Articles tagged with Minerals
Researchers have discovered that microorganisms actively contribute to mineral formation on the ocean floor, using compounds such as sulfate and sulfur to promote pyrite formation. The study reveals a complex interplay between biological and geological processes at the ocean floor.
Researchers analysed stone blocks and bricks from the Dutch East India Company's ship Batavia, revealing the materials came from at least two different quarry areas in what is now Germany. The study used advanced geochemical techniques to trace the origin of the cargo, uncovering hidden details about global trade routes.
A University of Michigan study finds that North America has sufficient rare earth element deposits to support a domestic supply chain, but most are of lower quality than those in China and Australia. The US could prioritize light rare earth elements and cooperate with Canada on heavy ones.
A new study presents a greener way to make slow-release fertilizers that reduce nutrient loss and improve crop growth. The tea-based fertilizer, made with iron nanoparticles, biochar, and biodegradable materials, slows down nutrient release, retains soil moisture, and improves fertilizer efficiency.
A new study reveals that ancient Britons likely transported the Altar Stone of Stonehenge 700km across challenging terrain, requiring careful planning and coordination. The research uses mineral grain dating and ice-sheet modeling to confirm human transport over natural Ice Age processes.
The FutuRaM project mapped Europe's 'urban mine', revealing a vast reservoir of metals and minerals essential for clean energy, digital technologies, and modern industry. By 2050, recovery systems could enable the EU to recover between 4.1 and 5.7 million tonnes of critical raw materials annually.
A Umea University study finds that ice actively accelerates the dissolution of iron minerals, potentially releasing more iron than current environmental models account for. This could have significant cascading effects on ecosystems, particularly in polar and mountain regions.
False-negative results may lead to overlooking environments that could harbor life beyond current detection capabilities. Researchers emphasize the need for targeted research strategies, combining laboratory experiments with modeling research and fieldwork to address these risks.
The University of Utah is launching a groundbreaking testbed, SMART, to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies in rare earth elements. The initiative aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and address the nation's growing need for critical minerals.
The University of Utah and National Laboratory of the Rockies have signed a three-year MOU to strengthen the US energy system. The partnership enables research on urgent national security and energy priorities, including water security, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing.
Researchers analyzed battery development in electric vehicles over 15 years, finding that market innovation can quickly address material shortages and price increases. The study suggests individual materials may not be as critical to the energy transition as previously thought.
Wiley has released additional data to its IR and Raman spectral libraries, significantly broadening compound coverage. The new release includes mineral spectra from the American Museum of Natural History, supporting researchers in making informed scientific decisions.
Research reveals strong global link between ancient subduction zones and formation of rare earth element deposits and carbonatites. Ancient tectonic processes are critical to locating economically viable rare mineral deposits.
A new study reveals a innovative fertilizer technology that combines biochar, natural polymers, and green-synthesized iron nanoparticles to release nutrients only when plants need them. The results show significant improvements in soil health and reduced environmental impacts.
A comprehensive systematic review found that large-scale food fortification is a highly cost-effective intervention for reducing global malnutrition, with benefits far outweighing costs. The study analyzed 56 studies from 63 countries and found that fortification programs deliver substantial health benefits relative to costs.
A new study led by University of Liverpool scientists used advanced electron microscopy techniques to analyze olivine crystals. The research found that a significant proportion of the crystals showed evidence of 'b' dislocation slip, challenging previous understanding and improving our understanding of Earth's mantle deformation.
A University of Waterloo scientist and international collaborators found that airborne mineral dust promotes algae growth on the Greenland ice sheet, exacerbating melting. The study reveals that phosphorus in the dust fuels the growth of pigmented glacier algae.
A new method uses tiny crystals of zircon to study the past evolution of Australian landscapes, offering insights into how the environment responds to geological processes and climate change. The approach provides valuable information on the storage and reworking of sediments near the surface over millions of years.
Rice University researchers outline emerging solutions to make graphite production cleaner and more resilient, including synthetic graphite from renewable sources. The study emphasizes the critical role of graphite in energy storage technologies and the need for sustainable supply chain management.
A team of researchers has developed a 'bio-photovoltage soil-microbe battery' that uses sunlight energy to power the breakdown of antibiotic pollutants in the dark. The system, formed by common soil bacteria and iron minerals, captures and releases solar energy to trigger chemical reactions degrading antibiotics.
Researchers from Okayama University have identified a novel eukaryotic protein called radular teeth matrix protein 1 (RTMP1) that plays a crucial role in regulating iron oxide deposition in chiton teeth. The study reveals that RTMP1 helps concentrate iron ions on the chitin fibers, making them ultrahard and durable.
Scientists have identified two dozen types of minerals that reveal a dynamic history of volcanic rocks altered by liquid water on Mars. The findings support multiple episodes of habitability, with three distinct categories of minerals indicating different conditions favorable or unfavorable for life.
Researchers found genetic adaptations in response to micronutrient shortages and surpluses, particularly in regions with iodine-poor soils. The study provides insights into the impact of micronutrient availability on human evolution, highlighting potential vulnerabilities to deficiencies as climate change affects soil nutrient levels.
MIST uses a hierarchical, rules-based classification system grounded in verified mineral formulas from the RRUFF mineral database. It accurately identifies hundreds of different mineral species from their chemical composition, even accounting for natural imperfections and vacancies found in real minerals.
A new iron sulfate mineral has been identified on Mars, providing insight into the planet's early history. The discovery suggests that geothermal heat played a crucial role in shaping the Martian surface, with minerals forming under conditions of high temperature and oxygen presence.
Researchers from UK and Canada will study ways to reduce mining's environmental footprint and enhance efficiency across critical mineral value chains. The project aims to develop new geological models and exploration tools for rare earth element deposits, aiming to diversify the supply chain and ensure high environmental standards.
The proposed Global Minerals Trust would provide a cooperative framework for managing critical minerals, prioritizing environmental and social safeguards. It aims to replace the current competitive model with one rooted in transparency, justice, and long-term resilience.
Researchers discovered ferroelectric phenomena at a subatomic scale in Brownmillerite, overcoming collective atomic vibrations limitations. This property enables selective domain formation within tetrahedral layers when an electric field is applied.
Researchers at EPFL discovered that iron-rich hematite exhibits new spin physics, enabling signal processing at ultrahigh frequencies and allowing repeated encoding and storage of digital data. This breakthrough paves the way for a more efficient and sustainable approach to spintronics.
Research finds that pyrope garnet can retain up to 0.2 wt.% water, potentially dominating water transport via basaltic slabs into the lower mantle. The study also reveals strong pressure-temperature dependence of water solubility in pyrope garnet.
Scientists have discovered a planet with a comet-like tail, shedding surface minerals and evaporating away due to its close proximity to its star. The planet is estimated to disintegrate in about 1 million to 2 million years, leaving behind a long and dusty tail.
A new Princeton startup has developed a technology to boost minerals production from evaporation ponds, doubling the efficiency of lithium and nitrate extraction. The innovation uses a black disc with an anti-fouling coating to accelerate evaporation rates, alleviating the need for large-scale construction of new ponds.
A new study by Texas A&M University researchers has revealed insights into Mars' geological history and potential for ancient life. The team analyzed diverse volcanic rocks in the Jezero Crater, providing a window into the planet's distant past and signs of altered olivine.
The DS method demonstrates superior precision in measuring inter-mineral isotope fractionation, improving temperature determination results. The SSB method achieves sufficient precision but struggles with concentration matching, leading to potential discrepancies in δ26Mg data.
A new study by UMass Amherst hydrologists finds that lithium mining models significantly overestimate the amount of freshwater available in the Lithium Triangle. The research suggests that local communities, regulators, and the industry must work together to reduce water usage within sustainable limits. The study's findings have immedi...
The Expand Appalachia project aims to accelerate the identification and characterization of unconventional critical mineral resources throughout the region. The team will assess regional infrastructure, identify industries that could benefit from production, and develop strategies to boost economic growth and attract investment.
Researchers found that ancient glaciers carved deep into the Earth's crust, releasing key minerals that altered ocean chemistry. This process created conditions that allowed complex life to evolve, with the influx of elements changing ocean chemistry at a critical time in evolution.
New analysis of spacecraft observations and laboratory techniques reveals that Mars's red colour is better matched by ferrihydrite, an iron oxide containing water. This discovery transforms our understanding of why Mars is red and suggests that the planet rusted earlier than previously thought.
Recycling lithium-ion batteries recovers critical metals, emitting less greenhouse gases and using significantly less water and energy than conventional mining. The study's findings suggest that recycling can help relieve supply insecurity and mitigate climate change by utilizing existing battery sources.
Researchers gained insight into the early history of the solar system through well-preserved asteroid samples. The analysis revealed a variety of salts, including sodium carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, and chlorides, which formed from evaporation of brines. These findings may provide clues about the presence of life on distant icy b...
Scientists have discovered complex structures and compounds in asteroid Bennu samples that suggest extraterrestrial brines played a crucial role in the development of organic compounds. The findings indicate that similar brines may still exist on other asteroids and dwarf planets, holding secrets to understanding life's origins.
The Bennu samples contain amino acids and nucleobases, building blocks for proteins, as well as ammonia, which can react to form complex molecules under the right conditions. These findings suggest that the conditions necessary for life were widespread across the early solar system, increasing the odds of life existing elsewhere.
The study analyzed material from asteroid Bennu, finding evidence of building blocks of life, water, and energy. The team also discovered evaporites, which have been found on Earth in dried-out salt lakes, providing insights into the asteroid's formation.
Researchers used Re–Os dating to uncover the timing of Japan's geological history, revealing key insights into the region's evolution. The study focused on Besshi-type VMS deposits, which provided precise markers for the timing of subduction and ridge subduction beneath Japanese Islands.
A three-year project aims to proactively ensure circularity of solar panels by providing solutions to barriers throughout the supply chain. The team will develop reverse logistics models and next-generation data-driven supply chains for recycling solar panels and reusing critical materials like silicon and silver.
Researchers from Göttingen University and Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research discovered the Moon formed from material ejected from the Earth's mantle. The findings support the idea that water reached Earth early in its development, contrary to the prevailing assumption of late impacts.
Kevin Rosso, a senior scientist at PNNL, has been recognized as a Battelle Fellow for his exceptional contributions to Earth and space science. He leads research on the role of minerals in energy storage and release, with applications in geothermal energy systems.
Researchers are using cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and geophysical techniques to improve mine planning, predict slope behavior, and prioritize worker safety. The goal is to fundamentally change how mines are planned and operated, making them more sustainable and productive.
Researchers at University of Maryland have discovered that the South Pole-Aitken basin, the moon's oldest and largest visible crater, is more circular than previously believed. The team used high-resolution data to analyze mountain formations around the basin, revealing a rounder shape indicating a more vertical impact angle.
Researchers have discovered preserved biosignatures in volcanic caves, including calcium and sodium sulfates, indicating past microbial activity. This finding highlights lava tubes as potential refuges for microbial life, shedding light on the search for extraterrestrial life on Mars.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a library of basalt-based spectral signatures to help identify the presence of water on exoplanets. By analyzing small spectral differences between basalt samples, scientists can determine if an exoplanet once had running surface water or water in its interior.
A Virginia Tech-led team is searching for signs of dark matter in billion-year-old rocks. By analyzing crystal lattice structures, they aim to uncover miniature trails of destruction left by long-ago dark matter interactions.
Researchers confirm Rottnest Island and Swan River geological histories through ancient mineral grains. The study offers insights into the coast's transformation over thousands of years and its future adaptations to rising sea levels.
A study by University of Michigan researcher Chris Emproto found that 94% of minerals are named after men, while just 2.8% are named after women. The researchers analyzed nearly 6,000 mineral names and found that growth in the proportion of women among new minerals named for people stalled decades ago.
Long-term treatment with the nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone is estimated to extend event-free survival by up to 3 years among people with heart failure. The FINEARTS-HF randomized clinical trial found this benefit in patients with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction.
Researchers propose that Mars' early thick atmosphere could have been locked up in the planet's clay surface due to slow chain reactions between rocks and gases. The clay is estimated to hold up to 80% of the initial, early atmosphere, potentially recovered and converted into propellant for future missions.
Researchers found inorganic nanostructures surrounding deep-ocean hydrothermal vents that mimic molecules essential for life. These structures can harness energy and convert it into electricity, sparking interest in applying this technology to industrial blue-energy harvesting.
A team of researchers discovered that a 'tag-team' between the oceans and continents led to severe environmental crises, causing mass extinctions of marine species. The study found that chemical weathering pulses disrupted the oceans, leading to anoxic events that had profound impacts on marine ecosystems.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired process to make marine sand more durable and resistant to erosion by applying a mild electric current. This natural cement reduces the need for expensive protection structures and provides a sustainable solution for strengthening global coastlines.
Seven rock samples collected along the fan front of Mars' Jezero Crater show evidence of minerals formed in water, suggesting a watery environment. While organic matter cannot be confirmed, these rocks may hold the key to finding remnants of ancient Martian life.