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.

OSDA-free synthesis of FeZSM-22 zeolite from natural minerals for n-octane hydroisomerization

A seed-directed approach to synthesizing Fe ZSM-22 zeolite without organic structure directing agent(OSDA)was developed by using Fe-rich diatomite as all aluminum and iron sources.The Fe ZSM-22zeolite with optimal crystallinity and purity can be obtained by systematically adjusting feed composition and synthesis conditions.Characterizations show that Fe ZSM-22 zeolite synthesized with OSDA-free owns high crystallinity,obvious thin needle-shaped morphology and high Bronsted/Lewis acid ratio.Significantly,when used for n-octane hydroisomerization reaction,its derived catalyst exhibits the best catalytic performance reflected by the highest selectivity to C_(8)isomers compared to the two reference catalysts prepared based on a Fe-containing and a Fe-free ZSM-22 synthesized through an OSDA-directed route from natural diatomite and conventional chemicals,respectively.This work provides an alternative route to sustainably synthesizing heteroatomic zeolites with high performance.

Scientific and Engineering Progress in CO_2 Minerali zation Using Industrial Waste and Natural Minerals

The issues of reducing CO_2 levels in the atmo-sphere, sustainably utilizing natural mineral resources,and dealing with indus trial waste offer challenging opportunities for sustainable development in energy and the environment. The latest advances in CO_2 mineralization technology involving natural minerals and industrial waste are summarized in this paper, with great emphasis on the advancement of fundamental science, economic evaluation, and engineering applications. We discuss several lead-ing large-scale CO_2 mineralization methodologies from a techn ical and engineering-science perspective. For each technology option, we give an overview of the technical parameters, reaction pathway, reactivity, procedural scheme, and laboratorial and pilot devices. Furthermore, we present a discussion of each technology based on experimental results and the literature. Finally, current gaps in knowledge are identified in the conclusion, and an overview of the challenges and opportunities for future research in this field is provided.

Study on Natural Minerals Applying in Developing New Health Textiles

This paper introduces types and health functions of natural minerals applied in the textile field, details the processing methods of health textiles containing natural minerals, summarizes the development situation of the health textiles containing natural minerals at home and abroad, and analyzes its potential problems and development direction. Health textiles containing natural minerals have broad developing prospects;the current main task is to solve the problems caused by technical immaturity, improve efficiency and durability of its health properties, and expand production scale.

Effects of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the expression of sirtuin 1 and angiogenic factors in the erectile tissue of rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

Consuming a high-fructose diet induces metabolic syndrome （MS）-Iike features, including endothelial dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is an early manifestation of endothelial dysfunction and systemic vascular disease. Because mineral deficiency intensifies the deleterious effects of fructose consumption and mineral ingestion is protective against MS, we aimed to characterize the effects of 8weeks of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the structural organization and expression of vascular growth factors and receptors on the corpus cavernosum （CC） in 10% fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats （FRUCT）. Differences were not observed in the organization of the CC either on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） or the components of the angiopoietins/Tie2 system. However, opposing expression patterns were observed for VEGF receptors （an increase and a decrease for VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, respectively） in FRUCT animals, with these patterns being strengthened by mineral-rich water ingestion. Mineral-rich water ingestion （FRUCTMIN） increased the proportion of smooth muscle cells compared with FRUCT rats and induced an upregulatory tendency of sirtuin I expression compared with the control and FRUCT groups. Western blot results were consistent with the dual immunofluorescence evaluation. Plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein and plasma testosterone levels were similar among the experimental groups, although a tendency for an increase in the former was observed in the FRUCTMIN group. The mineral-rich water-treated rats presented changes similar to those observed in rats treated with MS-protective polyphenol-rich beverages or subjected to energy restriction, which led us to hypothesize that the effects of mineral-rich water consumption may be more vast than those directly observed in this study.

Degradation and mineralization of 2-chloro-, 3-chloro- and 4-chlorobiphenyl by a newly characterized natural bacterial strain isolated from an electrical transformer fluid-contaminated soil

A bacterium classified as Achromobacter xylosoxidans strain IR08 by phenotypic typing coupled with 16S rRNA gene analysis was isolated from a soil contaminated with electrical transformer ?uid for over sixty years using Aroclor 1221 as an enrichment substrate. The substrate utilization profiles revealed that IR08 could grow on all three monochlorobiphenyls (CBs), 2,4’- and 4,4’-dichlorobiphenyl as well as 2-chlorobenzoate (2-CBA), 3-CBA, 4-CBA, and 2,3-dichlorobenzoate. Unusually, growth was poorly sustaine...

Natural Resource Governance in Unrecognized Settings: What Are Emerging Political, Legal and Fiscal Issues Affecting “Somaliland”?

Somaliland declared independence after the fall of the Central Government of Somalia in 1991. Early peace settlements and state-building efforts led to transitional government and early democratic contestations including presidential elections in a hybrid state framework. This emerging democracy in a conflict-torn region is challenged by weak accountability and power imbalances between the three government branches. Over the past few years, the current ruling party started to engage with foreign companies to carry out exploration activities in onshore blocks utilizing existing information on the distribution of natural resources of oil, and gas and to lesser extent mining. Following an informal auction of selling licenses for resource exploration among various companies, Genel Energy amongst others;Somaliland has no competent institutions in managing revenues for long-term development due to two distinctive factors: 1) absence of strong legal and political frameworks specific to governance of extractive industry;2) weak fiscal regimes across spectrum of extractive companies, the state and investors.

Mineralization of Natural Spring Water in the City of Daloa (West-Central Côte d’Ivoire)

The water from natural springs in the city of Daloa is increasingly used by the population for its drinking water needs, even though its quality remains unknown. This study aims to determine the acquisition mechanism of the mineralization of these waters. Thus, physicochemical analyses were carried out on 10 spring water samples in February 2019. A summary statistical analysis of the results obtained shows that these waters are acidic (4.81 ≤ pH ≤ 5.39) and very weakly mineralised, with 50% of the conductivities below 100 μS·cm-1. The average iron (0.5 ± 1.02 mg/L) and manganese (0.61 ± 0.90 mg/L) contents show that these two parameters are increasing in the spring water. The Normalized Principal Component Analysis (NPCA) shows that mineralization is mainly controlled by surface inputs of elements (anthropogenic pollution), then the oxidation-reduction phenomenon and, finally, the water-rock contact (mineralization-residence time). Otherwise, the very low expression of water-rock contact (mineralization-residence time) in the acquisition of the mineralization reflects a short residence time of the water in the aquifer.

Pilot Trial on the Efficacy and Safety of a Natural Mineral Water Rich in Hydrogen Carbonate on Functional Dyspepsia and Heartburn

Background: Dyspepsia and heartburn are among the most frequent complaints of the upper gastrointestinal tract impacting quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of drinking a natural mineral water (medicinal product category “Heilwasser” in Germany) high in hydrogen carbonate (Staatl. Fachingen STILL) on functional dyspeptic complaints and heartburn. Methods: 56 men and women with self-reported heartburn were enrolled to this one-arm pilot study. They had to drink 1.5 L of a hydrogen carbonate rich mineral water each day over a course of six weeks. Participants reported the number and duration of heartburn episodes in a daily dairy. The Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ), Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire (QOLRAD) and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GILQI) were used to assess the therapeutic course of the treatment and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to assess general quality of life. Mean ± standard deviation were calculated and pre- and post-treatment changes were compared using the Wilcoxon test. Results: The consumption of a hydrogen carbonate rich mineral water decreased the number of heartburn episodes per week significantly by 4.8 ± 8.2 at the end of the study (p < 0.001). The duration of episodes was also significantly reduced by 25.7 minutes after six weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Accordingly, the subjectively perceived severity of heartburn, regurgitation and dyspeptic complaints as well as the GERD dimension as assessed by Reflux Disease Questionnaire improved significantly. There was a significant improvement in the disease-specific quality of life as measured by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (p < 0.001) and by the Quality Of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (p < 0.001) questionnaires and the general health-related quality of life as assessed by SF-12 (p < 0.007). Conclusions: The present pilot study provides evidence that supplementation with natural mineral water rich in hydrogen carbonate may improve heartburn and dyspeptic symptoms, which finally resulted in an improvement of the subjectively perceived quality of life. Drinking mineral water rich in hydrogen carbonate may be an alternative remedy for the treatment of dyspeptic symptoms and heartburn. Trial Registration: Eudra CT No 2013-001256-36.

High-Precision Direct Determination of the ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr Isotope Ratio of Bottled Sr-Rich Natural Mineral Drinking Water Using MC-ICP-MS

Strontium has four naturally occurring stable isotopes,84Sr,86Sr,87Sr,and 88Sr,with abundances of 0.56,9.87,approximately 7.04,and 82.53 atomic %,respectively.The 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio is variable due to the addition of radiogenic 87Sr produced by the beta decay of 87Rb with a half-life of 4.88 ± 0.05 Ga.Thus,

On resource survey of natural mineral drugs in eastern Jilin and their sustaining application

There are rich natural resources of natural mineral drugs in eastern Jilin Province. Systematic resource investigation can elevate fractional conversion of this area' s mineral drugs resources superiority. Research on natural mineral drugs of this area can upgrade the translation rate of resource superiority and accelerate the development of local medical industry, especially, it can provide scientific data for founding the strategic design of Chinese traditional medicine's trademark of Jilin Changbai Mountain. Since the resource of mineral drugs can not be regenerated, it must be exploited scientifically, utilized reasonably and protected effectively its sustaining application.

Density functional theory study on natural hydrophobicity of sulfide surfaces

Adsorption of water on sulfide surfaces and natural floatability of sulfide minerals were studied using density functional theory （DFT） method. All computational models were built in a vacuum environment to eliminate the effects of oxygen and other factors. H2O molecule prefers to stay with pyrite and sphalerite surfaces rather than water, whereas for galena, chalcocite, stibnite, and molybdenite, H2O molecule prefers to stay with water rather than the mineral surfaces. On the other hand, pyrite surface favors N2 more than water, while sphalerite surface cannot adsorb N2. These results show that galena, stibnite, chalcocite, and molybdenite are hydrophobic, while sphalerite is hydrophilic. Although pyrite has certain hydrophilicity, it tends to be aerophilic because the reaction of pyrite with H2O is weaker than pyrite with N2. Thus, pyrite, galena, chalcocite, stibnite and molybdenite all have natural floatability.

Natural marmatite photocatalyst for treatment of mineral processing wastewater to help zero wastewater discharge

Mineral processing wastewater(MPW)with large discharge and high toxicity affects environmental safety,and the realizing zero discharge of MPW is of great significance for reducing environmental pollution,saving water resources,and promoting the sustainable development of the mining industry.In this study,we reported natural marmatite(NM)as a low-cost and efficient photocatalyst for the treatment of MPW to help zero wastewater discharge.The photocatalytic activity of NM was evaluated by the removal of total organic carbon(TOC)from MPW under visible-light illumination,and the optimal degradation conditions were discussed.Results showed that superoxide free radicals(^(·)O_(2)^(-))were the dominant active species responsible for organic pollutants degradation,and 74.25%TOC removal was obtained after 120 min reaction under the optimum treatment conditions.Meanwhile,the wastewater treated by NM photocatalysis can be reused in the flotation system without adverse impact on the product index.Based on these findings,a model of zero wastewater discharge for flotation with the help of photocatalytic treatment was established,it indicated that the water of the whole system can be balanced without affecting the ore dressing index,which showed that visible light-driven photocatalyst has a promising application prospect in the treatment and recycling of industrial wastewater.

Highly enhanced thermoelectric and mechanical performance of copper sulfides via natural mineral in-situ phase separation

In situ phase separation precipitates play an important role in enhancing the thermoelectric properties of copper sulfides by suppressing phonon transmission.In this study,Cu1.8S composites were fabricated by melting reactions and spark plasma sintering.The complex structures,namely,micron-PbS,Sb_(2)S_(3),nano-FeS,and multiscale pores,originate from the introduction of FePb_(4)Sb_(6)S_(14)into the Cu1.8S matrix.Using effective element(Fe)doping and multiscale precipitates,the Cu_(1.8)S+0.5 wt%FePb_(4)Sb_(6)S_(14)bulk composite reached a high dimensionless figure of merit(ZT)value of 1.1 at 773 K.Furthermore,the modulus obtained for this sample was approximately 40.27 GPa,which was higher than that of the pristine sample.This study provides a novel strategy for realizing heterovalent doping while forming various precipitates via in situ phase separation by natural minerals,which has been proven to be effective in improving the thermoelectric and mechanical performance of copper sulfides and is worth promoting in other thermoelectric systems.

Mechanical activation of natural chalcopyrite for improving heterogeneous Fenton degradation of tetracycline

Natural minerals receive growing attention as inexpensive, green, and efficient catalysts for degradation of organic pollutants. Mechanical activation of natural chalcopyrite was conducted for improving the catalytic performance.Tetracycline degradation was evaluated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and mechanically activated chalcopyrite.Tetracycline degradation at 100 min is 55.52%(Chp10), 68.97%(Chp30), 77.79%(Chp60), and 86.43%(Chp120),respectively, and the rate constant of pseudo-first-order kinetics is 0.0079, 0.0109, 0.0137 and 0.0192 min^(-1), respectively.Chalcopyrite samples were examined by multiple characterizations. Mechanical activation of natural chalcopyrite induces the decline of particle size and slight increase of surface area, smaller grain size, lattice strain, and partial sulfur oxidation. The relationship between catalytic activity and property change manifests that the improved catalytic ability is mainly ascribed to the increase of surface area and surface oxidation induced by mechanical activation. This work provides novel insights into the improvement of catalytic performance of natural minerals by mechanical activation.

Natural Evaporation of Dangxiongcuo Salt Lake Spring Brine in Tibet,China

1 Introduction Dangxiongcuo salt lake(Figure 1),which is located in the southwest of Tibet,China,is rich in valuable mineral elements like lithium,potassium,boron,rubidium,caesium

Thermoelectric characteristics of semiconductor minerals in earth's deep crust and their seismogenic significance

Geo-electric anomalies are generated during the process of stress accumulation and release associated with earthquakes.However,the mechanism of these anomalies remains equivocal.Based on the analysis of thermoelectric characteristics of semiconductor minerals of the earth’s deep crust such as graphite,ferrosilicon alloy,magnetite etc.,we perform finite element analysis to evaluate the principles governing the thermoelectric power generated by minerals and rocks.The results show that graphite,ferrosilicon alloy and magnetite all exhibit Seebeck effect and can be superimposed.And the thermo-electric field can be enhanced with the activation temperature increases,the content of thermoelectric minerals increases,the size of aggregates increases,and the spacing of thermoelectric minerals grains decreases.Seismogenic processes would generate a similar thermal gradient.The natural semiconductor minerals in this thermal field show a thermoelectric effect,forming a thermoelectric field that interferes with the background electric field.This study indicates that thermoelectric effect may have an important influence on the formation of geoelectric field.

高寒沙化草地自然演替恢复下土壤有机碳矿化及其温度敏感性研究

青藏高原东缘草地沙化态势严重,开展草地沙化退化与自然恢复土壤有机碳矿化及其温度敏感性(Temperature Sensitivity,Q_(10))对比研究,可为草原碳库管理提供理论支撑。本试验在若尔盖县分别选取典型沙化草地和长期自然恢复(10年)沙化草地,采集表层0~10 cm和底层20~30 cm土壤样品带回室内进行控温(5℃,15℃和25℃)矿化培养实验。结果表明:与沙化草地相比,自然恢复途径下土壤有机碳(Soil organic carbon,SOC)的矿化速率降低了40%,土壤有机碳储量提高了2.23~2.57倍,SOC分解的温度敏感性由0.55~1.57增加到0.80~2.73,且底层土壤Q_(10)显著高于表层土壤。两种草地土壤有机碳累积矿化量与土壤初始SOC含量呈极显著的负相关关系,且底层土壤SOC矿化速率均显著高于表层土壤。未来气候变暖影响下自然恢复沙化地底层SOC矿化分解成为碳源的风险更高,应重点加强其草地深层土壤碳库的管理和调控措施。

砂岩型铀矿形成的新模式:来自深部有机流体的成矿作用

已有的铀成矿模式大多认为,砂岩型铀矿是浅表层含氧水从盆地周邻蚀源区析出携带的外源铀汇入盆地而成矿。本研究发现,鄂尔多斯盆地北部伊盟隆起东部砂岩型铀矿矿集区的地质演化、地貌特征和铀成矿与此成矿模式相悖。其中令人困惑的关键问题是铀成矿物质的来源。对研究区的代表性矿物铀石(形成于强还原环境)及其共生的矿物进行多种地球化学测试分析发现:铀矿区存在淡水低温和中高盐度热液两类截然不同的铀矿化环境;铀成矿年龄主体小于80 Ma。结合盆地煤系气源岩富铀、天然气耗散量巨大和在伊盟隆起发现大面积分布的多种与成熟煤型气耗散有关的蚀变产物和凝析油苗,综合相关模拟实验和测试分析,提出了铀源来自深部的铀成矿新模式:来自盆地中部深层富铀煤系地层中的溶气热流体,在向伊盟隆起东部高部位运移耗散过程中,萃取并携带母岩和沿途围岩富铀地层中的铀元素运移到浅层,随温压降低亮晶方解石与铀石相伴沉淀完成了热液成矿过程,被析出的大规模有机天然气则在浅表层低温成矿同时为铀矿的保存创造了还原环境。此铀成矿新模式拓展了盆地勘探铀矿的思路和领域,提升了多种能源矿产相互作用的成矿效应和综合评价预测的科学性。