We report the enzyme-like reversible amination of four intermediates pertinent to the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle on a photo-irradiated surface of mineral sphalerite (ZnS). Given its prevalence in the waters of early Earth, we suggest that the mineral-based photochemistry might have catalyzed the homeostasis of prebiotic metabolic systems.

Abstract Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and electron-probe microanalysis were used to investigate the trace-element contents of sphalerite, chalcopyrite pyrite from Plaka Pb–Zn–Ag deposit. Using petrographic observations, analytical results could be linked temporal evolution ore-forming system. Sphalerite chemistry reliably records temperature f S 2 system, with est...

The influence of microwave heating on the leaching kinetics of chalcopyrite and sphalerite has been investigated. Chalcopyrite is inert to many leaching agents, especially ferric ion media. This mineral is considered to be one of the largest sources of copper, in terms of the scale of availability, and copper is usually extracted by pyrometallurgical processes. However, there has recently been ...

The Devonian massive sulfide orebodies of the West Shasta district in northern California are composed primarily of pyrite, with lesser amounts of other sulfide and gangue minerals. Examination of polished thin sections of more than 100 samples from the Mammoth, Shasta King, Early Bird, Balaklala, Keystone, and Iron Mountain mines suggests that mineralization may be divided into six paragenetic...

In the present work, the extraction of zinc from a sphalerite concentrate using sodium nitrate as an oxidant in a sulfuric acid solution was investigated. The effective parameters such as the temperature, sulfuric acid and sodium nitrite concentrations, stirring speed, particle size, and solid/liquid (S/L) ratio were analyzed. The dissolution rate increased with increase in the sulfuric acid an...

in the present work, the extraction of zinc from a sphalerite concentrate using sodium nitrate as an oxidant in a sulfuric acid solution was investigated. the effective parameters such as the temperature, sulfuric acid and sodium nitrite concentrations, stirring speed, particle size, and solid/liquid (s/l) ratio were analyzed. the dissolution rate increased with increase in the sulfuric acid an...