<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>A simple photometric method for copper (II) analysis using monosodium glutamate (MSG) is presented. The method is technically simple, inexpensive, quantitative, and makes use of readily available reagents. The rapid reaction of copper (II) with glutamate in aqueous solution at pH 10 to form a blue complex serves as a basis for the determination of copper (II) in the range of 10-500 μg/ml. Copper recovery is &gt; 82%. The method could be used to determine copper (II) concentrations in iron ore samples. </abstract>

Simple method of copper analysis using monosodium glutamate and its application in ore analysis

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
MinPlot is a MATLAB®-based mineral formula recalculation and compositional plotting program for electron microprobe analyses (EPMA). The program offers recalculation and structural formula assignment for 15 different mineral groups: Garnet, pyroxene, olivine, amphibole, feldspar, mica, staurolite, cordierite, chlorite, chloritoid, talc, epidote, titanite, spinel, and sulfides. MinPlot is a fast and easy to use command line program and requires no prior computer programming knowledge. Percent mass fractions of oxides are loaded from datafiles and the user answers simple prompts to select mineral type, normalization scheme, and plotting options. Recalculated mineral formulas are automatically saved as output files and plots may be further manually customized by the user prior to saving. MinPlot can perform thousands of calculations in seconds and the modular nature of the program makes it simple to add new calculation routines in future releases. Combined, these features make MinPlot a powerful and useful program for the processing of EPMA data.
</abstract>

MinPlot: A mineral formula recalculation and plotting program for electron probe microanalysis

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Geochemical background - an environmental perspective</title>This article presents the concept of geochemical background from an environmental perspective. The idea of establishing the typical concentrations of elements in various environmental compartments, proposed by exploratory geochemists almost 50 years ago was important for the detection of anomalous element concentrations, thus providing a basic tool in the search for new mineral deposits. At present, the knowledge of the geochemical background of hazardous elements is essential for: defining pollution, identifying the source of contamination, and for establishing reliable environmental quality criteria for soils, sediments and surface waters. The article presents geochemical methods of evaluation of anthropogenic influence on the environment and discusses the problem of defining and understanding the term "geochemical background" and related terms in environmental sciences. It also briefly presents methods of geochemical background evaluation based on the results of environmental sample analyses. It stresses the role of geochemical background in our understanding of environmental pollution and pollution prevention.</abstract>

Geochemical background - an environmental perspective

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Polymetallic mineralization in Triassic strata of the NW part of the Kraków-Częstochowa Monocline</title>A new association of ore minerals has been found in the Lower and Middle Triassic rocks in the vicinity of the village of Woźniki in the NW part of the Upper Silesian district. In addition to the typical Zn-Pb-Fe association in dolomites, copper sulphides have been detected in the sandstones and conglomerates of the Lower Bunter. Copper mineralization occurs in the sandstone matrix and is represented by bornite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, tetrahedrite and covellite. High admixtures of zinc in Cu sulphides and admixtures of copper in Zn-Pb sulphides suggest a common source for the metal-transporting fluids and a single period of sulphide crystallization.</abstract>

Polymetallic mineralization in Triassic strata of the NW part of the Kraków-Częstochowa Monocline

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Mineralization of teeth and bones of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) from the Biśnik Cave, Southern Poland</title>The studied bones and teeth of the cave bear (<italic>Ursus spelaeus</italic>) come from the Biśnik Cave, located in the Częstochowa Upland (Southern Poland). The specimens originate from different geological layers formed since the Odra Glaciation (250-270 thousand years BP). The fossilized bones and teeth were studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and INAA. They are built of recrystallized carbonate-rich apatite-(CaOH) and/or apatite-(CaOH). The teeth additionally contain some apatite-(CaF). The lack of collagen and minor REE contents suggest rapid burial and collagen decay in the early stage of diagenesis. The bones and teeth have only limited mineral infillings. In some teeth, Mn-Fe (hydroxy)oxides were found in the dentine canaliculi and in bones, some osteocyte lacunae contain Fe (hydroxy)oxides with admixture of Mn. In one bone specimen, calcite infillings are present in Haversian canals. The infillings formed during later stages of diagenesis and were succeeded by non-filled cracks.</abstract>

Institute of Geological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Oleandry 2a, 30-063 Kraków, Poland

Institute of Zoology, University of Wrocław, ul. Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland

Mineralization of teeth and bones of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) from the Biśnik Cave, Southern Poland

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The use of zeolites as sorbents has been investigated as a replacement for existing costly methods of removing organic contaminants from water solutions. Zeolites can be modified by inorganic salts, organic surfactants, metals or metal oxides in order to increase their adsorption capacity. The unique ion exchange and adsorption properties of zeolites make them very suitable for application in the removal of organic compounds such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenols and other complex petrochemicals. Many different studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing the concentrations of organic contaminants as well as petroleum derivatives in water, which has been summarized in this paper.</abstract>

The Removal of Organic Compounds by Natural and Synthetic Surface-Functionalized Zeolites: A Mini-Review

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Heavy mineral particles are widely used in Earth science studies to show sediment provenance and weathering conditions. Such particles are particularly useful in polluted soils surrounding mining and smelting facilities because heavy minerals are common by-products of these activities and may accumulate in the soils. As such, the particles are suitable indicators of metallic element carriers and their stability in the soil environment. In this study, we analyze heavy mineral particles in two soils surrounding the active copper smelter (Legnica, SW, Poland). We show that particles associated with different smelting activities dominate the heavy mineral fraction. We note the general absence of sulfides in the fraction indicating that these minerals might have been entirely dissolved, but timing of this dissolution is uncertain (before or after deposition within soils). Currently, the carriers of potentially toxic elements are mainly secondary Fe oxides. Studies aiming at better estimation of the proportion of metallic elements contained in heavy mineral particles are needed to fully use the potential of these phases in polluted soil studies. We estimate that Pb contained in Pb-rich silicate glass constitutes &lt;0.5% of the total Pb budget and Pb contained in secondary Fe oxides is over 1% of the total budget, but these are minimal estimates.
</abstract>

Pollution sources and metallic elements mobility recorded by heavy minerals in soils affected by Cu-smelting (Legnica, SW Poland)

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Among nearly 6,000 minerals approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), 34 have been discovered on Polish territory. The article describes the history of these discoveries and the procedure for submitting and approving new minerals. It is noted that the vast majority of the new species found in Poland were described by or in cooperation with Polish mineralogists. Three minerals from the list were described in the 19th century, and seven in the 20th century, while most discoveries took place as early as the 21st century. This is a result of (i) the new equipment acquired by the Polish research units enabling accurate structural and chemical studies of minerals, and (ii) fruitful cooperation between mineralogists from Polish and foreign research centers. This is a very labour-intensive and time-consuming process that is not always successful. It is clear that the discoveries of new minerals are important not only for sciences but also for the economy. They provide information on the mineral-forming processes and are the source of valuable elements (e.g. Nb, Ta - nioboholtite, żabińskiite; Tl- thalliomelane and Sc- scandio-winchite, heflikite) that are often critical in modern industries.
</abstract>

Minerals discovered in Poland – a review

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The characterization of phosphorite features within specific North African sedimentary series remains incomplete. Hence, the primary aim of this research is to determine the composition of powder patterns and phosphatic allochem fragments within the Jebel Dhyr syncline, situated in northeastern Algeria. By focusing on this region, the study endeavors to investigate the mineralogical properties and geochemical aspects of Paleocene-Eocene phosphorites in the broader context of North Africa. The methodology employed encompasses geological, petrographic, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses of the rocks. To achieve this objective, we have employed various techniques including thin section analysis, atomic absorption spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The geological section across the Jebel Dhyr area has revealed a succession of horizontally layered rocks. These rocks consist of eight prominent phosphorite layers interspersed with carbonate formations. Additionally, occasional thin layers of flint can be observed within these carbonate layers. XRD analysis of the whole rock established the presence of apatite group minerals such as hydroxylapatite, fluroapatite, francolite, and dahllite. Other minerals identified include carbonates, quartz, zeolites, feldspar, clays, sulphides, and gypsum. XRD recordings on the phosphatic allochem grains (pellets, coprolites, intraclasts, and shark teeth) identified different mineral phases, with coprolites and pellets showing hydroxylapatite and fluorapatite, sometimes associated with dahllite, while granules of different forms revealed hydroxylapatite associated with fluorapatite or francolite. Teeth from the Jebel Dhyr phosphate beam showed the systematic presence of fluorapatite. This study provides valuable information for the comprehensive utilization of phosphorus resources in the Algeria-Tunisia border.
</abstract>

Geological and Mineralogical Analysis of Phosphorites in the Jebel Dhyr Syncline, Eastern Algerian Atlas

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This report presents the results of a petrographical and mineralogical (optical microscopy, BSE-EDS image analysis) study of zircon in samples from the Lower Nubian monzogranite. The mineral occurs as smaller grains (&lt; 80 μm) in a fine-grained quartz-feldspar-matrix, coexisting with other accessory minerals including biotite, clinochlore, titanite, and britholite-(Ce). Zircon is also present within biotite and britholite-(Ce), suggesting that it started crystallization at about the same time as these two minerals. Two types of thorite inclusions within zircon are reported in this study. Type 1 is widely distributed throughout the zircon grain, forming crystallites of which each is typically &lt; 1 μm in size. Type 2 is relatively larger (5-15 μm) and occurs only in one part of the grain. For the thorite inclusions, three possible origins are briefly discussed: (1) exsolution of thorite from zircon; (2) dissolution/reprecipitation of zircon; and (3) growth syngenetically with zircon. Of these potential hypotheses, the syngenetic growth model seems more favorable for zircon-thorite intergrowths than the other two hypotheses. Thorite inclusions and their host zircons seem to have grown from magma rather than hydrothermal or supercritical solutions. Here, they have primary textures and consistent chemical compositions that are consistent with whole-rock geochemistry.
</abstract>

Thorite inclusions in zircon of the monzogranite, Lower Nubia, SW Egypt

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Search for inexpensive and efficient methods of critical raw materials recovery is of great importance across the world due to growing demand for green technologies. Formation and detailed characterization of new Pb- and Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE)-containing phosphates, compared to already described Pb- or LREE-containing phosphates, was described in this work. These phases were precipitated at experimental conditions similar to these used in a newly proposed coprecipitation route for REE recovery from aqueous solutions. The formation of La, Ce, Pr and Sm phosphates from aqueous solutions proceeded differently in the presence of Pb than in its absence. No rhabdophane group minerals, (REE,Ca,Th)(PO4)·<italic>n</italic>H2O were formed, which were the product of crystallization in the absence of Pb, as evidenced by the PXRD analysis of the control LREE phosphates. Instead, a new, distinct phase was formed, which is neither a ‘phosphoschultenite’, PbHPO4, with La, Ce, Pr or Sm substitution nor a rhabdophane with Pb substitution. This showed that PbHPO4 structure did not accept isomorphic substitutions of LREE elements and rhabdophane structures are reluctant to accept Pb substitutions. At the same time, the formation of a hitherto unknown crystalline phase was found to be a mixed (LREE,Pb)-phosphate. A lower pH caused higher crystallinity of phases, as confirmed by SEM and PXRD. FTIR spectroscopy showed the hydrous nature of the obtained phases, which was additionally confirmed by thermal analysis. Decreasing pH of the reaction solution resulted in a higher crystalline water content. Moreover, La-bearing phases contained more chemically bound water than other phases. A combined EDS analysis and ICP-OES led to the chemical composition of new Pb phases with La, Ce, Pr and Sm that can be expressed as La2Pb3(PO4)4·3.5H2O, Ce2Pb3(PO4)4·3.3H2O, Pr2Pb3(PO4)4·3.1H2O and Sm2Pb3(PO4)4·3.3H2O, respectively. These results give a better understanding of potential novel recovery pathways of REE from phosphate mineral sources or wastes.
</abstract>

New synthetic [LREE (LREE = La, Ce, Pr, Sm), Pb]-phosphate phases

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Minerals from the phosphate groups are used in environmental engineering as thermodynamically stable vehicles for heavy metals such as zinc. The hopeite Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The solubility of the hopeite was measured at 25°C. The average solubility product, log Ksp, for the reaction Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O ⇔ 3Zn2+ + 2PO43- + 4H2O at 25°C is –35.72 ± 0.03. The free energy of formation, ΔG°f,298, calculated from this measured solubility product is –3597.4 ± 1.0 kJ mol-1. The immobilization of zinc in the hopeite structure offers the possibility of developing an effective method for removing Zn from wastewater, water and soils.
</abstract>

Synthesis and solubility of hopeite Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Monazite Breakdown in Metapelites From Wedel Jarlsberg Land, Svalbard — Preliminary Report</title>Metapelites from the SW part of Wedel Jarlsberg Land were progressively metamorphosed under amphibolite facies conditions followed by a Caledonian low-temperature metamorphic event under greenschist facies conditions. The latter resulted in various stages of monazite breakdown. These include monazite alterations and the formation of allanite-apatite coronas.</abstract>

Department of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geochemistry, AGH, University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; jmajka@poczta.fm

Institute of Geological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Oleandry 2a, 30-063 Kraków, Poland; budzyn@geos.ing.uj.edu.pl

Monazite Breakdown in Metapelites From Wedel Jarlsberg Land, Svalbard — Preliminary Report

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Agpaitic nepheline syenites have complex, Na-Ca-Zr-Ti minerals as the main hosts for zirconium and titanium, rather than zircon and titanite, which are characteristic for miaskitic rocks. The transition from a miaskitic to an agpaitic crystallization regime in silica-undersaturated magma has traditionally been related to increasing peralkalinity of the magma, but halogen and water contents are also important parameters. The Larvik Plutonic Complex (LPC) in the Permian Oslo Rift, Norway consists of intrusions of hypersolvus monzonite (larvikite), nepheline monzonite (lardalite) and nepheline syenite. Pegmatites ranging in composition from miaskitic syenite with or without nepheline to mildly agpaitic nepheline syenite are the latest products of magmatic differentiation in the complex. The pegmatites can be grouped in (at least) four distinct suites from their magmatic Ti and Zr silicate mineral assemblages. Semiquantitative petrogenetic grids for pegmatites in log aNa2SiO5 - log aH2O - log aHF space can be constructed using information on the composition and distribution of minerals in the pegmatites, including the Zr-rich minerals zircon, parakeldyshite, eudialyte, låvenite, wöhlerite, rosenbuschite, hiortdahlite and catapleiite, and the Ti-dominated minerals aenigmatite, zirconolite (polymignite), astrophyllite, lorenzenite, titanite, mosandrite and rinkite. The chemographic analysis indicates that although increasing peralkalinity of the residual magma (given by the activity of the Na2Si2O5 or Nds component) is an important driving force for the miaskitic to agpaitic transition, water, fluoride (HF) and chloride (HCl) activity controls the actual mineral assemblages forming during crystallization of the residual magmas. The most distinctive mineral in the miaskitic pegmatites is zirconolite. At low fluoride activity, parakeldyshite, lorenzenite and wöhlerite are stable in mildly agpaitic systems. High fluorine (or HF) activity favours minerals such as låvenite, hiortdahlite,rosenbuschite and rinkite, and elevated water activity mosandrite and catapleiite. Astrophyllite and aenigmatite are stable over large ranges of Nds activity, at intermediate and low water activities, respectively. </abstract>

Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1047 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo Norway

Statoil ASA, Hydroveien 67, N-3908 Porsgrunn, Norway

Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Sars gate 1, N-0562 Oslo, Norway

Petrology of nepheline syenite pegmatites in the Oslo Rift, Norway: Zr and Ti mineral assemblages in miaskitic and agpaitic pegmatites in the Larvik Plutonic Complex

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>An overview of the association between lamprophyric intrusions and rare-metal mineralization</title>Granite-related rare metal districts in orogenic settings are occasionally associated with lamprophyre dikes. We recorded 63 occurrences of lamprophyres in bimodal dike suites of about 200 granite bodies related to rare metal deposits. Most lamprophyres occur in Paleozoic and Mesozoic metallogenic provinces in the northern hemisphere. Lamprophyres which are associated with rare metal deposits are calc-alkaline (kersantites, minettes, spessartites) or more rarely alkaline lamprophyres (camptonites, monchiquites) which occur in the roof zone of complex granitic bodies as pre-granitic, intra-granitic, intra-ore or post-ore dikes. Most lamprophyres are spatially associated with dominant felsic dikes and/or with mafic dikes represented by diorites or diabases. Diorites and lamprophyres occasionally exhibit transitional compositions from one to another. Lamprophyres share common geochemical characteristics of highly evolved granitoids such as enrichment in K and F, increased abundances of Li, Rb, and Cs and enrichment in some HFSE (e.g. Zr, U, Th, Mo, Sn, W). Lamprophyres in rare metal districts testify to accessibility of the upper crust to mantle products at the time of rare metal mineralization and possible influence of mantle melts or mantle-derived fluids in the differentiation of granitic melts in the lower crust.</abstract>

Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12843 Praha 2, Czech Republic

Department of Mineralogy, Division of Economic Geology and Petrology, Brennhausgasse 14, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, D-09596 Freiberg, Federal Republic of Germany

An overview of the association between lamprophyric intrusions and rare-metal mineralization

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Due to increasing emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere number of methods are being proposed to mitigate the risk of climate change. One of them is mineral carbonation. Blast furnace and steel making slags are co-products of metallurgical processes composed of minerals which represent appropriate source of cations required for mineral carbonation. Experimental studies were performed to determine the potential use of slags in this process. Obtained results indicate that steel making slag can be a useful material in CO2 capture procedures. Slag components dissolved in water are bonded as stable carbonates in the reaction with CO2 from ambient air. In case of blast furnace slag, the reaction is very slow and minerals are resistant to chemical changes. More time is needed for minerals dissolution and release of cations essential for carbonate crystallisation and thus makes blast furnace slags less favourable in comparison with steel making slag.</abstract>

Mineral carbonation of metallurgical slags

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Thermal alterations of organic matter in coal wastes from Upper Silesia, Poland</title>Self-heating and self-combustion are currently taking place in some coal waste dumps in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland, e.g. the dumps at Rymer Cones, Starzykowiec, and the Marcel Coal Mine, all in the Rybnik area. These dumps are of similar age and self-heating and combustion have been occurring in all three for many years. The tools of organic petrography (maceral composition, rank, etc.), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and proximate and ultimate analysis are used to investigate the wastes.Organic matter occurs in quantities up to 85 vol.%, typically a few to several vol.%, in the wastes. All three maceral groups (vitrinite, liptinite, and inertinite) are present as unaltered and variously-altered constituents associated with newly-formed petrographic components (bitumen expulsions, pyrolytic carbon). The predominant maceral group is vitrinite with alterations reflected in the presence of irregular cracks, oxidation rims and, rarely, devolatilisation pores. In altered wastes, paler grey-vitrinite and/or coke dominates. The lack of plasticity, the presence of paler-coloured particles, isotropic massive coke, dispersed coked organic matter, and expulsions of bitumens all indicate that heating was slow and extended over a long time. Macerals belonging to other groups are present in unaltered form or with colours paler than the colours of the parent macerals.Based on the relative contents of organic compounds, the most important groups of these identified in the wastes are <italic>n</italic>-alkanes, acyclic isoprenoids, hopanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives, phenol and its derivatives. These compounds occur in all wastes except those most highly altered where they were probably destroyed by high temperatures. These compounds were generated mainly from liptinite-group macerals. Driven by evaporation and leaching, they migrated within and out of the dump. Their presence in some wastes in which microscopically visible organic matter is lacking suggests that they originated elsewhere and subsequently migrated through the dump piles. During their migration, the compounds fractionated, were adsorbed on minerals and/or interacted.The absence of alkenes, and of other unsaturated organic compounds, may reflect primary diagenetic processes that occurred in coals and coal shales during burial and/or organic matter type. Their absence may also be a consequence of heating that lasted many years, hydropyrolysis, and/or the participation of minerals in the reactions occurring within the dumps. The wastes contain compounds typical of organic matter of unaltered kerogen III type and the products of pyrolytic processes, and mixtures of both. In some wastes, organic compounds are completely absent having been destroyed by severe heating.The distributions of <italic>n</italic>-alkanes in many samples are typical of pyrolysates. In some wastes, narrow <italic>n</italic>-alkane distributions reflect their generation over small temperature ranges. In others, wider distributions point to greater temperature ranges. Other wastes contain <italic>n</italic>-alkane distributions typical of unaltered coal and high pristane content or mixtures of pyrolysates and unaltered waste material. The wastes also contain significant amounts of final αβ hopanes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are represented only by two- to five-ring compounds as is typical of the thermal alteration of hard coal.Correlations between the degree of organic matter alteration and the relative contents of individual PAHs and hopanes and geochemical indicators of thermal alteration are generally poor. The properties of the organic matter (its composition and rank), temperature fluctuations within the dumps, migration of organic compounds and mineral involvement are probably responsible for this.The processes taking place in coal waste dumps undergoing self-heating and self-combustion are complicated; they are very difficult to estimate and define. The methods of organic petrology and geochemistry give complementary data allowing the processes to be described. However, each of the dumps investigated represents a separate challenge to be surmounted in any regional attempt to delineate the regional environmental impact of these waste dumps.</abstract>

Thermal alterations of organic matter in coal wastes from Upper Silesia, Poland

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Mineralogia

The Journal of Mineralogical Society of Poland

 Mineralogia (ISSN: 1899-8291, e-ISSN: 1899-8526), a free open access journal, publishes original research and review papers from broad fields of geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology,...

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 Mineralogia (ISSN: 1899-8291, e-ISSN: 1899-8526), a free open access journal, publishes original research and review papers from broad fields of...