Niemcza diorites and moznodiorites (Sudetes, SW Poland): a record of changing geotectonic setting at ca. 340 Ma

Granites sensu lato in the Sudetes intruded in several episodes during the Variscan orogeny recording different stages of crust and mantle evolution. Correlating precise ages with geochemistry of the Variscan granites provides information on the evolution of these sources within the Variscan orogen. The Variscan intrusive rocks from the Niemcza Zone (Bohemian Massif, Sudetes, SW Poland) include undeformed dioritic to syenitic rocks and magmatically foliated granodiorites. In this study we analysed low SiO2 (48–53 wt.%) monzodioritic rocks from Przedborowa and Koźmice. The monzodiorites contain late-magmatic zircons with ages of 341.8 ± 1.9 Ma for Przedborowa and 335.6 ± 2.3 Ma for Koźmice, interpreted as emplacement ages of the dioritic magmas. Older Przedborowa rocks are lower in K, Mg, Rb and Ni than the Koźmice rocks and similar compositional trend is also observed in the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex. The implication is that the mantle underlying the Niemcza Zone became more enriched from ca. 342 to ca. 336 Ma, probably following the collision of the Saxothuringian and Moldanubian/Lugian domains. The magmatism related to the collision occurred ca. 12 Ma later than that in the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex, but was accompanied by a similar change in magma chemistry from high-K (Przedborowa) to shoshonitic (Koźmice, Kośmin enclaves) and probably to ultrapotassic (Wilków Wielki)

Clay mineralogy fingerprinting of loess-mantled soils on different underlying substrates in the south-western Poland

Loess may be integrated into slope deposits at different soil depths and may influence related physical, chemical and mineralogical soil properties. Therefore, tracking the border between deposited loess and underlying materials and estimating the depth of loess penetration is a challenge. Five soils from the Lower Silesia province in south-western Poland having different types of geologic substrate and being covered by loess deposits of various thicknesses were chosen to: 1) trace the origin of phyllosilicates in these heterogeneous soils (loess vs. underlying bedrock); 2) determine the influence of the geologic substrate and the loess mantle on clay mineral transformation in the soil; and 3) relate clay mineralogical traits to soil morphology. The loess consisted of long-distance and local aeolian sources as shown by the Ti/Zr ratios and heavy mineral composition. Geochemical and mineralogical traces of loess were easily detected in the mixed zone and in part also in the basal layer. The loess deposits are characterised by mica, chlorite, kaolinite, interstratified mica-vermiculite or hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite, vermiculite and a minor amount of smectite. Aeolian silt admixture was an important source of chlorite at all sites. The vertical distribution of mica indicated two types of sources — loess input and substrate. Smectite, however, has mostly been inherited from the underlying bedrock (serpentinite, glacio-fluvial deposits and basalt slope sediment) or was formed in the soils from mica or chlorite. Where present in the loess, smectite was only found in small amounts. The presence of kaolinite, HIV and mixed layered mica-vermiculite could be derived either from aeolian input or neoformation and thus actively occurring mineral (trans)formation reactions. Similar to mica, vermiculite was derived from both aeolian input and the geological substrate. The widespread loess deposits in this region rejuvenated the soil formation process, as evidenced by their mineralogical and chemical composition

Drivers of Pb, Sb and As release from spent gunshot in wetlands: Enhancement by organic matter and native microorganisms

In many countries the use of lead-based ammunition is prevalent, and results in exposure and poisoning of waterfowl and other species of birds. In waterfowl hunting areas large quantities of spent shot may be deposited in wetland and terrestrial habitats. These pellets can undergo transformations, which are influenced by various abiotic and biotic factors. In addition to lead (Pb), other elements like antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) can be leached from Pb shot into the environment. In vitro simulations that included organic matter and microorganisms were utilized to examine elemental leaching from gunshot. We found that leaching efficiency was the greatest in solutions rich in organic matter derived from artificial root exudates (2.69 % for Pb, 1.16 % for Sb, 1.83 % for As), while leaching efficiency was considerably lower in river water (0.04 %). In vitro simulations containing native microorganisms also exhibited greater leaching efficiency (0.49 % for Pb, 0.52 % for Sb, 1.32 % for As) than in ultrapure deionized water and river water. Surface alterations in gunshot included the formation of a weathering crust and secondary phases dominated by carbonates. Spent gunshot is a source of Pb, Sb and As in wetlands that could affect aquatic ecosystems

Post-depositional redistribution of trace metals in reservoir sediments of a mining/smelting-impacted watershed (the Lot River, SW France)

International audienceMining/smelting wastes and reservoir sediment cores from the Lot River watershed were studied using mineralogical (XRD, SEM-EDS, EMPA) and geochemical (redox dynamics, selective extractions) approaches to characterize the main carrier phases of trace metals. These two approaches permitted determining the role of post-depositional redistribution processes in sediments and their effects on the fate and mobility of trace metals. The mining/smelting wastes showed heterogeneous mineral compositions with highly variable contents of trace metals. The main trace metal-bearing phases include spinels affected by secondary processes, silicates and sulfates. The results indicate a clear change in the chemical partitioning of trace metals between the reservoir sediments upstream and downstream of the mining/smelting activities, with the downstream sediments showing a 2-fold to 5-fold greater contribution of the oxidizable fraction. This increase was ascribed to stronger post-depositional redistribution of trace metals related to intense early diagenetic processes, including dissolution of trace metal-bearing phases and precipitation of authigenic sulfide phases through organic matter (OM) mineralization. This redistribution is due to high inputs (derived from mining/smelting waste weathering) at the water-sediment interface of (i) dissolved SO4 promoting more efficient OM mineralization, and (ii) highly reactive trace metal-bearing particles. As a result, the main trace metal-bearing phases in the downstream sediments are represented by Zn- and Fe-sulfides, with minor occurrence of detrital zincian spinels, sulfates and Fe oxyhydroxides. Sequestration of trace metals in sulfides at depth in reservoir sediments does not represent long term sequestration owing to possible resuspension of anoxic sediments by natural (floods) and/or anthropogenic (dredging, dam flush) events that might promote trace metal mobilization through sulfide oxidation. It is estimated that, during a major flood event, about 870 t of Zn, 18 t of Cd, 25 t of Pb and 17 t of Cu could be mobilized from the downstream reservoir sediments along the Lot River by resuspension-induced oxidation of sulfide phases. These amounts are equivalent to 13-fold (Cd), not, vert, similar6-fold (Zn), 4-fold (Pb) the mean annual inputs of the respective dissolved trace metals into the Gironde estuary

Mass fluxes and clay mineral formation in soils developed on slope deposits of the Kowarski Grzbiet (Karkonosze Mountains, Czech Republic/Poland)

Weathering, mineral formation, and transformation processes along slopes are complex. In cool mountainous regions, undisturbed soil development with a strong vertical leaching element may abruptly change as a result of erosion, accumulation, lateral water fluxes and aeolian input. We investigated soils in the eastern Karkonosze Mountains that have developed on silicatic slope deposits. To date, illite, vermiculite and chlorite are the minerals that have been detected in the clay fraction. Although the climate and parent material should be favourable for the formation of smectites, expandable phases were not verified so far. We investigated if expandable phases could be detected and how they related to elemental fluxes along a short slope sequence (1142–1268 m a.s.l. on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland). Mass balance calculations indicated intensive mineral weathering together with a significant leaching of Mg, Al, Ca and Mn on the shoulder and foot slope positions. In the middle zone, which has a concave or undulating surface shape, however, the mass balances of several elements (Na, K, Al, P) revealed a less pronounced leaching (corresponding to a lower degree of podsolization) and in some cases even accumulation. At all sites, mass balance calculations and detected soil minerals (e.g. the increase in illite towards the surface together with an increase in Al and K) indicate some aeolian input. Kaolinite was detected in all soil horizons. Its concentration slightly increased towards the soil surface. Together with the pronounced leaching of Ca, part of kaolinite originates from plagioclase weathering. Besides being a weathering product of primary minerals, part of the kaolinite is inherited from the parent material and probably is also due to aeolian input. In all soils, illite was being transformed into vermiculite and smectites (through regularly-interstratified illite-smectite phases). In addition, the content of chloritic components which increases with depth indicated their concurrent weathering and transformation into smectites. Amphibole also may have acted as a source of smectites. Not all smectite is being actively formed in the soil. Most likely due to slope processes (cover beds) that affected even the subsoil, some smectite has been transferred along the slope. Part of the smectite also seems to derive from the parent material. Active formation of expandable clay minerals is related to convex and planar landscape forms. This relationship suggests intense element leaching, inheritance from the parent material and cover bed mixing processes have contributed to the presence of smectite. Along the slope, zones with predominant vertical transport (shoulder, foot slopes) may repeatedly be interchanged with zones dominated by lateral transport (undulating slope, concave forms)

Editorial for Special Issue “Metallurgical Slags”

Exploitation and further processing of mineral resources are of great importance for modern society [...

Prospective (Bio)leaching of Historical Copper Slags as an Alternative to Their Disposal

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of (bio)hydrometallurgical methods for metal extraction from historical copper slags. Two types of slags (amorphous slag—AS, and crystalline slag—CS) were subjected to 24 to 48 h of leaching with: (i) Sulfuric acid at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 M concentrations at 1%, 5%, and 10% pulp densities (PDs); and (ii) normality equivalent (2 N) acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, citric, and oxalic) at pulp densities ranging from 1% to 2%. Bioleaching experiments were performed within 21 days with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans accompanied by an abiotic control (sterile growth medium). The results demonstrated that the most efficient treatment for amorphous and crystalline slag was bioleaching at 1% PD over 21 days, which led to extraction of Cu at rates of 98.7% and 52.1% for AS and CS, respectively. Among the chemical agents, hydrochloric acid was the most efficient and enabled 30.5% of Cu to be extracted from CS (1% PD, 48 h) and 98.8% of Cu to be extracted from AS (1% PD, 24 h). Slag residues after leaching were characterized by strong alteration features demonstrated by the complete dissolution of fayalite in the case of CS and the transformation of AS to amorphous silica and secondary gypsum. Based on this study, we conclude that amorphous slag is a more suitable candidate for potential metal recovery because of its generally high susceptibility to leaching and due to the generation of residue significantly depleted in metals as the end product. The inventory of economically relevant metals showed that 1 ton of historical copper slag contains metals valued at $47 and$135 for crystalline and amorphous slag, respectively, suggesting that secondary processing of such materials can potentially be both economically and environmentally viable

Mineralogical characteristics of metallic phases in copper slags from the Old Copper Basin, Poland

Metallic phases (sulphides, metallic compounds and metals), constitute critical components of metallurgical slags as they concentrate most of the potentially toxic metals occurring within smelting wastes. For this reason, a detailed characterization of the metal-rich phases is crucial for proper estimation of environmental threat resulting from slags deposition. Metallic phases observed in slags were transformed from the original ore minerals during metal smelting, and they constitute an interesting field for observations of sulphides and metals susceptibility to temperature and chemistry changes. In this study, we observed that compositions similar to sulphide minerals (e.g. bornite, chalcocite, pyrrhotite) are common, but they always appear in specific sets. We distinguished 3 general types of metallic phases: copper-iron-sulphur (among which the following subtypes appear: bornite-pyrrhotite, chalcocite, and chalcopyrite, all ofthese with various exsolutions), metallic copper and iron-phosphorous (Fe-P) type. Among all the distinguished types, Fe4Pproved to be most resistant to weathering whereas the Cu-Fe-S assemblage was altered strongly when not surrounded by glass or crystalline phases. Observations revealed that iron-rich metallic phases tended to appear in amorphous slags and copperrich phases occurring within crystalline samples

Applied mineralogy in characterization of materials from the post-Cistercian Abbey in Lubiąż

This paper overviews the use of natural dimension stones, stuccoes and plasterworks in the post-Cistercian Abbey complex in Lubiąż syn. Leubus Abbey. It is a prestigious engineering work of Baroque architecture, with remnants of Romanesque and Gothic foundations, one of the largest sacral architectural complexes in the world. Geologists often contribute to solving specific questions in the field of archaeology, art history and conservation, and some problems related to renovation aspects cannot be solved without the assistance of applied sciences. Thus, the article provides some information on the so called “red nodular limestone” and “Swedish limestone,” decorating the abbatial church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Additionally, a short characteristics of mineralogy of the stuccoes and plasters, related to their function, is presented. Praca przedstawia przykłady zastosowania kamienia naturalnego, sztukaterii i zapraw tynkarskich w pocysterskim kompleksie architektonicznym w Lubiążu. Jest to perła barokowej sztuki, z zachowanymi reliktami założeń romańskich i gotyckich. Jednocześnie jest to jeden z największych zachowanych obiektów sakralnych na świecie. Wkład geologów w rozwiązywanie problemów z pogranicza archeologii, historii sztuki i konserwacji jest niezaprzeczalny. Poprawna renowacja dzieł sztuki wymaga wiedzy z obszaru nauk stosowanych. Stąd w niniejszej pracy zawarliśmy wiele informacji na temat tzw. czerwonych wapieni bulastych oraz wapieni szwedzkich, zastosowanych w detalu architektonicznym klasztornego kościoła p.w. Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny. W pracy przedstawiono również krótką charakterystykę mineralogiczną sztukaterii i zapraw tynkarskich, w powiązaniu z ich funkcją.This paper overviews the use of natural dimension stones, stuccoes and plasterworks in the post-Cistercian Abbey complex in Lubiąż syn. Leubus Abbey. It is a prestigious engineering work of Baroque architecture, with remnants of Romanesque and Gothic foundations, one of the largest sacral architectural complexes in the world. Geologists often contribute to solving specific questions in the field of archaeology, art history and conservation, and some problems related to renovation aspects cannot be solved without the assistance of applied sciences. Thus, the article provides some information on the so called “red nodular limestone” and “Swedish limestone,” decorating the abbatial church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Additionally, a short characteristics of mineralogy of the stuccoes and plasters, related to their function, is presented. Praca przedstawia przykłady zastosowania kamienia naturalnego, sztukaterii i zapraw tynkarskich w pocysterskim kompleksie architektonicznym w Lubiążu. Jest to perła barokowej sztuki, z zachowanymi reliktami założeń romańskich i gotyckich. Jednocześnie jest to jeden z największych zachowanych obiektów sakralnych na świecie. Wkład geologów w rozwiązywanie problemów z pogranicza archeologii, historii sztuki i konserwacji jest niezaprzeczalny. Poprawna renowacja dzieł sztuki wymaga wiedzy z obszaru nauk stosowanych. Stąd w niniejszej pracy zawarliśmy wiele informacji na temat tzw. czerwonych wapieni bulastych oraz wapieni szwedzkich, zastosowanych w detalu architektonicznym klasztornego kościoła p.w. Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny. W pracy przedstawiono również krótką charakterystykę mineralogiczną sztukaterii i zapraw tynkarskich, w powiązaniu z ich funkcją

Mineralogical and geochemical evidence for two-stage silicification of serpentinized peridotites from the Szklary Massif (NE Bohemian Massif)

Previously unknown exposures of silicified serpentinites have been documented within the Szklary Massif, which is a fragment of the tectonically dismembered Central Sudetic Ophiolite (NE Bohemian Massif). On the basis of textural, mineralogical and chemical differences, two types of silicified serpentinites have been distinguished in this study (Type I and Type II). Type I is characterized by well-preserved primary minerals cut by numerous veinlets filled with microscale euhedral quartz crystals. Studied samples of Type I are enriched in silica (from 62 to 69 wt.% SiO2) and depleted in magnesium (from 10 to 19 wt.% MgO) in comparison to serpentinized peridotites from the Szklary Massif. Type II is almost exclusively composed of amorphous or poorly crystalline silica, with microquartz aggregates being the most abundant form. Silicified serpentinites of Type II show extremely high values of silica (from 83 to 90 wt.% SiO2) and low magnesium concentrations (from 4 to 8 wt.% MgO). Both types of silicified serpentinites have elevated content of REE and many other trace elements generally regarded as incompatible. We infer that the earlier silicification event was caused by the percolation of Si-rich hydrothermal fluids derived from igneous rocks, which intruded this area from ca. 380 to 330 Ma. A subsequent silicification event is the result of silica remobilization during intense chemical weathering under tropical conditions, which could have occurred between Late Cretaceous and Miocene