High-Temperature Mineral Formation after Firing Clay Materials Associated with Mined Coal in Teruel (Spain)

The production of porcelain stoneware has experienced a considerable increase. Therefore, it was necessary to undertake an investigation that would allow knowing the mineralogical evolution that porcelain stoneware undergoes during the firing process, as well as establishing the influence of the formation of mullite and other mineral or vitreous phases and their quantification. The firing transformations of mine spoils associated with mined coal in the Utrillas-Escucha-Estercuel and Ariño-Andorra areas are studied in this paper. The mineralogical composition of the bulk mine spoils is kaolinite, illite, chlorite, and smectites (in traces), with quartz and feldspar, and minor hematite, calcite, and dolomite. The main objective is to understand the generation of high-temperature mineral phases after firing, and their quantification. The formation of mullite and other high-temperature phases are studied from samples that include variable proportions of illite. Samples with a high content of illite generate mullite at 995 °C. Cristobalite was not detected as a high-temperature phase. Mullite is the most abundant mineral. The hercynite content is higher at low temperatures (995 °C), and hematite content is higher at 1150 °C. The vitreous phase represents about 50% of fired bodies. Despite observing a porous microstructure, the non-porous areas are well sintered

Delimitation of the Coastal Transition Zone in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador

The article presents a methodology for the delimitation of the coastal transition zone (CTZ) and the identification of zones with distinct soil properties in the Gulf of Guayaquil (GG), Ecuador. The Gulf was chosen as study area for its urban, economic and ecological potential, more in particular for its rich marine and agricultural resources, and biodiversity. Soil physical and chemical methods, such as soil salinity indices, physical and chemical parameters, coupled with multivariate analysis enabled the delimitation of the CTZ and the grouping of the studied soil transets in three clusters with distinct properties, located in the GG from the limit of the mangrove swamp. Whereas the average conductance in the swamp area is around 27.17 mS cm-1, inland to the isoline called the coastal transit zone soil salinity on average is 4 mS cm-1. The coastal transition zone has an average width of 4.2 km, which can be characterized by three clusters. Clusters 1 and 2 show similarities in their physical and chemical soil parameters, clearly different from the soil properties of cluster 3. The characteristics of each cluster is related to its location within the study area

Assesment of PM10 pollution episodes in a ceramic cluster (NE Spain): Proposal of a new quality index for PM10, As, Cd, Ni and Pb

Environmental pollution control is one of the most important goals in pollution risk assessment today. In this sense, modern and precise tools that allow scientists to evaluate, quantify and predict air pollution are of particular interest. Monitoring atmospheric particulate matter is a challenge faced by the European Union. Specific rules on this subject are being developed (Directive 2004/107/EC, Directive 2008/50/EC) in order to reduce the potential adverse effects on human health caused by air pollution. Air pollution has two sources: natural and anthropogenic. Contributions from natural sources can be assessed but cannot be controlled, while emissions from anthropogenic sources can be controlled; monitoring to reduce this latter type of pollution should therefore be carried out. In this paper, we describe an air quality evaluation in terms of levels of atmospheric particles (PM10), as outlined by European Union legislation, carried out in an industrialised Spanish coastal area over a five-year period with the purpose of comparing these values with those of other areas in the Mediterranean Basin with different weather conditions from North of Europe. The study area is in the province of Castellón. This province is a strategic area in the frame work of European Union (EU) pollution control. Approximately 80% of European ceramic tiles and ceramic frit manufacturers are concentrated in two areas, forming the so-called “ceramics clusters”; ones in Modena (Italy) and the other in Castellón. In this kind of areas, there are a lot of air pollutants from this industry then it is difficult to fulfill de European limits of PM10 so it is necessary to control the air quality in them. The seasonal differences in the number of days in which pollutant level limits were exceeded were evaluated and the sources of contamination were identified. Air quality indexes for each pollutant have been established to determine easily and clearly the quality of air breathed. Furthermore, in accordance with Directive 2008/50/EC, an Air Quality Plan is proposed to protect human health, and the environment as a whole, in the study area. General and specific corrective measures of main emission sources are provided. A strategy for air pollution management is thus presented

Industrial Limestone Rocks in the Castellón province, Spain

The extracted stone of the Nature is one of the oldest materials used by the humanity as a builder. This material stands out by its big compression mechanical resistance and its resistance to the weathering, apart from its ornamental value, is the raw material of the most building materials, so that, in glass manufacture, environmental impact neutralization process, agriculture, paper manufacture, etc. Castellon province, setting in the oriental sector of the Iberian range, presents a substantial importance by the large amount of carbonate rocks, which belong widely to the Mesozoic era, more specifically to the Jurassic and Cretaceous period, where the tectonic caused the development of platform environments, being the source together with the time of these prized materials. The characterization and the study of these materials, in several ways, pass to be essential in order to get the most favourable and correct way in the use and application of the carbonate rocksLa piedra extraída de la Naturaleza es uno de los materiales más antiguos utilizados por la humanidad, en sus condiciones de constructor. Estos materiales destacan por su gran resistencia mecánica a la compresión y su resistencia a los agentes atmosféricos, además de tener cierto valor ornamental, son la materia prima de casi todos los materiales de construcción, así como de aplicación tan diversa como en la fabricación de vidrio, en procesos de neutralización de impacto ambiental, agricultura, fabricación de papel, etc. La provincia de Castellón, situada en el sector oriental de la Cordillera Ibérica, presenta gran relevancia debido a la gran cantidad de rocas carbonatadas, pertenecientes mayoritariamente al Mesozoico, concretamente dentro del Jurásico y del Cretácico. En el que la tectónica determinó el desarrollo de ambientes de plataforma, originando con el paso del tiempo estos preciados materiales carbonatados. La caracterización y el estudio de estos materiales a diferentes niveles pasa por ser primordial para la óptima y correcta explotación, proceso y utilización de las rocas calizas o de sus derivado

Propuesta de un plan de saneamiento atmosférico en el clúster cerámico de Castellón

Desde principios de siglo la provincia de Castellón alberga uno de los núcleos más importantes a escala española y mundial de producción de pavimento y revestimiento cerámico. El elevado desarrollo alcanzado por este sector productivo ha llevado a que se introduzcan en el medio atmosférico una serie de sustancias químicas que producen una contaminación. Este hecho implica que se deban conocer las diferentes etapas del proceso productivo, así como las emisiones de contaminantes que provocan, con el fin de minimizar los efectos negativos que éstas pudieran ocasionar. Se busca un desarrollo sostenible que garantice un futuro con unos parámetros de calidad ambiental dentro de los límites normativos, y que asegure el bienestar de la población y preserve los ecosistemas naturales y los bienes materiales. Para ello se realiza una descripción de las emisiones de este sector industrial y de los niveles de inmisión en los municipios donde se ubica. El objetivo de este trabajo es la propuesta de un plan de saneamiento atmosférico con una serie de medidas correctoras a aplicar y un plan de vigilancia del mismo que garantice los parámetros de calidad ambiental fijados.Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the province of Castellón, East Spain, is one of the most important areas of floor and wall tile production on a national and worldwide scale. Given this productive sector’s rate of development, a series of pollution-producing chemical substances has been introduced into the atmosphere. This situation involves having to know the different stages of the production process and the emissions of the pollutants causing pollution in order to minimise the negative effects caused by these substances. Sustainable development is sought to guarantee that, in the future, the environmental quality parameters fall within the legal limits, and which also ensures the population’s wellbeing and conserves natural ecosystems and material assets. To this end, the emissions from this industrial sector have been described, as have the inmission levels in the towns near to where this sector is located. The aim of this work is the proposal of an atmospheric cleanup plan by applying a series of correcting measures and a surveillance scheme of these measures to ensure the environmental quality parameters established

Distribution Levels of Particulate Matter Fractions (<2.5 µm, 2.5-10 µm and >10 µm) at Seven Primary Schools in a European Ceramic Cluster

This study addresses the concentration of particulate matter and their size using a statistical analysis of data obtained inside seven schools located in the towns of Castellón (S1, S2, and S3), Alcora (S4, S5, and S6) and Lucena (S7) in northeast Spain. Samples were taken for five to eight hours, depending on school hours, to obtain a monthly sample for each school. The main goal of this study is to assess the differences depending on the type of location and the sampling point to be able to design corrective measures that improve the habitability and safety of the teaching spaces analyzed. The lowest concentrations of fine particulate matter, less than 2.5 µm, were registered at the rural location. The values of these particles found in industrial and urban locations were not substantially different. In the case of particulate matter between 2.5 and 10 µm, significant differences were observed between the three types of locations. The lowest concentrations of particles larger than 10 µm were registered at the rural location, and the highest concentrations were found at the industrial locations. Among the urban stations, the particle concentration of this fraction in station S2 was significantly higher than that in stations S1 and S3, which had similar concentrations. These values are also similar to those registered at school S6, which is at an industrial location. The resuspension of particles from both indoor sources as well as those transported from the outside is an important factor in the concentrations of particles inside classrooms.Universitat Jaume I “Pla de Promoció de la Investigació-Fundació Caixa Castelló-Bancaixa”. Reference code: P1·1B2005–18.S

Distribution Levels of Particulate Matter Fractions (<2.5 µm, 2.5–10 µm and >10 µm) at Seven Primary Schools in a European Ceramic Cluster

This study addresses the concentration of particulate matter and their size using a statistical analysis of data obtained inside seven schools located in the towns of Castellón (S1, S2, and S3), Alcora (S4, S5, and S6) and Lucena (S7) in northeast Spain. Samples were taken for five to eight hours, depending on school hours, to obtain a monthly sample for each school. The main goal of this study is to assess the differences depending on the type of location and the sampling point to be able to design corrective measures that improve the habitability and safety of the teaching spaces analyzed. The lowest concentrations of fine particulate matter, less than 2.5 µm, were registered at the rural location. The values of these particles found in industrial and urban locations were not substantially different. In the case of particulate matter between 2.5 and 10 µm, significant differences were observed between the three types of locations. The lowest concentrations of particles larger than 10 µm were registered at the rural location, and the highest concentrations were found at the industrial locations. Among the urban stations, the particle concentration of this fraction in station S2 was significantly higher than that in stations S1 and S3, which had similar concentrations. These values are also similar to those registered at school S6, which is at an industrial location. The resuspension of particles from both indoor sources as well as those transported from the outside is an important factor in the concentrations of particles inside classrooms

The relationship between indoor and outdoor levels of PM10 and its chemical composition at schools in a coastal region in Spain

PM10 levels and its chemical composition were studied inside and outdoor of seven primary schools (3 in urban environment, 3 in industrial environment, 1 in rural environment) located in the Mediterranean coast in an area with an important industrial nucleus dedicated to the treatment of raw mineral materials. The main objective of this work is a comparison between these levels obtained inside and outside schools and also asses the influence of various natural and anthropogenic emission sources on particles concentrations found inside. The indoor airborne samples were collected using RespiCon TM. In the three outdoor sampling stations was used a minivol air sampler type 3.1 LVS of Derenda. PM10 Chemical composition was obtained by ICP-MS (elements) and ion chromatography The ratio I/O (indoor/outdoor) has been calculated taking into account only the samples taken in the same conditions. In all schools the ratio I/O for PM10 was greater than unity (between 1.3 and 7.8), indicating that existed significant indoor sources of these particles. In the three schools located in the industrial environment were collected PM10 samples inside and outside in non-teaching periods. Comparing the values of I/O when the classrooms were unoccupied with respect to the average value of these same schools when the classrooms are occupied, the behaviour is different depending on the location. On the other hand, a sample in an industrial school was obtained when some infrastructure works were being carried out outside of school. This caused a significant increase in the concentration of particles in the interior (I/O ¼ 19.9). From the levels of As, Ni, Cd, Pb, Al, B, Zn, Mg, Sb, F , ClO2-, NO3- and SO4 2- in PM10 inside and outside of each school, also the ratios I/O were calculated. These chemical ratios I/O were higher than unity in all cases and generally higher than those recorded in the case of PM10. Finally, Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between the elements and anions and the PM10, and between the different elements and anions were calculated for the purpose of establishing the existence of common emission sources

Prospección geológica, mineralogía y ceramicidad de arcillas blancas de Litueche, VI Región de Chile

El presente trabajo es una aportación al conocimiento de arcillas cerámicas de la VI Región “Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins” de Chile. Se identifica geológicamente el afloramiento, se dispone de material representativo de la zona de estudio, y se realiza el estudio de caracterización química y mineralógica mediante FRX y DRX, respectivamente. Paralelamente, se estudia la ceramicidad mediante los siguientes ensayos cerámicos: plasticidad, barelatografía, dilatometría, contracción lineal, absorción de agua. Todo ello con el objetivo de proporcionar información para el aprovechamiento rentable de estos recursos, de acuerdo tanto a sus características y propiedades tecnológicas, como a la eventual demanda del mercadoThis paper is a contribution to the knowledge of ceramic clays from the VI Region ‘Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins’ in Chile. The work identifies the geological outcrop, shows representative material of the area of study, and carries out the study of chemical and mineralogical characterization by XRF and XRD, respectively. In parallel, the work analyses ceramicity using the following tests: plasticity, drying performance, dilatometry, linear shrinkage and water absorption. All with the goal of providing information for the profitable exploitation of these resources, according to both their characteristics and technological properties, and the potential market deman

Use of municipal solid waste and Marble residue in the manufacturing of bricks and roofing tiles

The substitution of ceramic clays for other wastes, in this case municipal solid waste (MSW) and marble residue rich in calcium carbonate, in the production of traditional ceramics could give rise into cost savings due to the utilization and recycling of wastes as a secondary raw material. Total Spanish municipal solidwastes (MSW) production exceeds 21 million tons per year, of which 28.1% and 6.2% are treated in compost and incineration plants, respectively (Tayibi et al., 2007). On the other hand, in Spanish natural stone industry, about 70% of the processing wastes are being disposed locally