Thermal stability of the ‘cave’ mineral ardealite Ca2(HPO4)(SO4)•4H2O

Thermogravimetry combined with evolved gas mass spectrometry has been used to characterise the mineral ardealite and to ascertain the thermal stability of this ‘cave’ mineral. The mineral ardealite Ca2(HPO4)(SO4)•4H2O is formed through the reaction of calcite with bat guano. The mineral shows disorder and the composition varies depending on the origin of the mineral. Thermal analysis shows that the mineral starts to decompose over the temperature range 100 to 150°C with some loss of water. The critical temperature for water loss is around 215°C and above this temperature the mineral structure is altered. It is concluded that the mineral starts to decompose at 125°C, with all waters of hydration being lost after 226°C. Some loss of sulphate occurs over a broad temperature range centred upon 565°C. The final decomposition temperature is 823°C with loss of the sulphate and phosphate anions.

Thermal stability of stercorite H(NH4)Na(PO4)·4H2O – a cave mineral from Petrogale Cave, Madura, Eucla, Western Australia

Thermogravimetric analysis has been used to determine the thermal stability of the mineral stercorite H(NH4)Na(PO4)·4H2O. The mineral stercorite originated from the Petrogale Cave, Madura, Eucla, Western Australia. This cave is one of many caves in the Nullarbor Plain in the South of Western Australia. The mineral is formed by the reaction of bat guano chemicals on calcite substrates. Upon thermal treatment the mineral shows a strong decomposition at 191°C with loss of water and ammonia. Other mass loss steps are observed at 158, 317 and 477°C. Ion current curves indicate a gain of CO2 at higher temperature and are attributed to the thermal decomposition of calcite impurity.

Thermal stability of crandallite CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5•(H2O) – a ‘cave’ mineral from the Jenolan Caves

Thermogravimetry combined with evolved gas mass spectrometry has been used to characterise the mineral crandallite CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5•(H2O) and to ascertain the thermal stability of this ‘cave’ mineral. X-ray diffraction proves the presence of the mineral and identifies the products after thermal decomposition. The mineral crandallite is formed through the reaction of calcite with bat guano. Thermal analysis shows that the mineral starts to decompose through dehydration at low temperatures at around 139°C while dehydroxylation occurs over the temperature range 200 to 700°C with loss of OH units. The critical temperature for OH loss is around 416°C and above this temperature the mineral structure is altered. Some minor loss of carbonate impurity occurs at 788°C. This study shows the mineral is unstable above 139°C. This temperature is well above the temperature in caves, which have a maximum temperature of 15°C. A chemical reaction for the synthesis of crandallite is offered and the mechanism for the thermal decomposition is given.

Vibrational spectroscopy of synthetic archerite (K,NH4)H2PO4 : and in comparison with the natural cave mineral

In order to mimic the formation of archerite in cave minerals, the mineral analogue has been synthesised. The cave mineral is formed by the reaction of the chemicals in bat guano with calcite substrates. X-ray diffraction proves that the synthesised archerite analogue was pure. The vibrational spectra of the synthesised mineral are compared with that of the natural cave mineral. Raman and infrared bands are assigned to H2PO4-, OH and NH stretching and bending vibrations. The Raman band at 917 cm-1 is assigned to the HOP stretching vibration of the H2PO4- units. Bands in the 1200 to 1800 cm-1 region are associated with NH4+ bending modes. Vibrational spectroscopy enables the molecular structure of archerite to be analysed.

Identification of montgomeryite mineral [Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6.(OH)4•12H2O] found in the Jenolan Caves - Australia

In this paper, we report on many phosphate containing natural minerals found in the Jenolan Caves - Australia. Such minerals are formed by the reaction of bat guano and clays from the caves. Among these cave minerals is the montgomeryite mineral [Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6.(OH)4.12H2O]. The presence of montgomeryite in deposits of the Jenolan Caves - Australia has been identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy has been used to characterize the crystal structure of montgomeryite. The Raman spectrum of a standard montgomeryite mineral is identical to that of the Jenolan Caves sample. Bands are assigned to H2PO4-, OH and NH stretching vibrations. By using a combination of XRD and Raman spectroscopy, the existence of montgomeryite in the Jenolan Caves - Australia has been proven. A mechanism for the formation of montgomeryite is proposed.

Vibrational spectroscopy of natural cave mineral monetite CaHPO4 and the synthetic analog

Monetite is a phosphate mineral formed by the reaction of the chemicals in bat guano with calcite substrates and is commonly found in caves. The analog of the mineral monetite CaHPO4 has been synthesized and the Raman and infrared spectra of the natural monetite originating from the Murra-el-elevyn Cave, Eucla, Western Australia, compared. Monetite is characterized by a complex set of phosphate bands that arise because of two sets of pairs of phosphate units in the unit cell. Raman and infrared bands are assigned to HPO4(2-), OH stretching and bending vibrations. Infrared bands at 1346 and 1402 cm−1 are assigned to POH deformation modes. Vibrational spectroscopy confirms the presence of monetite in the cave system.

Past 140-year environmental record in the northern South China Sea : evidence from coral skeletal trace metal variations

About 140-year changes in the trace metals in Porites coral samples from two locations in the northern South China Sea were investigated. Results of PCA analyses suggest that near the coast, terrestrial input impacted behavior of trace metals by 28.4%, impact of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) was 19.0%, contribution of war and infrastructure were 14.4% and 15.6% respectively. But for a location in the open sea, contribution of War and SST reached 33.2% and 16.5%, while activities of infrastructure and guano exploration reached 13.2% and 14.7%. While the spatiotemporal change model of Cu, Cd and Pb in seawater of the north area of South China Sea during 1986–1997 were reconstructed. It was found that in the sea area Cu and Cd contaminations were distributed near the coast while areas around Sanya, Hainan had high Pb levels because of the well-developed tourism related activities.

Documentos técnicos de la propuesta para el mejoramiento tecnológico de la cerámica artesanal en la Chamba – Tolima en los procesos de extracción/beneficio de materias primas, fabricación y cocción de las piezas.

190 hojas : ilustraciones.

Breve nota sobre la anillación de piqueros (sula variegata tschudi)

Presenta un análisis de datos obtenidos en el periodo de tiempo entre los años 1939 a 1941, donde se verifican las características por condiciones hidroclimáticas anormales sobre el cambio ecológico que afectan a todos los seres vivientes del litoral peruano.

Breve estudio sobre la variación cualitativa anual del Plancton superficial de la bahía de Chimbote

Investiga sobre las riquezas de las costas peruanas, en especial de los peces que se alimentan principalmente de la anchoveta; estos son: el bonito, atún, barilete y otros de gran importancia comercial. De la misma forma muestra la diversidad de aves, en especial las guaneras, las cuales corren peligro si no se controla la industria de la harina de pescado y la extracción de otros peces.

Algunos resultados de las anillaciones de Guanay (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii L.) efectuados durante 1939-1941 y 1949-1953

Proporciona información sobre el guanay, ave guanera, que es estudiado para determinar su proceso de anidación y la influencia que tiene en la producción del guano en todo el litoral peruano. Realizan una técnica de marcación de ejemplares para hacerles seguimiento en el periodo de los años 1939 a 1953.

Explotación de los suelos alcalinos

Muestra el examen de origen y naturaleza de álcali en las regiones semiáridas. Determina las relaciones entre el álcali, los suelos y la humedad mejorándolos en las zonas secas.

Efecto de ajuste del flujo dializante (Qd) sobre la eficacia en hemodiálisis a pacientes de bajo peso

Las guías KDOQI del año 2006 utilizan como estándar de adecuación para la diálisis el parámetroKt/V, donde V es el volumen de distribución de urea. Los pacientes con bajo peso tienen menorcantidad total de agua corporal total (menor V), de modo que es posible reducir la cantidad de Qdsin alterar la eficacia de la diálisis. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de la reducción del Qd sobre la adecuaciónde la diálisis en pacientes con pesos menores o iguales a 60 kg sometidos a hemodiálisis.Metodología: estudio observacional con alcance comparativo realizado en la unidad de diálisis deuna clínica especializada de Bogotá. Se evaluaron dos valores de Qd (400 ml/min y 500 ml/min)dentro del proceso de diálisis de individuos con peso menor o igual a 60 kg. Se hizo un seguimientode tres meses para cada forma de diálisis y al final de cada mes se midieron los niveles de Kt/V,hemoglobina y fósforo. Resultados: fueron incluidos 61 pacientes, 60,7% de sexo femenino. Laedad media fue de 55,9 años (DE 14,8) para las mujeres y 60,1 años (DE 13,9) para los hombres.No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los niveles medios de las variablesevaluadas, en los momentos de seguimiento ni al final del estudio. Conclusiones: es posibletener una adecuada terapia de diálisis utilizando un valor menor al establecido por los estándarestradicionales cuando se tienen pacientes con bajo peso, siempre y cuando se mantengan los demásparámetros de suplencia renal.

La soberanía desconocida de Colombia en el Caribe

El presente trabajo busca verificar las condiciones del ejercicio soberano de Colombia en una parte del Mar Caribe, específicamente en relación con una isla denominada Navaza o de la Navaza, desde la óptica del derecho internacional público..

DDT and metabolites residues in the southern bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii) of south-eastern Australia

The southern bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii) is an insectivorous, obligate cave dwelling species found in south-eastern South Australia and western Victoria, Australia. In recent times, the finger of blame for an apparent population decline at Bat Cave, Naracoorte (one of only two known maternity roosts for this species, the other being Starlight Cave, Warrnambool) has been pointed at pesticide use in the region, following the finding of organochlorine and organophosphate insecticide residues in bat guano. This study sampled juvenile southern bent-wing bats from Bat Cave and Starlight Cave, and determined DDT, DDD and DDE concentrations in liver, pectoral muscle, brain and back-depot fat tissues.