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Minerals
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Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials
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Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 11033

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Teresa Pereira da Silva

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Guest Editor
LNEG (National Laboratory for Energy and Geology), Mineral Resources and Geophysics Research Unit, Estrada da Portela, Apartado 7586, 2610-999 Amadora, Portugal
Interests: mineralogy; geochemistry; mineral resources; mining heritage; geoheritage; spectroscopy; XANES; synchrotron radiation
Dr. Daniel P. S. De Oliveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. LNEG (National Laboratory for Energy and Geology), Mineral Resources and Geophysics Research Unit, Estrada da Portela, Apartado 7586, 2610-999 Amadora, Portugal
2. Mineral Resources Expert Group, EuroGeoSurveys, Rue Joseph II, 36-38, Box 7, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Interests: metallogeny of mineral deposits; mineralogy and mineral chemistry; geochemistry; critical raw materials; energy critical elements; synchrotron radiation; geoheritage
Dr. João Pedro Veiga

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Conservation and Restoration & CENIMAT/i3N, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: cultural heritage; mining heritage; mineralogy; crystallography; crystal chemistry; ceramics; glasses; mortars; rock weathering; synchrotron radiation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Minerals focuses on geological materials, including igneous (granite, diorite, gabbro, rhyolite, andesite, basalt, dolerite, volcanic breccia, and tuff), sedimentary (breccias, conglomerates, sandstones, shales, mudstones, siltstones, limestones, and dolomites) and metamorphic (slates, phyllites, schists, gneisses, marble, and quartzites) rocks and soils.

Bearing in mind that mineral raw materials are essential in our daily life and that some are considered critical, furthering the knowledge and characterization of geological materials and their minerals is crucial also for recycling and issues relating to the circular economy and for the identification of new mineral potential and the search for new ore deposits. Moreover, exhausted mines are potentially targets for renewed interest and can contribute to the development of geological tourism and to the study on secondary raw materials or acid mine drainage neo-formed materials, promoting sustainable materials management and bringing new advancements to the mineralogy world.

Furthermore, to ensure a good preservation of our built heritage, such as monuments, buildings, and works of art, it is mandatory to carry out a preliminary study of geological materials, dyes, mortars, etc. Today, numerous techniques can help us to perform the mineralogical and geochemical characterization of such materials, e.g., XRD, XRF, SEM, DTA, TG, PLM, Raman, FTIR, or synchrotron-radiation-based analytical techniques.

This Special Issue aims to serve as a milestone to promote and increase the knowledge of geological materials and their applications, and we encourage all experts to submit their contributions. Of special interest are the characterization and degradation state evaluation of rocks, soils and minerals; soil contamination/remediation; acid mine drainage; historical mining and cultural heritage materials, geoarchaeology, geoheritage, and industrial heritage related to mining; characterization techniques, new materials and methodologies, best practices and case studies; critical raw materials, mineral resources, ores, mineral deposits, and mining; exhausted mines and geological tourism.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Dr. Teresa Pereira da Silva
Dr. Daniel P. S. De Oliveira
Prof. Dr. João Pedro Veiga
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • critical raw materials
  • ores, rocks, soils, minerals
  • mineral deposits and exhausted mines
  • geomaterials
  • mining
  • waste materials
  • acid mine drainage
  • mineral resources
  • secondary minerals
  • secondary raw materials
  • efflorescent minerals
  • ornamental stones
  • rock weathering
  • degradation phenomena
  • built heritage
  • mortars
  • geological tourism
  • mining heritage

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3360 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Mineral Exploration Programs Through Quantitative XRD: A Case Study from the Gumsberg Polymetallic Sulphide Deposits, Sweden
by Sheida Makvandi, Evelien Rost, Thomas Witzke, Matteo Pernechele and Hein Raat
Minerals 2024, 14(11), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14111100 - 29 Oct 2024
Viewed by 618
Abstract
As challenges in precious and base metal exploration intensify due to the diminishing availability of high-grade ore deposits, rising demand, energy costs, and stricter regulations towards net-zero carbon activities, advanced techniques to enhance exploration efficiency are becoming increasingly critical. This study demonstrates the [...] Read more.
As challenges in precious and base metal exploration intensify due to the diminishing availability of high-grade ore deposits, rising demand, energy costs, and stricter regulations towards net-zero carbon activities, advanced techniques to enhance exploration efficiency are becoming increasingly critical. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) with Rietveld refinement, coupled with multivariate statistical analysis (including agglomerative hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis, and fuzzy analysis), in characterizing the complex mineralogy of strata-bound volcanic-associated limestone-skarn Zn-Pb-Ag-(Cu-Au)-type sulphide deposits (SVALS). Focusing on 113 coarse rejects from the Gumsberg project located in the Bergslagen mining district in central Sweden, the research identified five distinct mineralogical clusters corresponding to polymetallic base metal sulphide mineralization, its proximal alteration zones, and variably metamorphosed host rocks. The results reveal significant sulphide mineralization, ranging from disseminated to massive occurrences of sphalerite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, and galena, with trace amounts of secondary minerals like anglesite in certain samples indicating weathering processes. The study also identifies rare minerals such as armenite, often overlooked in traditional geological logging. These findings underscore the potential of QXRD to enhance resource estimation, optimize exploration strategies, and contribute to more efficient and sustainable mineral exploration programs. The accuracy of QXRD was cross-validated with geological logs and geochemical data, confirming its reliability as a mineralogical discrimination tool. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials)
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15 pages, 7687 KiB  
Article
Enrichment Mechanism of Polymetallic Elements at the Base of the Niutitang Formation in Southeast Chongqing
by Guozhi Wang, Can Zhang, Dayong Liu, Linfei Qiu, Ziying Li and Ping’an Peng
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14100978 - 28 Sep 2024
Viewed by 562
Abstract
Polymetallic enrichment layers are commonly found at the base of the Lower Cambrian and extensively distributed across the Upper Yangtze Platform, yet their genetic models remain controversial. This study systematically collected samples from a typical section in the southeastern Chongqing region for mineral, [...] Read more.
Polymetallic enrichment layers are commonly found at the base of the Lower Cambrian and extensively distributed across the Upper Yangtze Platform, yet their genetic models remain controversial. This study systematically collected samples from a typical section in the southeastern Chongqing region for mineral, organic, and inorganic analyses. It investigates the relationship between the abundance of various trace metal elements and organic matter at the base of the Niutitang Formation, as well as the vertical distribution characteristics of organic carbon isotopes and organic matter features. The results indicate that the Niutitang Formation shale exhibits a distinct three-part structure from bottom to top. Various metal elements are enriched in the lower interval, showing a close correlation between the abundance of polymetallic elements and the carbon isotopes of shale organic matter. The middle interval contains the highest TOC value and the lowest Ti/Al ratio, while the upper interval shows a significant decrease in organic matter abundance, with a clear positive correlation between the excess silicon content and Ti/Al ratio. Additionally, the mixing effect of deep-sea upwelling is the primary control on the formation of polymetallic enrichment layers in the lower interval, followed by the adsorption of organic matter under anoxic conditions. The sedimentary environment of the upper interval of the Niutitang Formation trends toward oxidation, with paleoclimate shifting toward colder and drier conditions, exhibiting aeolian sedimentary features that are unfavorable for the enrichment of trace metal elements. Consequently, upwelling is a key factor in the enrichment and mineralization of trace metal elements at the base of the Lower Cambrian in the Upper Yangtze region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials)
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18 pages, 3488 KiB  
Article
Adsorption of Ciprofloxacin and Lidocaine by Non-Fibrous Raw Mg-Clays: The Role of Composition and Texture
by Maria Eugenia Roca-Jalil, Telma Musso, Vanina Rodriguez-Ameijide, Micaela Sanchez, Andrea Maggio, Miria Teresita Baschini, Gisela Pettinari, Luis Villa, Manuel Pozo and Alejandro Pérez-Abad
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 966; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14100966 - 25 Sep 2024
Viewed by 599
Abstract
This study evaluated non-fibrous Mg-clays as potential adsorbents of emerging contaminants (ECs) from water. The materials were characterized, and their textural and structural properties were related to their ability to remove two model EC molecules: ciprofloxacin (CPX) and lidocaine (LID). The results showed [...] Read more.
This study evaluated non-fibrous Mg-clays as potential adsorbents of emerging contaminants (ECs) from water. The materials were characterized, and their textural and structural properties were related to their ability to remove two model EC molecules: ciprofloxacin (CPX) and lidocaine (LID). The results showed that Ad-6 and Ad-7 are mixed-layer kerolite/stevensite, while Ad-5 and Ad-8 are mainly composed of smectite minerals like stevensite and saponite, respectively. Ad-8 exhibited the highest CPX-adsorption capacity (0.91 mmol·g−1 clay), likely due to its saponite content. Mixed-layer materials also performed well, with Ad-6 and Ad-7 achieving an adsorption capacity of 0.8 and 0.55 mmol·g−1 clay, respectively. Adsorption studies suggested that CPX is adsorbed through ion exchange in materials with high smectite content (Ad-8 and Ad-5), while interstratified materials showed enhanced retention due to kerolite presence, which improves their porous structures. Similar findings were observed for LID, indicating a cationic-exchange mechanism for LID adsorption in all the materials and suggesting that the molecular size of the EC could regulate the removal capacity of these materials. This work showed that the studied Mg-clays could be effectively used for the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants, expanding their commercial possibilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials)
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15 pages, 19399 KiB  
Article
Fast Elemental Analysis of Heavy Mineral Suites by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-Unity BEX)
by Jim Buckman, Amy Gough and Max Webb
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 950; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090950 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 965
Abstract
Developments in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have introduced instant live coloured SEM images based on elemental composition. Here, we use a technique utilising a Unity BEX detector system, with collection speeds up to 100 times faster than typical standard energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis [...] Read more.
Developments in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have introduced instant live coloured SEM images based on elemental composition. Here, we use a technique utilising a Unity BEX detector system, with collection speeds up to 100 times faster than typical standard energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis systems, to obtain large area backscattered and elemental composition maps of heavy mineral (HM) suites from a sample from an Oligocene fluvio-deltaic system in the Central Myanmar Basin. The fast X-ray collection rate and a high-resolution backscattered (BSE) detector allow for rapid imaging of polished blocks, thin sections, and stubs. Individual HM species can be rapidly classified, allowing for the subsequent collection of compositional and morphological metrics. In addition, the identification of grains such as zircon and apatite allow for further analysis by cathodoluminescence (CL) to identify and record the presence of growth zonation, which is critical for further U-Pb geochronology and thermochronology, using fission track analysis of apatite, zircon, and titanite. The sample used in this study contains a diverse heavy mineral suite due to the complex tectonic history of Myanmar, juxtaposing multiple metamorphic basement terranes alongside volcanic arcs and obducted ophiolites. This, along with the textural and mineralogical immaturity of the sediments themselves (governed by short transport systems and the rapid weathering of the sources), means that a wide variety of heavy mineral species can be identified and tested using this new technique, which provides a time-efficient method in comparison to traditional optical techniques. As the Unity BEX detector is located at the polepiece, it is relatively insensitive to working distance; in addition, the geometry of paired X-ray detectors on either side of the polepiece (at 180°) means that the system is also capable of fully characterising individual particles, on uncut and unpolished grain mounts, without artefacts such as particle shadowing. The development of a more comprehensive heavy mineral EDX database (library) will improve the accuracy of this new technique, as will the correlation with other techniques such as Raman spectroscopy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials)
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18 pages, 5890 KiB  
Article
An Approach to Accurately Identifying Binders in Historic Mortars by the Combination of Microscopic and Microanalytical Techniques
by Luís Almeida, António Santos Silva, Rosário Veiga and José Mirão
Minerals 2024, 14(8), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080844 - 21 Aug 2024
Viewed by 718
Abstract
Mortars are among the most important materials in building construction. They are generally obtained by mixing aggregates with an inorganic binder. The identification of mortar constituents, particularly the binder type in historic buildings, is one of the essential aspects of building conservation, considering [...] Read more.
Mortars are among the most important materials in building construction. They are generally obtained by mixing aggregates with an inorganic binder. The identification of mortar constituents, particularly the binder type in historic buildings, is one of the essential aspects of building conservation, considering that the new conservation materials must be chemically, mechanically, and physically compatible with the old masonries. Among other techniques used to characterise binders, those related to optical and electronic microscopy are particularly important. Microscopy and combined techniques may be the key to this identification since the classic mineralogical and chemical-based identification approaches are not conclusive enough in investigating the types of hydraulic binders in mortars. This work presents an analysis procedure to identify mortar binders by combining EDS microanalysis and petrography. Mortar samples of known composition were used as a reference for analyzing mortars from historic buildings. The proposed methodology made it possible to identify the type of binder or a mixture of binders based on the identification of the binder features by petrography together with analysis of the chemical composition of the paste by X-ray microanalysis under a scanning electron microscope. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials)
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25 pages, 23623 KiB  
Article
New Strategies in Archaeometric Provenance Analyses of Volcanic Rock Grinding Stones: Examples from Iulia Libica (Spain) and Sidi Zahruni (Tunisia)
by Lluís Casas, Roberta Di Febo, Anna Anglisano, África Pitarch Martí, Ignasi Queralt, Cèsar Carreras and Boutheina Fouzai
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070639 - 23 Jun 2024
Viewed by 923
Abstract
Archaeometry can help archaeologists in many ways, and one of the most common archaeometric objectives is provenance analysis. Volcanic rocks are often found in archaeological sites as materials used to make grinding tools such as millstones and mortars or as building materials. Petrographic [...] Read more.
Archaeometry can help archaeologists in many ways, and one of the most common archaeometric objectives is provenance analysis. Volcanic rocks are often found in archaeological sites as materials used to make grinding tools such as millstones and mortars or as building materials. Petrographic characterization is commonly applied to identify their main mineralogical components. However, the provenance study of volcanic stones is usually undertaken by comparing geochemical data from reference outcrops using common descriptive statistical tools such as biplots of chemical elements, and occasionally, unsupervised multivariate data analysis like principal component analysis (PCA) is also used. Recently, the use of supervised classification methods has shown a superior performance in assigning provenance to archaeological samples. However, these methods require the use of reference databases for all the possible provenance classes in order to train the classification models. The existence of comprehensive collections of published geochemical analyses of igneous rocks enables the use of the supervised approach for the provenance determination of volcanic stones. In this paper, the provenance of volcanic grinding tools from two archaeological sites (Iulia Libica, Spain, and Sidi Zahruni, Tunisia) is attempted using data from the GEOROC database through unsupervised and supervised approaches. The materials from Sidi Zahruni have been identified as basalts from Pantelleria (Italy), and the agreement between the different supervised classification models tested is particularly conclusive. In contrast, the provenance of the materials from Iulia Libica remained undetermined. The results illustrate the advantages and limitations of all the examined methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials)
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20 pages, 6270 KiB  
Article
Copper-Bearing Mineralisation in the Upper Devonian Limestones: A Case Study from the Historical Teresa Adit in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, Poland
by Agnieszka Ciurej, Monika Struska, Anna Wolska, Marek Szczerba and Janusz Olszak
Minerals 2023, 13(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13010054 - 28 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2498
Abstract
The studied copper ore deposit is located in Miedzianka Mountain (Świętokrzyskie Mountains, central Poland). This deposit was exploited from the 13th century to the 1950s; therefore numerous historical adits are currently present. One of these is Teresa adit (established in 1805), consisting of [...] Read more.
The studied copper ore deposit is located in Miedzianka Mountain (Świętokrzyskie Mountains, central Poland). This deposit was exploited from the 13th century to the 1950s; therefore numerous historical adits are currently present. One of these is Teresa adit (established in 1805), consisting of underground mining corridors and natural cave developed in the Upper Devonian limestones, partially transformed by mining works. Samples of copper- and rock-forming minerals in limestones collected at seven sites within the richest copper-bearing mineralisation in this adit were studied with petrographic investigation of thin sections, micro-area chemical analysis (EDS), and XRD. This study shows the presence of various minerals: (a) Cu-Fe sulphides (relics of chalcopyrite) and Cu sulphides (covellite, chalcocite), (b) Cu-Fe oxides (cuprite and hematite), (c) Ca and Cu carbonates (calcite, azurite, and malachite), (d) clay minerals (Fe-Mg illite), and (e) micro-crystalline silica (quartz). For the first time in the studied deposit, we described chalcopyrite relics in cuprite pseudomorphosis, hematite with admixture of vanadium in pinkish-creme veins in limestones, and the presence of an admixture of Fe-Mg illite and microcystaline silica within cracks of limestones. In addition, for the first time, unit cell parameters of malachite and azurite from Miedzianka Mountain were determined, indicating very low substitutions of atoms other than Cu in their structures. We suppose that the minerals studied were formed during three types of copper mineralisation processes: (a) hydrothermal (relics of chalcopyrite), (b) secondary weathering (chalcocite, covellite, cuprite, hematite), and (c) adsorptive mineralisation (azurite, malachite). The latter stage is related to residuum, which consists of a mixture of Fe-Mg illite and micro-crystalline quartz, which was formed during the dissolution of limestones in karst processes in some crevices. We proposed a model of the formation of copper carbonates in the adsorption stage of the copper-bearing mineralisation in Miedzianka Mountain deposits. Two generations of calcite veins (older—red calcite and younger—crème-pinkish calcite) were also detected. Mineralogical–petrographical studies of samples revealed a high scientific and educational value. Due to the fact that the Teresa adit is planned to be made available to geotourists, this work is worth presenting to the public either in the adit and/or in a local museum in Miedzianka village. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials)
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21 pages, 3877 KiB  
Article
Artificial Thermal Quenching and Salt Crystallization Weathering Processes for the Assessment of Long-Term Degradation Characteristics of Some Sedimentary Rocks, Egypt
by Marzouk Mohamed Aly Abdelhamid, B. G. Mousa, Hassan Waqas, Mohamed Abdelghany Elkotb, Sayed M. Eldin, Iqra Munir, Rashid Ali and Ahmed M. Galal
Minerals 2022, 12(11), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12111393 - 31 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1865
Abstract
This research aims at investigating the deterioration of limestone rocks due to the influences of thermal quenching and salt crystallization weathering tests and predicting their long-term durability. Therefore, six types of limestones were quarried from different provinces of Egypt and subjected to 50 [...] Read more.
This research aims at investigating the deterioration of limestone rocks due to the influences of thermal quenching and salt crystallization weathering tests and predicting their long-term durability. Therefore, six types of limestones were quarried from different provinces of Egypt and subjected to 50 cycles of thermal quenching and 25 cycles of salt crystallization weathering processes. The porosity, Schmidt hammer rebound hardness, ultrasound pulse velocity, Brazilian tensile strength, and uniaxial compression strength were determined before and after weathering processes. In addition, the mathematical decay function model was developed to evaluate the degradation rate of samples against weathering processes. Results proved that the cyclic salt crystallization deteriorates the physico-mechanical characteristics of the studied limestone more strongly than the thermal quenching cycles do. The decay constant and half-life indexes obtained here indicate that the degradation rate differs for various limestone specimens under thermal and salt weathering processes. This model also showed that the deterioration rate of the studied rocks was higher during cyclic salt crystallization in comparison with thermal quenching. Therefore, the rock degradation rate and or long-term durability under cyclic thermal and salt processes can be estimated accurately. These results show that the studied limestones can be used as building stones in regions exposed to frequent cyclic thermal and salty weathering conditions for long periods without degradation. However, partial attention should be given to LSG limestone rocks characterized by increased porosity and water absorption characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Geological Materials)
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