Field application of calcite Dispersed Alkaline Substrate (calcite-DAS) for passive treatment of acid mine drainage with high Al and metal concentrations

Passive treatment systems are widely used for remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD), but existing designs are prone to clogging or loss of reactivity due to Al- and Fe-precipitates when treating water with high Al and heavy metal concentrations. Dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS) mixed from a fine-grained alkaline reagent (e.g. calcite sand) and a coarse inert matrix (e.g. wood chips) had shown high reactivity and good hydraulic properties in previous laboratory column tests. In the present study, DAS was tested at pilot field scale in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain) on metal mine drainage with pH near 3.3, net acidity 1400–1650 mg/L as CaCO₃, and mean concentrations of 317 mg/L Fe (95% Fe(II)), 311 mg/L Zn, 74 mg/L Al, 20 mg/L Mn, and 1.5–0.1 mg/L Cu, Co, Ni, Cd, As and Pb. The DAS-tank removed an average of 870 mg/L net acidity as CaCO₃ (56% of inflow), 25% Fe, 93% Al, 5% Zn, 95% Cu, 99% As, 98% Pb, and 14% Cd, but no Mn, Ni or Co. Average gross drain pipe alkalinity was 181 mg/L as CaCO₃, which increased total Fe removal to 153 mg/L (48%) in subsequent sedimentation ponds. Unfortunately, the tank suffered clogging problems due to the formation of a hardpan of Al-rich precipitates. DAS lifetime could probably be increased by lowering Al-loads.     

Differences in the quality of polishing between sound and weathered granites

Aesthetic characteristics are important when rocks are used as construction materials. Among all the surface finishes available, the polished finish is the one which best enhances the rock attractiveness. Colour (C), roughness (R) and gloss (G) are surface properties usually used to assess the rock polishing. In this research, the CRG properties were assessed in polished samples of three ornamental granites with different textures and physical–mechanical properties, one weathered and two sound. C was evaluated in CIE-L ^* a ^* b ^* and CIE-L ^* C ^* _ab h _ab systems, R with R _a and R _z parameters and G using the 20°, 60° and 85° geometries. The weathered granite presents a noticeable colour variation, especially in the b ^* parameter, while the sound ones have a more homogeneous colour. Sound and more textural homogeneous granites have a low surface roughness and high gloss, which are uniformly distributed. The weathered granite shows a higher surface roughness and lower gloss, with scattered distribution. The mineral contacts are the main cause of the surface irregularities. The results show the interdependence between the CRG properties and stress the importance of the polishing process for enhancing the aesthetic characteristics of the granites. CRG properties could be used for quality control in granite processing plants, thus avoiding noticeable differences in the facades of buildings, particularly when weathered granites are used.     

Determination of Boron Concentration in Geochemical Reference Materials Extracted by Pyrohydrolysis and Measured by ICP‐MS

This article presents new boron concentrations for nine geochemical reference materials (GS‐N, FK‐N, GL‐O, BX‐N, DT‐N, AN‐G, GH, Mica‐Fe, Mica‐Mg). After extraction by a modified pyrohydrolysis technique, boron concentrations were measured by ICP‐MS. The blank levels for the whole procedure were 0.091 ± 0.020 ng ml^?1 or 14 ± 5 ng of boron in total. The method was first validated by measuring nine reference materials with known boron concentrations. The determined boron concentrations are all within the range of recommended or published values, which means that the yields were 100%, and show precisions below 10% for samples containing over 2 μg g^?1 of boron.     

Melt inclusion constraints on volatile systematics and degassing history of the 2014–2015 Holuhraun eruption,Iceland

The mass of volatiles emitted during volcanic eruptions is often estimated by comparing the volatile contents of undegassed melt inclusions, trapped in crystals at an early stage of magmatic evolution, with that of the degassed matrix glass. Here we present detailed characterisation of magmatic volatiles (H₂O, CO₂, S, Fl and Cl) of crystal-hosted melt and fluid inclusions from the 2014–2015 Holuhraun eruption of the Bárðarbunga volcanic system, Iceland. Based on the ratios of magmatic volatiles to similarly incompatible trace elements, the undegassed primary volatile contents of the Holuhraun parental melt are estimated at 1500–1700 ppm CO₂, 0.13–0.16 wt% H₂O, 60–80 ppm Cl, 130–240 ppm F and 500–800 ppm S. High-density fluid inclusions indicate onset of crystallisation at pressures?≥?0.4 GPa (~?12 km depth) promoting deep degassing of CO₂. Prior to the onset of degassing, the melt CO₂ content may have reached 3000–4000 ppm, with the total magmatic CO₂ budget estimated at  23–55 Mt. SO₂ release commenced at 0.12 GPa (~?3.6 km depth), eventually leading to entrapment of SO₂ vapour in low-density fluid inclusions. We calculate the syn-eruptive volatile release as 22.2 Mt of magmatic H₂O, 5.9–7.7 Mt CO₂, and 11.3 Mt of SO₂ over the course of the eruption; F and Cl release were insignificant. Melt inclusion constraints on syn-eruptive volatile release are similar to estimates made during in situ field monitoring, with the exception of H₂O, where field measurements may be heavily biased by the incorporation of meteoric water.     

Automated Analyte Separation by Ion Chromatography Using a Cobot Applied to Geological Reference Materials for Li Isotope Composition

The demand for large and reliable data sets on isotopic composition has increased in geochemistry and environmental sciences over recent years. We present an automated ion chromatographic separation method using a robotic pipetting arm, termed ‘ChemCobOne’, to reduce sample separation time. Its performance was tested for lithium isotope separation in geological reference materials using a single‐step separation with HCl (0.2 mol l^?1) and a 2 ml resin volume. This refined lithium purification method does not forfeit precision, accuracy or purity compared with manual sample processing. In addition, a δ⁷Li value for NASS‐6 of 30.99 ± 0.50‰ (2s) (95% CI = 0.14‰, n = 44) was determined and the first δ⁷Li values for the granite rock reference material GS‐N (?0.57 ± 0.25‰ (2s), 95% CI = 0.15‰, n = 15), and for the soil reference material NIST SRM 2709a (?0.37 ± 0.67‰ (2s), 95% CI = 0.15‰, n = 63) are proposed.     

Characterisation of aerosol from Santiago,Chile: an integrated PIXE–SEM–EDX study

Santiago de Chile is a big city with huge air quality problems, being one of the most polluted cities in the world. This is aggravated during winter by the topography and meteorological conditions of the city. Although public policies have been developed to minimise the atmospheric aerosol pollution, there is a lack of adequate knowledge and poor characterisation of these aerosols (in its PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ fractions). In this study we sampled atmospheric particles during winter in two distinct areas of Santiago: downtown (Teatinos Street) and in a more residential area (Macul). Major (Si, Al, Fe, Ca and K) and some trace element (S, Cl, Ti, P, Cr, Cu and Zn) compositions were obtained by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Morphological, type and chemical characterisation was also performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis system (SEM–EDX). Besides the carbon particles, the contribution of which can be quite important in the atmospheric aerosol, especially in downtown, unambiguously lithogenic (i.e. of geological origin) particles and elements are the second highest contributors. Enrichment factor calculation, together with particle identification and element correlation allow the origin of some elements and particles to be traced, revealing anthropogenic origins for some of them that are specific to the Santiago area.     

Global change revealed by palaeolimnological records from remote lakes: a review

Over recent decades, palaeolimnological records from remote sites have provided convincing evidence for the onset and development of several facets of global environmental change. Remote lakes, defined here as those occurring in high latitude or high altitude regions, have the advantage of not being overprinted by local anthropogenic processes. As such, many of these sites record broad-scale environmental changes, frequently driven by regime shifts in the Earth system. Here, we review a selection of studies from North America and Europe and discuss their broader implications. The history of investigation has evolved synchronously with the scope and awareness of environmental problems. An initial focus on acid deposition switched to metal and other types of pollutants, then climate change and eventually to atmospheric deposition-fertilising effects. However, none of these topics is independent of the other, and all of them affect ecosystem function and biodiversity in profound ways. Currently, remote lake palaeolimnology is developing unique datasets for each region investigated that benchmark current trends with respect to past, purely natural variability in lake systems. Fostering conceptual and methodological bridges with other environmental disciplines will upturn contribution of remote lake palaeolimnology in solving existing and emerging questions in global change science and planetary stewardship.     

Modelling facies belt distribution in fan deltas coupling sequence stratigraphy and geostatistics: The Eocene Sant Llorenç del Munt example (Ebro foreland basin,NE Spain)

The Eocene Sant Llorenç del Munt fan-delta complex developed in the Ebro foreland basin. The stratigraphy of this succession, about 1000 m thick, has been described as made up of several transgressive–regressive composite sequences, each composed of a stack of fundamental sequences, in turn made up of a transgressive systems tract and an overlying regressive systems tract. Systems tracts are composed of several facies belts: proximal alluvial fan, distal alluvial fan, fan-delta front, carbonate platform, and fan-delta slope and prodelta.     

A new typology of benefits derived from marine protected areas

Global decline of marine resources has triggered a worldwide demand for changing the way ocean resources are managed. Ecosystem-based management approaches have emerged using marine protected areas (MPA) as the main tool. Several classifications of marine protected areas benefits have been made, but all have focused only on the benefits to humans, neglecting many important benefits accrued to nature. This paper presents a new comprehensive classification of MPA benefits that will provide scientists and managers with an inclusive framework to accurately identify and account for all possible benefits derived from MPAs. The paper also analyses the methods available for valuing these benefits. A total of 99 benefits were identified within nine main categories: fishery, non-fishery, management, education/research, cultural, process, ecosystem, population and species benefits. These categories are arranged in two main divisions (direct and indirect benefits), which, at the same time, fall within the realms of benefits to humans and to nature.     

Litterfall dynamics and nutrient decomposition of arid mangroves in the Gulf of California: Their role sustaining ecosystem heterotrophy

This study shows results on litterfall dynamics and decay in mangrove stands of Avicennia germinans distributed along a latitudinal gradient (three forest sites) in the Gulf of California, in order to assess whether internal sources could support the observed mangrove ecosystem organic deficit in this arid tropic. Total mean annual litterfall production increased southward (712.6 ± 53.3, 1501.3 ± 145.1 and 1506.2 ± 280.5 g DW m⁻² y⁻¹, in the Yaqui, Mayo and Fuerte areas respectively), leaves being the main component of litter in all locations during the entire year, followed by fruits. The wet season (June–September) showed the highest litterfall rates through fruits. The temporal trend of litterfall production was significantly explained through mean air temperature (R² = 68%) whilst total annual litter production in the entire region showed a statistically significant relationship with total soil phosphorus, salinity, total nitrogen, organic matter and tree height (R² = 0.67). Throughout 117 days of the decomposition experiment, the litter lost 50% of its original dry weight in 5.8 days (average decay rate of 0.032 ± 0.04 g DW d⁻¹) and there were not significant differences in the remaining mass after 6 days. The percentage of both C and P released from the litter correlated significantly with the ratio of tidal inundated days to total experiment days (R² = 0.62, p = 0.03 and R² = 0.67, p = 0.02, respectively); however, the frequency of tidal inundation only showed a significant increase in C release from Avicennia litter after 6 and above 48 days of decomposition. Whereas the total C content of litter bags decreased linearly over the decomposition to (% Total C = 5.52 − 0.46 days, R² = 0.81, p = 0.0005), N content displayed an irregular pattern with a significant increase of decay between 48 and 76 days from the beginning of the experiment. The pattern for relative P content of litter revealed reductions of up to 99% of the original (%tot-P = −9.77 to 1.004 days, R² = 0.72, p = 0.01) although most of the P reduction occurred between 17 and 34 days after the experiment started. Soil N and P contents, which exhibited significant differences in the course of the decomposition experiment, appeared to show significant differences between sampling sites, although they were not related to tidal influence, nor by leaf and nutrient leaching. In a global basis, C/N litter ratios decreased linearly (C/N = 32.86 − 0.1006 days, R² = 0.62, p = 0.02), showing a strong and significant correlation with meteorological variables (R² = 0.99, p = 0.01). C/P ratios of litter increased through an exponential function (C/P = 119.35e^0.04day, R² = 0.89, p < 0.001). Changes in the remaining percentage of litter mass during the experiment were significantly correlated with soil C/N ratio (R² = 0.56, p = 0.03) as well as with the soil C/P ratio (R² = 0.98, p < 0.001). Our results of litter decomposition dynamics in this mangrove support the fact of null net primary productivity of the arid mangrove wetlands: fast litter decomposition compensates the ecosystem organic deficit in order to sustain the mangrove productivity. Litter decomposition plays a key role in the ecosystem metabolism in mangroves of arid tropics.