Multichannel reflectance spectral assaying of zinc and copper flotation slurries

This article extends the earlier work (Haavisto et al. 2008. Optical spectrum based measurement of flotation slurry contents. Int. J. Miner. Process. 88 (3–4), 80–88), where visible and near-infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectroscopy was used together with an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to improve the assaying of zinc flotation concentrate. Especially the sampling interval of the assay could be drastically reduced by the presented approach. In this study, a multichannel VNIR spectrum analyzer is utilized to measure the spectrum of the seven most important slurry lines in copper and zinc flotation circuits. Recursive data-based modeling is applied to the VNIR spectrum data and XRF assays to calculate and adaptively maintain the calibration model. The accuracy of the VNIR assays is evaluated in all the lines, and the benefits of the obtained high frequency assays in detecting oscillations and sudden grade changes are demonstrated.     

The dependence of organohalogen compound concentrations on herring age and size in the Bothnian Sea, northern Baltic

The concentrations and composition profiles of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated naphthalenes were determined in herring individuals collected from the commercial catches of the Bothnian Sea, northern Baltic. The median age of herring was 5.0 years and in the muscle the median toxic equivalent concentration of PCDD/Fs was 5.6 WHO(PCDD/F)-TEQ pg/g fresh weight (fw) and that of PCBs 2.7 WHO(PCB)-TEQ pg/g fw. The median sum concentration of PBDEs was 1.4 ng/g fw and that of PCNs 0.1 ng/g fw. Differences in age-dependent accumulation between the organohalogen groups and individual congeners were major. In the Bothnian Sea the content of organohalogen compounds in herring is obviously elevated due to the availability and large proportion of Mysis crustaceans in their diet. More intensive fishing could reduce the concentrations of organohalogens, including the abundant, accumulative and toxic 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF congener in the Baltic herring catch.     

Synthesis and properties of ammoniojarosites prepared with iron-oxidizing acidophilic microorganisms at 22-65 °C

Ammoniojarosite [(NH₄,H₃O)Fe₃(OH)₆(SO₄)₂], a poorly soluble basic ferric sulfate, was produced by microbiological oxidation of ferrous sulfate at pH 2.0-3.0 over a range of concentrations (5.4-805 mM) and temperatures (22-65 °C). Ammoniojarosites were also produced by chemical (abiotic) procedures in parallel thermal (36-95 °C) experiments. At 36 °C, schwertmannite [ideally Fe₈O₈(OH)₆(SO₄)] was the only solid product formed at <10 mM concentrations. Between 11.5 and 85.4 mM , a mixed product of ammoniojarosite and schwertmannite precipitated, as identified by X-ray diffraction. In excess of 165 mM , ammoniojarosite was the only solid phase produced. An increase in the incubation temperature using thermoacidophiles at 45 and 65 °C accelerated the formation of ammoniojarosite in culture solutions containing 165 mM . Both the biogenic and chemical ammoniojarosites were yellow (2Y-4Y in Munsell hue), low surface area (<1 m²/g), well crystalline materials with average c_o and a_o unit cell parameters of 17.467 ± 0.048 Å and 7.330 ± 0.006 Å, respectively. Strong positive correlations were observed between unit cell axial ratios (c_o/a_o) and increasing synthesis temperature in both biotic and abiotic systems. All samples were N deficient compared to stoichiometric ammoniojarosite, and both chemical and X-ray data indicated partial replacement of by H₃O⁺ to form solid solutions with 0.14-0.24 mole H₃O⁺ per formula unit. The morphology of the biogenic jarosites included aggregated discs, pseudo-cubic crystals and botryoidal particles, whereas the chemical specimens prepared at 36-95 °C were composed of irregular crystals with angular edges. Morphological information may thus be useful to evaluate environmental parameters and mode of formation. The data may also have application in predicting phase boundary conditions for Fe(III) precipitation in biogeochemical processes and treatment systems involving acid sulfate waters.     

Ten major rivers in monsoon Asia-Pacific: An assessment of vulnerability

An assessment of socioeconomic-environmental vulnerability of the ten major river basins in the Monsoon Asia-Pacific region was performed. The rivers include Indus, Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM), Irrawaddy, Salween, Chao Phraya, Mekong, Red River, Pearl River, Yangtze and Yellow River. The study looked at a combination of various issues, usually investigated in isolation from each other, on a sub-continental scale by using the river basins as the geographical entities for the study. The analysis was conducted by using various geospatial databases including data on nature and environment, demography, governance, water scarcity as well as social and economic development. A vulnerability profile for each of the river basins was produced by using two different approaches. We found that the South Asian basins (Indus and GBM) appeared essentially more vulnerable than the other investigated basins. The other basins are roughly at the same vulnerability level, but their vulnerability profiles differ substantially. The Chinese basins and the Red River are particularly vulnerable to environmental factors. The weak points of Irrawaddy and Salween are in the hazards and economic development, whereas the former is a challenge to Mekong as well. Only Indus and Yellow River suffer from considerable water scarcity. The other basins except GBM are relatively well-off with the social matters. A transparent and pragmatic river basin vulnerability assessment approach was developed, which can be used in any large river basin of the world, producing intercomparable results. The approach allows further decoupling of the used indices in the case of more specific and targeted analyses without losing the comparability of the overall results.     

Asteroid lightcurve phase shift from rough‐surface shadowing

We have simulated asteroid lightcurves for simple shape models using a realistic surface scattering law. The scattering law includes a shadowing function computed with numerical ray‐tracing. We computed lightcurves in a variety of illumination geometries for both the traditional Lommel–Seeliger law and our seminumerical law. We observe a shift in the rotational phase of the lightcurves, which depends on the parameters of the scattering law as well as the illumination geometry and the direction of the spin axis of the asteroid. This phase shift is always zero at opposition, and can be as large as 10° for illumination geometries typical for Main Belt asteroids. The phase shift has implications on the accuracy of other results which are based on asteroid lightcurve analysis, such as spin‐state or shape determination.     

The age of mid-proterozoic phosphatic metasediments in Finland as indicated by radiometric UPb dates

Two uranium-bearing phosphatic metasedimentary occurrences at Lampinsaari, Vihanti and Temo, Nilsiä, in Finland have been dated by isotopic UPb analyses of whole rock samples to be 1876±2 Ma old. The dates reflect the time of the Svecokarelian regional metamorphism in high amphibolite facies. An analysis of a uranium thucolite from the deposit at Nuottijärvi, Paltamo, that was metamorphosed in intermediate greenschist facies gives a date of 1897±7 Ma, suggesting that the phosphatic sedimentation had occurred before that time. An upper time limit for the sedimentation is set by a previous date of 2080±45 Ma, which was obtained from a banded iron one formation. The absence of thorium in the deposits suggests a marine environment of deposition.     

Sediment-related impacts due to upstream reservoir trapping, the Lower Mekong River

A sharp decrease in total suspended solids (TSS) concentration has occurred in the Mekong River after the closure of the Manwan Dam in China in 1993, the first of a planned cascade of eight dams. This paper describes the upstream developments on the Mekong River, concentrating on the effects of hydropower dams and reservoirs. The reservoir-related changes in total suspended solids, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), and hydrology have been analyzed, and the impacts of such possible changes on the Lower Mekong Basin discussed. The theoretical trapping efficiency of the proposed dams has been computed and the amount of sediment to be trapped in the reservoirs estimated. The reservoir trapping of sediments and the changing of natural flow patterns will impact the countries downstream in this international river basin. Both positive and negative possible effects of such impacts have been reviewed, based on the available data from the Mekong and studies on other basins.     

Confronting the social debate: A study of the distribution of Russian recreational properties in Eastern Finland

Transborder property ownership is a growing trend in different parts of the world. In Finland, Russians make up the biggest group of foreign buyers. The article examines Russian recreational property purchases in Eastern Finland, where South Savo Region is subject to the heaviest flow of Russian purchasers. Russian purchases of second homes have been the subject of a broad social debate dominated by negative attitudes towards the phenomenon. Fears of place change and displacement have been among the main concerns. The authors reveal how arguments presented in the social debate on Russian ownership correspond to the distribution of Russian properties in South Savo. Statistics for the period 2003–2012 and GIS methods were used to analyse the distribution and density of Russian recreational properties in the region. Statistical modelling uncovered some factors that affected the location of the properties. The findings indicate that the arguments presented within the social debate have only partially derived from the distribution patterns of Russian properties. The authors conclude that a combination of factors, including distances from the border and services as well as preferences for waterside locations, have influenced the choice of location of Russian properties and led to concentrations in certain areas.