The Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation in the Sichuan Basin harbors significant potential for shale gas harvesting. However, systematic disparities in mineral composition and reservoir architecture have been observed between intra- and extra-trough reservoirs within the Deyang–Anyue Rift Trough. These variations were primarily determined by divergences in the sedimentary environments developed during the evolution of the rift trough, which were a main factor in fostering the heterogeneous distribution of shale gas enrichment found today. However, the genetic mechanisms that govern reservoir heterogeneity across distinct structural domains (intra-trough, trough margin, and extra-trough) remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the coupling relationships between depositional environments, reservoir characteristics, and gas-bearing properties. This study adopts a multidisciplinary approach to investigating this issue that integrates core analysis, well-log interpretations, and geochemical data. Through systematic comparisons conducted using X-ray diffraction mineralogy, organic carbon quantification, and spontaneous imbibition experiments, we characterize the mineral assemblages, organic geochemical signatures, and pore structures found across the three structural domains of the Deyang–Anyue Rift Trough. The key findings are as follows: (1) The depositional environment is the main influence on reservoir distribution and organic matter enrichment, with intra-trough shales exhibiting a higher abundance of organic matter than their trough-margin and extra-trough counterparts. (2) Enhanced brittleness in intra-trough zones correlates with the predominance of biogenic silica therein. (3) Synergistic organic-inorganic interactions govern pore system development. (4) Gas-bearing capacity is jointly determined by effective porosity and organic matter content. These findings establish the rift trough as a preferential exploration target, providing critical geological guidance for optimizing shale gas exploration strategies in the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation.
Co and Ni minerals are described in ores of the Mikheevskoe porphyry copper deposit (South Urals, Russia). Minerals of the cobaltite–gersdorfte series (CoAsS–NiAsS), violarite (FeNi2S4), millerite (NiS), pentlandite (Ni5.5Fe3.4)8.9S8.0 and melonite (NiTe2) are identifed. They overgrow pyrite, chalcopyrite and bornite and belong to late low-temperature assemblages. Cobalt and Ni are also incorporated in pyrite. The latter, being the most widespread mineral of the deposit, is a major carrier of these metals. The variability of Co and Ni minerals is determined by the presence of serpentinites, which replaced ultramafc rocks.
Jorge Espinha Marques, Aracelis Narayan, Patrícia Santos
et al.
Coal mining often produces severe environmental effects, including impacts on the soil system and, specifically, on hydropedological conditions that control the leaching of significant ions and Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs). The research objective is to assess changes in the hydropedological conditions in an area with a coal mining waste pile that underwent self-burning. An integrative approach was implemented, starting with the definition of hydropedological zoning based on field observations of soil formation factors (namely, parent material, relief, biological activity, anthropic influence, and time). The soil profile in each hydropedological zone was characterized regarding morphological features. The upper mineral horizons were sampled and characterized in terms of mineralogy and PTE geochemistry. Field measurements of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water content, and hydrophobicity were performed. Afterwards, the hydrogeochemistry of leachates was determined, and the soil leaching potential was evaluated. The research outcomes express substantial differences regarding the hydropedological zones: development of different soil profiles, diverse mineralogy and PTE geochemistry, higher unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and leaching of major ions, and PTEs in soils affected by coal mining activities. Finally, a Principal Component Analysis confirmed the existence of significant contrasts according to hydropedological zoning.
Arya vanAlin, Melissa K. Corbett, Homayoun Fathollahzadeh
et al.
Abstract Microbial attachment and biofilm formation is a ubiquitous behaviour of microorganisms and is the most crucial prerequisite of contact bioleaching. Monazite and xenotime are two commercially exploitable minerals containing rare earth elements (REEs). Bioleaching using phosphate solubilizing microorganisms is a green biotechnological approach for the extraction of REEs. In this study, microbial attachment and biofilm formation of Klebsiella aerogenes ATCC 13048 on the surface of these minerals were investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In a batch culture system, K. aerogenes was able to attach and form biofilms on the surface of three phosphate minerals. The microscopy records showed three distinctive stages of biofilm development for K. aerogenes commencing with initial attachment to the surface occurring in the first minutes of microbial inoculation. This was followed by colonization of the surface and formation of a mature biofilm as the second distinguishable stage, with progression to dispersion as the final stage. The biofilm had a thin‐layer structure. The colonization and biofilm formation were localized toward physical surface imperfections such as cracks, pits, grooves and dents. In comparison to monazite and xenotime crystals, a higher proportion of the surface of the high‐grade monazite ore was covered by biofilm which could be due to its higher surface roughness. No selective attachment or colonization toward specific mineralogy or chemical composition of the minerals was detected. Finally, in contrast to abiotic leaching of control samples, microbial activity resulted in extensive microbial erosion on the high‐grade monazite ore.
<p>Passive seismic analyses are a key technology for the exploration and monitoring of subsurface reservoirs. Searching for alternative resources in the
framework of the energy transition is creating a surge for identifying as many potential sites as possible suitable for geothermal exploitation. The
Lower Rhine Embayment, at the western border of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, is an extensional system with a very high potential for
geothermal exploitation. The area experiences moderate but continuous natural seismicity. Here, we report on a passive seismic dataset recorded with
48 seismic stations centred at and around Eschweiler–Weisweiler (<a href="https://doi.org/10.14470/MO7576467356">https://doi.org/10.14470/MO7576467356</a>, Finger et al., 2022). Background seismic noise levels are high at this site due to high levels of
anthropogenic noise and thick unconsolidated sedimentary layers. The final station layout is a compromise between targeted network design and
suitably quiet locations. We show that the network design allows for the application of state-of-the-art methods including waveform-based source
location methods and ambient-noise velocity imaging methods.</p>
Proterozoic clastic sediments reveal vast information regarding provenance, depositional conditions, and environmental evolutions. Peninsular India comprising Archean cratons, also have numerous intracratonic Proterozoic sedimentary basins along their margins. The Archean Dharwar Craton in southern India has many Proterozoic successions, namely Cuddapah, Kurnool towards the East, and Kaladgi, Badami, and Bhima towards the northern margin. The Paleoproterozoic Kaladgi Basin (∼1.85 Ga) consists of siliciclastic sedimentary rocks with stromatolitic carbonate formations. XRD analysis of shale layers of the Lower Lokapur and Upper Simikere subgroups have been carried out to understand the primary clay mineral assemblages, weathering history, and provenance. The Lower and Upper shale layers of Lokapur and Simikere subgroups show a dominance of montmorillonite and kaolinite, respectively. The geochemical affinities and the clay mineral assemblages indicate a more mafic source to the lower shales (Manoli and Hebbal formations) and increased felsic contribution to the upper shales (Govindakoppa and Daddanhatti formations). Illite is ubiquitous in all the shales of the Kaladgi Supergroup possibly representing the diagenetic transformation of montmorillonite and kaolinite to illite. Geochemical modeling of provenance has been carried out using (Eu/Eu*)N, (La/Yb)N, (Gd/Yb)N, and (La/Sm)N of all the plausible source rocks and the average compositions of lower and upper shales. The modeling results suggest that the lower shales are derived from a source of mafic rocks – 45 %, K-rich granite – 35 %, and TTG – 20 %. While the upper shales are derived from source characterized by K-rich granites – 61 % and intermediate volcanic rocks – 39 %. These results signify the classical unroofing of TTG-greenstone belts exposing K-rich granites with the progression of sedimentation. Further, a good correlation between K-enrichment (a measure of % difference between CIA and pre-metasomatic CIA) and ƩLREE is attributed to the abundance of kaolinites that fractionate more LREE.
The process mineralogy of a low-grade refractory phosphate ore in Sichuan Province was studied by means of chemical analysis, microscopic identification, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrometry analysis. The ore minerals are mainly composed of colloidal apatite, fine-grained dolomite and quartz, and contain a small amount of pyrite, limonite, hydromica, carbon and so on. The contents of P2O5, MgO and SiO2 in the samples are 17.54%, 6.83% and 18.36%. The results of the study show that the phosphate concentrate cannot be obtained by single reverse flotation process, and high-quality phosphate concentrate can be obtained by either forward-reverse flotation or x-ray separation.
<p>The transition processes from monogenetic volcanoes to composite volcanoes
are poorly understood. The Late Pleistocene to Holocene intraplate
monogenetic Wulanhada Volcanic Field (WVF) in northern China provides a
snapshot of such a transition. Here we present petrographic observations,
mineral chemistry, bulk rock major and trace element data, thermobarometry,
and a partial melting model for the WVF to evaluate the lithology and partial
melting degree of the mantle source, the crystallization conditions, and
pre-eruptive magmatic processes occurring within the magma plumbing system.
The far-field effect of India–Eurasia collision resulted in a relatively high
degree (10 %–20 %) of partial melting of a carbonate-bearing eclogite
(<span class="inline-formula">∼</span> 3 wt % carbonate; <span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M2" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow class="chem"><mi mathvariant="normal">Gt</mi><mo>/</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">Cpx</mi></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="39pt" height="14pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="6d987f0f6aa22702d8bbc57853ebbde3"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="ejm-34-469-2022-ie00001.svg" width="39pt" height="14pt" src="ejm-34-469-2022-ie00001.png"/></svg:svg></span></span> <span class="inline-formula">≈</span> 2 : 8, where Gt denotes garnet and Cpx denotes clinopyroxene) followed
by interaction with ambient peridotite. The primary melts ascended to the
depth of the Moho (<span class="inline-formula">∼</span> 33–36 km depth), crystallized olivine,
clinopyroxene and plagioclase at the temperature of 1100–1160 <span class="inline-formula"><sup>∘</sup></span>C
with the melt water contents of 1.1 wt %–2.3 wt %. Part of the primary melt
interacted with the lithospheric mantle during ascent, resulting in an
increase in the MgO contents and a decrease in the alkaline contents. The
modified magma was subsequently directly emplaced into the middle crust
(<span class="inline-formula">∼</span> 23–26 km depth) and crystallized olivine, clinopyroxene and
plagioclase at the temperature of 1100–1160 <span class="inline-formula"><sup>∘</sup></span>C. The primary melts
from the same mantle sources migrated upward to the two-level magma
reservoirs to form minerals with complex textures (including reverse and
oscillatory zoning and sieve texture). Magma erupted along the NE–SW-striking basement fault and the NW–SE-striking Wulanhada–Gaowusu fault in
response to the combined effects of regional tectonic stress and magma
replenishment. The crustal magma reservoir in the WVF may represent a snapshot
of the transition from monogenetic volcanoes to composite volcanoes. It is
possible to form a composite volcano with large magma volumes and complex
compositions if the magma is continuously supplied from the source and
experiences assimilation and fractional crystallization processes in the
magma plumbing system at crustal depth.</p>
Six novel quaternary ammonium derivatives of 4-pyrrolidino pyridine were prepared and isolated via a facile one-pot synthesis and a simple purification procedure. The purity and the molecular structure of the 4-pyrrolidino pyridine derivatives were confirmed with <sup>1</sup>H and <sup>13</sup>C NMR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The crystal structures of the compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) and their thermal properties were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The antibacterial properties of the title compounds against five bacterial strains were evaluated using Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic or orthorhombic crystal systems (space groups: <i>P</i>2<sub>1</sub>/<i>c</i>, <i>P</i>2<sub>1</sub>/<i>n,</i> or <i>P</i>2<sub>1</sub>2<sub>1</sub>2<sub>1</sub>) and their crystal structures are stabilized by a combination of intra- and intermolecular halogen bonding interactions, short contacts and π-π interactions. Above interactions, they contribute to the thermal stability and lack of phase transition effects up to 350 °C. Two of the compounds possess antibacterial effect against <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> or <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> bacterial strains—similar or better than the kanamycin reference.
Vera Khojaewa, Oleg Lopatin, Pavel Zelenikhin
et al.
Natural and synthetic zeolites have many applications in biomedicine and nutrition. Due to its properties, zeolites can absorb therapeutically active proteins and release them under physiological conditions. In this study we tested the clinoptilolite, chabazite, and natrolite ability to be loaded by antitumor ribonuclease binase and the cytotoxicity of the obtained complexes. We found the optimal conditions for binase loading into zeolites and established the dynamic of its release. Cytotoxic effects of zeolite-binase complexes toward colorectal cancer Caco2 cells were characterized after 24 and 48 h of incubation with cells using MTT-test. Zeolites were toxic by itselfs and reduced cells viability by 30% (clinoptilolite), 40% (chabazite), and 70% (natrolite) after 48 h of incubation. Binase complexes with clinoptilolite as well as chabazite always demonstrated enhanced toxicity (up to 57 and 60% for clinoptilolite and chabazite, respectively) in comparison with binase and zeolites separately. Our results contribute to the perspective development of binase-based complexes for therapy of colorectal cancer for or the treatment of malignant skin neoplasms where the complexes can be used in pasty form.
The article presents the results of preliminary geochemical and mineralogical studies of technogenic soils (Technosols) of abandoned iron ore mines on the Ławęczna Hill near Miedziana Góra in the Holy Cross (Świętokrzyskie) Mountains, southcentral Poland. The results of chemical analyses (XRF) were used to calculate the soil enrichment factors of arsenic, copper, iron, lead and zinc, and compare the element concentrations to their levels in uncontaminated soils across Poland and in the city of Kielce. The highest values of soil enrichment factors of metals (As 27.699, Ni 26.455, Cu 9.353, Zn 3.344, Pb 0.62) were recorded for the sand fraction composed of iron oxyhydroxides and hematite, whereas the lowest (Ni 0.22, Cu 0.069, Zn 0.007, Pb 0.028) for the clay–silt and sand fractions, which were primarily composed of calcite and quartz as well as for gravel fraction. The clay-silt fraction shows the highest enrichment in arsenic (27.69). The examined metals and arsenic show positive geochemical anomalies.