This book explains how microorganisms play a pivotal role in the formation of biominerals, including carbonates, silicate minerals and oxides. As readers will learn, these minerals may be produced either intracellularly or extracellularly in order to sustain microbial life. Experienced scientists from the field show that some of these biominerals can be produced in an active form, which involves direct enzymatic intervention to form precipitates. In addition, passive mineral formation can be mediated by the presence of dead cells. Readers from Microbiology and Biochemistry will appreciate the thorough coverage on various types of microbial mineral formation and their roles in microbial domains. Furthermore, they will benefit from the authors' first-hand knowledge regarding common techniques for studying biomineral-producing microorganisms, factors affecting biomineralization, and the use of this process in biotechnological applications.

This book presents selected articles from the workshop on "Challenges in Petrophysical Evaluation and Rock Physics Modeling of Carbonate Reservoirs" held at IIT Bombay in November 2017. The articles included explore the challenges associated with using well-log data, core data analysis, and their integration in the qualitative and quantitative assessment of petrophysical and elastic properties in carbonate reservoirs. The book also discusses the recent trends and advances in the area of research and development of carbonate reservoir characterization, both in industry and academia. Further, it addresses the challenging concept of porosity portioning, which has huge implications for exploration and development success in these complex reservoirs, enabling readers to understand the varying orders of deposition and diagenesis and also to model the flow and elastic properties.

Cosmochemistry is a rapidly evolving field of planetary science and the second edition of this classic text reflects the exciting discoveries made over the past decade from new spacecraft missions. Topics covered include the synthesis of elements in stars, behaviour of elements and isotopes in the early solar nebula and planetary bodies, and compositions of extra-terrestrial materials. Radioisotope chronology of the early Solar System is also discussed, as well as geochemical exploration of planets by spacecraft, and cosmochemical constraints on the formation of solar systems. Thoroughly updated throughout, this new edition features significantly expanded coverage of chemical fractionation and isotopic analyses; focus boxes covering basic definitions and essential background material on mineralogy, organic chemistry and quantitative topics; and a comprehensive glossary. An appendix of analytical techniques and end-of-chapter review questions, with solutions available at www.cambridge.org/cosmochemistry2e, also contribute to making this the ideal teaching resource for courses on the Solar System's composition as well as a valuable reference for early career researchers.

Aside from water the materials which are used by mankind in highest quantities arecementitious materials and concrete. This book shows how the quality of the technical product depends on mineral phases and their reactions during the hydration and strengthening process. Additives and admixtures infl uence the course of hydration and the properties. Options of reducing the CO2-production in cementitious materials are presented and numerous examples of unhydrous and hydrous phases and their formation conditions are discussed. This editorial work consists of four parts including cement composition and hydration, Special cement and binder mineral phases, Cementitious and binder materials, and Measurement and properties. Every part contains different contributions and covers a broad range within the area. Contents Part I: Cement composition and hydration Diffraction and crystallography applied to anhydrous cements Diffraction and crystallography applied to hydrating cements Synthesis of highly reactive pure cement phases Thermodynamic modelling of cement hydration: Portland cements - blended cements - calcium sulfoaluminate cements Part II: Special cement and binder mineral phases Role of hydrotalcite-type layered double hydroxides in delayed pozzolanic reactions and their bearing on mortar dating Setting control of CAC by substituted acetic acids and crystal structures of their calcium salts Crystallography and crystal chemistry of AFm phases related to cement chemistry Part III: Cementitious and binder materials Chemistry, design and application of hybrid alkali activated binders Binding materials based on calcium sulphates Magnesia building material (Sorel cement) - from basics to application New CO2-reduced cementitious systems Composition and properties of ternary binders Part IV: Measurement and properties Characterization of microstructural properties of Portland cements by analytical scanning electron microscopy Correlating XRD data with technological properties No cement production without refractories

This volume provides a comprehensive academic review of both positive and negative effects of minerals on human health and quality of life. The book adopts the concept of mineral latu sensu (mineral l.s.), which encompasses a broad spectrum of natural, inorganic, solid, and crystalline, of natural and inorganic chemical elements (metals and metalloids), of modified natural minerals, of biominerals, and of syntetic minerals, all products that branch across the disciplines of earth, soil, environmental, materials, nutrition, and health sciences. Using this broad framework, the authors are able to provide a multidisciplinary assessment on many types of minerals which can be essential, beneficial and hazardous to human health, covering applications in medical geology, medical hydrology or balneotherapy, pharmacology, chemistry, nutrition, and biophysics. The book performs historical analyses of the uses of minerals for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes to better understand current trends and developments in mineral research and human health. The book will be of interest to students, public health officials, environmental agencies and researchers from various disciplines, as well as scientific societies and organizations focusing on medical geology, health resort medicine (crenotherapy, hydrotherapy and climatotherapy), and on pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biomedical applications.

The sharp rise in mineral use has revived concern about scarcity. Economist John Tilton responds by analyzing recent trends in the consumption and availability of minerals that are most integral to the needs of modern civilization. He reminds readers that, if the arguments about scarcity sound familiar, it is because the story of minerals scarcity is almost as old as human history -- and so too is substitution and technological innovation. The issue at hand is the unprecedented acceleration in exploitation and use. Given global population growth, rising living standards, and environmental concerns, how seriously should today's society take the threat of mineral exhaustion?

On Borrowed Time? provides general interest and student readers with an accessible framework for understanding scarcity. Tilton defines important concepts and explores the methods used to study mineral scarcity, including physical measures of known reserves and the total resource base, and economic measures, such as extraction and end-user costs. He notes the increasing emphasis on the social and environmental costs of mineral production and use, placing the scarcity debate in context of broader concerns about sustainability and equity. He adds a history of thought about scarcity, from Malthus and Ricardo to Harold Hotelling, Donella Meadows, and present-day writers.

Papers cover: laboratory and in-situ testing; coupled effects and permeability; creep damage and dilatancy; constitutive modelling; crushed salt behaviour; numerical modelling; storage and disposal projects; mining applications; case studies; and salt pillars and cavities.

Building upon the award-winning second edition, this comprehensive textbook provides a fundamental understanding of the formative processes of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Encouraging a deeper comprehension of the subject by explaining the petrologic principles, and assuming knowledge of only introductory college-level courses in physics, chemistry, and calculus, it lucidly outlines mathematical derivations fully and at an elementary level, making this the ideal resource for intermediate and advanced courses in igneous and metamorphic petrology. With over 500 illustrations, many in color, this revised edition contains valuable new material and strengthened pedagogy, including boxed mathematical derivations allowing for a more accessible explanation of concepts, and more qualitative end-of-chapter questions to encourage discussion. With a new introductory chapter outlining the "bigger picture," this fully updated resource will guide students to an even greater mastery of petrology.

This collection of papers covers many topics in the area of mineral processing, such as: physical enrichment processing; fine particle processing; flotation fundamentals and technology; industrial minerals processing; and waste treatment and utilization.

Modeling of Magmatic and Allied Processes presents methods and models for the quantification of geological processes. Conceptual models for magmatic differentiation involving crystallization and mixing are presented and applied to field and textural data. Model equations for the degree of partial melting in presence perturbations of lithospheric geotherms and partitioning of trace/radioactive elements in the matrix and melts, and the formation of continents with melt additions are described. Diverse magmatic products are shown to result from differentiation processes rather than magmatic source heterogeneities. The degree of partial melting depends on mantle temperatures, for which parameterized thermal convection models are reviewed. Perturbations in geotherms caused by mantle heat flow, CO2 flux from great depths and tectonic thrusting are analyzed. The petrogenetic significance of accessory minerals of felsic magma evolution is assessed with the help of examples from Carpathian granitoids. Methods for simulating the 3-D Concentration and Distribution Models (DC-DMs) and fractal dimension of evolving magma systems are described with examples. The use of conventional scanning electron microscopy methods and electron microprobe to characterize and infer magmatic processes is explained, and the background and economic potential of hydrothermal systems are examined. The nature of oxidizing felsic magmas along with their potential for copper mineralization is discussed. In closing, the handling, calculation and plotting of geochemical data for igneous rock suites using the R-language-based software Geochemical Data Toolkit (GCDkit) along with plug-in modules for the forward and reverse mass-balance calculation of fractional crystallization are demonstrated.

Based on a university course, this book provides an exposition of a large spectrum of geological, geochemical and geophysical problems that are amenable to thermodynamic analysis. It also includes selected problems in planetary sciences, relationships between thermodynamics and microscopic properties, particle size effects, methods of approximation of thermodynamic properties of minerals, and some kinetic ramifications of entropy production. The textbook will enable graduate students and researchers alike to develop an appreciation of the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, and their wide ranging applications to natural processes and systems.

The last two decades have brought a near exponential increase in the amount known about mineral surfaces. Get a handle on this overwhelming mountain of information with The Physics and Chemistry of Mineral Surfaces. This much-needed text will save you hours of tedious journal searches by providing an excellent condensation and overview of the entire field, including its future direction. Top researchers outline atomistic controls on mineral surface structure and reactions; apply these concepts to explain sorption, mineral corrosion and growth; and ultimately consider the role of surfaces in environmental and geochemical processes. This unique text provides a rich and rigorous treatment of these subjects by combining surface physics and chemistry - highlighting their useful, yet often ignored, complementary nature. Unlike other texts, The Physics and Chemistry of Mineral Surfaces also stresses the linkage between fundamentals of mineral surface science and specific real-world problems. This connection facilitates the application of surface physics and chemistry to macroscopic, global processes, such as the origins of life, global warming, and environment degradation. Nowhere else will you find a text on this topic that combines expansive coverage with clear-cut practical applications. Don't miss out! The Physics and Chemistry of Mineral Surfaces has it all.

The behaviour of gold in sedimentary, magmatic and postmagmatic processes are studied and 40 gold-bearing minerals including ten which were recently discovered are described. The results are presented of new experimental studies on phase relations in gold-sulphide systems. The solubility & form of gold migration in high-temperature chloride, sulphide and arsenic solutions are determined. Based on the new data, the genesis of gold deposits is studied and a geochemical classification proposed. This book is designed for specialists in the field of gold chemistry, geochemistry and mineralogy and for field geologists surveying and prospecting for gold.

Pyrite Oxidation and its Control is the single available text on the market that presents the latest findings on pyrite oxidation and acid mine drainage (AMD). This new information is an indispensable reference for generating new concepts and technologies for controlling pyrite oxidation.
This book focuses on pyrite oxidation theory, experimental findings on oxidation mechanisms, as well as applications and limitations of amelioration technologies. The text also includes discussions on the theory and potential application of novel pyrite microencapsulation technologies for controlling pyrite oxidation currently under investigation in the author's laboratory.

Designed to be international in scope, this series sets out to provide students with short textbooks right across the field of earth sciences. The scope ranges from elementary general topics in geology through to more specialist studies.

Thermodynamically constrained averaging theory provides a consistent method for upscaling conservation and thermodynamic equations for application in the study of porous medium systems. The method provides dynamic equations for phases, interfaces, and common curves that are closely based on insights from the entropy inequality. All larger scale variables in the equations are explicitly defined in terms of their microscale precursors, facilitating the determination of important parameters and macroscale state equations based on microscale experimental and computational analysis. The method requires that all assumptions that lead to a particular equation form be explicitly indicated, a restriction which is useful in ascertaining the range of applicability of a model as well as potential sources of error and opportunities to improve the analysis.

'Hurray for Mackenzie and Guilford for at last we have a pictorial guide to the rock-forming minerals! . . . such feasts of colour in mineralogy books are rare . . . an admirable guide' New Scientist

The new edition of this popular textbook, once again, provides an indispensable guide for the next generation of mineralogists. Designed for use on one- or two-semester courses, this second edition has been thoughtfully reorganised, making it more accessible to students, whilst still being suitable for an advanced mineralogy course. Additions include expanded introductions to many chapters, a new introductory chapter on crystal chemistry, revised figures, and an extended plates section containing beautiful colour photographs. Text boxes include historical background and case studies to engage students, and end-of-chapter questions help them reinforce concepts. With new online resources to support learning and teaching, including laboratory exercises, PowerPoint slides, useful web links and mineral identification tables, this is a sound investment for students in the fields of geology, materials science and environmental science, and a valuable reference for researchers, collectors and anyone interested in minerals.

The book introduces essential concept of mineral exploration, mine evaluation and resource assessment of the discovered mineral deposit to students, beginners and professionals. The book is divided into nine chapters which will help the readers to incorporate the concepts of search for mineral deposits and understand the chances of success. The book discusses the fundamental details like composition of earth and mineral resources, formation of rock and mineral deposits, and the attempt to search for ore deposits to advance applications of remote sensing in mineral exploration. It also covers the details on how to conduct system of survey, evaluation, and how to arrive at a decision to open and carryout further exploration in the operating mine. The book shall be of great interest to geologists and mining community.

"Uncovers a centuries-long story of obsession that often included murder, gun fights, deadly accidents, overnight fortunes and even cannibalism. . . Neligh is a practiced writer whose style mixes history and modern realities seamlessly." -Colorado Country Life Gold! brings together the story of this metal’s glittering legacy in the Centennial State and the madness, murder, and mayhem that came along with it. The book examines the rich history of the miners and treasure hunters who came to face danger and hardships in the unforgiving Rocky Mountains. This story is unique in that it takes a look at the phenomenon of gold, the treasure hunters, both modern and historic, and brings them to life in a detailed and sharp narrative. Author Ian Neligh spent a year meeting with experts and enthusiasts, hearing their stories and trying to understand why it is they continue to do what they do—often in the face of extreme hardship. Modern-day gold miners profiled include Al Mosch, Bill Chapman, Ken Reid, and Chad Watkins. Gold! is the story of an unusual subculture on the rise in the mountains of Colorado fueled by a delicate balance of hope, greed, and loss. It tells the story of men mostly forgotten by the world as they go in endless pursuit of an impossible fortune. It follows miners working their small, dangerous gold claims in mines over a hundred years old, to modern-day prospectors trying to strike it rich and counterbalance the weight of a struggling economy. The book also examines if those who spend their lives in search of riches—ever actually strike it rich. From the author of Spurred West: Rogues, Treasure Seekers, Bounty Hunters, and Colorful Characters Past and Present, this book will appeal to both history buffs as well as fans of modern-day reality shows like Gold Rush.

Das Standardwerk fur die Geowissenschaften sowie fur alle Liebhaber von Gesteinen und an Geologie Interessierte. In diesem Buch vermittelt Roland Vinx die Grundlagen der Gesteinskunde praxisorientiert und leicht verstandlich. Dabei kommt es ihm besonders auf die Bestimmung mit makroskopischen Methoden an, d. h. unter Gelandebedingungen, ohne Mikroskop und ohne chemische Analysen. Gesteinsbestimmung erfordert eine sichere Diagnose der enthaltenen Minerale. Deswegen werden zunachst die wichtigsten gesteinsbildenden Minerale vorgestellt, danach folgen Beschreibungen der verschiedenen Gesteinsarten in einheitlich strukturierter Form und auf aktuellem Stand der Klassifikationen. Manchmal ist eine sichere Bestimmung im Gelande prinzipiell nicht moeglich. Fur solche Falle wird erlautert, wie man eine Probe fur die Analyse im Labor nehmen kann, ohne dabei das moeglicherweise sensible Vorkommen zu beeintrachtigen. Mit diesem Buch werden die Merkmale der Gesteine ohne petrographische Vorkenntnisse verstandlich. Sorgfaltig ausgewahlte, farbige Fotos der beschriebenen Minerale und Gesteine sowie von vielen gesteinstypischen Gelandeformen erleichtern das Bestimmen. Das nach nunmehr neun Jahren bereits in der 4. Auflage vorliegende Werk nimmt eine eigene Stellung neben theoretischen Lehrbuchern einerseits und Gesteins- und Mineralienfuhrern andererseits ein.

An in-depth survey of the major commodities of the world
* Profiles each commodity in detail
* Provides in-depth statistics on production
* Includes an invaluable directory
Contents:
* Introductory essays
* Covers all major agricultural and mineral products including aluminium, coal, cotton, nickel, petroleum, bananas, rice, rubber, tea, coffee, tobacco, wheat, natural gas, soybeans, zinc, lead and phosphates
* Each commodity is profiled in detail with information on physical appearance, history, uses, major markets, trends in demand, major importers and exporters
* Statistical details of recent levels of production at a global and individual country level
* Recent trends in prices with indexes of export prices
* A directory of organizations concerned with commodities.

This book is a collection of papers presented in the 30th International Geological Congress, held in Beijing, on mineralogy. The papers deal with topics on fine structures and crystallographic orientations in biogenic magnetite and thermodynamic properties of minerals.

Rare-earth intermetallics, also known as lanthanide elements, play an important role in the study of magnetic materials and the development of semi- and super-conducting materials. This handbook provides an up-to-date compilation of crystallographic, physical, and magnetic data on rare-earth intermetallic compounds. Over 20 different structure types are described in detail with an emphasis on how crystal structure can affect magnetic properties. Theoretical models for magnetic interactions are described as well as the impact of crystal electric fields on transport properties, magneto crystalline anistropy and hyperfine interactions. This book provides materials scientists, engineers and physicists with all the critical information needed to use rare-earth intermetallics effectively in the development of new materials.