Bentonite are usually found in deep geographical areas. They are produced from rock, fossils, weathering of volcanic ash and disposal of high-level of radioactive waste in many countries. Bentonite mainly consist of clay mineral such as montmorillinite and kaolinite. They mainly exist in cationic form of organic compounds such as aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon and are employed to modify high cations exchange capacity, higher structural integrity, thermal conductivity, high chemical buffering capacity, and stiffness. Bentonite is a layer of natural silicate clay mineral having numerous properties such as large specific surface area, great absorption and interlayer exchangeable cation. Bentonite consists of outstanding physico-chemical properties which make it applicable in the areas such as water treatment, medical, groundwater barrier, farming, and construction. They are well known to be one of the most versatile and inexpensive treatments. The current book describes the bentonite characteristic, uses and implications for the environment in many areas of environmental science in particular, such as remediation, clean energy, water research and waste management. Researchers working in the area will benefit from the fundamental concepts and advanced approaches described in the book. The book is going to also be beneficial to researchers who are working for their graduate and postgraduate degrees in the area of science and technology. The book also provides a platform for all researchers as it covers a wide background in the subject from recent literature, abbreviations, and summaries. Additionally, this book covers a broader research area of chemistry, physics, environmental science, materials science, polymer science and engineering to present an interdisciplinary approach. This book contains the fundamental knowledge as well as recent advancements in the research and development of bentonite. The book also covers recent approaches and prospects about the current research and development of bentonite.

Minerals and Human Health is written in response to the demand for additional knowledge about global climate change, the industrial contamination of water reservoirs, and epidemiological intoxication from industrial hazards related to the use of mineral resources. The book addresses issues associated with the physical and geological processes of the Earth, the sustainability and fragility of the Earth's resources, and the interplay between health, industrial activities, and environments. It combines mineralogy, medicine, and the environmental, life, and political sciences to develop solutions to ease human suffering from geological toxicity. Minerals and Human Health helps students to understand the Earth's activities and the unique resources that sustain life and facilitate industrial progress. The text teaches readers how the dispersal of geological materials effects the human population. In-book quizzes allow students to assess their own progress. Questions for discussion and review encourage critical thinking and debate and support retention. Minerals and Human Health can be used in courses on earth and environmental sciences, geopollution, and geochemistry.

Since the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Act) was passed in 2010, relevant U.S. agencies have undertaken various activities related to responsible sourcing of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. In response to the Act, the Department of State (State) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) developed a strategy in 2011 to address the linkages among human rights abuses, armed groups, and the mining of conflict minerals and are implementing various strategy objectives. This book examines, among other things, the extent to which relevant U.S. agencies have undertaken activities related to responsible sourcing of conflict minerals; and what is known about the status of, and information provided by, stakeholder initiatives focused on responsible sourcing of conflict minerals from the DRC and adjoining countries.

Nanocrystalline apatites constitute the main inorganic part of human hard tissues (bone and teeth), and a growing focus is devoted to prepare synthetic analogs, so-called "biomimetic", able to precisely mimic the morphological and physical-chemical features of biological apatites. In fact, it is reasonable to hypothesize that by virtue of their high similarity with the biogenic calcium phosphates, synthetic nano-sized and ionic substituted apatite nanocrystals can display better biological performances than coarser and ceramic hydroxyapatite. For this reason, the study of their crystallization mechanisms and the possibility to tailor the structural and physical-chemical properties of these materials open several possibilities to prepare optimal devices in medical sciences and also to better investigate the biomineralization processes of living organisms. This book is divided in three main parts and is principally devoted to highlight the recent progresses on the preparation and characterization of multifunctional nanocrystalline apatites with tailored properties to be used as healthcare materials (i.e. nanoparticles for drug or gene delivery and materials for bone substitution and regeneration). The first part is intended to be a comprehensive review of the importance and the occurrence of calcium phosphates in nature (geological and biological occurrence) and to underline the peculiar characteristics of nanocrystalline apatites. The aim of the second part is to show the most important analytical techniques for the characterization of apatite features and to describe the new theories behind the apatite crystallization and dissolution processes. The last part describes the traditional and the most exciting and innovative applications of pure, ionic-substituted, and organic-functionalized apatite as biomaterial. The chapters, written by eminent scientists, will serve as an important and useful reference source for a broad audience that consists of both expert (materials scientists, biomedical engineers and biologists) and non-expert readers to who want to improve their knowledge in the field of apatite based biomaterials.

This book is intended to provide the reader with information regarding diamond prospecting. It also points out areas to prospect. I have prospected in this area of Virginia and West Virginia in the past, but my ill health prevents me doing it anymore. It's all yours now. Finding diamonds will not be that difficult, but remember, they should be two carats or larger and free of flaws to be worth much. You may want to save everything smaller, too. Some third world company may purchase them from you.

Das bewahrte Lehrbuch der Mineralogie Gregor Markls Buch ist eine verstandliche Einfuhrung in die Grundlagen der Mineralogie, Petrologie und Geochemie und richtet sich vor allem an Studierende geowissenschaftlicher Facher. Am Anfang steht eine reich bebilderte Beschreibung der wichtigsten Minerale und Gesteine. Dann stellt der Autor Konzepte und Analysemethoden der Mineralogie vor und erklart die Bildung und Veranderungen von metamorphen, magmatischen und sedimentaren Gesteinen. Das Kapitel zur Geochemie beleuchtet die Chemie des Kosmos, die Entstehung der Elemente, Meteorite sowie die Zusammensetzung der wichtigsten globalen Reservoire (Erdkern, -mantel, -kruste, Ozeane, Atmosphare). Eine wichtige Anwendung der Geochemie ist die Messung von Gehalten an Spurenelementen oder stabilen und radiogenen Isotopen in Gesteinen zur Rekonstruktion geologischer Prozesse. Das Lehrbuch besticht durch moderne Stoffauswahl und -darstellung, ubersichtlich strukturierte und verstandliche Texte, die gelungene Verbindung von Mineralogie, Petrologie und Geochemie sowie die grosse Zahl farbiger Fotos und instruktiver zweifarbiger Grafiken. Studierenden der Geowissenschaften wird dieses Buch vom Grundstudium bis zum Bachelorabschluss begleiten. Zugleich bietet es allen, die sich fur die Erde interessieren, spannende Einblicke in die Wissenschaft von den Mineralen und Gesteinen.

Here is a state-of-the-art survey of artificial intelligence in modern exploration programs. Focussing on standard exploration procedures, the contributions examine the advantages and pitfalls of using these new techniques, and, in the process, provide new, more accurate and consistent methods for solving old problems. They show how expert systems can provide the integration of information that is essential in the petroleum industry when solving the complicated questions facing the modern petroleum geoscientist.

By definition, biosphere is the Earth's geological shell populated by living organisms. Therefore, the biosphere's origin and evolution is primarily a geological problem. At present geological problems are solved using methods of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. The multidisciplinary approach is a basis of this book. Life origin problems occupy the main part of the book. What is life, and can we understand its origin and evolution on the basis of laws of physics and chemistry? A number of works are dedicated to experimental study of the synthesis of organic compounds of the prebiotic significance, including ATP and photoactive systems. The characteristic feature of our scientific approach is to consider the problem of life origin in the context of the origin and evolution of the solar system, beginning with the protoplanetary stage and including the events of the Earth's early history. The last chapter comprises papers that concern modern problems and approaches to the study of various aspects of biological evolution. The present edition is a collection of articles by scientists representing more than 20 institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other organisations, joined by the science program "Problems of Biosphere Origin and Evolution". This book will be interesting for a wide range of researchers: physicists, chemists, biologists, mathematicians. The book represents the stance of the Russian scientific school on the problem of life origin, which does not always coincide with opinions of other scientific schools.

By definition, biosphere is the Earth's geological shell populated by living organisms. Therefore, the biosphere's origin and evolution are primarily a geological problem. At present geological problems are solved using methods of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. The multidisciplinary approach is a basis of this book. Life origin problems occupy the main part of this book. What is life, and can we understand its origin and evolution on the basis of laws of physics and chemistry? A number of works are dedicated to experimental study of the synthesis of organic compounds of the prebiotic significance, including ATP and photoactive systems. The characteristic feature of our scientific approach is to consider the problem of life origin in the context of the origin and evolution of the solar system, beginning with the protoplanetary stage and including the events of the Earth's early history. The last chapter comprises papers that concern modern problems and approaches to the study of various aspects of biological evolution. The present edition is a collection of articles by scientists representing more than 20 institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other organisations, joined by the science program "Problems of Biosphere Origin and Evolution". This book will be interesting for a wide range of researchers: physicists, chemists, biologists, mathematicians. The book represents the stance of the Russian scientific school on the problem of life origin, which does not always coincide with opinions of other scientific schools.

In this book, the authors discuss the structure, technology and applications of sapphire. Topics include the advances in machining technology of sapphire wafers; the growth and surface investigations of synthetic sapphire; laser-assisted micro-fabrication of sapphire; and the heat-physical processes of sapphire crystal growth by horizontal directed crystallisation.

Hydroxyapatite is the most widely accepted biomaterial for the repair and reconstruction of bone tissue defects. It has all the characteristic features of biomaterials, such as, biocompatible, bioactive, osteoconductive, non-toxic, non-inflammatory and non-immunogenic properties. In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the synthesis, properties and applications of hydroxyapatites. Topics discussed include nanodimensional and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and other calcium orthophosphates; application of biomimetic nanocrystalline apatites in drug delivery and tissue engineering; polymer matrix mediated synthesis of nano hydroxyapatite crystals; osteointegration of titanium porous implants with carbon nanocoating and hydroxyapatite particles into the pores; hydroxyapatite thin film prepared by sputtering technique for medical applications; and hydroxyapatite application in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery.

The present work focuses on two fluorite-structured groups of materials: the hydrides of the rare earths (and actinides) and several specific metal oxides, and is authored by researchers among the most competent and active in the field. By contrast to the classical "historic" alkaline-earth halides, non-stoichiometry appears as a key issue for both groups treated here. The former group has attracted particularly close attention because of its possible candidature as hydrogen storage material within the vast prospect of the clean energy economy. In addition, the amazing property of transiting from the metallic to the semiconducting state and back by simply changing the hydrogen concentration between dihydride and trihydride had led to the development of the so-called "switchable mirrors" evolving between the opaque or the reflecting and optically transparent.

In this book, the authors gather and present topical research in the study of the occurrence, mineralogy and origin of granite. Topics discussed in this compilation include the occurrence of Th, U, Y, Zr and REE-bearing accessory minerals in granites and their petrogenetic significance; contrasting petrological attributes of granites in Nigeria; non-linear acoustic phenomena in granite; experimental methods of determining thermal properties of granite; and the mineralogy of the rare-earth element-bearing granites from Central India.

In this edition, most of the commonly occurring minerals of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are discussed in terms of structure, chemistry, optical and other physical properties, distinguishing features and paragenesis. Important correlations between these aspects of mineralogy are emphasized wherever possible. The content of each section has been updated where needed in the light of published research over the 21 years between editions. Tables of over 200 chemical analyses and formulae are included and a number of older entries have been replaced by more recent examples. Major new features: Entirely new views of crystal structures in perspective using CrystalMaker colour images; Over 60 colour photographs of minerals in thin sections of rocks under the petrological microscope; Considerably expanded treatment of feldspar and zeolite minerals; Mineral identification table based on birefringence and listing other properties; Colour strip with appropriate interference colours and birefringences for the main rock-forming minerals. This book will be useful to undergraduate students of mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry, especially those at third or fourth year, engaged in more advanced courses or specialized projects, and also as a reference work for students for 'Masters' degrees by taught courses or research. For doctorate students, and research workers in the Earth Sciences as well as those in Materials Science and other related disciplines, this work can be useful as a condensed version of the very extensive treatment presented in the volumes of the DHZ Series 'Rock-Forming Minerals', second edition. Buyers through online retailers should contact the Mineralogical Society in order to receive the free CD which goes with the book ([email protected]).

Pyrite is a widely spread natural mineral and important organic material. It participates in numerous geochemical processes, including oxidation reactions that cause acid mine drainage. In this book, the authors discuss pyrites synthesis, characterisation and uses. Topics include the use of pyrite as a concentrator of gold in laboratory and natural systems; oxidative degradation of organic pollutants by fenton reaction in pyrite suspension; potentiometric characterisation and analytical application of pyrite mineral for the assay of weak organic acids in non-aqueous media; sorption of mercury(II) to synthesised pyrite (FES2) and stabilisation via surface reaction; the pyritisation of fossils from the cretaceous period of the Langerstatte Araripe Basin, in Northeast Brazil; and pyrite phases as high pressure polymorphs of dioxides and other compounds.

A method of treating a kaolin particulate material to improve its properties by removal of impurity particles thereform, to improve the brightness, and whiteness and other properties. Method of treating raw kaolin clay for preparing nanoparticles of kaolin clay to replace titanium dioxide in water based coatings, and for use as an adsorbent for the removal of toxic heavy metal ions such as lead, zinc, cadmium, cobalt, copper, and chromium ions from aqueous solutions. A method includes: (a) removing colored impurities by treating pulverized kaolin clay with diluted hydrochloric acid, (b) Producing a dispersed aqueous suspension of a kaolin particulate material containing at least 0.1 % by weight based on the dry weight of the kaolin deflocculated by sodium polyphosphate (c) Dispersed aqueous suspension may have a solids content kaolin particles of 20-30 % by weight and this suspension is subjected to evaporation to have a solids content of 70-75%, and (d) producing nanoparticles of kaolin clay by dispersing in water-ethanol mixture.

This work presents mathematical models for pressure and saturation distributions of oil and water flow through semi-infinite porous media. The mathematical models were developed from the popular Darcy's equation and the continuity equation. The mathematical model, which contains simultaneously saturation and pressure gradients, was decoupled to have a pure pressure and saturation differential equations. The Crank-Nicolson Finite Difference Method was used to provide solution to the partial differential equations. System of linear equations resulted from the discretized partial differential equations were solved for saturation and pressure distributions using the Modified Gaussian Elimination Method algorithm, which was implemented in Microsoft Excel Visual Basic for Application. The solution was tested using hypothetical oil/water well production data. The solution scheme and computer language adopted in this work are easy to apply and use as opposed to the sophisticated and expensive computer software used by most researchers in the area.

Elliot L. Richardson The United States is finally awakening to the fact that it has a major stake in the future of the Arctic. Recognition of the national importance of the Arctic has been slow in coming despite the resource wealth that Arctic Alaska has thus far yielded. Although the United States has had strategic interests in the Arctic since World War II and active oil and gas interests there since the discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay in 1968, its interest in the Arctic has been low in comparison with that of its Arctic neighbors, Canada and the Soviet Union. What has been described by some as an attitude of neglect toward the Arctic is now changing. The notion of change has become central in most current discussions about the future of the Arctic. It is apparent that the Arctic region is entering a period of greatly accelerated economic, social, strategic, and is political change. The driving force behind the changes taking place resource development activity, and although the present scale of this activity is not inconsequential, it is small in comparison to its projected growth in the next two decades. In short, the Arctic is about to come alive. However, knowledge of the Arctic and experience in the Arctic is comparatively limited. Moreover, competing interests and differing val ues exist among national groups and between countries in the Arctic, just as they do in the lower latitudes."

This book resulted from a series of frustrations. Analytical electron microscopy requires exactly what its name implies: quantitative information to conduct an analysis. The frustrations arose when I started hunting for specific forms of equations in a form understandable to a non-crystaHographer, for definitions of subtle concepts related to crystallography, for intelligible interpretations of space group symbols and their significance. What I frequently discovered was that such information was buried in a giant tome and couched in terms familiar to crystallographers but not to electron microscopists in general, or it was located in an old reference not available in my library, or it was found in an out-of-print book, or it was in a Russian book no longer available, etc. So to minimize the frustrations, I started a notebook containing the details, particularly after I had found forms of equations useful for quick calculations or equations in a form useful for proving, doing, or extending calculations found in a reference. The resulting notebook grew to a respectable size, requiring some organizing of the contents. Finally, the size became large enough, and has proven useful enough, to produce the notebook as a book.

This book, from the series Primary Sources: Historical Books of the World (Asia and Far East Collection), represents an important historical artifact on Asian history and culture. Its contents come from the legions of academic literature and research on the subject produced over the last several hundred years. Covered within is a discussion drawn from many areas of study and research on the subject. From analyses of the varied geography that encompasses the Asian continent to significant time periods spanning centuries, the book was made in an effort to preserve the work of previous generations.

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.