There is renewed interest in the origin and makeup of ferromanganese nodules (FMNs), long known to soil mineralogists as unusual secondary minerals. However, new evidence suggests that microorganisms play a significant role in the generation of FMNs. The biogenic origin of nodules has remained elusive because until recently, little has been known about the overall microbial community structure ...

Samples dredged from the Cruzeiro do Sul Lineament exhibit ferromanganese crusts precipitated above phosphate-rich substrates (phosphorites, phosphate-impregnated volcanic rocks and older phosphatized crusts). Co-chronology of crusts, paleontological data 87Sr/86Sr ratios substrate indicate that last phosphatization event in region happened between 17.6 14.6 Ma ago. When ceased, oxic conditions...

Pongamia pinata methyl ester (PPME) is chosen as alternative fuel for diesel engines. It is renewable and offer potential reduction in CO; HC and smoke emissions due to higher O2 contents in it compared to diesel fuel but higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere cause serious environmental problems, such as photochemical oxidant, acid rain, and global warmi...

A nearby supernova (SN) explosion in the past can be confirmed by the detection of radioisotopes on Earth that were produced and ejected by the SN. We have now measured a well resolved time profile of the 60Fe concentration in a deep-sea ferromanganese crust and found a highly significant increase 2.8 Myr ago. The amount of 60Fe is compatible with the deposition of ejecta from a SN at a distanc...

[1] Wilkes Land – Adél ie Coast Bottom Water encompasses the bottom waters formed around the coast of East Antarctica in the area east of Prydz Bay and west of the Ross Sea (90 E–150 E). Here we show that these bottom waters have not only characteristic physical properties, but also carry a distinct radiogenic isotope signal that traces their dispersal. The Nd, Hf and Pb isotopic compositions o...