Mineral Mineralisation

Active matter may be observed to disappear very rapidly in comparison with the TOC. The disappearance of total organic carbon of all pesticides shows an induction period (no TOC degradation). During this period, formulation organics and intermediates produce more oxidized substances, but these are not mineralized. Mineralisation only occurs when the last step yields CO2. This induction period differs between the different pesticides and it is difficult to... 

Bone Resorption The removal of mineralised bone by osteoclasts. Bone resorption, which is part of the bone remodelling process, includes the release of mineral (mostly calcium and phosphate) and subsequent proteolysis of organic matter (mostly collagen). 

D. B. Knaebel, T. W. Federle, D. C. McAvoy, and J. R. Vestal, Effect of mineral and organic soil constituents on microbial mineralisation of organic compttunds in a natural soil. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 60 4500 (1994). 

For the formation of hydrothermal deposits the following are essential (i) the availability of mineralising solutions capable of dissolving and transporting mineral matter, (ii) the availability of openings in rocks through which the solutions may be channelled, (iii) the availability of suitable sites for deposition and localisation of ore minerals, (iv) chemical reactions that result in deposition, and (v) sufficient concentration of mineral matter to constitute economic deposits. 

The effect of mineral and organic soil constituents on the mineralisation of LAS, AE, stearyl trimethylammonium chloride (STAC) and sodium stearate (main soap component) in soils was studied by Knaebel and co-workers [38]. The four 14C-labelled compounds were aseptically adsorbed to montmorillonite, kaolinite, illite, sand and humic acids and subsequently mixed with soil yielding surfactant concentrations of about 50 jig kg-1. The CO2 formation in the serum bottle respirometers was monitored over a period of 2 months indicating that the mineralisation extent was highest for LAS (49-75%). Somewhat lower amounts of produced CO2 were reported for AE and the stearate ranging from 34-58% and 29-47%, respectively. The mineralisation extent of the cationic surfactant did not exceed 21% (kaolinite) and achieved only 7% in the montmorillonite-modified soil. Associating the mineral type with the mineralisation kinetics showed that sand... 

Light increases the concentration of a specific Ca " ion transport protein in the enterocytes of small intestine to increase ion uptake. This increases the Ca " ion concentration in the plasma which is required for mineralisation of bone. A deficiency of the vitamin/hormone results in osteomalacia (i.e. a deficiency of mineral in the bone), also known as rickets in children. The growth of the skeleton and the role of vitamin D is discussed in Appendix 15.2. 

For many years, mineral explorers have been using soluble Au as vectors to mineralisation. The results described here may partly explain the nature of this soluble Au and increase our understanding of the processes that lead to its formation. 

The lead isotope ratios indicate an upper cmstal source for the lead and are consistent with mineralization at 800 Ma. Tracer isotopes in carbonates and chalcocite concentrates indicate that an external fluid altered the dolomitic unit changing its isotopic composition as well as deposited copper mineralisation. 

The role of fluoride in this mineralisation process seems to be in promoting the conversion of OCP to hydroxypatite, and producing plate-like crystals of the more thermodynamically stable mineral. Fluoride is effective at promoting the formation of an apatite lattice through a solid-state transformation of OCP at levels between 0.05 and 0.4 ppm [72]. 

Mineralisation consists of the destruction of organic matter. Dry (oven) or humid (acid treatment) methods can be used for this purpose. Due to the absence of a universal method applicable to all mineral elements, it is necessary to adapt mineralisation to the sample being analysed. This stage, which is indispensable for the preparation of many types of samples, particularly those analysed by atomic absorption or emission, can be facilitated by the use of microwave digestion. 

The classical approach to mineralisation, conducted openly in a fume-hood in the presence of acidic vapours, lends itself to cross-contamination. This operation is long and fastidious and has not changed in over a century. Beyond the practical problems involved, it is impossible to treat some matrices under these conditions (e.g. refractory or volatile materials, certain minerals, carbons and heavy oils). 

---