Articles tagged with Minerals
Researchers at PNNL have developed a simple, water-based solution to separate and purify rare earth elements from e-waste. The new process uses the unique properties of metals to form solids at different rates, resulting in nearly pure minerals recovered in hours rather than days.
Scientists used lithium isotope data to show that continental clay export promoted organic carbon burial and thus atmospheric oxygenation during the Cambrian period. This finding challenges traditional views on marine oxygen levels during this time, suggesting a complex interplay between oceanic and atmospheric processes.
Research sheds light on how concentrations of metals used in renewable energy technologies can be transported from deep within the Earth's interior mantle by low temperature, carbon-rich melts. Carbonate melts effectively dissolve and transport base metals, precious metals, and oxidised sulfur.
A recent study from the University of Copenhagen found that the oldest Scandinavian bedrock originated in Greenland approximately 3.75 billion years ago. The discovery provides new insights into the formation of continents and the emergence of life on Earth, highlighting the importance of fixed continents for supporting life.
Researchers have discovered that produced water, often considered waste, contains nearly every element in the periodic table, including critical minerals like lithium and platinum group metals. A new approach using CO2 desalination can extract these valuable minerals, making it a lucrative means of offsetting reclamation costs.
Researchers found that streams with ample groundwater connections have greater microbial diversity and are more effective at preventing toxic metal entry. They also better detoxify existing metals.
A common mineral in red soils, goethite locks away trace metals over time, rendering them unavailable for plants and animals. The study found that up to 70% of nickel was non-recoverable and only 8% of cadmium was irreversibly bound.
Researchers studying oceanic transform faults have found a previously unknown part of the geological carbon cycle, revealing a potentially vast sink for CO2. The study's findings suggest that magmatic degassing and melt impregnation in these faults contribute significantly to global CO2 fluxes.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of complex microbial communities existing in ecosystems over 3 billion years ago, with a diverse carbon cycle involving various microorganisms. The study provides a rare glimpse into the Earth's early ecosystems and advances our understanding of ancient microbial ecosystems.
Living organisms produce minerals through a complex process involving pre-nucleation clusters, mobile water molecules, and dissolved hydroxide ions. The study provides a structural model for amorphous calcium carbonate and sheds light on the conductivity of ACC particles.
Researchers at TU Wien discovered that feldspar's unique surface geometry provides the perfect anchoring point for water molecules, enabling efficient cloud formation. The hydroxyl layer formed on the feldspar surface allows water molecules to stick and freeze, forming clouds.
New research reveals signs before a volcano erupts after tens of thousands of years of dormancy, including changes in magma composition and crystal formation. The study found that water-rich recharge magmas played a key role in triggering explosive eruptions, with amphibole being a critical indicator.
A clay mineral called smectite, formed through plate tectonics, efficiently traps organic carbon and could help buffer global warming. Smectite's accordion-textured folds effectively trap dead organisms, preventing them from being consumed by microbes.
Researchers uncover 10 new trilobite species in Thai sanctuary, shedding light on Cambrian-Ordovician period and connecting Thailand to parts of Australia. The discovery helps date the age of fossils and better understand global geography.
Researchers used seismic data to locate and identify a thin layer of molten silicates overlying Mars' metallic core. The discovery reveals a denser and smaller Martian core, aligning with other geophysical data and analysis of Martian meteorites. This finding provides new insights into how Mars formed, evolved, and became a barren planet.
A team of scientists and philosophers identifies a new law of nature that governs the evolution of complex systems, including plants, animals, stars, and minerals. The law states that complex systems evolve to states of greater patterning, diversity, and complexity, regardless of whether they are living or nonliving.
Researchers will track how key minerals form in a watershed to build a fuller picture of the processes that allow soil to store carbon as organic matter. Understanding these mechanisms can help develop practices and incentives for a carbon market economy, potentially harnessing Earth's natural mechanisms to combat climate change.
Researchers employed laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy to analyze gemstones from the Arabian-Nubian Shield. The study distinguished natural gems from synthetics and isolated elements contributing to their quality, shedding light on ancient trade routes.
Scientists have discovered ancient ocean water trapped in mineral deposits in the Himalayas, providing insights into Earth's past climate and oxygen levels. The deposits suggest that slow-growing cyanobacteria may have triggered a major oxygenation event around 700-500 million years ago.
A team of Swiss robots, including legged ANYmal and wheeled robots, is sent to explore a challenging terrain, showcasing the benefits of redundancy and specialization. The robots work together to detect minerals and identify rocks, with semi-autonomous capabilities for direct task assignment.
Researchers found tiny salt crystals in an asteroid sample, indicating the presence of liquid water. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that ordinary chondrite asteroids lack hydrated minerals.
A previously unidentified marine reptile fossil from Svalbard has been classified using X-ray analysis, providing unique insights into ancient life in the Norwegian archipelago. The study's findings suggest that fossils from this formation are particularly well-suited for radiographic imaging due to the presence of sulfur minerals.
New research from Rice University suggests that ancient microorganisms helped cause massive volcanic events by facilitating the precipitation of minerals in banded iron formations. The study provides insight into processes that could produce habitable exoplanets and reframes scientists' understanding of Earth's early history.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that coal can act as a geological hydrogen battery, storing hydrogen for future use. The team found that coal's unique structure and properties make it an ideal material for hydrogen storage, with low-volatile bituminous coal performing best in tests.
A machine learning model uses patterns in mineral associations to predict previously unknown mineral occurrences, including geologically important minerals like uraninite and rutherfordine. The model also identified promising areas for critical rare earth element and lithium minerals.
A study from Smithsonian researchers deepens understanding of Earth's crust by testing and eliminating the garnet hypothesis about why continental crust is lower in iron and more oxidized. The findings suggest that intense heat and pressure cannot produce the necessary conditions for garnet formation, contradicting a popular explanation.
A study by University of Cologne researchers found that 25-35% of permafrost's organic carbon is bound to mineral particles, making it harder for microorganisms to utilize. This complex binding process affects the release of greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost.
A team of scientists, led by University of South Florida professor Matthew Pasek, discovered a new phosphorus material in a fulgurite created by a lightning strike. The material is transitional between space minerals and those found on Earth, and its formation could have implications for our understanding of high-energy events.
The West Virginia University researchers will develop and advance a pioneering method to extract and separate rare earth elements from acid mine drainage and coal waste with the new funding. The project aims to create employment in regions of West Virginia impacted by the US transition away from fossil fuels.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are developing a new mining technology that uses CO2 to weaken rock containing critical minerals, reducing energy needed for mining. The goal is to make mining carbon negative by storing more carbon than produced.
QUT researchers have solved a long-held geological conundrum about how diamonds formed in the deep roots of the earth's ancient continents. The study used computer modeling on an ancient rock sample to determine that diamonds are rare today and were always rare, challenging the existing explanation.
Researchers found that mineral-organic carbon preservation slowed down decomposition, allowing atmospheric oxygen levels to increase unhindered. This process enabled complex life forms to evolve and ultimately led to the development of intelligent life on Earth.
The 57th annual meeting of the Geological Society of America's South-Central Section will take place in Oklahoma, USA, from March 13-14. The event features a diverse program covering various geologic disciplines and includes environmental-related sessions on topics such as hydrogeology and unconventional resources.
A new review reveals that environments beyond greenspaces and bluespaces, such as caves, deserts, and glaciers, have potential health benefits. Short-term exposure to solid-state water landscapes showed little evidence of benefits, while longer-term exposure led to improved emotional states, medical treatments for allergies, and physic...
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have synthesized cerianite, a rare earth mineral with antioxidant properties, using an environmentally friendly method. The study provides new insights into the occurrence and behavior of cerianite in natural deposits and expands knowledge on REE synthesis.
Researchers used materials science to analyze microcalcifications in breast tissue, revealing groups that reflect tissue type and malignancy. The study also found variations in mineral composition and trace metals in malignant calcifications.
Researchers warn that deep-sea mining near hydrothermal vents in the Okinawa Trough could harm species hundreds of kilometers away due to interconnected ecosystems. Key vents should be protected for conservation, with some vent sites identified as crucial hubs for maintaining connectivity.
Researchers studied lithospheric fluids billions of years ago to infer the presence of metals that could have supported life. Manganese was found to be a likely candidate, while copper was not detected in high concentrations. The study provides new insights into the origin of life and will inform future experiments.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have explained the distribution of potassium ions on mica surfaces using an atomic force microscope in ultra-high vacuum. The study reveals tiny patterns of ion arrangement, which could improve electronic circuit performance and make mica a suitable insulator for 2D materials.
Researchers utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to observe dense interstellar clouds, revealing a treasure trove of pristine ices from the early universe. The study provides new insights into chemical processes in one of the coldest places in the universe, offering clues on molecular origins and sulfur storage.
The Martian meteorite Tissint has revealed a rich inventory of organic compounds, offering insights into Mars' habitability. The study, published in Science Advances, discovered an unprecedented diversity of organic molecules, including magnesium compounds not previously seen on the planet.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis found that manganese oxides can be formed without atmospheric oxygen under Mars-like conditions. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, used kinetic modeling to show that halogens like chlorate and bromate can convert manganese into minerals thousands of times faster than by oxygen.
A new study suggests that an orbiting space probe could provide definitive answers about the presence of life on Enceladus' ocean. The team mapped out how a hypothetical mission could gather data from the moon's plumes, which are thought to contain organic molecules and methane.
A team of researchers suggests a global mineral supply agreement to ensure green energy infrastructure development. The US, with its current metal shortage, particularly relies on China for mineral supplies, which could hinder the green transition.
University of Central Florida researchers have discovered a method that uses microwaves to melt lunar soil, coupled with beneficiation technology, may be the best option for building safe and economical lunar landing pads. This approach could increase microwave absorption by up to 80% using magnetic fields, making it more energy-effici...
A gold coin long dismissed as a forgery appears to be authentic and depicts Emperor Sponsian, who ruled Roman Dacia during civil wars. The study used scientific analysis to confirm the coin's authenticity, shedding light on Sponsian's history.
Researchers estimate that opening protected areas to mining would lead to the destruction of 183 km² of forest and further loss of 7,626 km² due to infrastructure construction. The study highlights the need for strategic planning and environmental impact assessments before making changes to conservation policies.
A joint study by TAU and Hebrew University accurately dated 21 destruction layers at 17 archaeological sites in Israel, using geomagnetic field reconstruction. The new data verify Biblical accounts of Egyptian, Aramean, Assyrian, and Babylonian military campaigns against the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
A team of researchers led by Goethe University Frankfurt analyzed a diamond from Botswana, revealing significant amounts of water stored in the transition zone. The discovery has far-reaching consequences for the dynamic situation inside the Earth, potentially altering global material circulation.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin created synthetic rocks to study rare earth element formation. The study reveals that fluids containing REEs replace common limestone via complex reactions, shedding light on the mechanisms of rock formation and industrial separation processes.
A team of researchers has discovered 1.2-billion-year-old groundwater containing radiogenic helium, neon, and xenon, which could sustain subsurface microbial communities. The study reveals how energy stored in the Earth's subsurface can be released and distributed through its crust.
Curtin researchers have found evidence of an almost four billion-year-old piece of the Earth's crust beneath Western Australia. The discovery was made by firing lasers at tiny grains of a mineral extracted from beach sand, revealing its geological history and influencing the region's evolution.
Researchers at The University of Queensland have discovered a method to date calcite trapped in ancient ocean floors, which could aid in sourcing critical minerals for electric cars and solar panels. This breakthrough could help meet the growing demand for renewable energy technologies.
A study published in Cell Reports Physical Sciences has measured the physical limits for liquid water in icy extraterrestrial worlds. The results show that cold, salty liquids can remain liquid at much cooler temperatures than previously thought, extending the range of possible habitats on icy moons.
A massive volcanic eruption at the end of the Triassic period caused a global cooling effect, leading to the mass extinction. The event paved the way for the rise of dinosaurs as their natural predators went extinct.
Researchers used geochemical data from 225 hot springs to create a detailed map of the boundary between the Indian and Asian continental plates, revealing processes occurring deep below the surface. The findings suggest that an old theory about the flat position of the Indian plate beneath Tibet is no longer tenable.
Scientists propose a new mechanism by which oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere, shifting the planet out of its low-oxygen equilibrium. Interactions between certain marine microbes and minerals in ocean sediments may have prevented oxygen consumption, setting off a self-amplifying process.
The Bushveld Complex functioned as a gigantic magma body, with a column of melt likely several km thick, contradicting the prevailing theory of non-existent large, long-lived and largely molten magma chambers. This discovery was made possible by 3D high-resolution X-ray computed tomography studies of chromitite.
Researchers have measured deformation of mineral davemaoite under conditions inside the Earth's mantle, finding it to be surprisingly soft. This discovery challenges previous ideas about subducting slabs in the lower mantle, suggesting a detachment of crust from the underlying plate can occur.
Researchers have discovered a surprisingly soft mineral, davemaoite, that plays a crucial role in the Earth's recycling of rocks. The study suggests that davemaoite is around 1,000 times softer than other minerals in the mantle, and its mechanical properties can help explain how earthquakes and volcanoes occur.