Flotation separation of scheelite from calcite using luteolin as a novel depressant

This paper proposes luteolin(LUT)as a novel depressant for the flotation-based separation of scheelite and calcite in a sodium oleate(NaOL)system.The suitability of LUT as a calcite depressant is confirmed through micro-flotation testing.At pH=9,with LUT concentration of 50 mg·L^(-1) and NaOL concentration of 50 mg·L^(-1),scheelite recovery reaches 80.3%.Calcite,on the other hand,exhibits a recovery rate of 17.6%,indicating a significant difference in floatability between the two minerals.Subsequently,the surface modifica-tions of scheelite and calcite following LUT treatment are characterized using adsorption capacity testing,Zeta potential analysis,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),and atomic force microscopy(AFM).The study in-vestigates the selective depressant mechanism of LUT on calcite.Adsorption capacity testing and Zeta potential analysis demonstrate sub-stantial absorption of LUT on the surface of calcite,impeding the further adsorption of sodium oleate,while its impact on scheelite is min-imal.FT-IR and XPS analyses reveal the selective adsorption of LUT onto the surface of calcite,forming strong chemisorption bonds between the hydroxyl group and calcium ions present.AFM directly illustrates the distinct adsorption densities of LUT on the two miner-al types.Consequently,LUT can effectively serve as a depressant for calcite,enabling the successful separation of scheelite and calcite.

Coupled multiphysical model for investigation of influence factors in the application of microbially induced calcite precipitation

The study presents a comprehensive coupled thermo-bio-chemo-hydraulic(T-BCH)modeling framework for stabilizing soils using microbially induced calcite precipitation(MICP).The numerical model considers relevant multiphysics involved in MICP,such as bacterial ureolytic activities,biochemical reactions,multiphase and multicomponent transport,and alteration of the porosity and permeability.The model incorporates multiphysical coupling effects through well-established constitutive relations that connect parameters and variables from different physical fields.It was implemented in the open-source finite element code OpenGeoSys(OGS),and a semi-staggered solution strategy was designed to solve the couplings,allowing for flexible model settings.Therefore,the developed model can be easily adapted to simulate MICP applications in different scenarios.The numerical model was employed to analyze the effect of various factors,including temperature,injection strategies,and application scales.Besides,a TBCH modeling study was conducted on the laboratory-scale domain to analyze the effects of temperature on urease activity and precipitated calcium carbonate.To understand the scale dependency of MICP treatment,a large-scale heterogeneous domain was subjected to variable biochemical injection strategies.The simulations conducted at the field-scale guided the selection of an injection strategy to achieve the desired type and amount of precipitation.Additionally,the study emphasized the potential of numerical models as reliable tools for optimizing future developments in field-scale MICP treatment.The present study demonstrates the potential of this numerical framework for designing and optimizing the MICP applications in laboratory-,prototype-,and field-scale scenarios.

Application of EDTMPS as a novel calcite depressant in scheelite flotation

In this study, the innovative use of ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic sodium(EDTMPS) as a calcite depressant in scheelite flotation was investigated by flotation experiments, and its selective depression mechanism was revealed by contact angle measurement, FTIR analysis, Zeta potential test and XPS analysis. The flotation experiment results showed that scheelite and calcite could be efficiently separated under the following conditions: pulp p H=9.5, Na OL concentration of 1.5×10^(-4)mol/L, EDTMPS concentration of 3.0×10^(-5)mol/L, a scheelite concentrate with WO3grade of 65.49%, recovery of 83.29%and separation efficiency of 65.29% could be obtained from the artificially mixed minerals. The analysis results of mineral surface properties demonstrated that EDTMPS was strongly adsorbed onto the calcite surface through the reaction between the phosphonate group and the calcium ions, which hindered Na OL adsorption and increased the hydrophilicity of calcite. However, EDTMPS had weak adsorption strength on the scheelite surface, which didn’t affect further adsorption of Na OL, hence, the scheelite remained hydrophobic. Consequently, the selective adsorption of EDTMPS on the two minerals’ surfaces increased a difference in wettability and thus enabling them to be separated by flotation. Finally, the mechanism model of this flotation separation process was established.

Effect of depressants on flotation separation of magnesite from dolomite and calcite

The flotation separation of magnesite from calcium-containing minerals has always been a difficult subject in minerals processing.This work studied the inhibition effects of carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC),sodium lignosulphonate,polyaspartic acid(PASP)and sodium silicate on flotation behaviors of magnesite,dolomite and calcite,providing guidance for the development of reagents in magnesite flotation.The micro-flotation results showed that among these four depressants,sodium silicate presented the strongest selectivity due to the highest recovery difference,and the flotation separation of magnesite from dolomite and calcite could be achieved by using sodium silicate as the depressant.Contact angle measurement indicated that the addition of sodium silicate caused the largest differences in surface wettability of the three minerals,which was in line with micro-flotation tests.Furthermore,zeta potential test,the Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR)spectroscopy and atomic force microscope(AFM)imaging were used to reveal the inhibition mechanism of sodium silicate.The results indicated that the dominated component SiO(OH)3
of sodium silicate could adsorb on minerals surfaces,and the adsorption of sodium silicate hardly affected the adsorption of NaOL on magnesite surface,but caused the reduction of NaOL adsorption on dolomite and calcite surfaces,thereby increasing the flotation selectivity.

Effect of dissolved components of malachite and calcite on surface properties and flotation behavior

In general,malachite is recovered via sulfidization–xanthate flotation,although many unsatisfactory flotation indexes are frequently obtained as a result of the presence of associated calcite.This phenomenon occurs because the dissolved components of malachite and calcite affect the flotation behavior of both minerals.In this study,the effect of the dissolved components derived from malachite and calcite on the flotation behavior and surface characteristics of both minerals was investigated.Flotation tests indicated that malachite recovery decreased when the calcite supernatant was introduced,while the presence of the malachite supernatant increased the recovery of calcite.Dissolution and adsorption tests,along with zeta potential measurements,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,Fourier transform infrared spectrometry,and timeof-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry demonstrated that the Ca species in the calcite supernatant were adsorbed on the malachite surface,which hindered the interaction of Na2S with malachite,thereby resulting in the insufficient adsorption of sodium isoamyl xanthate(NaIX)on the surface of malachite.By contrast,the Cu species in the malachite supernatant were adsorbed on the calcite surface,and they provided active sites for the subsequent adsorption of Na_(2)S and NaIX.

Flotation separation of wolframite from calcite using a new trisiloxane surfactant as collector

Since wolframite is usually associated with calcite,the separation and enrichment of wolframite by froth flotation remains a great challenge.Herein,a novel trisiloxane surfactant N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-ami nopropyltrisiloxane(AATS)was successful synthesized,which was used for the separation of wolframite from calcite for the first time.The flotation separation performance of AATS was studied by flotation test,and its adsorption mechanism was explored based on contact angle,infrared spectrum analysis(FTIR),zeta potential and density functional theory(DFT)calculation.The results of microflotation test and binary mixed ore flotation test pointed that AATS had excellent selectivity and more prominent collection capacity for the flotation of wolframite when compared with industrial reagent sodium oleate(NaOL).The measurement results of contact angle proved that AATS improved the hydrophobicity of the wolframite surface.The highly selective adsorption mechanism of AATS surfactant on mineral surfaces were further researched and analyzed by FTIR and zeta potential.The results revealed that AATS surfactant had significant adsorption effect on wolframite,yet almost no adsorption on calcite.DFT calculation indicated that AATS produced electrostatic adsorption with wolframite surface through—N+H3 group.

Genesis of Fibrous Calcite in the Chang 7 Member of the Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin,China

To explore the genesis of the laminated calcite veins developed in the black shale of Chang 73 submember of the Ordos Basin,the petrology,microstructure and geochemistry of calcite veins are studied using thin sections,fluid inclusions,trace elements and isotopic geochemistry.The source,the time of formation,the mechanism of formation,and the dynamic background of the veins are discussed.The veins are mostly made up of calcite,mixed with lenticular or spindle-shape solid wall rock inclusions.Three structures are identified in the calcite minerals:fibrous,rhombic cleavage,and wedge-like structure.Trace elements and isotopes of carbon and oxygen confirm that the calcite veins were formed from a high density hydrothermal fluid.It is assumed that calcite veins formed prior to wall rock consolidation during the formation of the Qinling Orogenic Belt in the Middle and Late Triassic.The results show that the sedimentary sources of Chang 73 submember were influenced by hydrothermal materials besides terrigenous detritus.The fibrous calcite is different from the fibrous calcite reported in the morphology and mechanism of formation.In this way,the research complements and improves the morphology and the mechanism of formation of fibrous calcite.

Geochronology,Geochemistry,Fluid Inclusion and C,O Isotope Compositions of Calcite Veins in the Paleogene of the Jiangling Basin,South China:Implications for Fluid Evolution and Brine Potash Mineralization

Deep-seated potassium-rich brines were identified in the Jiangling Basin,South China.Although magmatichydrothermal sources have been proposed,the relationship between brine-type potash mineralization and volcanism remains unclear.In this study,U-Pb geochronology,geochemistry,fluid inclusion and C-O isotopic compositions of hydrothermal vein minerals in the Jiangling Basin are examined.Laser ablation U-Pb dating of calcite veins indicates that the ages are slightly younger than the formation age of the Balingshan basalt.Fluid inclusions in hydrothermal minerals show medium–low homogenization temperatures(160–220℃)and low salinities(0.14 to 4.9 wt%NaCl eqv.)and densities(0.882–0.944 g/cm^(3)).The liquid compositions of fluid inclusions in calcite veins from sedimentary strata have higher contents of potassium,compared with those from basalt.The coupled negativeδ^(13)CPDB(-10.3‰to-8.0‰)and positiveδ^(18)OSMOW(17.4‰to 20.7‰)values imply that calcite precipitation resulted from CO_(2)degassing of the basaltic magmatic fluids,as indicated by the gas composition of these inclusions in hydrothermal minerals.Rare earth element patterns indicate that water-rock interaction between hydrothermal fluids and sedimentary wall rocks contributed to the calcite precipitation in sedimentary strata.It is proposed that high-temperature water-rock interaction between magmatic fluids and sedimentary strata resulted in the potassium enrichment in fluids,interpreted as one of the sources of potassium-rich brines in the Jiangling Basin.

Restoration of reservoir diagenesis and hydrocarbon accumulation process by calcite in-situ U-Pb dating and fluid inclusion analysis: A case study on Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in Gaoquan Structure, southern Junggar Basin, NW China

The complexity of diagenesis and hydrocarbon accumulation in the deep reservoirs in southern Junggar Basin restricts hydrocarbon exploration in the lower reservoir assemblage. The lithofacies and diagenesis of reservoirs in the Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in the Gaoquan structure of the Sikeshu Sag, southern Junggar Basin were analyzed. On this basis, the thermal history was calibrated using calcite in-situ U-Pb dating and fluid inclusion analysis to depict the hydrocarbon accumulation process in the Gaoquan structure. The results show that the Qingshuihe reservoir experienced two phases of calcite cementation and three phases of hydrocarbon charging. The calcite cements are dated to be (122.1±6.4) Ma, (14.4±1.0) Ma - (14.2±0.3) Ma. The hydrocarbon charging events occurred at around 14.2-30.0 Ma (low-mature oil), 14.2 Ma (mature oil), and 2 Ma (high-mature gas). The latter two phases of hydrocarbon charging contributed dominantly to the formation of reservoir. Due to the S-N compressive thrust activity during the late Himalayan period since 2 Ma, the traps in the Gaoquan structure were reshaped, especially the effective traps which developed in the main reservoir-forming period were decreased significantly in scale, resulting in weak hydrocarbon shows in the middle-lower part of the structure. This indicates that the effective traps in key reservoir-forming period controlled hydrocarbon enrichment and distribution in the lower reservoir assemblage. Calcite U-Pb dating combined with fluid inclusion analysis can help effectively describe the complex diagenesis and hydrocarbon accumulation process in the central-west part of the basin.

Enlightenment of calcite veins in deep Ordovician Wufeng-Silurian Longmaxi shales fractures to migration and enrichment of shale gas in southern Sichuan Basin, SW China

The relationship between fracture calcite veins and shale gas enrichment in the deep Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation (Wufeng-Longmaxi) shales in southern Sichuan Basin was investigated through core and thin section observations, cathodoluminescence analysis, isotopic geochemistry analysis, fluid inclusion testing, and basin simulation. Tectonic fracture calcite veins mainly in the undulating part of the structure and non-tectonic fracture calcite veins are mainly formed in the gentle part of the structure. The latter, mainly induced by hydrocarbon generation, occurred at the stage of peak oil and gas generation, while the former turned up with the formation of Luzhou paleouplift during the Indosinian. Under the influence of hydrocarbon generation pressurization process, fractures were opened and closed frequently, and oil and gas episodic activities are recorded by veins. The formation pressure coefficient at the maximum paleodepth exceeds 2.0. The formation uplift stage after the Late Yanshanian is the key period for shale gas migration. Shale gas migrates along the bedding to the high part of the structure. The greater the structural fluctuation is, the more intense the shale gas migration activity is, and the loss is more. The gentler the formation is, the weaker the shale gas migration activity is, and the loss is less. The shale gas enrichment in the core of gentle anticlines and gentle synclines is relatively higher.

Genesis of granular calcite in lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks and its indication to volcanichydrothermal events: A case study of Permian Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin, NW China

Granular calcite is an authigenic mineral in fine-grained sedimentary rocks.Core observation,thin section observation,cathodoluminescence analysis,fluid inclusion analysis,scanning electron microscope(SEM),and isotopic composition analysis were combined to clarify the genesis of granular calcite in the lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusar Sag,Junggar Basin.It is found that the granular calcite is distributed with laminated characteristics in fine-grained sedimentary rocks in tuffite zones(or the transitional zone between tuffite and micritic dolomite).Granular calcite has obvious cathodoluminesence band,and it can be divided into three stages.Stage-Ⅰ calcite,with non-luminesence,high content of Sr element,inclusions containing Cos,and homogenization temperature higher than 170℃,was directly formed from the volcanic-hydrothermal deposition.Stage-Ⅱ calcite,with bright yellow luminescence,high contents of Fe,Mn and Mg,enrichment of light rare earth elements(LREEs),and high homogenization temperature,was formed by recrystallization of calcareous edges from exhalative hydrothermal deposition.Stage-IlI calcite,with dark orange luminescence band,high contents of Mg,P,V and other elements,no obvious fractionation among LREEs,and low homogenization temperature,was originated from diagenetic transformation during burial.The granular calcite appears regularly in the vertical direction and its formation temperature decreases from the center to the margin of particles,providing direct evidences for volcanic-hydrothermal events during the deposition of the Lucaogou Formation.The volcanic-hydrothermal event was conducive to the enrichment of organic matters in fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Lucaogrou Formation,and positive to the development of high-quality source rocks.The volcanic-hydrothermal sediments might generate intergranular pores/fractures during the evolution,creating conditions for the self-generation and self-storage of shale oil.

REE and C-O Isotopic Geochemistry of Calcites from the World-class Huize Pb-Zn Deposits,Yunnan,China:Implications for the Ore Genesis

The world-class Huize Pb-Zn deposits of Yunnan province,in southwestern China,located in the center of the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Pb-Zn polymetallic metallogenic province,has Pb＋Zn reserves of more than 5 million tons at Pb＋Zn grade of higher than 25%and contains abundant associated metals,such as Ag,Ge,Cd,and Ga.The deposits are hosted in the Lower Carboniferous carbonate strata and the Permian Emeishan basalts which distributed in the northern and southwestern parts of the orefield.Calcite is the only gangue mineral in the primary ores of the deposits and can be classified into three types,namely lumpy,patch and vein calcites in accordance with their occurrence.There is not intercalated contact between calcite and ore minerals and among the three types of calcite,indicating that they are the same ore-forming age with different stages and its forming sequence is from lumpy to patch to vein calcites. This paper presents the rare earth element（REE） and C-O isotopic compositions of calcites in the Huize Pb-Zn deposits.From lumpy to patch to vein calcites,REE contents decrease as LREE/ HREE ratios increase.The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the three types of calcites are characterized by LREE-rich shaped,in which the lumpy calcite shows（La）_N〈（Ce）_N〈（Pr）_N≈（Nd）_N with Eu/Eu~＊〈1,the patch calcite has（La）_N〈（Ce）_N〈（Pr）_N≈（Nd）_N with Eu/Eu~＊〉1,and the vein calcite displays（La）_N〉（Ce）_N〉（Pr）_N〉（Nd）_N with Eu/Eu~＊〉1.The REE geochemistry of the three types of calcite is different from those of the strata of various age and Permian Emeishan basalt exposed in the orefield.Theδ^（13） C_（PDb） andδ^（18）O_（Smow） values of the three types of calcites vary from-3.5‰to-2.1‰and 16.7‰to 18.6‰,respectively,falling within a small field between primary mantle and marine carbonate in theδ^（13）C_（PDb） vsδ^（18）O_（Smow） diagram. Various lines of evidence demonstrate that the three types of calcites in the deposits are produced from the same source with different stages.The ore-forming fluids of the deposits resulted from crustal -mantle mixing processes,in which the mantle-derived fluid components might be formed from degassing of mantle or/and magmatism of the Permian Emeishan basalts,and the crustal fluid was mainly provided by carbonate strata in the orefield.The ore-forming fluids in the deposits were homogenized before mineralization,and the ore-forming environment varied from relatively reducing to oxidizing.

Calcite Dissolution in Deionized Water from 50℃ to 250℃ at 10 MPa:Rate Equation and Reaction Order

Carbonate minerals and water （or geofluids） reactions are important for modeling of geochemical processes and have received considerable attention over the past decades. The calcite dissolution rates from 50℃ to 250℃ at 10 MPa in deionized water with a flow rate varying from 0.2 to 5 mL/min were experimentally measured in a continuous flow column pressure vessel reactor. The dissolution began near the equilibrium with c/ceq 〉 0.3 and finally reached the equilibrium at 100℃-250℃, so the corresponding solubility was also determined as 1.87, 2.02, 2.02 and 1.88×10^-4.mol/L at 100℃, 150℃, 200℃ and 250℃ respectively, which was first increasing and then switching to decreasing with temperature and the maximum value might occur between 150℃ and 200℃. The experimental dissolution rate not only increased with temperature, but also had a rapid increase between 150℃ and 200℃ at a constant flow rate of 4 mL/min. The measured dissolution rates can be described using rate equations of R = k（1-c/ceq）n or R = kc-n. In these equations the reaction order n changed with temperature, which indicates that n was a variable rather than a constant, and the activation energy was 13.4 kJ/mol calculated with R = k（1-c/ceq）n or 18.0 kJ/mol with R = kc^-n, which is a little lower than the surface controlled values. The varied reaction order and lower activation energy indicates that calcite dissolution in this study is a complex interplay of diffusion controlled and surface controlled processes.

Molecular dynamics simulation of adsorption of an oil-water-surfactant mixture on calcite surface

An interface super molecular structure model for oil-water-surfactant mixture and calcite was established. By using a molecular dynamics method, the effects of rhamnolipid, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate and sodium hexadecyl sulfonate on the interface adsorption behavior of oil molecules were investigated. It was found that these three surfactants could reduce oil-calcite interface binding energy, and play a role of oil-displacing agent.

Existence and release of fluid inclusions in bornite and its associated quartz and calcite

The existence and release of fluid inclusions in bornite and its associated minerals, namely, quartz and calcite were investigated and confirmed. The structures, forms, and phases of these large quantities of fluid inclusions were also studied. A mass of fluid inclusions with various sizes, distributions, shapes, and phases exist in bornite and its associated minerals. Their sizes vary from a few micrometers to tens of micrometers, and the forms appear as negative crystals, or elongated, elliptical, and irregular. At room temperature, fluid inclusions were mainly characterized as gas-liquid two- phase. However, small amounts of fluid inclusions with pure gas phase and pure liquid single-phase were also observed in quartz and calcite. These fluid inclusions initially broke during the ore crushing and grinding process and then released into the flotation pulp in the flotation process. The quantitative analysis of fluid inclusions in the solution and the comparisons of mineral dissolution show that the amount of copper and iron released by fluid inclusions in the bornite sample is higher than the amount dissolved by the mineral; fluid inclusions in the associated gangue minerals, quartz, and calcite also make contribution.

Studies of benzyl hydroxamic acid/calcium lignosulphonate addition order in the flotation separation of smithsonite from calcite

Flotation separation of smithsonite from calcite is difficult due to their similar surface properties.In the present study,a reagent scheme of depressant calcium lignosulphonate(CLS) and collector benzyl hydroxamic acid(BHA) was introduced in the flotation of smithsonite from calcite.Microflotation tests revealed that the efficient flotation of smithsonite from calcite could only be obtained with the addition order of BHA before CLS,which was opposite to the widely-used order that adding depressant prior to the collector.The zeta potential measurements indicated that BHA selectively adsorbed onto smithsonite surface,then not allowed the CLS adsorption onto the smithsonite surface rather than calcite surface because of the steric hindrance,thereby the smithsonite surface remained hydrophobic while calcite surface became more hydrophilic after the addition of CLS.As a result,the calcite flotation was completely depressed while the smithsonite flotation recovery was still in high value,leading to the optimal flotation separation performance.

Quantifying the carbon source of pedogenic calcite veins in weathered limestone: implications for the terrestrial carbon cycle

The continent is the second largest carbon sink on Earth’s surface.With the diversification of vascular land plants in the late Paleozoic,terrestrial organic carbon burial is represented by massive coal formation,while the development of soil profiles would account for both organic and inorganic carbon burial.As compared with soil organic carbon,inorganic carbon burial,collectively known as the soil carbonate,would have a greater impact on the long-term carbon cycle.Soil carbonate would have multiple carbon sources,including dissolution of host calcareous rocks,dissolved inorganic carbon from freshwater,and oxidation of organic matter,but the host calcareous rock dissolution would not cause atmospheric CO2drawdown.Thus,to evaluate the potential effect of soil carbonate formation on the atmospheric p CO2level,different carbon sources of soil carbonate should be quantitatively differentiated.In this study,we analyzed the carbon and magnesium isotopes of pedogenic calcite veins developed in a heavily weathered outcrop,consisting of limestone of the early Paleogene Guanzhuang Group in North China.Based on the C and Mg isotope data,we developed a numerical model to quantify the carbon source of calcite veins.The modeling results indicate that4–37 wt%of carbon in these calcite veins was derived from atmospheric CO2.The low contribution from atmospheric CO2might be attributed to the host limestone that might have diluted the atmospheric CO2sink.Nevertheless,taking this value into consideration,it is estimated that soil carbonate formation would lower 1 ppm atmospheric CO2within 2000 years,i.e.,soil carbonate alone would sequester all atmospheric CO2within 1 million years.Finally,our study suggests the C–Mg isotope system might be a better tool in quantifying the carbon source of soil carbonate.

Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Injection Molded Short Glass Fibre (SGF)/Calcite/ABS Composites

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-Styrene (ABS), with and without calcium carbonate (calcite) particles,was used as the matrix for reinforcement with as-received short-glass fibres (were originallytreated by the manufacturer) and sized short-glass fibres with two amino-silane coupling agents.The calcite particle content is 0, 11.7 and 23.5 vol. pct for the matrices. The glass fiber contentis 0, 10 and 15 vol. pct. The matrix materials and corresponding composites were compoundedusing a twin screw extruder and dumbbell-shaped tensile bars were prepared with an injectionmolding process. The tensile and flexural properties as well as the unnotched and notchedCharpy impact energies of short glass fibre/calcite/ABS composites were studied in this paper.The effects of fibres, fibre surface treatments and particles on these mechanical properties ofthe composites were discussed in detail. An importarit information was obtained, which is thatthe tensile and flexural strengths of hybrid SGF/calcite/ABS composites are the same as thoseof corresponding fibre composites when the ratio of the interfacial adhesion strength betweenparticles and matrix to that between fibres and matrix is higher than certain value. otherwise theformer are lower than the latter.

Macro-and Microstructural, Textural Fabrics and Deformation Mechanism of Calcite Mylonites from Xar Moron-Changchun Dextral Shear Zone, Northeast China

The calcite mylonites in the Xar Moron-Changchun shear zone show a significance dextral shearing characteristics. The asymmetric(σ-structure) calcite/quartz grains or aggregates, asymmetry of calcite c-axes fabric diagrams and the oblique foliation of recrystallized calcite grains correspond to a top-to-E shearing. Mineral deformation behaviors, twin morphology, C-axis EBSD fabrics, and quartz grain size-frequency diagrams demonstrate that the ductile shear zone was developed under conditions of greenschist facies, with the range of deformation temperatures from 200 to 300°C. These subgrains of host grains and surrounding recrystallized grains, strong undulose extinction, and slightly curved grain boundaries are probably results of intracrystalline deformation and dynamic recrystallization implying that the deformation took place within the dislocation-creep regime at shallow crustal levels. The calculated paleo-strain rates are between 10-7.87s-1 and 10-11.49s-1 with differential stresses of 32.63-63.94 MPa lying at the higher bound of typical strain rates in shear zones at crustal levels, and may indicate a relatively rapid deformation. The S-L-calcite tectonites have undergone a component of uplift which led to subhorizontal lifting in an already non-coaxial compressional deformation regime with a bulk pure shear-dominated general shear. This E-W large-scale dextral strike-slip movement is a consequence of the eastward extrusion of the Xing’an-Mongolian Orogenic Belt, and results from far-field forces associated with Late Triassic convergence domains after the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.

The Reduction of the Permeability of a Lateritic Soil through the Application of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation

Lateritic soils are frequently utilised in tropical areas of the developing world as an engineering material in the construction of rural earth roads, usually in the form of engineered natural surface (ENS) roads. The heavy, seasonal rainfalls common to the tropics results in ENS roads becoming quickly saturated with rainwater, and no longer accessible to motorised transportation. Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has been successfully used as a treatment process to decrease the permeability of clean, cohesionless sands by studies trying to impede the movement of groundwater, and any pollutants they may contain. In order to see if MICP treatment can also reduce the susceptibility of ENS road lateritic soils to rainwater saturation, this study has treated a Brazilian sample extracted from an ENS road in Espirito do Santo, Brazil, using the MICP bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii contained within a urea-calcium chloride solution inoculum. Investigation, by means of a Rowe cell, of the post-treatment permeability, to untreated control samples, has shown an average decrease in the vertical coefficient of permeability of 83%, from 1.15 × 10-7 m/s for the untreated control samples, to 1.92 × 10-8 m/s in treated samples.