Enrichment and separation of iron minerals in gibbsitic bauxite residue based on reductive Bayer digestion

The mineralogical characteristics of three kinds of gibbsitic high-iron bauxite and the effects of various digestion conditions on the enrichment and separation of iron minerals were investigated. The results show that adding an appropriate organic reductant such as glycerol can promote the digestion of concomitant diaspore, boehmite and alumogoethite as well as the conversion of goethite to hematite in the reductive Bayer digestion. Processing Bauxite A with A/S of 25.41 can directly produce qualified iron concentrates(TFe>56%) by the reductive Bayer digestion, and thus realize the zero red mud discharge. For Bauxite B and Bauxite C with A/S of 7.82 and 3.35, the iron recoveries of 65.13% and 79.13% can be achieved with the corresponding TFe of 52.05% and 50.16% in the iron concentrates by gravity separation, respectively, resulting in the red mud discharge reduction of ~50% or above.

FURTHER STUDIES ON THE MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION OF SYRIAN GOLDEN HAMSTER EMBRYO CELLS IN VITR0 BY THORIUM DIOXIDE AND RARE EARTH IRON MINERAL DUSTS

Malignant transformation of hamsterembryo cells was induced in vitro by rareearth iron mineral dusts(MP),naturalthorium(Th02) and MP plus Th02.Dusts of MP,MP plus Th02 or Th02 were added into themedium with the final concentration of 17.0,

Geological Features,Mineralization Types and Metallogenic Setting of the Phlaythong Large Iron Deposit,Southern Laos

The Phlaythong large iron deposit in Shampasak of southern Laos,is located in the Kon Tum microblock （Fig.1A）,central-southern part of the Indo-China block,and the geographic coordinate of the central mining area is 14°43′04″ N and 106°07′02″ E.

Metallogeny and Emplacement Conditions of Continental Terminal 3 (Ct3) Iron Formations of the Niamey Region (Western Niger)

This study aims to characterize the different lithofacies of the Ct3 formation in the Niamey region, and to determine the distribution of major and trace elements, in order to highlight the conditions for the establishment of iron mineralization. A lithological column, synthesizing sections of selected outcrops in the vicinity of Niamey, was produced. The chemical compositions of the selected samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. Microscopic analysis of the thin sections determined the gœthitic nature of the oolitic iron ore. The oolites show a quartz, limonitic or gœthitic nucleus. Sometimes the nucleus is absent. From a morphoscopic point of view, two types of oolites have been distinguished: spherical-shaped and ellipsoidal-shaped oolites. The oolites are either contiguous or disseminated, as the case may be, in a limonitic to goethitic cement or in a fine sandstone matrix. The larger oolites (pisolites) are relatively friable. They reflect the influence of a relatively turbulent to submerged environment. The hardground of the iron mineralized horizons are covered by quartz grains. They are indicative of a submerged or emergent environment. X-ray fluorescence analysis shows high Fe2O3 contents (50% to 80%) and variable contents of major elements SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, MnO, MgO, CaO, K2O and P2O5 associated with certain trace elements such as Th, U, V, Y, Zn, Zr and As. The results of the study are an important tool for decision-makers to adopt effective prevention/remediation measures for groundwater contamination in the Continental terminal aquifer systems.

Dissolved organic matter accelerates microbial degradation of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol in the presence of iron mineral

Dissolved organic matter(DOM)and iron minerals widely existing in the natural aquatic environment can mediate the migration and transformation of organic pollutants.However,the mechanism of interaction between DOM and iron minerals in the microbial degradation of pollutants deserves further investigation.In this study,the mechanism of 17 alphaethinylestradiol(EE2)biodegradation mediated by humic acid(HA)and three kinds of iron minerals(goethite,magnetite,and pyrite)was investigated.The results found that HA and iron minerals significantly accelerated the biodegradation process of EE2,and the highest degradation efficiency of EE2(48%)was observed in the HA-mediated microbial system with pyrite under aerobic conditions.Furthermore,it had been demonstrated that hydroxyl radicals(HO·)was the main active substance responsible for the microbial degradation of EE2.HO·is primarily generated through the reaction between hydrogen peroxide secreted by microorganisms and Fe(II),with aerobic conditions being more conducive.The presence of iron minerals and HA could change the microbial communities in the EE2 biodegradation system.These findings provide new information for exploring the migration and transformation of pollutants by microorganisms in iron-rich environments.

Red-mud treatment using oxalic acid by UV irradiation assistance

Red-mud is the residue from the Bayer process, in which the iron minerals should be removed before red-mud is used to produce refractory materials. The iron minerals in red-mud were extracted by oxalic acid solution. The content of Fe （calculated in Fe203） in red-mud was reduced from 17.6% to less than 1% after being treated by 1 mol/L oxalic acid solution at 75 ℃ for 2 h. The Fe（Ⅲ） oxalate solution obtained was then irradiated by UV light, resulting in the precipitation of Fe（Ⅱ） oxalate. Under UV photocatalysis, more than 90% of Fe（Ⅲ） oxalate in the extracted solution was transformed into the precipitation of Fe（Ⅱ） oxalate crystallite （fl-FeC2O4·2H2O）. The filtrate from the Fe（Ⅱ） oxalate precipitate filtration could be reused in the next cycle. The mechanism ofUV photocatalysis precipitation was also discussed.

Study on the Corrosion inhibitor and Fog Suppressor for Chemical Pickling of Iron and Steel

A new type of corrosion inhibitor and fog suppressor composed of Nitrogen-containing alkaloid,water-soluble butadiene lower polymer, and inorganic electrolyte has been investigated by gravimetric and electrochemical method. Effects or this chemicals on pickling rate and hydrogen penetration into iron and steel material in 50～150 g/L HCI or/and H2SO4 solutions at 20～70℃ temperature were examined. The amount of acid fog escaping from the surface of air-liquid was determined by chemical titration. The results indicate that the efficiency of inhibition and suppression depends on film properties by which mean a barrier film on the interface of bare mild steel/solution or an unsolvable liquid membrane as hydrophibic effect.In present work the film-forming mechanism by in situ and chemistry-mechanics effect is also discussed.

Mossbauer,X-Ray and Magnetic Studies of Black Sand from the Italian Mediterranean Sea

The study of natural magnetic sands is instrumental to investigate the geological aspects of their formation and of the origin of their territory. In particular, Mossbauer spectroscopy provides unique information on their iron content and on the oxidation state of iron in their mineral composition. The Italian coast on the Mediterranean Sea near Rome is known for the presence of highly magnetic black sands of volcanic origin. A study of the room temperature Mossbauer spectrum, powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements of a sample of black magnetic sand collected on the seashore of the town of Ladispoli is performed. This study reveals magnetite as main constituent with iron in both tetrahedral and octahedral sites. Minor constituents are the iron minerals hematite and ilmenite, the iron containing minerals diopsite, gossular, and allanite, as well as ubiquitous sanidine, quartz, and calcite.

X-Ray and Mössbauer Study of Magnetic Black Sand from Mayotte Island

Natural magnetic black sands are known from several sites often located in areas of volcanic origin. Their elemental and mineral composition provides information on the geology of their territory and depends on several factors occurred during their formation. A sample of black sand was collected on the seashore of the island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean and its magnetic part was investigated by means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and MÖssbauer spectroscopy at room temperature. The mineral composition is dominantly magnetite, in good agreement with samples collected in other sites of volcanic origin. Contrary to pure magnetite, a relevant fraction of Ti was detected by EDS. The 16% Ti and 1% Mn content increase the magnetite lattice parameter to 8.4312 (25) Å. The broadening of XRD lines pointed towards a significant degree of disorder. This was confirmed by MÖssbauer spectroscopy and is attributed to the presence of Ti replacing Fe in the magnetite lattice. The presence of Ti modifies the local magnetic field on the Fe sites, leading to a broader and more complex MÖssbauer transmission spectrum with respect to the one of pure magnetite. To study the effect of temperature, samples were heated for 12 hours to 600°C and 800°C in argon and to 1000°C in air. Annealing in argon did not improve the crystallinity while annealing in air caused a complete decomposition of magnetite into hematite and pseudobrookite.

Hydroxyl radical formation upon dark oxidation of reduced iron minerals: Effects of iron species and environmental factors

Dark formation of hydroxyl radical upon oxidation of reduced iron minerals plays an important role in the degradation and transformation of organic and inorganic pollutants.Herein,we compared the hydroxyl radical formation from various reduced iron minerals at different redox conditions.·OH production was generally observed from the oxidation of reduced iron minerals,following the order:mackinawite(FeS)>reduced nontronite(iron-bearing smectite clay)> pyrite(FeS2)> side rite(FeCO3).Structural Fe^2+ and dissolved O2 play critical roles in ·OH production from reduced iron minerals.·OH production increases with decreasing pH,and Cl^-has little effect on this process.More importantly,dissolved organic matter significantly enhances ·OH production,especially under O2 purging,highlighting the importance of this process in ambient environments.This sunlight-independent pathway in which ’OH forms during oxidation of reduced iron minerals is helpful for understanding the degradation and transformation of various inorganic and organic pollutants in the redox-fluctuation environments.

Stability and interaction of biochar and iron mineral nanoparticles:effect of pH,ionic strength,and dissolved organic matter

Biochar nanoparticles(BCNPs)and iron mineral nanoparticles(IMNPs),such as ferrihydrite nanoparticles(FHNPs),magnetite nanoparticles(MTNPs),and goethite nanoparticles(GTNPs),are often combined and used in soil remediation.However,the stability and interaction of nanoparticles under various environmental conditions have not been investigated previously.In this study,settling experiments,a semi-empirical model,the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek(DLVO)theory,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)observations,and quantum chemical calculations were used to study the interaction and heteroaggregation of BCNPs and IMNPs.Settling of BCNPs-FHNPs and BCNPs-GTNPs was stable at neutral and alkaline pH(relative concentration of unsettled nanoparticles C_(res’)=0.679-0.824),whereas fast settling of BCNPs-IMNPs was observed at acidic pH(C_(res’)=0.104-0.628).By contrast,BCNPs-MTNPs consistently showed moderate settling regardless of the mass of magnetite at all pH(C_(res’)=0.423-0.673).Both humic acid(HA,10 mg L^(−1))and ionic strength(IS,10 and 100 mM)facilitated the settling of BCNPs-FHNPs and BCNPs-MTNPs systems,whereas the settling of BCNPs-GTNPs was sensitive only to IS.Fulvic acid(10 mg L^(−1))had a general stabi-lizing effect on the BCNPs-IMNPs systems.The results of SEM and quantum chemical calculations suggested that the interaction between BCNPs and FHNPs(-2755.58 kJ mol^(−1))was stronger than that between BCNPs and GTNPs(−1706.23 kJ mol^(−1))or MTNPs(−1676.73 kJ mol^(−1)).The enhancement of heteroaggregation between BCNPs and IMNPs under unfavorable conditions(acidic pH,HA,and IS)was regulated by the strength of the interaction.Therefore,the enhancement of heteroaggregation of BCNPs-FHNPs was greater than that of BCNPs-MTNPs.In the BCNPs-GTNPs system,the high concentration and elongated structure of GTNPs may contribute greatly to heteroag-gregation and settling with small interactions.Our results highlight the influence of pH,IS,and HA on the interaction between BCNPs and IMNPs.These results will be helpful in the application of BCNPs and IMNPs for soil remediation.

The effect of iron on the preservation of organic carbon in marine sediments and its implications for carbon sequestration

Marine sediments are the most significant reservoir of organic carbon(OC)in Earth′s surface system.Iron,a crucial component of the marine biogeochemical cycle,has a considerable impact on marine ecology and carbon cycling.Understanding the effect of iron on the preservation of OC in marine sediments is essential for comprehending biogeochemical processes of carbon and climate change.This review summarizes the methods for characterizing the content and structure of iron-bound OC and explores the influencing mechanism of iron on OC preservation in marine sediments from two aspects:the selective preservation of OC by reactive iron minerals(iron oxides and iron sulfides)and iron redox processes.The selective preservation of sedimentary OC is influenced by different types of reactive iron minerals,OC reactivity,and functional groups.The iron redox process has dual effects on the preservation and degradation of OC.By considering sedimentary records of iron-bound OC across diverse marine environments,the role of iron in long-term preservation of OC and its significance for carbon sequestration are illustrated.Future research should focus on identifying effective methods for extracting reactive iron,the effect of diverse functional groups and marine sedimentary environments on the selective preservation of OC,and the mediation of microorganisms.Such work will help elucidate the influencing mechanisms of iron on the long-term burial and preservation of OC and explore its potential application in marine carbon sequestration to maximize its role in achieving carbon neutrality.

Photooxidation of arsenic(Ⅲ) to arsenic(Ⅴ) on the surface of kaolinite clay

As one of the most toxic heavy metals, the oxidation of inorganic arsenic has drawn great attention among environmental scientists. However, little has been reported on the solar photochemical behavior of arsenic species on top-soil. In the present work, the influencing factors（p H, relative humidity（RH）, humic acid（HA）, trisodium citrate, and additional iron ions） and the contributions of reactive oxygen species（ROS, mainly HO^- and HO2^-/O2^-） to photooxidation of As（Ⅲ） to As（Ⅴ） on kaolinite surfaces under UV irradiation（λ = 365 nm）were investigated. Results showed that lower p H facilitated photooxidation, and the photooxidation efficiency increased with the increase of RH and trisodium citrate.Promotion or inhibition of As（Ⅲ） photooxidation by HA was observed at low or high dosages, respectively. Additional iron ions greatly promoted the photooxidation, but excessive amounts of Fe^2＋competed with As（Ⅲ） for oxidation by ROS. Experiments on scavengers indicated that the HOUradical was the predominant oxidant in this system.Experiments on actual soil surfaces proved the occurrence of As（Ⅲ） photooxidation in real topsoil. This work demonstrates that the photooxidation process of As（Ⅲ） on the soil surface should be taken into account when studying the fate of arsenic in natural soil newly polluted with acidic wastewater containing As（Ⅲ）.