen deposit, the Cu mineralization potential of other Jurassic intrusions in this belt remains unclear. This study presents zircon U–Pb dating and trace elements, apatite major and trace elements as well as published whole-rock geochemical and isotopic data of the Dongga tonalite in the central part of the Gangdese belt, aiming to reveal the petrogenesis, oxidation state, volatile content, and Cu mineralization potential of this intrusion. The Dongga tonalite has a zircon U–Pb age of 179.4 ± 0.9 Ma. It exhibits high whole-rock V/Sc values(8.76–14.6), relatively low apatite CeN/CeN*ratios(1.04–1.28), elevated zircon(Eu/Eu*)Nvalues(an average of 0.44), high Ce4+/Ce3+values(205–1896), and high ?FMQ values(1.3–3.7), collectively suggesting a high magmatic oxygen fugacity. The Dongga tonalite features amphibole phenocrysts, relatively high whole-rock Sr/Y ratios(20.3–58.9), and lower zircon Ti temperatures (502–740 ℃), reflecting a high magmatic water content. Estimation of magmatic sulfur content(0.002–0.024 wt%) based on apatite SO3contents indicates an enriched magma sulfur content. Combined with previous studies and the collected Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes, the Dongga tonalite is derived from juvenile lower crust related with subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab. When compared with Xietongmen orebearing porphyries, the Dongga tonalite exhibits remarkable similarities with the Xietongmen ore-bearing porphyries in terms of magma source, tectonic background, magmatic redox state, and volatile components, which indicates that the Dongga tonalite has a high porphyry Cu mineralization potential, and therefore, provides important guidance for the future mineralization exploration.

In situ U-Pb dating and trace elements of magmatic rutile from Mujicun Cu-Mo deposit,North China Craton:Insights into porphyry mineralization

Porphyry Cu(Mo-Au)deposit is one of the most important types of copper deposit and usually formed under magmatic arc-related settings,whilst the Mujicun porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in North China Craton uncommonly generated within intra-continental settings.Although previous studies have focused on the age,origin and ore genesis of the Mujicun deposit,the ore-forming age,magma source and tectonic evolution remain controversial.Here,this study targeted rutile(TiO_(2))in the ore-hosting diorite porphyry from the Mujicun Cu-Mo deposit to conduct in situ U-Pb dating and trace element composition studies,with major views to determine the timing and magma evolution and to provide new insights into porphyry Cu-Mo metallogeny.Rutile trace element data show flat-like REE patterns characterized by relatively enrichment LREEs and depleted HREEs,which could be identified as magmatic rutile.Rutile U-Pb dating yields lower intercept ages of 139.3–138.4 Ma,interpreted as post magmatic cooling timing below about 500℃,which are consistent or slightly postdate with the published zircon U-Pb ages of diorite porphyry(144.1–141.7 Ma)and skarn(146.2 Ma;139.9 Ma)as well as the molybdenite Re-Os ages of molybdenum ores(144.8–140.0 Ma).Given that the overlap between the closure temperature of rutile U-Pb system and ore-forming temperature of the Mujicun deposit,this study suggests that the ore-forming ages of the Mujicun deposit can be constrained at 139.3–138.4 Ma,with temporal links to the late large-scale granitic magmatism at 138–126 Ma in the Taihang Orogen.Based on the Mg and Al contents in rutile,the magma of ore-hosting diorite porphyry was suggested to be derived from crust-mantle mixing components.In conjunction with previous studies in Taihang Orogen,this study proposes that the far-field effect and the rollback of the subducting Paleo-Pacific slab triggered lithospheric extension,asthenosphere upwelling,crust-mantle interaction and thermo-mechanical erosion,which jointly facilitated the formation of dioritic magmas during the Early Cretaceous.Subsequently,the dioritic magmas carrying crust-mantle mixing metallic materials were emplaced and precipitated at shallow positions along NNE-trending ore-controlling faults,eventually resulting in the formation of the Mujicun Cu-Mo deposit within an intracontinental extensional setting.

Molecular insights into oil detachment from hydrophobic quartz surfaces in clay-hosted nanopores during steam-surfactant co-injection

Thermal recovery techniques for producing oil sands have substantial environmental impacts.Surfactants can efficiently improve thermal bitumen recovery and reduce the required amount of steam.Such a technique requires solid knowledge about the interaction mechanism between surfactants,bitumen,water,and rock at the nanoscale level.In particular,oil sands ores have extremely complex mineralogy as they contain many clay minerals(montmorillonite,illite,kaolinite).In this study,molecular dynamics simulation is carried out to elucidate the unclear mechanisms of clay minerals contributing to the bitumen recovery under a steam-anionic surfactant co-injection process.We found that the clay content significantly influenced an oil detachment process from hydrophobic quartz surfaces.Results reveal that the presence of montmorillonite,illite,and the siloxane surface of kaolinite in nanopores can enhance the oil detachment process from the hydrophobic surfaces because surfactant molecules have a stronger tendency to interact with bitumen and quartz.Conversely,the gibbsite surfaces of kaolinite curb the oil detachment process.Through interaction energy analysis,the siloxane surfaces of kaolinite result in the most straightforward oil detachment process.In addition,we found that the clay type presented in nanopores affected the wettability of the quartz surfaces.The quartz surfaces associated with the gibbsite surfaces of kaolinite show the strongest hydrophilicity.By comparing previous experimental findings with the results of molecular dynamics(MD)simulations,we observed consistent wetting characteristics.This alignment serves to validate the reliability of the simulation outcomes.The outcome of this paper makes up for the lack of knowledge of a surfactant-assisted bitumen recovery process and provides insights for further in-situ bitumen production engineering designs.

Metallogenesis of the Baidi Au-Sb deposit, southwest Guizhou Province, China: mineralogical and geochemical evidence from sulfur-bearing minerals

The Baidi Au-Sb deposit, which contains 8 t of Au and 10,979 Mt of Sb, is a typical and rare paragenetic deposit located in southwestern Guizhou Province, China.Previous studies have focused on individual ores, but have not combined them to identify their paragenetic mechanism or metallogenic regularity. Therefore, we used field investigations, microscopic observations, and in situ analyses to identify the spatial distribution, mineral paragenesis, compositional evolution, and metallogenic material sources of the ore bodies. We also determined the Au and Sb paragenetic characteristics and the metallogenesis of the deposit. The main Au-bearing minerals in the deposit were early(Apy1–2) and late(Apy3) stage arsenopyrites, as well as pre-mineralization(Py1), mineralization(Py2–5), and late mineralization(Py6–7) stage pyrites. The main Sb-bearing minerals were stibnite(Snt), skinnerite, bournonite,and valentinite. The minerals formed in the order of Py1,Py2–3 + Apy1, Py4–5 + Apy2, Snt, and Py6–7 + Apy3.The δ34S values of the arsenopyrites and pyrites ranged from-5 to 5‰, while those of stibnite were mostly less than-5‰ in the later mineralization stages. Sulfur was provided by deep magmatic hydrothermal fluids, but sedimentary sulfur was added in the later stages. Moreover,the trace elemental contents fluctuated and eventually became similar to those of the sedimentary strata. By comprehensively considering the ores along with the geological characteristics of the deposit, we determined that deep magma provided the Au during ore formation. Later tectonic changes provided Sb from the sedimentary strata,which precipitated along fault expansion areas and produced Au and Sb paragenesis.

Nitrogen mineralization in the oldest climax communities in the eastern Mediterranean region

In this study,we investigated how tree species affect N mineralization in connection to some soil properties and seconder metabolite levels of litter,in the soil of the old-est native forest communities.In the oldest pure communi-ties of Pinus nigra(PN),Fagus orientalis(FO),and Abies bornmuelleriana(AB)in the mountain range of Mount Uludağ,Bursa,Turkey,annual net yield and N mineraliza-tion in the 0-5-and 5-20-cm soil layers were determined in a field incubation study over 1 year.Sampling locations were chosen from 1300 to 1600 m a.s.l.,and moisture content(%),pH,water-holding capacity(%),organic C,total N,and C/N ratio,and annual net mineral N yield of the soil and hydro-lyzed tannic acid and total phenolic compounds in litter were compared for these forest communities.F.orientalis had the highest annual net Nmin yield(43.9±4.8 kg ha^(-1) a^(-1)),P.nigra the lowest(30.5±4.2 kg ha^(-1) a^(-1)).Our findings show that in the oldest forest ecosystems,the seasonal soil moisture content and tree species play an essential role in N cycling and that hydrolyzed tannic acids and total phenolic compounds effectively control N turnover.Tannic acid and total phenolics in the litter were found to inhibit nitrification,but total phenolics were found to stimulate ammonification.

Evaluating the biosignature potential of ammonium in Proterozoic red beds and implications for the search for life on Mars

Over the past two decades,it has become increasingly apparent that early Mars may once have been warmer,wetter and more habitable for microbial life than it is today,which has spurred discussions about potential biosignatures that may be preserved in Martian sediments.An impediment to this line of research is the pervasive oxidation of Mars’surface due to photochemical oxidants that have likely destroyed remnants of organic matter.Here,we investigate whether nitrogen(N)transferred from biomass to phyllosilicate minerals during diagenesis can be preserved in oxidized mudrocks.We investigate two sequences of terrestrial Proterozoic red beds,namely the Sibley Group(1.4 Ga)in Canada and the Stoer Group(1.2 Ga)in Scotland,and we find enrichments in authigenic N in the range of several tens of ppm in both units.The highest concentrations(ca.100 ppm on average)are found in the most desiccated red beds of the Stoer Group,concurrent with enrichments in potassium(K).We discuss similarities and differences between the two sets of rocks with regards to salinity,pH,biological productivity and K-metasomatism,and we conclude that the ideal mechanism for the preservation of biogenic N in red beds may be in-situ release of ammonium from microbial mats into the clay substrate,possibly facilitated by early diagenetic,biologically induced illitization.Illite and smectite have been observed on Mars,and experiments suggest that Martian waters contained moderate amounts of dissolved K.Hence,it is conceivable that a similar K and N enrichment process could have occurred as to what we document for the Proterozoic,preserving evidence of life that may have survived to the modern day.