Article
Engineering, Environmental
Omar Bashir Wani, Sama Manzoor, Nahid Molaei, Mohammad Shoaib, Shaihroz Khan, Hongbo Zeng, Erin R. Bobicki
Summary: The processing of ultramafic ores can result in slime-coating of nickel-bearing minerals, which lowers nickel recovery and concentrate grade. In this study, sodium citrate was used to restore the surface charge and hydrophobicity of the mineral, prevent the coating of the mineral, and improve nickel recovery and grade.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Farid Juillot, Leonore Flipo, Mickael Tharaud, Eric Viollier, Vincent Noe, Pierre Le Pape, Jean-Michel Fernandez, Benjamin Moreton, Guillaume Morin
Summary: This study investigates the bioavailability of trace metals in coastal sediments downstream of an ultramafic catchment in New Caledonia. The results show a decreasing shore-to-reef gradient in the bioavailability of nickel and chromium, indicating the importance of ultramafic sediments in coastal deposition.
Article
Plant Sciences
A. Joseph Pollard, Grace L. McCartha, Celestino Quintela-Sabaris, Thomas A. Flynn, Maria K. Sobczyk, J. Andrew C. Smith
Summary: Variation in nickel hyperaccumulation in Odontarrhena serpyllifolia populations was studied under common-garden conditions, revealing that serpentine accessions exhibit higher nickel tolerance and hyperaccumulation compared to limestone accessions. This suggests population-level adaptation to local substrates, as seen in the stable tissue concentrations of key elements in serpentine populations despite nickel exposure.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yohan Pillon, Vanessa Hequet
Summary: This review focuses on the taxonomy of Argophyllum in New Caledonia, discussing validly published names, description of a new species, and recognition of seven endemic species in the region. The leaf nickel content of A. riparium exceeding 1000 μg g(-1) makes it a nickel hyperaccumulator, a trait shared by all other species in the region except for A. nitidum.
Article
Agronomy
T. Nyenda, T. Musungwa, T. Piyo, P. Kowe, J. Muvengwi, E. T. F. Witkowski
Summary: This study investigated the influence of local edaphic and topographic gradients on woody species associations on ultramafic and non-ultramafic substrates. The results showed that aspect had a significant impact on woody vegetation assemblages, with lower species richness and tree/shrub densities observed on ultramafic substrates. Soil parameters such as Mg, Mg/Ca ratio, total Ni, Cr and Mn, as well as available Ni, were higher on ultramafic substrates.
Article
Plant Sciences
Claudia Garnica-Diaz, Rosalina Berazain Iturralde, Betsaida Cabrera, Erick Calderon-Morales, Fermin L. Felipe, Ricardo Garcia, Jose Luis Gomez Hechavarria, Aretha Franklin Guimaraes, Ernesto Medina, Adrian L. D. Paul, Nishanta Rajakaruna, Carla Restrepo, Stefan J. Siebert, Eduardo van den Berg, Antony van der Ent, Grisel Velasquez, Catherine M. Hulshof
Summary: Ultramafic plant ecology in tropical ecosystems is not well-understood, as most research has focused on Mediterranean and temperate climates. This study aims to synthesize current knowledge on tropical ultramafic plant ecology and propose an interdisciplinary research agenda. The results show that tropical ultramafic floras are diverse and variable, influenced by biogeography, climate, and edaphic properties. The varying rates of endemism, specialization, and stress tolerance traits have implications for the management and conservation of these unique systems.
Article
Agronomy
Clemente Batista Soares Neto, Paula Rose Almeida Ribeiro, Paulo Ivan Fernandes-Junior, Leide Rovenia Miranda de Andrade, Jerri Edson Zilli, Ieda Carvalho Mendes, Helson Mario Martins do Vale, Euan Kevin James, Fabio Bueno dos Reis Junior
Summary: This study evaluated the presence and characteristics of nodulating bacteria in symbiosis with Mimosa spp. and identified Paraburkholderia sp. as the main bacteria present in the nodules. These bacteria effectively nodulated M. pudica but produced ineffective nodules in common bean. The results suggest that this symbiotic relationship may play a role in restoring ultramafic soils degraded by mining activity in Barro Alto areas.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yuxiang Gao, Xi Jin, Liumei Teng, Sohrab Rohani, Minyu He, Jiangling Li, Shan Ren, Qingcai Liu, Junbin Huang, Huamei Duan, Yuntao Xin, Weizao Liu
Summary: This study proposes a novel process using copperas, a solid waste, to extract magnesium and nickel from laterite ore for simultaneous CO2 mineralization and recovery of nickel. The copperas is decomposed into SO2, sulfating the laterite ore and the addition of Na2SO4 facilitates the formation of low melting point substances, enhancing the extraction efficiency. The heat of sulfation compensates the heat of copperas decomposition, reducing overall energy consumption. The carbonation experiments reveal the optimal CO2 storage capacity of approximately 291 kg.t? 1 laterite ore. Compared to the conventional acid-based Mg extraction process, this cheap method avoids reagent recycling and reduces the amount of alkali used.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Daniel Mege, Joanna Gurgurewicz, Matteo Massironi, Riccardo Pozzobon, Gloria Tognon, Maurizio Pajola, Livio L. Tornabene, Alice Lucchetti, Beatrice Baschetti, Joel M. Davis, Ernst Hauber, Barbara De Toffoli, Sylvain Doute, Laszlo Keszthelyi, Lucia Marinangeli, Jason Perry, Antoine Pommerol, Loredana Pompilio, Angelo Pio Rossi, Frank Seelos, Francesco Sauro, Ruth Ziethe, Gabriele Cremonese, Nicolas Thomas
Summary: We study the geological activity and water discharge in the Ladon basin on Mars using the data from ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter/Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System. The combination of this data set with other data sets allows for effective geological mapping. We observe dark lobate flows and altered levels, indicating ultramafic rocks and potential hydrothermal activity. Additionally, kaolin minerals are detected, suggesting groundwater alteration. These findings suggest a coeval relationship between volcanism, tectonics, hydrothermal activity, and kaolinization in the Ladon basin on Mars.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Andrea Coppi, Lorenzo Lazzaro, Federico Selvi
Summary: This study presents the first case of plant mortality on serpentine outcrops in Italy following a heat and drought event that occurred between autumn 2016 and summer 2017. The responses of different plant species to extreme events were largely different and not related to their taxonomic position, growth form, or level of edaphic specialization for serpentine soils. Plant survivorship was significantly influenced by local site conditions such as soil depth and aspect.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laetitia Minguez, Elisabeth M. Gross, Davide A. L. Vignati, Ana Romero Freire, Estelle Camizuli, Frederic Gimbert, Celine Caillet, Sandrine Pain-Devin, Simon Devin, Francois Guerold, Laure Giamberini
Summary: The study investigated metal contamination issues along the Albanian shoreline of Lake Ohrid in aquatic ultramafic environments. Although nickel and chromium were bioavailable to native organisms, no ecotoxic effects were observed in laboratory tests. Further research on metal translocation, metabolism, and elemental trophic transfer is essential for the management of temperate ultramafic environments.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Omar Bashir Wani, Diling Yang, Sama Manzoor, Mohammad Shoaib, Shaihroz Khan, Hao Zhang, Hongbo Zeng, Bern Klein, Erin R. Bobicki
Summary: This study investigates the application of sodium citrate as an environmentally friendly reagent in modifying particle-particle interactions in serpentine aqueous suspensions. The results show that sodium citrate selectively adsorbs on the brucite plane of serpentine at alkaline pH, weakening the interparticle attraction and reducing the suspension's viscosity. This work provides useful implications for the use of green reagents in mineral operations involving phyllosilicate gangues.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Charlotta Tiberg, Carin Sjostedt, Karin Karlfeldt Fedje
Summary: This study compared the speciation of copper and zinc in six different bottom ashes and found that the speciation of copper and zinc in most grate boiler ashes is similar, with the main species being copper(II) oxide and zinc(II) oxide.
Article
Agronomy
Roger D. Reeves, Maria Aloupi, Emmanouil Daftsis, John A. Stratis, Petros Mastoras, Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos
Summary: This study evaluates the geology and flora of ultramafic areas on the islands of Rhodes and Cyprus and provides new analytical information about plant species and soils. The study confirms the presence of nickel hyperaccumulating species on Cyprus but not on Rhodes. The concentrations of other elements in the collected plant species are within the ranges observed in ultramafic plants worldwide. The conservation of endemic plant species in ultramafic areas is of great importance.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Santiago Seiler, Gustavo Sanchez, Marek Pawlik, Peter Bradshaw, Bern Klein
Summary: This paper presents a flotation study on recovering awaruite from the Baptiste ultramafic deposit, which shows that a high-grade concentrate with a promising nickel content can be produced. The flotation process of awaruite is highly dependent on the pH level and the activation of its surface. The findings suggest that awaruite flotation can be a viable method for the production of stainless steel and clean energy technologies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiali Yan, Matthew Fischel, Hongping Chen, Matthew G. Siebecker, Peng Wang, Fang-Jie Zhao, Donald L. Sparks
Summary: The bioavailability of cadmium in paddy soils is strongly influenced by the flooding-draining cycle and amendments such as CaCO3 and CaSO4. The speciation and release kinetics of cadmium are affected by the duration of flooding and different amendments in paddy soils. Adding CaCO3 can reduce cadmium accumulation in rice plants.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Review
Soil Science
Xinxin Mo, Matthew G. Siebecker, Wenxian Gou, Ling Li, Wei Li
Summary: Cd sorption in soil is a key chemical process affecting its fate and mobility, with XAFS studies providing molecular-level information to characterize surface reactions. Understanding these processes can aid in developing strategies for environmental remediation of Cd-contaminated soils.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guilherme Lopes, Wei Li, Matthew G. Siebecker, Donald Lewis Sparks, Luiz Roberto Guimaraes Guilherme
Summary: Studies in Brazil and elsewhere have found elevated levels of zinc in areas surrounding mining and smelting sites. This study evaluated zinc desorption and speciation in soils affected by mining and smelting activities in Brazil, showing differences in the exchangeable fraction and presence of various zinc forms. The findings suggest that specific zinc precipitate/sorbed forms in soil can significantly affect zinc desorption and mobility.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xinxin Mo, Matthew G. Siebecker, Wenxian Gou, Wei Li
Summary: This study investigated the sorption mechanisms of nickel at palygorskite/solution interfaces using various techniques. The results showed different reaction kinetics at different pH conditions and the formation of different surface complexes or precipitates at different ionic strengths, shedding light on metal sequestration and surface precipitation phenomena at mineral/water interfaces.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fatemeh Izaditame, Matthew G. Siebecker, Donald L. Sparks
Summary: This study investigated the impact of sea-level rise-induced flooding on the release of arsenic and selected hazardous chemicals in contaminated sediments, finding that the dissolved concentrations of pollutants remain high even after flooding.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bruno Cocco Lago, Jose Laercio Favarin, Rodrigo Estevam Munhoz de Almeida, Clovis Pierozan Junior, Silas Maciel de Oliveira, Tiago Tezotto, Andre Froes de Borja Reis, Matthew G. Siebecker
Summary: The timing of potassium fertilizer application does not significantly affect corn performance, unless soil potassium levels are limiting. However, the timing does affect the utilization of potassium fertilizer by corn, with early application leading to better efficiency.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Jiali Yan, Zhong Tang, Matthew Fischel, Peng Wang, Matthew G. Siebecker, Mark G. M. Aarts, Donald L. Sparks, Fang-Jie Zhao
Summary: This study aims to screen Noccaea caerulescens lines with high cadmium phytoextraction efficiency and investigate differences in cadmium species and distribution in the leaves. The results showed that there are wide variations in biomass production and cadmium accumulation capacity among different lines, and cadmium-thiol complexes play a crucial role in cadmium detoxification.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Kathryn Daria Szerlag, Monica Elavarthi, Matthew G. Siebecker, Chunhao Gu, Conner McCrone, Donald Lewis Sparks
Summary: This study investigated the desorption and solubilization mechanisms of legacy phosphorus in agricultural soils. The results showed that sulfate has a stronger competition for phosphorus desorption, and agricultural soils in the coastal areas are threatened by sea level rise and inundation.
Article
Soil Science
Emma J. Schmidt, Giovanni Zanoni, Amee Bumguardner, Branimir Segvic, Katie Lewis, Dalton Abdala, Matthew G. Siebecker
Summary: This study investigates the changes in the coordination environment of potassium (K) in soil profiles using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) combined with wet chemical extractions. The results show that the Mehlich extraction can remove the bonding between K and the siloxane surfaces in the interlayer space of illite and illite-smectite, resulting in increased hydration of K. This phenomenon is more significant in coarser-textured soils.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Vung Pham, Cynthia M. Jordan, Matthew G. Siebecker, David C. Weindorf, Tommy Dang
Summary: This study proposes a multifaceted approach using proximal sensor technologies to rapidly characterize soil profiles in larger geographical areas, and utilizes an interactive data visualization solution for data processing and analysis.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amanda Jo Zimmerman, Danira Garcia Gutierrez, Negar Shaghaghi, Aakriti Sharma, Amrika Deonarine, Gautier Landrot, David C. Weindorf, Matthew G. Siebecker
Summary: This study systematically investigates the mobility of arsenic-enriched titanium dioxide water treatment residuals (TiO2 WTRs), and finds that a significant portion of arsenic can be extracted when exposed to phosphate solutions. Macroscopic desorption experiments and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirm the formation of inner-sphere bonds between arsenic and TiO2 particles. Additionally, incubation experiments reveal the reduction of arsenic(V) to arsenic(III) in solution. The high mobility of arsenic and the potential for reduction present important risks, particularly in agriculturally important areas where waste products are not properly managed.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Thanh Quang Pham, Scott Longing, Matthew G. Siebecker
Summary: The larvae of mealworms have been found to consume polystyrene (PS) and several other commonly used commercial plastics to varying degrees. This discovery has important implications for reducing plastic waste in the environment. The study also reveals the specific consumption rates and effects on mealworm mass and viability for different types of plastics.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Katherine Coyle, Aakriti Sharma, Thanh Quang Pham, Katie Lewis, Matthew G. Siebecker
Summary: Potassium bioavailability in soil is directly linked to its behavior at the mineral-water interface, and this study investigates how potassium sorption to aluminum and silicon oxides is affected by co-ions, dissolved silicate, and surface precipitation. The results provide new insights into potassium adsorption and fixation in soil and clay mineral systems, which have important implications for effective potassium fertilizer application and bioavailability in soil.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Piyapas Sricharoenvech, Matthew G. Siebecker, Ryan Tappero, Gautier Landrot, Matthew H. H. Fischel, Donald L. Sparks
Summary: This study examined the effects of water salinity and redox conditions on chromium chemistry in contaminated coastal urban soils. The results showed that chromium release was lower under seawater and anoxic conditions compared to freshwater and aerobic conditions.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Thanh Quang Pham, Aakriti Sharma, Katherine Coyle, Katie Lewis, Matthew G. Siebecker
Summary: Surface precipitation has been shown to affect potassium sorption. The presence of silicon was found to increase potassium adsorption. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of bayerite and layered double hydroxides, providing new sorption sites. X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis indicated a different binding mechanism of potassium to silicon compared to potassium to aluminum. The findings have implications for improving potassium fertilizer recommendations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)