Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yushuan Gao, Yindong Wang, Chengxiang Chen, Jun Zhou, Yonghong Cheng, Le Shi
Summary: In this work, a new heating/rehydrating and gas-pushing method is developed to successfully exfoliate Montmorillonite (MMT) into nanosheets with high aspect ratios. The exfoliation performance can be tuned by changing the pretreatment temperature and pH value of the hydrogen peroxide solution. This simple and low-cost method holds promise for mass production of high aspect ratio MMT nanosheets and can promote their application in various fields.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Koki Morida, Keisuke Fukushi, Hiroshi Sakuma, Kenji Tamura
Summary: Understanding the swelling properties of smectites is important for various applications. This study aimed to construct a general model to predict the swelling behavior of smectites saturated with monovalent cations. The results showed that the dehydration behavior of Na+- and K+-saturated smectites was similar, whereas the hydration behavior differed for different smectite species. The dehydration of Na+ and K+ in the smectite interlayers was solely controlled by the intrinsic nature of the cations, while the hydration was controlled by both the cations and the host phase. In contrast, NH4+-saturated smectites exhibited consistent dehydration and hydration curves, likely due to the binding of NH4+ to the basal oxygen. The hysteresis observed in Na+- and K+-saturated smectites was attributed to smaller layer-to-layer distances, limiting water accessibility for hydration.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jiri Kopacek, Petr Capek, Michal Choma, Pavel Cudlin, Jiri Kana, Marek Kopacek, Petr Porcal, Hana Santruckova, Karolina Tahovska, Jan Turek
Summary: The effect of tree mortality on soil nutrient concentrations and pools in unmanaged mountain forests was studied. It was found that after tree dieback, the increased litterfall contributed to the input of base cations, decreasing soil acidity and increasing phosphorus accumulation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zejiang Cai, Boren Wang, Lu Zhang, Shilin Wen, Minggang Xu, Tom H. Misselbrook, Alison M. Carswell, Suduan Gao
Summary: Manure amendment has been proven effective in preventing or reversing soil acidification in red soil. However, an integrated approach combining manure with chemical fertilizers is needed to maintain soil productivity and nutrient balance, while reducing heavy metal accumulation and environmental risks. Incorporating 40% or more of total nitrogen from manure can help prevent acidification and provide necessary phosphorus, but additional potassium inputs are necessary for balanced plant nutrient supply.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sanjib Kumar Behera, Kancherla Suresh, Arvind Kumar Shukla, Manorama Kamireddy, Ravi Kumar Mathur, Kaushik Majumdar
Summary: This study analyzed soil and leaf samples from oil palm plantations to assess the concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg. It found variations in concentrations and ratios of these nutrients in soils and leaves among different soil series. The study highlighted the importance of maintaining proper equilibrium concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg in soils for the nutrition of oil palm trees.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mayanak K. Gupta, Jingxuan Ding, Naresh C. Osti, Douglas L. Abernathy, William Arnold, Hui Wang, Zachary Hood, Olivier Delaire
Summary: By investigating the phonons in Na3PS4 and their coupling to fast sodium diffusion, key anharmonic phonon modes controlling the diffusion process were identified at the Brillouin zone boundary of the anharmonically stabilized cubic phase. Detailed insights into the dynamic mechanism of fast sodium diffusion were provided, offering a pathway to search for further sodium solid electrolytes.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yue Wang, Xingbin Liu, Luxin Wang, Haotian Li, Shiyu Zhang, Jinfeng Yang, Ning Liu, Xiaori Han
Summary: Chloride is a micronutrient necessary for plant growth, but long-term application of chlorinated fertilizers can introduce significant amounts of Cl- into farmland ecosystems. This study found that the long-term application of chlorinated fertilizer increased the Cl- content in the soil, reduced soil pH, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable alkali ions, and increased the risk of aluminum toxicity. Additionally, the content of exchangeable calcium and magnesium ions in the soil was significantly reduced. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid long-term application of high chloride fertilizers in agricultural production.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yue Dong, Jin-Ling Yang, Xiao-Rui Zhao, Shun-Hua Yang, Jan Mulder, Peter Dorsch, Xin-Hua Peng, Gan-Lin Zhang
Summary: Soil acidification and base cation loss are significant problems in the subtropical red soil region of China, particularly in agroecosystems with high nitrogen fertilization. This study assessed the current status and future risk of soil acidification in a typical agricultural watershed using a two-year monitoring approach. The results showed that while significant soil acidification occurred, surface water acidification was minor, indicating the buffer capacity of the soils. However, there was a substantial loss of base cations, depleting the exchangeable pool in the watershed and posing a serious threat to soil recovery from acidification.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. V. Villar, J. Cuevas, A. B. Zabala, A. Ortega, A. M. Melon, A. I. Ruiz, R. J. Iglesias
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the behavior of bentonite as a barrier material in a high-level radioactive waste disposal system. Experimental results showed that the main component of bentonite remained as sodium montmorillonite without any structural changes. In a dry and high temperature condition, the expandability of smectite was not fully developed, but it recovered when hydrated with liquid water. Solubilized ions were transported towards the heater and concentrated in two distinct areas. The microstructure of bentonite near the heater exhibited dense packets with carbon and Na-S-coated cavities, and precipitation of calcite and calcium sulfates also occurred.
CLAYS AND CLAY MINERALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. L. Carmo, R. S. Angelica, S. P. A. Paz
Summary: This study investigated the influence of different cation types on the sodium deactivation of Brazilian bentonite, highlighting the key role of magnesium cations in the process.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guoling Zhang, Guogang Yang, Qiuwan Shen, Shian Li, Zheng Li, Jiadong Liao, Ziheng Jiang, Hao Wang, Hongpeng Zhang, Weiqiang Ye
Summary: This study investigates the effects of foreign cations (Na+ and Ca2+) on the diffusion of H3O+ and H2O in polymer electrolyte membranes using molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that the diffusion coefficients of H3O+ and H2O are significantly reduced by the presence of Na+ and Ca2+, with Ca2+ having a more pronounced effect. The cations affect intramembrane transport properties by occupying sulfonic groups and disrupting the connectivity of water clusters.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Yesid Alejandro Marino Macana, Robson Schaff Correa, Fabio Henrique Silva Floriano de Toledo, Alexandre de Vicente Ferraz, Eric Victor de Oliveira Ferreira, Rodrigo Eiji Hakamada, Gabriela Goncalves Moreira, Jose Carlos Arthur Junior, Jose Leonardo de Moraes Goncalves
Summary: Application of dolomitic limestone and gypsum can stimulate root development and enhance access to water in Eucalyptus plantations in the Brazilian savanna. It also positively impacts soil fertility and improves the growth and wood volume of Eucalyptus trees.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zongfang Han, Hua Yang, Mohua Bu, Manchao He
Summary: This study investigated the effects of interlayer cations on the structural and mechanical properties of montmorillonites using molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that the type of interlayer cations significantly affected the mechanical properties of montmorillonites, especially along specific crystal directions.
CHEMICAL PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrey Yu Rogachev, Zheng Zhou, Shuyang Liu, Zheng Wei, Tobias A. Schaub, Ramesh Jasti, Marina A. Petrukhina
Summary: The study evaluates the consequences of four-electron addition to [8]cycloparaphenylene through crystallographic analysis, revealing significant core deformation. The experimental results show that the [8]CPP4- anion formed during the four-fold reduction process exhibits highly antiaromatic character.
Article
Agronomy
Jing Zhang, Xiaolin Qu, Xiaodong Song, Ying Xiao, Anqi Wang, Decheng Li
Summary: In the last 30 years, severe soil acidification has been found in China due to acid deposition and nitrogen fertilizer overuse. Understanding the spatial pattern and vertical variations in base saturation percentage (BSP) and exchangeable cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, H+ and Al3+) can directly benefit fertilization management and ecological protection.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
C. Pauselli, G. Gola, G. Ranalli, P. Mancinelli, F. Trippetta, P. Ballirano, M. Verdoya
Summary: Evaporites have a significant impact on the temperature distribution in the upper crust, with their high thermal conductivity affecting geothermal gradients and surface heat flow, potentially influencing low-enthalpy geothermal exploitation. Compositional variability plays a crucial role in determining thermal conductivity, with anhydrite and dolomite dominance resulting in higher conductivity compared to gypsum dominance. Modeling the effects of evaporites on crustal geotherms and seismicity distribution indicates significant consequences in the upper crust.
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Beatrice Celata, Paolo Ballirano, Giovanni B. Andreozzi, Ferdinando Bosi
Summary: The thermal behavior of a fluor-elbaite from Minas Gerais, Brazil was studied using in situ high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction. Two main internal reactions were identified: a Fe oxidation process and (OH)(-) deprotonation, followed by a Fe-Al exchange between octahedrally-coordinated sites. The breakdown reaction of the fluor-elbaite occurs between 850 and 900 degrees Celsius, producing B-bearing mullite, hematite, spinel, and B-poor (Na, Li, H2O)-bearing glass as products. Boromullite was not observed in the final heating products.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF MINERALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alessandro Pacella, Paolo Ballirano, Marzia Fantauzzi, Antonella Rossi, Elisa Nardi, Giancarlo Capitani, Lorenzo Arrizza, Maria Rita Montereali
Summary: This study found that the dissolution rate of amphibole asbestos fibers in a simulated solution depends on their structure and chemical composition. Tremolite dissolves slowly, while crocidolite dissolves rapidly, with significant differences in the surface iron elements.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alessandro Pacella, Paolo Ballirano, Marzia Fantauzzi, Antonella Rossi, Cecilia Viti, Lorenzo Arrizza, Elisa Nardi, Raffaela Caprioli, Maria Rita Montereali
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the surface and bulk modifications occurring on fibrous erionite during leaching in a mimicked Gamble's solution (MGS), highlighting the binding of Na ions and redistribution of cations within the erionite cage. The results showed that erionite is significantly more biodurable than amphibole asbestos and may trigger biological effects when immersed in MGS, supporting in vivo observations that erionite is more tumorigenic than asbestos.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ferdinando Bosi, Federico Pezzotta, Alessandra Altieri, Giovanni B. Andreozzi, Paolo Ballirano, Gioacchino Tempesta, Jan Cempirek, Radek Skoda, Jan Filip, Renata Copjakova, Milan Novak, Anthony R. Kampf, Emily D. Scribner, Lee A. Groat, R. James Evans
Summary: Celleriite is a new mineral of the tourmaline supergroup, found in Italy and the Czech Republic, with violet to gray-blue or dark brownish-green color. It has high Mohs hardness and density, with a trigonal crystal structure.
AMERICAN MINERALOGIST
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matteo Giordani, Michele Mattioli, Michela Cangiotti, Alberto Fattori, Maria Francesca Ottaviani, Michele Betti, Paolo Ballirano, Alessandro Pacella, Dario Di Giuseppe, Valentina Scognamiglio, Miriam Hanuskova, Alessandro F. Gualtieri
Summary: This study explores the characteristics and interaction capabilities of carcinogenic erionite and other zeolite minerals at the liquid/solid interface. It finds that erionite has a high Si/Al ratio and specific surface area, and interacts well with spin probes. Mesolite and thomsonite have lower interaction capabilities and less homogeneous surfaces. Mesolite may pose a potential health hazard to humans, but to a lesser degree compared to erionite. Thomsonite interacts with the biological environment with a low intensity.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Matteo Giordani, Paolo Ballirano, Alessandro Pacella, Maria Assunta Meli, Carla Roselli, Fulvio Di Lorenzo, Ivan Fagiolino, Michele Mattioli
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of suspected toxic mordenite fibers from Northern Italy. The mordenite samples showed similar structural and chemical properties, and had respirable fibers that could potentially pose a health hazard.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Michele Mattioli, Paolo Ballirano, Alessandro Pacella, Michela Cangiotti, Fulvio Di Lorenzo, Laura Valentini, Maria Assunta Meli, Carla Roselli, Ivan Fagiolino, Matteo Giordani
Summary: This study investigates the morphology, crystal structure, chemistry, and surface activity of fibrous ferrierite found in northern Italy using various analytical techniques. The results show that these fibers are breathable, able to reach the alveolar space, and have a high ability to adsorb and interact with chemicals. Fibrous ferrierite can be considered a potential health hazard, requiring precautionary measures.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Paolo Ballirano, Beatrice Celata, Ferdinando Bosi
Summary: In this study, the thermal behavior of an uvite from San Piero in Campo was investigated using in situ high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction. The results showed that a thermally induced Fe oxidation process and deprotonation occurred in the uvite from 450 to 650 degrees C. The breakdown reaction of uvite occurred between 800 and 900 degrees C, resulting in the formation of indialite, yuanfuliite, plagioclase, boron-mullite phase, and hematite as the breakdown products.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF MINERALS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Paolo Ballirano, Beatrice Celata, Henrik Skogby, Giovanni B. Andreozzi, Ferdinando Bosi
Summary: The thermal behavior of a gem-quality Mn-bearing elbaite from Madagascar was studied using in situ and ex situ X-ray techniques. The sample decomposed at 825 degrees C and formed B-mullite and gamma-LiAlSi2O6. The oxidation of Mn2+ to Mn3+ and partial disorder between Y and Z sites were observed at high temperatures.
JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
F. Bardelli, C. Giacobbe, P. Ballirano, V. Borelli, F. Di Benedetto, G. Montegrossi, D. Bellis, A. Pacella
Summary: Asbestos bodies (AB) are formed in the lungs by a biomineralization process initiated by alveolar macrophages. This study reveals that AB in former asbestos plant workers contain Fe-oxy(hydroxides) in the form of ferrihydrite and goethite. The presence of goethite suggests acidic conditions induced by macrophages, which have toxicological implications discussed in the paper.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jasmine R. Petriglieri, Luca Barale, Cecilia Viti, Paolo Ballirano, Elena Belluso, Maria R. Bruno, Antonella Campopiano, Annapaola Cannizzaro, Marzia Fantauzzi, Flaminia Gianchiglia, Maria R. Montereali, Elisa Nardi, Angelo Olori, Fabrizio Piana, Maura Tomatis, Antonella Rossi, Henrik Skogby, Alessandro Pacella, Francesco Turci
Summary: The environmental impact of natural occurrences of asbestos and asbestos-like minerals is a growing concern. The lack of shared sampling and analytical procedures hinders addressing this issue effectively. A multidisciplinary approach was proposed and demonstrated to investigate the hazard posed by natural occurrences of asbestos.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Paolo Ballirano, Beatrice Celata, Ferdinando Bosi, Christopher E. Beckett -Brown, Giovanni B. Andreozzi
Summary: Through in-situ powder X-ray diffraction (in situ pXRD), the breakdown temperature of schorl with the richest Fe2+ content was determined to be 850 degrees Celsius, with the first appearance of hematite and dominant B-mullite phase. The breakdown process was completed at 950 degrees Celsius, with no residual tourmaline found. Annealing the schorl at 450 degrees Celsius in air resulted in the oxidation of Fe, counterbalanced by the deprotonation reaction.
PERIODICO DI MINERALOGIA
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Paolo Ballirano, Henrik Skogby, Flaminia Gianchiglia, Maria Cristina Di Carlo, Antonella Campopiano, Annapaola Cannizzaro, Angelo Olori, Alessandro Pacella
Summary: In this study, a complete structural and spectroscopic characterization of an UICC amosite standard sample from Penge mine (South Africa) was reported. The chemical composition and cation site partition were determined using SEM-EDS, Mossbauer, and X-ray powder diffraction data. The results showed that Fe2+ is mainly allocated in the octahedral layer, while Mg is preferentially ordered at a specific site. The obtained results provide a basis for further investigation into the physico-chemical features, chemical reactivity, and toxicity of the fibers.
PERIODICO DI MINERALOGIA
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alessandro Pacella, Paolo Ballirano, Henrik Skogby, Federica Angelosanto, Angelo Olori, Annapaola Cannizzaro, Maria Rosaria Bruno, Francesco Sinopoli, Antonella Campopiano
Summary: This study provides a detailed chemical and structural characterization of a fibrous tremolite sample from an abandoned serpentine quarry in Calabria, Italy, revealing the presence of Fe which could pose potential health hazards. The identified Fe-bearing asbestos tremolite may have pathological effects due to its coordination environment within the mineral structure.
PERIODICO DI MINERALOGIA
(2021)
