The role of nano-perovskite in the negligible thorium release in seawater from Greek bauxite residue (red mud)

We present new data about the chemical and structural characteristics of bauxite residue (BR) from Greek Al industry, using a combination of microscopic, analytical, and spectroscopic techniques. SEM-EDS indicated a homogeneous dominant “Al-Fe-Ca-Ti-Si-Na-Cr matrix”, appearing at the microscale. The bulk chemical analyses showed considerable levels of Th (111 μg g−1), along with minor U (15 μg g−1), which are responsible for radioactivity (355 and 133 Bq kg−1 for 232Th and 238U, respectively) with a total dose rate of 295 nGy h−1. Leaching experiments, in conjunction with SFICP- MS, using Mediterranean seawater from Greece, indicated significant release of V, depending on S/L ratio, and negligible release of Th at least after 12 months leaching. STEM-EDS/EELS & HR-STEMHAADF study of the leached BR at the nanoscale revealed that the significant immobility of Th4+ is due to its incorporation into an insoluble perovskite-type phase with major composition of Ca0.8Na0.2TiO3 and crystallites observed in nanoscale. The Th LIII-edge EXAFS spectra demonstrated that Th4+ ions, which are hosted in this novel nano-perovskite of BR, occupy Ca2+ sites, rather than Ti4+ sites. That is most likely the reason of no Th release in Mediterranean seawater

New insights into hydrothermal vent processes in the unique shallow-submarine arc-volcano, Kolumbo (Santorini), Greece

We report on integrated geomorphological, mineralogical, geochemical and biological investigations of the hydrothermal vent field located on the floor of the density-stratified acidic (pH , 5) crater of the Kolumbo shallow-submarine arc-volcano, near Santorini. Kolumbo features rare geodynamic setting at convergent boundaries, where arc-volcanism and seafloor hydrothermal activity are occurring in thinned continental crust. Special focus is given to unique enrichments of polymetallic spires in Sb and Tl (6Hg, As, Au, Ag, Zn) indicating a new hybrid seafloor analogue of epithermal-to-volcanic-hosted-massive-sulphide deposits. Iron microbial-mat analyses reveal dominating ferrihydrite-type phases, and high-proportion of microbial sequences akin to "Nitrosopumilus maritimus", a mesophilic Thaumarchaeota strain capable of chemoautotrophic growth on hydrothermal ammonia and CO2. Our findings highlight that acidic shallow-submarine hydrothermal vents nourish marine ecosystems in which nitrifying Archaea are important and suggest ferrihydrite-type Fe31-(hydrated)-oxyhydroxides in associated low-temperature iron mats are formed by anaerobic Fe21-oxidation, dependent on microbially produced nitrate

H₂-Based Processes for Fe and Al Recovery from Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Comparing the Options

To tackle the challenge of bauxite residue (BR), generated during the alumina production, as well as to recover some of its metal content, three combinatory H2-based processes were utilized. Firstly, Greek BR was mixed with NaOH to produce water soluble Na-aluminates and was roasted under pure H2 gas in order to reduce the Fe+3 content. Then the first process combined water leaching and magnetic separation, the second water leaching and melting and the last included wet magnetic separation. The water media resulted in the dissolution of Na-aluminate phases and the production of Al, Na-ion rich leachates. From these, pregnant leaching solutions recovery of Al was 78%, 84% and for the third case it reached 91%. Concerning Na recovery, it could reach 94%. Both melting process and magnetic separation aimed for Fe recovery from the material. The former case however still needs to be optimized, here its concept is introduced. The magnetic fraction, after the dry magnetic separation, varied in Fe content from 31.57 wt.% to 38.50 wt.%, while after the wet magnetic separation it reached 31.85 wt.%

H2-Based Processes for Fe and Al Recovery from Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Comparing the Options

To tackle the challenge of bauxite residue (BR), generated during the alumina production, as well as to recover some of its metal content, three combinatory H2-based processes were utilized. Firstly, Greek BR was mixed with NaOH to produce water soluble Na-aluminates and was roasted under pure H2 gas in order to reduce the Fe+3 content. Then the first process combined water leaching and magnetic separation, the second water leaching and melting and the last included wet magnetic separation. The water media resulted in the dissolution of Na-aluminate phases and the production of Al, Na-ion rich leachates. From these, pregnant leaching solutions recovery of Al was 78%, 84% and for the third case it reached 91%. Concerning Na recovery, it could reach 94%. Both melting process and magnetic separation aimed for Fe recovery from the material. The former case however still needs to be optimized, here its concept is introduced. The magnetic fraction, after the dry magnetic separation, varied in Fe content from 31.57 wt.% to 38.50 wt.%, while after the wet magnetic separation it reached 31.85 wt.%

New insights into hydrothermal vent processes in the unique shallow-submarine arc-volcano, Kolumbo (Santorini), Greece

We report on integrated geomorphological, mineralogical, geochemical and biological investigations of the hydrothermal vent field located on the floor of the density-stratified acidic (pH ~ 5) crater of the Kolumbo shallow-submarine arc-volcano, near Santorini. Kolumbo features rare geodynamic setting at convergent boundaries, where arc-volcanism and seafloor hydrothermal activity are occurring in thinned continental crust. Special focus is given to unique enrichments of polymetallic spires in Sb and Tl (±Hg, As, Au, Ag, Zn) indicating a new hybrid seafloor analogue of epithermal-to-volcanic-hosted-massive-sulphide deposits. Iron microbial-mat analyses reveal dominating ferrihydrite-type phases, and high-proportion of microbial sequences akin to Nitrosopumilus maritimus , a mesophilic Thaumarchaeota strain capable of chemoautotrophic growth on hydrothermal ammonia and CO2. Our findings highlight that acidic shallow-submarine hydrothermal vents nourish marine ecosystems in which nitrifying Archaea are important and suggest ferrihydrite-type Fe3+-(hydrated)-oxyhydroxides in associated low-temperature iron mats are formed by anaerobic Fe2+-oxidation, dependent on microbially produced nitrate

The role of nano-perovskite in the negligible thorium release in seawater from Greek bauxite residue (red mud)

We present new data about the chemical and structural characteristics of bauxite residue (BR) from Greek Al industry, using a combination of microscopic, analytical, and spectroscopic techniques. SEM-EDS indicated a homogeneous dominant "Al-Fe-Ca-Ti-Si-Na-Cr matrix", appearing at the microscale. The bulk chemical analyses showed considerable levels of Th (111 μg g(-1)), along with minor U (15 μg g(-1)), which are responsible for radioactivity (355 and 133 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th and (238)U, respectively) with a total dose rate of 295 nGy h(-1). Leaching experiments, in conjunction with SF-ICP-MS, using Mediterranean seawater from Greece, indicated significant release of V, depending on S/L ratio, and negligible release of Th at least after 12 months leaching. STEM-EDS/EELS &HR-STEM-HAADF study of the leached BR at the nanoscale revealed that the significant immobility of Th(4+) is due to its incorporation into an insoluble perovskite-type phase with major composition of Ca(0.8)Na(0.2)TiO3 and crystallites observed in nanoscale. The Th L(III)-edge EXAFS spectra demonstrated that Th(4+) ions, which are hosted in this novel nano-perovskite of BR, occupy Ca(2+) sites, rather than Ti(4+) sites. That is most likely the reason of no Th release in Mediterranean seawater.status: publishe