In this study, the importance of individual soil mineral constituents on non-ionic surfactant sorption is evaluated by employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) to observe microchemical surface composition of model soil colloids and relate surface microchemical composition to the sorption behavior of a non-ionic surfactant, Polyethylene G...

Six lesions were made on the buccal surfaces of premolars. The volume percentage of mineral was determined as a function of depth by microradiography. Using the electron microprobe, the signals for Ca, Na, Mg, P and Cl were recorded as a function of depth both through the lesions and through the adjacent sound enamel. In the demineralized parts, there was a preferential loss of Na and a prefere...

As well as fibre size, fibre chemistry is a determinant of toxicity of mineral fibres. On these grounds, a few years ago, the asbestos industry in Québec developed a process to modify the surface chemistry of chrysotile asbestos by fixing phosphorous atoms. The pleuropulmonary fibrogenicity and carcinogenicity of the native and surface treated chrysotile, called chrysophosphate, were tested. Bo...

The effect of pH and electrochemical potential on copper uptake, xanthate adsorption and the hydrophobicity of sphalerite were studied from flotation practice point of view using electrochemical and micro-flotation techniques. Voltammetric studies conducted using the combination of carbon matrix composite (CMC) electrode and surface conduction (SC) electrode show that the kinetics of activation...

Within the realm of modern science, many of the most challenging fields of endeavor involve interfuces. Not only are interfaces highly complex environments in and of themselves, they also require interdisciplinary research in a time of increased specialization. Soils are the quintessential interfaces at the earth’s surface, for they are the links connecting the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the ...

The ability of coated mineral dust particles to act as ice nuclei (IN) was investigated at LACIS (Leipzig Aerosol Cloud Interaction Simulator) during the FROST1and FROST2-campaigns (Freezing of dust). Sulphuric acid was condensed on the particles which afterwards were optionally humidified, treated with ammonia vapour and/or heat. By means of aerosol mass spectrometry we found evidence that pro...

Force microscopy has been used to quantitatively measure the infinitesimal forces that characterize interactions between Shewanella oneidensis (a dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium) and goethite (alpha-FeOOH), both commonly found in Earth near-surface environments. Force measurements with subnanonewton resolution were made in real time with living cells under aerobic and anaerobic solutions...

Over the past few decades an increasing array of molecular-level analytical probes has provided new detailed insight into mineral and radionuclide interfacial reactivity in subsurface environments. This capability has not only helped change the way mineral surface reactivity is studied but also how fieldscale contaminant migration problems are addressed and ultimately resolved. Here we review r...

The acid resistance of Nd:YAG laser-ablated enamel surfaces was studied by evaluating crystal structure, mineral distribution, and fluorescence radiance and image in the present study. For comparison, 37% phosphoric acid etching was performed. The formation of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) was confirmed in the laser-ablated surface. The Ca/P ratio increased after ablation due to mineral ...