Olivine-rich asteroids in the near-Earth space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popescu, Marcel; Perna, D.; Barucci, M. A.; Fornasier, S.; Doressoundiram, A.; Lantz, C.; Merlin, F.; Belskaya, I. N.; Fulchignoni, M.

2018-06-01

In the framework of a 30-night spectroscopic survey of small near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), we present new results regarding the identification of olivine-rich objects. The following NEAs were classified as A-type using visible spectra obtained with 3.6-m New Technology Telescope: (293726) 2007 RQ17, (444584) 2006 UK, 2012 NP, 2014 YS34, 2015 HB117, 2015 LH, 2015 TB179, 2015 TW144. We determined a relative abundance of 5.4 per cent (8 out of 147 observed targets) A-types at a 100-m size range of NEA population. The ratio is at least five times larger compared with the previously known A-types, which represent less than ˜ 1 per cent of NEAs taxonomically classified. By taking into account that part of our targets may not be confirmed as olivine-rich asteroids by their near-infrared spectra, or they can have a nebular origin, our result provides an upper-limit estimation of mantle fragments at size ranges below 300 m. Our findings are compared with the `battered-to-bits' scenario, claiming that at small sizes the olivine-rich objects should be more abundant when compared with basaltic and iron ones.

Iron [Fe(0)]-rich substrate based on iron-carbon micro-electrolysis for phosphorus adsorption in aqueous solutions.

PubMed

Deng, Shihai; Li, Desheng; Yang, Xue; Xing, Wei; Li, Jinlong; Zhang, Qi

2017-02-01

The phosphorus (P) adsorption properties of an iron [Fe(0)]-rich substrate (IRS) composed of iron scraps and activated carbon were investigated based on iron-carbon micro-electrolysis (IC-ME) and compared to the substrates commonly used in constructed wetlands (CWs) to provide an initial characterization of the [Fe(0)]-rich substrate. The results showed that P was precipitated by Fe(III) dissolved from the galvanic cell reactions in the IRS and the reaction was suppressed by the pH and stopped when the pH exceeded 8.90 ± 0.09. The adsorption capacity of the IRS decreased by only 4.6% in the second round of adsorption due to Fe(0) consumption in the first round. Substrates with high Ca- and Mg-oxide contents and high Fe- and Al-oxide contents had higher P adsorption capacities at high and low pH values, respectively. Substrates containing high Fe and Al concentrations and low Ca concentrations were more resistant to decreases in the P adsorption capacity resulting from organic matter (OM) accumulation. The IRS with an iron scrap to activated carbon volume ratio of 3:2 resulted in the highest P adsorption capacity (9.34 ± 0.14 g P kg -1 ), with minimal pH change and strong adaptability to OM accumulation. The Fe(0)-rich substrate has the considerable potential for being used as a CW substrate. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Iron Isotope Systematics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dauphas, Nicolas; John, Seth G.; Rouxel, Olivier

Iron is a ubiquitous element with a rich (i.e., complex) chemical behavior. It possesses three oxidation states, metallic iron (Fe0), ferrous iron (Fe2+) and ferric iron (Fe3+). The distribution of these oxidation states is markedly stratified in the Earth.

The electronic structure of iron in rhyolitic and basaltic glasses at high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solomatova, N. V.; Jackson, J. M.; Sturhahn, W.; Roskosz, M.

2016-12-01

The physical properties of silicate melts within the Earth's mantle affect the chemical and thermal evolution of the Earth's interior. To understand melting processes within the Earth, it is imperative to determine the structure of silicate melts at high pressure. It has been proposed that iron-bearing silicate melts may exist in the lower mantle just above the core-mantle boundary [1]. The behavior of iron in mantle melts is poorly understood, but can be experimentally approximated by iron-bearing silicate glasses. Previous studies have conflicting conclusions on whether iron in lower mantle silicate melts goes through a high-spin to low-spin transition [2-4]. Additionally, the average coordination environment of iron in glasses is poorly constrained. XANES experiments on basaltic glasses have demonstrated that both four and six-fold coordinated iron may exist in significant amounts regardless of oxidation state [5] while conventional Mössbauer experiments have observed five-fold coordinated Fe2+ with small amounts of four and six-fold coordinated Fe2+ [6]. In an attempt to resolve these discrepancies, we have measured the hyperfine parameters of iron-bearing rhyolitic glass up to 115 GPa and basaltic glass up to 92 GPa in a neon pressure medium using time-resolved synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy at the Advanced Photon Source (Argonne National Laboratory, IL). We observed changes in the hyperfine parameters likely due to coordination changes as a result of increasing pressure. Our results indicate that iron does not undergo a high-spin to low-spin transition within the pressure range investigated. Changes in the electronic configuration, such as the spin state of iron affects the compressibility and thermal properties of melts. With the assumption that silica glasses can be used to model structural behavior in silicate melts, our study predicts that iron in chemically-complex silica-rich melts in the lower mantle likely exists in a high-spin state. Select

Origin of life and iron-rich clays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartman, H. H.

1986-01-01

The premise that life began with self-replicating iron-rich clays is explored. In association with these clays and UV light, polar organic molecules, such as oxalic acid, were synthesized. The carbonaceous chondrites have both iron-rich clays and organic molecules. It is convenient to classify meteoritic organic matter into 3 categories: insoluble polymer, hydrocarbons and polar organics (soluble in water). Recent work on the delta D, delta N-15 and delta C-13 has made it clear that these three fractions have been made by three different mechanisms. A significant fraction of the insoluble polymer has a delta-D which suggests that it was made in an interstellar medium. The hydrocarbons seem to have been made on a parent body by a Fischer-Tropsch mechanism. The polar organics were probably synthesized in a mixture of carbonate (NH4)2CO3, Fe(++) ion and liquid water by radiolysis. In a set of experiments the radiolysis of (NH4)2CO3 in the presence and absence of Fe(++) ion has been examined. The synthesis of glycine in the presence of Fe(++) ion is 3-4 times that in the absence of ferrous ion. The effects of the addition of hydrocarbons to this mixture are explored. Iron-rich clays at low temperature and pressure are synthesized. So far the results are not sufficiently crystalline to look for replication. It should be noted that organic chelating agents such as oxalic acid do increase the crystallinity of the clays but not sufficiently. The hydrothermal synthesis of iron-rich clays is being examined.

Trace element studies of silicate-rich inclusions in the Guin (UNGR) and Kodaikanal (IIE) iron meteorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurat, Gero; Zinner, Ernst; Varela, Maria Eugenia

2007-08-01

A devitrified glass inclusion from the Guin (UNGR) iron consists of cryptocrystalline feldspars, pyroxenes, and silica and is rich in SiO2, Al2O3, and Na2O. It contains a rutile grain and is in contact with a large Cl apatite. The latter is very rich in rare earth elements (REEs) (˜80 × CI), which display a flat abundance pattern, except for Eu and Yb, which are underabundant. The devitrified glass is very poor in REEs (<0.1 × CI), except for Eu and Yb, which have positive abundance anomalies. Devitrified glass and Cl apatite are out of chemical equilibrium and their complementary REE patterns indicate a genesis via condensation under reducing conditions. Inclusion 1 in the Kodaikanal (IIE) iron consists of glass only, whereas inclusion 2 consists of clinopyroxene, which is partly overgrown by low-Ca pyroxene, and apatite embedded in devitrified glass. All minerals are euhedral or have skeletal habits indicating crystallization from the liquid precursor of the glass. Pyroxenes and the apatite are rich in trace elements, indicating crystallization from a liquid that had 10-50 × CI abundances of REEs and refractory lithophile elements (RLEs). The co-existing glass is poor in REEs (˜0.1-1 × CI) and, consequently, a liquid of such chemical composition cannot have crystallized the phenocrysts. Glasses have variable chemical compositions but are rich in SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O, and K2O as well as in HFSEs, Be, B, and Rb. The REE abundance patterns are mostly flat, except for the glass-only inclusion, which has heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) > light rare earth elements (LREEs) and deficits in Eu and Yb—an ultrarefractory pattern. The genetic models suggested so far cannot explain what is observed and, consequently, we offer a new model for silicate inclusion formation in IIE and related irons. Nebular processes and a relationship with E meteorites (Guin) or Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) (Kodaikanal) are indicated. A sequence of condensation (CaS, TiN or refractory

The Earth's core composition from high pressure density measurements of liquid iron alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morard, G.; Siebert, J.; Andrault, D.; Guignot, N.; Garbarino, G.; Guyot, F.; Antonangeli, D.

2013-07-01

High-pressure, high-temperature in situ X-ray diffraction has been measured in liquid iron alloys (Fe-5 wt% Ni-12 wt% S and Fe-5 wt% Ni-15 wt% Si) up to 94 GPa and 3200 K in laser-heated diamond anvil cells. From the analysis of the X-ray diffuse scattering signal of the metallic liquids, we determined density and bulk modulus of the two liquid alloys. Comparison with a reference Earth model indicates that a core composition containing 6% of sulfur and 2% of silicon by weight would best match the geophysical data. Models with 2.5% of sulfur and 4-5% of silicon are still consistent with geophysical constraints whereas silicon only compositions are not. These results suggest only moderate depletion of sulfur in the bulk Earth.

Regional framework and geology of iron oxide-apatite-rare earth element and iron oxide-copper-gold deposits of the Mesoproterozoic St. Francois Mountains Terrane, southeast Missouri

USGS Publications Warehouse

Day, Warren C.; Slack, John F.; Ayuso, Robert A.; Seeger, Cheryl M.

2016-01-01

This paper provides an overview on the genesis of Mesoproterozoic igneous rocks and associated iron oxide ± apatite (IOA) ± rare earth element, iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG), and iron-rich sedimentary deposits in the St. Francois Mountains terrane of southeast Missouri, USA. The St. Francois Mountains terrane lies along the southeastern margin of Laurentia as part of the eastern granite-rhyolite province. The province formed during two major pulses of igneous activity: (1) an older early Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.50–1.44 Ga) episode of volcanism and granite plutonism, and (2) a younger middle Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.33–1.30 Ga) episode of bimodal gabbro and granite plutonism. The volcanic rocks are predominantly high-silica rhyolite pyroclastic flows, volcanogenic breccias, and associated volcanogenic sediments with lesser amounts of basaltic to andesitic volcanic and associated subvolcanic intrusive rocks. The iron oxide deposits are all hosted in the early Mesoproterozoic volcanic and volcaniclastic sequences. Previous studies have characterized the St. Francois Mountains terrane as a classic, A-type within-plate granitic terrane. However, our new whole-rock geochemical data indicate that the felsic volcanic rocks are effusive derivatives from multicomponent source types, having compositional similarities to A-type within-plate granites as well as to S- and I-type granites generated in an arc setting. In addition, the volcanic-hosted IOA and IOCG deposits occur within bimodal volcanic sequences, some of which have volcanic arc geochemical affinities, suggesting an extensional tectonic setting during volcanism prior to emplacement of the ore-forming systems.The Missouri iron orebodies are magmatic-related hydrothermal deposits that, when considered in aggregate, display a vertical zonation from high-temperature, magmatic ± hydrothermal IOA deposits emplaced at moderate depths (~1–2 km), to magnetite-dominant IOA veins and IOCG deposits emplaced at shallow

Effects of spin crossover on iron isotope fractionation in Earth's mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, T.; Shukla, G.; Wu, Z.; Wentzcovitch, R.

2017-12-01

Recent studies have revealed that the iron isotope composition of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) is +0.1‰ richer in heavy Fe (56Fe) relative to chondrites, while basalts from Mars and Vesta have similar Fe isotopic composition as chondrites. Several hypotheses could explain these observations. For instance, iron isotope fractionation may have occurred during core formation or Earth may have lost some light Fe isotope during the high temperature event in the early Earth. To better understand what drove these isotopic observations, it is important to obtain accurate Fe isotope fractionation factors among mantle and core phases at the relevant P-T conditions. In bridgmanite, the most voluminous mineral in the lower mantle, Fe can occupy more than one crystalline site, be in ferrous and/or ferric states, and may undergo a spin crossover in the lower mantle. Iron isotopic fractionation properties under spin crossover are poorly constrained, while this may be relevant to differentiation of Earth's magma ocean. In this study we address the effect of these multiple states on the iron isotope fractionation factors between mantle and core phases.

The Effect of Nickel on Iron Isotope Fractionation and Implications for the Earth's Core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reagan, M. M.; Shahar, A.; Elardo, S. M.; Liu, J.; Xiao, Y.; Mao, W. L.

2017-12-01

The Earth's core is thought to be composed mainly of an iron-rich iron nickel (FeNi) alloy. Therefore, determining the behavior of these alloys at core conditions is crucial for interpreting and constraining geophysical and geochemical models. Understanding the effect of nickel on iron isotope fractionation can shed light on planetary core formation. We collected a series of phonon excitation spectra using nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NRIXS) on 57Fe-enriched FeNi alloys with varying (Fe0.9Ni0.1, Fe0.8Ni0.2, Fe0.7Ni0.3) nickel content in a diamond anvil cell at pressures up to 50 GPa. All three alloys studied exhibited differences from pure Fe, indicating that increasing nickel content could have an effect on iron isotope fractionation which would have implications for planetary core formation and provide constraints the bulk composition for terrestrial planets.

Properties of iron alloys under the Earth's core conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morard, Guillaume; Andrault, Denis; Antonangeli, Daniele; Bouchet, Johann

2014-05-01

The Earth's core is constituted of iron and nickel alloyed with lighter elements. In view of their affinity with the metallic phase, their relative high abundance in the solar system and their moderate volatility, a list of potential light elements have been established, including sulfur, silicon and oxygen. We will review the effects of these elements on different aspects of Fe-X high pressure phase diagrams under Earth's core conditions, such as melting temperature depression, solid-liquid partitioning during crystallization, and crystalline structure of the solid phases. Once extrapolated to the inner-outer core boundary, these petrological properties can be used to constrain the Earth's core properties.

Experimental Investigation of the Viscosity of Iron-rich Silicate Melts under Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, P. M.; Lesher, C. E.; Pommier, A.; O'Dwyer Brown, L.

2017-12-01

The transport properties of silicate melts govern diffusive flow of momentum, heat, and mass in the interior of terrestrial planets. In particular, constraining melt viscosity is critical for dynamic modeling of igneous processes and is thus key to our understanding of magma convection and mixing, melt migration in the mantle, and crystal-liquid fractionation. Among the different constituents of silicate melts, iron is of significant importance as it highly influences some of their properties, such as surface tension, compressibility, and density. We present an experimental study of the viscosity of natural and synthetic iron-rich silicate melts under pressure. In situ falling-sphere measurements of viscosity have been conducted on hedenbergite (CaFeSi2O6) and iron-rich peridotite melts from 1 to 7 GPa and at temperatures between 1750 and 2100 K, using the multi-anvil apparatus at the GSECARS beamline at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab. We used double reservoir capsules, with the bottom reservoir containing the sample, while a more refractory material is placed in the upper reservoir (e.g., diopside, enstatite, forsterite). This configuration allows the fall of two rhenium spheres across the sample at different temperatures. Melt viscosity is calculated using Stokes' law and the terminal velocity of the spheres. We observe that melt viscosity slightly decreases with increasing temperature and increasing pressure: for instance, the viscosity of the hedenbergite melt decreases from 1.26 Pa•s to 0.43 Pa•s over the 1 - 3.5 GPa pressure range and between 1820 and 1930 K. Our experimental data are used to develop a viscosity model of iron-rich silicate melts under pressure. Results will be compared with previous viscosity works on iron-free and iron-bearing silicate liquids in order to discuss the effect of iron on melt viscosity and structure at pressure and temperature conditions relevant to terrestrial mantles.

Characterisation of iron-rich atmospheric submicrometre particles in the roadside environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanderson, P.; Su, S. S.; Chang, I. T. H.; Delgado Saborit, J. M.; Kepaptsoglou, D. M.; Weber, R. J. M.; Harrison, Roy M.

2016-09-01

Human exposure to ambient metallic nanoparticles is an area of great interest owing to their potential health impacts. Ambient metallic nanoparticles found in the roadside environment are contributed by combustion engines and wear of brakes, tyres and road surfaces. Submicrometre atmospheric particles collected at two UK urban sites have been subject to detailed characterisation. It is found that many metallic nanoparticles collected from roadside sampling sites are rich in iron. The Fe-rich nanoparticles can be classified into (1) high Fe content (ca 90 wt%) with each alloying element less than 1 wt%; and (2) moderate Fe content (<75 wt%) with high manganese and silicon content. Both clusters contain a variable mix of minor constituents, Mn, S and Si being most important in the high-Fe group. The moderate Fe group also contains Zn, Cu, Ba, Al and Ca. The Fe-rich nanoparticles exhibit primary particle sizes ranging between 20 and 30 nm, although some much larger particles up to around 100 nm can also be observed, along with some very small particles of 10 nm or less. These tend to agglomerate forming clusters ranging from ∼200 nm to 1 μm in diameter. The iron-rich particles observed are oxides, taking the form of spheres or multifaceted regular polyhedra. Analysis by EELS shows that both high- and moderate-Fe groups include particles of FeO, Fe3O4, α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3 of which γ-Fe2O3 is the most prominent. Internal mixing of different Fe-oxides is not observed.

Raman study of the shear elastic modulus of iron and iron-nickel alloys at varying P-T conditions: implication for the iron core conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goncharov, A.; Struzhkin, V.

2003-04-01

The knowledge of high-pressure properties of iron and iron-rich alloys are crucial for understanding of the Earth interior, because iron is the major constitute element of the Earth core. Raman spectroscopy has been used recently [1,2] for the shear elastic modulus C44 determination in Fe at compression levels approaching the core boundary. We studied iron-rich alloys of Ni (0 to 20 % Ni) up to 150 GPa, and also at varying temperatures (78-400 K). We find substantial decrease of the Raman hcp-phonon frequency compared to the pure iron, and also considerable anharmonic temperature effects. We argue that the strong anharmonicity of the E2g mode the vicinity of α to ɛ transition can be one of the reasons of the discrepancy between theoretical [3,4] and experimental Raman frequencies and the shear elastic modulus C44. Theoretical calculations do not take into the account the anharmonic effects explicitly, so that the calculated Raman frequency is higher than the experimental one, which is strongly renormalized as a consequence of a Fermi damping. The E2g mode becomes less anharmonic at high pressures (>80 GPa), and theory and experiment are indeed in a much better agreement. [1] S. Merkel et al., Science 288, 1626 (2000). [2] H. Olijnyk, A.P. Jephcoat, K. Refson, Europhys. Lett. 53, 504 (2001). [3] G. Steinle-Neumann, L. Stixrude, and R.E. Cohen, Phys. Rev. B 60, 791 (1999). [4] L. Vocadlo, personal communication.

Stability of the body-centred-cubic phase of iron in the Earth's inner core.

PubMed

Belonoshko, Anatoly B; Ahuja, Rajeev; Johansson, Börje

2003-08-28

Iron is thought to be the main constituent of the Earth's core, and considerable efforts have therefore been made to understand its properties at high pressure and temperature. While these efforts have expanded our knowledge of the iron phase diagram, there remain some significant inconsistencies, the most notable being the difference between the 'low' and 'high' melting curves. Here we report the results of molecular dynamics simulations of iron based on embedded atom models fitted to the results of two implementations of density functional theory. We tested two model approximations and found that both point to the stability of the body-centred-cubic (b.c.c.) iron phase at high temperature and pressure. Our calculated melting curve is in agreement with the 'high' melting curve, but our calculated phase boundary between the hexagonal close packed (h.c.p.) and b.c.c. iron phases is in good agreement with the 'low' melting curve. We suggest that the h.c.p.-b.c.c. transition was previously misinterpreted as a melting transition, similar to the case of xenon, and that the b.c.c. phase of iron is the stable phase in the Earth's inner core.

Models of the Earth's Core.

PubMed

Stevenson, D J

1981-11-06

Combined inferences from seismology, high-pressure experiment and theory, geomagnetism, fluid dynamics, and current views of terrestrial planetary evolution lead to models of the earth's core with the following properties. Core formation was contemporaneous with earth accretion; the core is not in chemical equilibrium with the mantle; the outer core is a fluid iron alloy containing significant quantities of lighter elements and is probably almost adiabatic and compositionally uniform; the more iron-rich inner solid core is a consequence of partial freezing of the outer core, and the energy release from this process sustains the earth's magnetic field; and the thermodynamic properties of the core are well constrained by the application of liquid-state theory to seismic and laboratory data.

Models of the earth's core

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stevenson, D. J.

1981-01-01

Combined inferences from seismology, high-pressure experiment and theory, geomagnetism, fluid dynamics, and current views of terrestrial planetary evolution lead to models of the earth's core with five basic properties. These are that core formation was contemporaneous with earth accretion; the core is not in chemical equilibrium with the mantle; the outer core is a fluid iron alloy containing significant quantities of lighter elements and is probably almost adiabatic and compositionally uniform; the more iron-rich inner solid core is a consequence of partial freezing of the outer core, and the energy release from this process sustains the earth's magnetic field; and the thermodynamic properties of the core are well constrained by the application of liquid-state theory to seismic and labroatory data.

Native iron in the Earth and space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pechersky, D. M.; Kuzina, D. M.; Markov, G. P.; Tsel'movich, V. A.

2017-09-01

Thermomagnetic and microprobe studies of native iron in the terrestrial upper-mantle hyperbasites (xenoliths in basalts), Siberian traps, and oceanic basalts are carried out. The results are compared to the previous data on native iron in sediments and meteorites. It is established that in terms of the composition and grain size and shape, the particles of native iron in the terrestrial rocks are close to each other and to the extraterrestrial iron particles from sediments and meteorites. This suggests that the sources of the origin of these particles were similar; i.e., the formation conditions in the Earth were close to the conditions in the meteorites' parent bodies. This similarity is likely to be due to the homogeneity of the gas and dust cloud at the early stage of the solar system. The predominance of pure native iron in the sediments can probably be accounted for by the fact that interstellar dust is mostly contributed by the upper-mantle material of the planets, whereas the lower-mantle and core material falls on the Earth mainly in the form of meteorites. A model describing the structure of the planets in the solar system from the standpoint of the distribution of native iron and FeNi alloys is proposed.

The LPO Iron Pattern beneath the Earth's Inner Core Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattesini, Maurizio; Belonoshko, Anatoly; Tkalčić, Hrvoje

2017-04-01

An Earth's inner core surface pattern for the iron Lattice Preferred Orientation (LPO) has been addressed for various iron crystal polymorphs. The geographical distribution of the amount of crystal alienation was achieved by bridging high-quality inner core probing seismic data [PKP(bc-df)] together with ab initio computed elastic constants. We show that the proposed topographic crystal alignment may be used as a boundary condition for dynamo simulations, providing an additional way to discriminate in between different and, often controversial, geodynamical scenarios.

The LPO Iron Pattern beneath the Earth's Inner Core Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattesini, M.; Tkalcic, H.; Belonoshko, A. B.; Buforn, E.; Udias, A.

2015-12-01

An Earth's inner core surface pattern for the iron Lattice Preferred Orientation (LPO) has been addressed for various iron crystal polymorphs. The geographical distribution of the amount of crystal alienation was achieved by bridging high-quality inner core probing seismic data [PKP(bc-df)] together with ab initio computed elastic constants. We show that the proposed topographic crystal alignment may be used as a boundary condition for dynamo simulations, providing an additional way to discriminate in between different and, often controversial, geodynamical scenarios.

A volatile-rich Earth's core inferred from melting temperature of core materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morard, G.; Andrault, D.; Antonangeli, D.; Nakajima, Y.; Auzende, A. L.; Boulard, E.; Clark, A. N.; Lord, O. T.; Cervera, S.; Siebert, J.; Garbarino, G.; Svitlyk, V.; Mezouar, M.

2016-12-01

Planetary cores are mainly constituted of iron and nickel, alloyed with lighter elements (Si, O, C, S or H). Understanding how these elements affect the physical and chemical properties of solid and liquid iron provides stringent constraints on the composition of the Earth's core. In particular, melting curves of iron alloys are key parameter to establish the temperature profile in the Earth's core, and to asses the potential occurrence of partial melting at the Core-Mantle Boundary. Core formation models based on metal-silicate equilibration suggest that Si and O are the major light element components1-4, while the abundance of other elements such as S, C and H is constrained by arguments based on their volatility during planetary accretion5,6. Each compositional model implies a specific thermal state for the core, due to the different effect that light elements have on the melting behaviour of Fe. We recently measured melting temperatures in Fe-C and Fe-O systems at high pressures, which complete the data sets available both for pure Fe7 and other binary alloys8. Compositional models with an O- and Si-rich outer core are suggested to be compatible with seismological constraints on density and sound velocity9. However, their crystallization temperatures of 3650-4050 K at the CMB pressure of 136 GPa are very close to, if not higher than the melting temperature of the silicate mantle and yet mantle melting above the CMB is not a ubiquitous feature. This observation requires significant amounts of volatile elements (S, C or H) in the outer core to further reduce the crystallisation temperature of the core alloy below that of the lower mantle. References 1. Wood, B. J., et al Nature 441, 825-833 (2006). 2. Siebert, J., et al Science 339, 1194-7 (2013). 3. Corgne, A., et al Earth Planet. Sc. Lett. 288, 108-114 (2009). 4. Fischer, R. a. et al. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 167, 177-194 (2015). 5. Dreibus, G. & Palme, H. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 60, 1125-1130 (1995). 6. Mc

Iron Isotopic Fractionation in Earth's Lower Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, H.; Lin, J. F.; Hu, M. Y.; Bi, W.; Zhao, J.; Alp, E. E.; Roskosz, M.; Dauphas, N.; Okuchi, T.

2017-12-01

The Earth's bulk chemical composition is vital for deciphering the origin of this planet. Our estimation of the iron isotopic composition of the bulk Earth relies on the iron isotopic composition difference between the metallic core and silicate mantle. Previous studies1,2,3 on this fractionation scale have mostly focused on the alloying effects of light elements in the iron metal phases, while the pressure effects of the silicate mantle phases especially due to iron partitioning4 in the lower mantle minerals have not been fully addressed. For instance, Polyakov (2009) simply assumed equal iron distribution between ferropericlase and post-perovskite in his model. Shahar et al. (2016) only used bridgmanite as a proxy for the mantle while another lower mantle mineral ferropericlase was neglected. Here we have investigated the force constant of iron bonds in lower-mantle ferropericlase and bridgmanite crystals up to 104GPa using NRIXS(Nuclear Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering) and SMS(Synchrotron Mössbauer Spectroscopy) in a diamond anvil cell at sector-3 of the Advance Photon Source. These results are used to evaluate the pressure effects as well as the spin/valence states of iron5,6 on the force constant of iron bonds and the iron isotope distributions within the lower mantle and at the core-mantle boundary. We found that the liquid-solid iron isotopic fractionation during magma ocean crystallization was limited, however, the inter-mineral fractionation between ferropericlase and bridgmanite could be significant influenced by the spin/valence states at the lowermost mantle conditions. 1.Polyakov, V. B. Science 323, 912-914 (2009). 2.Shahar, A. et al. Science 352, 580-582 (2016). 3.Liu, J. et al. Nat. Commun. 8, 14377 (2017). 4.Irifune, T. et al. Science 327, 193-195 (2010). 5.Lin, J. F., Speziale, S., Mao, Z. & Marquardt, Rev. Geophys. 51, 244-275 (2013). 6.Mao, Z. et al. Am. Mineral. 102 (2017).

Antiferromagnetic Spin Coupling between Rare Earth Adatoms and Iron Islands Probed by Spin-Polarized Tunneling

PubMed Central

Coffey, David; Diez-Ferrer, José Luis; Serrate, David; Ciria, Miguel; Fuente, César de la; Arnaudas, José Ignacio

2015-01-01

High-density magnetic storage or quantum computing could be achieved using small magnets with large magnetic anisotropy, a requirement that rare-earth iron alloys fulfill in bulk. This compelling property demands a thorough investigation of the magnetism in low dimensional rare-earth iron structures. Here, we report on the magnetic coupling between 4f single atoms and a 3d magnetic nanoisland. Thulium and lutetium adatoms deposited on iron monolayer islands pseudomorphically grown on W(110) have been investigated at low temperature with scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The spin-polarized current indicates that both kind of adatoms have in-plane magnetic moments, which couple antiferromagnetically with their underlying iron islands. Our first-principles calculations explain the observed behavior, predicting an antiparallel coupling of the induced 5d electrons magnetic moment of the lanthanides with the 3d magnetic moment of iron, as well as their in-plane orientation, and pointing to a non-contribution of 4f electrons to the spin-polarized tunneling processes in rare earths. PMID:26333417

Method of forming magnetostrictive rods from rare earth-iron alloys

DOEpatents

McMasters, O.D.

1986-09-02

Rods of magnetostrictive alloys of iron with rare earth elements are formed by flowing a body of rare earth-iron alloy in a crucible enclosed in a chamber maintained under an inert gas atmosphere, forcing such molten rare-earth-iron alloy into a hollow mold tube of refractory material positioned with its lower end portion within the molten body by means of a pressure differential between the chamber and mold tube and maintaining a portion of the molten alloy in the crucible extending to a level above the lower end of the mold tube so that solid particles of higher melting impurities present in the alloy collect at the surface of the molten body and remain within the crucible as the rod is formed in the mold tube. 5 figs.

Method of forming magnetostrictive rods from rare earth-iron alloys

DOEpatents

McMasters, O. Dale

1986-09-02

Rods of magnetrostructive alloys of iron with rare earth elements are formed by flowing a body of rare earth-iron alloy in a crucible enclosed in a chamber maintained under an inert gas atmosphere, forcing such molten rare-earth-iron alloy into a hollow mold tube of refractory material positioned with its lower end portion within the molten body by means of a pressure differential between the chamber and mold tube and maintaining a portion of the molten alloy in the crucible extending to a level above the lower end of the mold tube so that solid particles of higher melting impurities present in the alloy collect at the surface of the molten body and remain within the crucible as the rod is formed in the mold tube.

Arsenic rich iron plaque on macrophyte roots--an ecotoxicological risk?

PubMed

Taggart, M A; Mateo, R; Charnock, J M; Bahrami, F; Green, A J; Meharg, A A

2009-03-01

Arsenic is known to accumulate with iron plaque on macrophyte roots. Three to four years after the Aznalcóllar mine spill (Spain), residual arsenic contamination left in seasonal wetland habitats has been identified in this form by scanning electron microscopy. Total digestion has determined arsenic concentrations in thoroughly washed 'root+plaque' material in excess of 1000 mg kg(-1), and further analysis using X-ray absorption spectroscopy suggests arsenic exists as both arsenate and arsenite. Certain herbivorous species feed on rhizomes and bulbs of macrophytes in a wide range of global environments, and the ecotoxicological impact of consuming arsenic rich iron plaque associated with such food items remains to be quantified. Here, greylag geese which feed on Scirpus maritimus rhizome and bulb material in areas affected by the Aznalcóllar spill are shown to have elevated levels of arsenic in their feces, which may originate from arsenic rich iron plaque.

Bioremediation of an iron-rich mine effluent by Lemna minor.

PubMed

Teixeira, S; Vieira, M N; Espinha Marques, J; Pereira, R

2014-01-01

Contamination of water resources by mine effluents is a serious environmental problem. In a old coal mine, in the north of Portugal (São Pedro da Cova, Gondoma),forty years after the activity has ended, a neutral mine drainage, rich in iron (FE) it stills being produced and it is continuously released in local streams (Ribeiro de Murta e Rio Ferreira) and in surrounding lands. The species Lemna minor has been shown to be a good model for ecotoxicological studies and it also has the capacity to bioaccumulate metals. The work aimed test the potential of the species L. minor to remediate this mine effluent, through the bioaccumulation of Fe, under greenhouse experiments and, at the same time, evaluate the time required to the maximum removal of Fe. The results have shown that L. minor was able to grow and develop in the Fe-rich effluent and bioaccumulating this element. Throughout the 21 days of testing it was found that there was a meaningful increase in the biomass of L. minor both in the contaminated and in the non-contaminated waters. It was also found that bioaccumulation of Fe (iron) occurred mainly during the first 7 days of testing. It was found that L. minor has potential for the bioremediation of effluents rich in iron.

Valproic acid attenuates nitric oxide and interleukin-1β production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated iron-rich microglia.

PubMed

Mairuae, Nootchanat; Cheepsunthorn, Poonlarp

2018-04-01

Iron accumulation in activated microglia has been consistently reported in neurodegenerative diseases. Previous results suggest that these cells facilitate neuroinflammation leading to neuronal cell death. Therefore, chemical compounds that alleviate the activation of iron-rich microglia may result in neuroprotection. In the present study, the effect of valproic acid (VPA) on microglial activation under iron-rich conditions was investigated. BV-2 microglial cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 µg/ml) and iron (300 µg/ml) with or without VPA (1.6 mM). The results demonstrated that VPA attenuated the activation of iron-rich BV2 cells induced by LPS by down-regulating the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and interleukin 1β (IL-1β; P<0.01), to ultimately reduce the production of NO and IL-1β (P<0.01). These events were accompanied by an attenuation in the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit (P<0.01). These findings suggest that VPA may be therapeutically useful for attenuating the activation of iron-rich microglia.

Reflectance Spectroscopy of Palagonite and Iron-Rich Montmorillonite Clay Mixtures: Implications for the Surface Composition of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orenberg, James; Handy, Jonathan

1992-01-01

Mixtures of a Hawaiian palagonite and an iron-rich, montmorillonite clay (15.8 +/- 0.4 wt% Fe as Fe2O3) were evaluated as Mars surface spectral analogs from their diffuse reflectance spectra. The presence of the 2.2 microns absorption band in the reflectance spectrum of clays and its absence in the Mars spectrum have been interpreted as indicating that highly crystalline aluminous hydroxylated clays cannot be a major mineral component of the soil on Mars. The palagonite sample used in this study does not show this absorption feature in its spectrum. In mixtures of palagonite and iron-rich montmorillonite, the 2.2 microns Al-OH clay lattice band is not seen below 15 wt% montmorillonite. This suggests the possibility that iron-rich montmorillonite clay may be present in the soil of Mars at up to 15 wt% in combination with palagonite, and remain undetected in remotely sensed spectra of Mars.

Melting and vibrational properties of planetary materials under deep Earth conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jackson, Jennifer

2013-06-01

The large chemical, density, and dynamical contrasts associated with the juxtaposition of a liquid iron-dominant alloy and silicates at Earth's core-mantle boundary (CMB) are associated with a rich range of complex seismological features. For example, seismic heterogeneity at this boundary includes small patches of anomalously low sound velocities, called ultralow-velocity zones. Their small size (5 to 40 km thick) and depth (about 2800 km) present unique challenges for seismic characterization and geochemical interpretation. In this contribution, we will present recent nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements on iron-bearing silicates, oxides, and metals, and their application towards our understanding of Earth's interior. Specifically, we will present measurements on silicates and oxide minerals that are important in Earth's upper and lower mantles, as well as iron to over 1 megabar in pressure. The nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering method provides specific vibrational information, e.g., the phonon density of states, and in combination with compression data permits the determination of sound velocities and other vibrational information under high pressure and high temperature. For example, accurate determination of the sound velocities and density of chemically complex Earth materials is essential for understanding the distribution and behavior of minerals and iron-alloys with depth. The high statistical quality of the data in combination with high energy resolution and a small x-ray focus size permit accurate evaluation of the vibrational-related quantities of iron-bearing Earth materials as a function of pressure, such as the Grüneisen parameter, thermal pressure, sound velocities, and iron isotope fractionation quantities. Finally, we will present a novel method detecting the solid-liquid phase boundary of compressed iron at high temperatures using synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy. Our approach is unique because the dynamics of

A potential new biosignature of life in iron-rich extreme environments: An iron (III) complex of scytonemin and proposal for its identification using Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varnali, Tereza; Edwards, Howell G. M.

2013-07-01

Scytonemin is a cyanobacterial sheath pigment with potent UV absorbing (UV-A, UV-B and UV-C) properties. The importance of this biomolecule is its photoprotective function which is one of the major survival strategies adopted by extremophiles to combat high energy radiation insolation in environmentally stressed conditions. Also, iron (III) oxides offering an additional UV-protecting facility to subsurface biological colonization as well as banded iron formations with zones of iron depletion in rock matrices have attracted attention with special interest in the mobilisation and transportation of iron compounds through the rock. This study represents a novel proposal that an iron-scytonemin complex could facilitate the movement of iron through the subsurface rock as part of the this extremophilic survival strategy. The predicted Raman wavenumbers for the proposed scytonemin complex of iron(III) are derived computationally using DFT calculations. Comparison of the experimentally observed Raman spectra of scytonemin with the theoretically predicted Raman spectra of the iron-scytonemin complex show that the latter may be discriminated and the expected characteristic bands are reported in relation to structural changes that are effected upon complexation. This information will inform the future search for experimental evidence for an iron-scytonemin complex, which has not been recognised hitherto and which could provide a novel biosignature for the extremophilic colonization of terrestrial iron-rich geological matrices. Such a terrestrial scenario would be potentially of significance for the remote robotic analytical exploration of the iron-rich surface and immediate subsurface of Mars.

Recovery of Iron from Hematite-Rich Diasporic-Type Bauxite Ore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Tao; Li, Zhuoxuan; Yang, Lin; Li, Guanghui; Zhang, Yuanbo; Zeng, Jinghua

A technique has been proposed for recovering iron from hematite-rich diasporic-type bauxite ore in this study. Direct reduction roasting followed by low intensity wet magnetic separation process was carried out. The parameters including reduction temperature and time, sodium salts, grinding conditions and magnetic field intensity for separation of iron were determined. The optimum process parameters as follows: roasting temperature of 1050 °C, time of 60 min, sodium salts involving sodium sulfate, borax, sodium carbonate with dosages of 10 wt%, 2 wt%, 35 wt% respectively, and magnetic field intensity of 1000 Gs with fineness of pulp reached 92.75% passing -0.074mm. Under the optimal conditions, an iron concentrate containing 88.17% total iron grade and iron recovery of 92.51% was obtained, 4.55% total iron grade in tailings. This novel technique provide a potential route for utilizing hematiterich diasporic bauxite ore, recovering iron resource firstly, and extracting alumina from magnetic separation tailings further.

Functional Gene Analysis of Freshwater Iron-Rich Flocs at Circumneutral pH and Isolation of a Stalk-Forming Microaerophilic Iron-Oxidizing Bacterium

PubMed Central

Chan, Clara; Itoh, Takashi; Ohkuma, Moriya

2013-01-01

Iron-rich flocs often occur where anoxic water containing ferrous iron encounters oxygenated environments. Culture-independent molecular analyses have revealed the presence of 16S rRNA gene sequences related to diverse bacteria, including autotrophic iron oxidizers and methanotrophs in iron-rich flocs; however, the metabolic functions of the microbial communities remain poorly characterized, particularly regarding carbon cycling. In the present study, we cultivated iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) and performed clone library analyses of functional genes related to carbon fixation and methane oxidization (cbbM and pmoA, respectively), in addition to bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes, in freshwater iron-rich flocs at groundwater discharge points. The analyses of 16S rRNA, cbbM, and pmoA genes strongly suggested the coexistence of autotrophic iron oxidizers and methanotrophs in the flocs. Furthermore, a novel stalk-forming microaerophilic FeOB, strain OYT1, was isolated and characterized phylogenetically and physiologically. The 16S rRNA and cbbM gene sequences of OYT1 are related to those of other microaerophilic FeOB in the family Gallionellaceae, of the Betaproteobacteria, isolated from freshwater environments at circumneutral pH. The physiological characteristics of OYT1 will help elucidate the ecophysiology of microaerophilic FeOB. Overall, this study demonstrates functional roles of microorganisms in iron flocs, suggesting several possible linkages between Fe and C cycling. PMID:23811518

First-principles study of intermediate-spin ferrous iron in the Earth's lower mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Han; Wentzcovitch, Renata M.

2014-11-01

Spin crossover of iron is of central importance in solid Earth geophysics. It impacts all physical properties of minerals that altogether constitute ˜95 vol% of the Earth's lower mantle: ferropericlase [(Mg,Fe)O] and Fe-bearing magnesium silicate (MgSiO3) perovskite. Despite great strides made in the past decade, the existence of an intermediate-spin (IS) state in ferrous iron (Fe2 +) (with total electron spin S =1 ) and its possible role in the pressure-induced spin crossover in these lower-mantle minerals still remain controversial. Using density functional theory + self-consistent Hubbard U (DFT+Usc ) calculations, we investigate all possible types of IS states of Fe2 + in (Mg,Fe)O and (Mg,Fe)SiO3 perovskite. Among the possible IS states in these minerals, the most probable IS state has an electronic configuration that significantly reduces the electron overlap and the iron nuclear quadrupole splitting (QS). These most probable IS states, however, are still energetically disfavored, and their QSs are inconsistent with Mössbauer spectra. We therefore conclude that IS Fe2 + is highly unlikely in the Earth's lower mantle.

A Mossbauer investigation of iron-rich terrestrial hydrothermal vent systems: lessons for Mars exploration.

PubMed

Wade, M L; Agresti, D G; Wdowiak, T J; Armendarez, L P; Farmer, J D

1999-04-25

Hydrothermal spring systems may well have been present on early Mars and could have served as a habitat for primitive life. The integrated instrument suite of the Athena Rover has, as a component on the robotic arm, a Mossbauer spectrometer. In the context of future Mars exploration we present results of Mossbauer analysis of a suite of samples from an iron-rich thermal spring in the Chocolate Pots area of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and from Obsidian Pool (YNP) and Manitou Springs, Colorado. We have found that Mossbauer spectroscopy can discriminate among the iron-bearing minerals in our samples. Those near the vent and on the surface are identified as ferrihydrite, an amorphous ferric mineraloid. Subsurface samples, collected from cores, which are likely to have undergone inorganic and/or biologically mediated alteration (diagenesis), exhibit spectral signatures that include nontronite (a smectite clay), hematite (alpha-Fe2O3), small-particle/nanophase goethite (alpha-FeOOH), and siderite (FeCO3). We find for iron minerals that Mossbauer spectroscopy is at least as efficient in identification as X-ray diffraction. This observation is important from an exploration standpoint. As a planetary surface instrument, Mossbauer spectroscopy can yield high-quality spectral data without sample preparation (backscatter mode). We have also used field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), in conjunction with energy-dispersive X ray (EDX) fluorescence spectroscopy, to characterize the microbiological component of surface sinters and the relation between the microbiological and the mineralogical framework. Evidence is presented that the minerals found in these deposits can have multi-billion-year residence times and thus may have survived their possible production in a putative early Martian hot spring up to the present day. Examples include the nanophase property and the Mossbauer signature for siderite, which has been identified in a 2.09-billion-year old hematite-rich

A Mossbauer investigation of iron-rich terrestrial hydrothermal vent systems: lessons for Mars exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wade, M. L.; Agresti, D. G.; Wdowiak, T. J.; Armendarez, L. P.; Farmer, J. D.

1999-01-01

Hydrothermal spring systems may well have been present on early Mars and could have served as a habitat for primitive life. The integrated instrument suite of the Athena Rover has, as a component on the robotic arm, a Mossbauer spectrometer. In the context of future Mars exploration we present results of Mossbauer analysis of a suite of samples from an iron-rich thermal spring in the Chocolate Pots area of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and from Obsidian Pool (YNP) and Manitou Springs, Colorado. We have found that Mossbauer spectroscopy can discriminate among the iron-bearing minerals in our samples. Those near the vent and on the surface are identified as ferrihydrite, an amorphous ferric mineraloid. Subsurface samples, collected from cores, which are likely to have undergone inorganic and/or biologically mediated alteration (diagenesis), exhibit spectral signatures that include nontronite (a smectite clay), hematite (alpha-Fe2O3), small-particle/nanophase goethite (alpha-FeOOH), and siderite (FeCO3). We find for iron minerals that Mossbauer spectroscopy is at least as efficient in identification as X-ray diffraction. This observation is important from an exploration standpoint. As a planetary surface instrument, Mossbauer spectroscopy can yield high-quality spectral data without sample preparation (backscatter mode). We have also used field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), in conjunction with energy-dispersive X ray (EDX) fluorescence spectroscopy, to characterize the microbiological component of surface sinters and the relation between the microbiological and the mineralogical framework. Evidence is presented that the minerals found in these deposits can have multi-billion-year residence times and thus may have survived their possible production in a putative early Martian hot spring up to the present day. Examples include the nanophase property and the Mossbauer signature for siderite, which has been identified in a 2.09-billion-year old hematite-rich

Iron-Nitride Alloy Magnets: Transformation Enabled Nitride Magnets Absent Rare Earths (TEN Mare)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

2012-01-01

REACT Project: Case Western is developing a highly magnetic iron-nitride alloy to use in the magnets that power electric motors found in EVs and renewable power generators. This would reduce the overall price of the motor by eliminating the expensive imported rare earth minerals typically found in today’s best commercial magnets. The iron-nitride powder is sourced from abundant and inexpensive materials found in the U.S. The ultimate goal of this project is to demonstrate this new magnet system, which contains no rare earths, in a prototype electric motor. This could significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in themore » U.S. each year by encouraging the use of clean alternatives to oil and coal.« less

Experimental evidence of body centered cubic iron in Earth's core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hrubiak, R.; Meng, Y.; Shen, G.

2017-12-01

The Earth's core is mainly composed of iron. While seismic evidence has shown a liquid outer core and a solid inner core, the crystalline nature of the solid iron at the core condition remains debated, largely due to the difficulties in experimental determination of exact polymorphs at corresponding pressure-temperature conditions. We have examined crystal structures of iron up to 220 GPa and 6000 K with x-ray diffraction using a double-sided laser heating system at HPCAT, Advanced Photon Source. The iron sample is confined in a small chamber surrounded by single crystal MgO. The laser power can be modulated together with temperature measurements. The modulated heating of iron in an MgO single crystal matrix allows for microstructure analysis during heating and after the sample is quenched. We present experimental evidence of a body-centered-cubic (BCC) iron from about 100 GPa and 3000 K to at least 220 GPa and 4000 K. The observed BCC phase may be consistent with a theoretically predicted BCC phase that is dynamically stable in similar pressure-temperature conditions [1]. We will discuss the stability region of the BCC phase and the melting curve of iron and their implications in the nature of the Earth's inner core. References: A. B. Belonoshko et al., Nat. Geosci., 1-6 (2017).

The Pressure-Volume-Temperature Equation of State of Iron-Rich (Mg,Fe)O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wicks, J. K.; Jackson, J. M.; Zhuravlev, K. K.; Prakapenka, V.

2012-12-01

Source, where high pressures and temperatures are achieved in a diamond anvil cell with in-situ laser heating. The sample was mixed with Fe metal buffer/pressure standard with a neon pressure medium, with salt plates on either side as thermal insulator. We will discuss these density measurements and their impact on sound velocities of iron-rich (Mg,Fe)O in the context of a solid ULVZ.

Spin-polarized Molecular Dynamics simulations of liquid iron silicate at high pressures.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munoz Ramo, David; Stixrude, Lars

2010-05-01

Liquid iron silicate (Fe2SiO4) is an important component of natural silicate liquids appearing in Earth's interior. The effect of iron in the properties of these melts is a crucial issue, as it displays a high-spin to low-spin transition at high pressures which is accompanied by volume reduction and changes in the optical absorption spectrum. This phenomenon has a major influence on properties like the buoyancy or the thermal conductivity of the melt, and ultimately on the chemical and thermal evolution of our planet. Computer simulations using ab initio methods have proven to be a powerful approach to the study of liquid silicate systems[1,2], although not yet including Fe. In this paper, we report ab initio molecular dynamics studies of liquid iron silicate at high pressure (up to 400 GPa) and high temperatures (from 3000K to 6000K) that allow us to predict different properties of the system. We use the spin-polarized formalism and the GGA+U density functional for a better treatment of the iron magnetic moments in the system. Previous studies in the solid phase have shown that GGA predicts fayalite as a metal, while the introduction of U leads to a correct description of the band gap and the magnetic ordering of the system. We extend this analysis to the liquid phase. By means of these simulations we predict the liquid structure and thermodynamic properties of the liquid. We compute the theoretical Hugoniot for the system and find good agreement with values obtained from shock experiments [3]. Our calculations show large differences in the magnitude and orientation of the magnetic moments depending on the choice of functional; the GGA+U functional consistently provides larger values of the individual moments (about 1 unit larger) and of the total magnetization of the system. The high-spin to low-spin transition is predicted to take place at pressures from around 260GPa at 3000K to around 280GPa at 6000K in this iron-rich system. [1] N. P. de Koker, L. Stixrude, B

Mineralogy and Ar-Ar Age of the Tarahumara IIE Iron, with Reference to the Origin of Alkali-Rich Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takeda, Hiroshi; Bogard, Donald D.; Otsuki, Mayumi; Ishii, Teruaki

2003-01-01

Silicate inclusions in nine known IIE irons show diversity in mineralogy, and Colomera, Kodaikanal, Elga and Miles contain alkali-rich silicate inclusions. Bogard et al. showed evidence of a complex parent body evolution for IIE irons based on Ar-39-Ar-40 ages. Colomera contained a sanidine-rich surface inclusion and the K-enrichment trends in the Na-rich inclusions are different from those of other IIEs. To elucidate the origin of K-rich materials, we studied the mineralogy and Ar-Ar age of silicate inclusions from the Tarahumara IIE iron meteorite.

Equation of State of Iron-Rich (Mg,Fe)O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dobrosavljevic, V.; Jackson, J. M.

2017-12-01

Recent seismic observations of the core-mantle boundary (CMB) have provided increasing evidence for the presence of a boundary layer rich in chemical diversity with lateral variations in seismic velocities and densities. Exploring causes of observed anomalies such as ultralow-velocity zones (ULVZs) in this region can lead to a deeper understanding of phenomena like hotspot volcanism and heat flow from the core. One potential explanation for the presence of these lateral heterogeneities may be iron enrichment in lower mantle minerals such as magnesiowüstite, possibly resulting from melting events or interactions with the iron-dominant outer core. Relatively little study has been directed toward iron-rich members of the (Mg,Fe)O solid solution despite the possibility for even low levels of iron enrichment to have significant impact on elastic properties. To that end, we present results from a powder x-ray diffraction study on (Mg0.06Fe0.94)O up to 90 GPa at 300 K using helium as a pressure-transmitting medium. The measurements were conducted at beamline 12.2.2 of the Advanced Light Source of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The diffraction data were used to determine the equations of state for the material's B1 cubic and rhombohedral phases and constrain the transition pressure at ambient temperature. We combine our results with pressure-temperature-volume measurements on an identical composition (Wicks et al. 2015) to produce a well-constrained thermal equation of state. Using these results, we report a thermal elasticity model for magnesiowüstite at CMB conditions for use in dynamic modeling and comparison against seismic observations.

Experimental determination of oxygen diffusion in liquid iron at high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Posner, Esther S.; Rubie, David C.; Frost, Daniel J.; Steinle-Neumann, Gerd

2017-04-01

Oxygen diffusion experiments in liquid iron have been performed at 3-18 GPa and 1975-2643 K using a multi-anvil apparatus. Diffusion couples consisted of a pure iron rod and a sintered disk of Fe0.85O0.15 placed end-to-end in a vertical orientation. Images and chemical spot analyses were acquired along the full length of the quenched sample on lines perpendicular to the diffusion interface. Exsolution features that formed during quenching consist mostly of spherical oxide blobs of at least two size populations, as well as feathery dendritic textures in more oxygen-rich regions near the top of the samples. Diffusion during heating (i.e. prior to reaching the peak annealing temperature, Tf) is treated numerically to refine Arrhenian parameters from simultaneous least-squares fits to several concentration profiles obtained from experiments at constant pressure and variable Tf. Diffusion coefficients range from ∼ 6 ×10-9 to ∼ 2 ×10-8 m2s-1 over the P-T range of the study, with activation enthalpies of less than 100 kJ mol-1. We find a very weak effect of pressure on oxygen diffusion with an activation volume of 0.1 ± 0.1 cm3mol-1, in agreement with computational studies performed above 100 GPa. Arrhenian extrapolation of diffusion coefficients for oxygen to P-T conditions of the Earth's outer core yields faster average diffusion rates (∼ 3 ×10-8 m2s-1) than for Si or Fe in silicon-rich liquid iron alloys or pure liquid iron (∼ 5 ×10-9 m2s-1) reported previously. Oxygen diffusion data are used to constrain the maximum size of descending liquid metal droplets in a magma ocean that is required for chemical equilibration to be achieved. Our results indicate that if the Earth's core composition is representative of equilibrium chemical exchange with a silicate magma ocean, then it could only have been accomplished by large-scale break-up of impactor cores to liquid iron droplet sizes no larger than a few tens of centimeters.

Iron and cell death in Parkinson's disease: a nuclear microscopic study into iron-rich granules in the parkinsonian substantia nigra of primate models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thong, P. S. P.; Watt, F.; Ponraj, D.; Leong, S. K.; He, Y.; Lee, T. K. Y.

1999-10-01

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disease characterised by a loss of cells in the substantia nigra (SN) region of the brain and accompanying biochemical changes such as inhibition of mitochondrial function, increased iron concentrations and decreased glutathione levels in the parkinsonian SN. Though the aetiology of the disease is still unknown, the observed biochemical changes point to the involvement of oxidative stress. In particular, iron is suspected to play a role by promoting free radical production, leading to oxidative stress and cell death. The increase in iron in the parkinsonian SN has been confirmed by several research groups, both in human post-mortem brains and in brain tissue from parkinsonian animal models. However, the question remains as to whether the observed increase in iron is a cause or a consequence of the SN cell death process. Our previous study using unilaterally 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine (MPTP)-lesioned monkeys in a time sequence experiment has shown that the increase in bulk iron concentrations follow rather than precede dopaminergic cell death. However, changes in the localised iron concentrations, which may play a more direct role in SN cell death, may not be reflected at the bulk level. Indeed, we have observed iron-rich granules in parkinsonian SNs. From this time sequence study into the iron content of iron-rich granules in the SNs of an untreated control and unilaterally MPTP-lesioned parkinsonian models, we present the following observations: (1) Iron-rich granules are found in both control and parkinsonian SNs and are variable in size and iron content in any one model. (2) These iron-rich granules may be associated with neuromelanin granules found in the SN and are known to accumulate transition metal ions such as iron. (3) The early onset of bulk SN cell loss (35%) was accompanied by a significant elevation of iron in granules found in the MPTP-injected SN compared to the contra-lateral SN. This

Radioactive rare-earth deposit at Scrub Oaks mine, Morris County, New Jersey

USGS Publications Warehouse

Klemic, Harry; Heyl, A.V.; Taylor, Audrey R.; Stone, Jerome

1959-01-01

A deposit of rare-earth minerals in the Scrub Oaks iron mine, Morris County, N. J., was mapped and sampled in 1955. The rare-earth minerals are mainly in coarse-grained magnetite ore and in pegmatite adjacent to it. Discrete bodies of rare-earth-bearing magnetite ore apparently follow the plunge of the main magnetite ore body at the north end of the mine. Radioactivity of the ore containing rare earths is about 0.2 to 0.6 mllliroentgens per hour. The principal minerals of the deposit are quartz, magnetite, hematite, albiteoligoclase, perthite and antiperthite. Xenotime and doverite aggregates and bastnaesite with intermixed leucoxene are the most abundant rare-earth minerals, and zircon, sphene, chevkinite, apatite, and monazite are of minor abundance in the ore. The rare-earth elements are partly differentiated into cerium-rich bastnaesite, chevkinite, and monazite, and yttrium-rich xenotime and doverite. Apatite, zircon, and sphene contain both cerium and yttrium group earths. Eleven samples of radioactive ore and rock average 0.009 percent uranium, 0.062 percent thorium, 1.51 percent combined rare-earth oxides including yttrium oxide and 24.8 percent iron. Scatter diagrams of sample data show a direct correlation between equivalent uranium, uranium, thorium, and combined rare^ earth oxides. Both cerium- and yttrium-group earths are abundant in the rare-earth minerals. Radioactive magnetite ore containing rare-earth minerals probably formed as a variant of the magnetite mineralization that produced the main iron ore of the Scrub Oaks deposit. The rare-earth minerals and the iron ore were deposited contemporaneously. Zircon crystals, probably deposited at the same time, have been determined by the Larsen method to be about 550 to 600 million years old (late Precambrian age). Uranium, thorium, and rare-earth elements are potential byproducts of iron in the coarse-grained magnetite ore.

Ferroelectricity of domain walls in rare earth iron garnet films.

PubMed

Popov, A I; Zvezdin, K A; Gareeva, Z V; Mazhitova, F A; Vakhitov, R M; Yumaguzin, A R; Zvezdin, A K

2016-11-16

In this paper, we report on electric polarization arising in a vicinity of Bloch-like domain walls in rare-earth iron garnet films. The domain walls generate an intrinsic magnetic field that breaks an antiferroelectric structure formed in the garnets due to an exchange interaction between rare earth and iron sublattices. We explore 180° domain walls whose formation is energetically preferable in the films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Magnetic and electric structures of the 180° quasi-Bloch domain walls have been simulated at various relations between system parameters. Singlet, doublet ground states of rare earth ions and strongly anisotropic rare earth Ising ions have been considered. Our results show that electric polarization appears in rare earth garnet films at Bloch domain walls, and the maximum of magnetic inhomogeneity is not always linked to the maximum of electric polarization. A number of factors including the temperature, the state of the rare earth ion and the type of a wall influence magnetically induced electric polarization. We show that the value of polarization can be enhanced by the shrinking of the Bloch domain wall width, decreasing the temperature, and increasing the deviations of magnetization from the Bloch rotation that are regulated by impacts given by magnetic anisotropies of the films.

Ferrous iron- and ammonium-rich diffuse vents support habitat-specific communities in a shallow hydrothermal field off the Basiluzzo Islet (Aeolian Volcanic Archipelago).

PubMed

Bortoluzzi, G; Romeo, T; La Cono, V; La Spada, G; Smedile, F; Esposito, V; Sabatino, G; Di Bella, M; Canese, S; Scotti, G; Bo, M; Giuliano, L; Jones, D; Golyshin, P N; Yakimov, M M; Andaloro, F

2017-09-01

Ammonium- and Fe(II)-rich fluid flows, known from deep-sea hydrothermal systems, have been extensively studied in the last decades and are considered as sites with high microbial diversity and activity. Their shallow-submarine counterparts, despite their easier accessibility, have so far been under-investigated, and as a consequence, much less is known about microbial communities inhabiting these ecosystems. A field of shallow expulsion of hydrothermal fluids has been discovered at depths of 170-400 meters off the base of the Basiluzzo Islet (Aeolian Volcanic Archipelago, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea). This area consists predominantly of both actively diffusing and inactive 1-3 meters-high structures in the form of vertical pinnacles, steeples and mounds covered by a thick orange to brown crust deposits hosting rich benthic fauna. Integrated morphological, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses revealed that, above all, these crusts are formed by ferrihydrite-type Fe 3+ oxyhydroxides. Two cruises in 2013 allowed us to monitor and sampled this novel ecosystem, certainly interesting in terms of shallow-water iron-rich site. The main objective of this work was to characterize the composition of extant communities of iron microbial mats in relation to the environmental setting and the observed patterns of macrofaunal colonization. We demonstrated that iron-rich deposits contain complex and stratified microbial communities with a high proportion of prokaryotes akin to ammonium- and iron-oxidizing chemoautotrophs, belonging to Thaumarchaeota, Nitrospira, and Zetaproteobacteria. Colonizers of iron-rich mounds, while composed of the common macrobenthic grazers, predators, filter-feeders, and tube-dwellers with no representatives of vent endemic fauna, differed from the surrounding populations. Thus, it is very likely that reduced electron donors (Fe 2+ and NH 4 + ) are important energy sources in supporting primary production in microbial mats, which form a habitat

Hydrogen-bearing iron peroxide and its implications to the deep Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, J.; Hu, Q.; Kim, D. Y.; Wu, Z.; Wang, W.; Alp, E. E.; Yang, L.; Xiao, Y.; Meng, Y.; Chow, P.; Greenberg, E.; Prakapenka, V. B.; Mao, H. K.; Mao, W. L.

2017-12-01

Hydrous materials subducted into the deep mantle may play a significant role in the geophysical and geochemical processes of the lower mantle through geological time, but their roles have not become clear yet in the region. Hydrogen-bearing iron peroxide (FeO2Hx) was recently discovered to form through dehydrogenation of goethite (e.g., FeOOH) and the reaction between hematite (Fe2O3) and water under deep lower mantle conditions. We conducted synchrotron Mössbauer, X-ray absorption, and X-ray emission spectroscopy measurements to investigate the electronic spin and valence states of iron in hydrogen-bearing iron peroxide (FeO2Hx) in-situ at high pressures. Combined with theoretical calculations and other high-pressure experiments (i.e., nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction coupled with laser-heated diamond-anvil cell techniques), we find that the intriguing properties of FeO2Hx could shed light on the origin of a number of the observed geochemical and geophysical anomalies in the deep Earth.

Novel Thermotolerant Siderophilic Filamentous Cyanobacterium that Produces Intracellular Iron-Rich Phases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Broun, Igor I.; Bryant, Donald A.; Casamatta, Dale; Thomas-Keprta, Kathie L.; Sarkisova, Svetlana A.; Shen, Gaozhang; Graham, Joel E.; Boyd, Eric S.; Peters, John W.; Garrison, Daniel H.;

High contents of rare earth elements (REEs) in stream waters of a Cu-Pb-Zn mining area.

PubMed

Protano, G; Riccobono, F

2002-01-01

Stream waters draining an old mining area present very high rare earth element (REE) contents, reaching 928 microg/l as the maximum total value (sigmaREE). The middle rare earth elements (MREEs) are usually enriched with respect to both the light (LREEs) and heavy (HREEs) elements of this group, producing a characteristic "roof-shaped" pattern of the shale Post-Archean Australian Shales-normalized concentrations. At the Fenice Capanne Mine (FCM), the most important base metal mine of the study area, the REE source coincides with the mine tailings, mostly the oldest ones composed of iron-rich materials. The geochemical history of the REEs released into Noni stream from wastes in the FCM area is strictly determined by the pH, which controls the REE speciation and in-stream processes. The formation of Al-rich and mainly Fe-rich flocs effectively scavenges the REEs, which are readily and drastically removed from the solution when the pH approaches neutrality. Leaching experiments performed on flocs and waste materials demonstrate that Fe-oxides/oxyhydroxides play a key role in the release of lanthanide elements into stream waters. The origin of the "roof-shaped" REE distribution pattern as well as the peculiar geochemical behavior of some lanthanide elements in the aqueous system are discussed.

Microbial Biosignatures in High Iron Thermal Springs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parenteau, M. N.; Embaye, T.; Jahnke, L. L.; Cady, S. L.

2003-12-01

The emerging anoxic source waters at Chocolate Pots hot springs in Yellowstone National Park contain 2.6 to 11.2 mg/L Fe(II) and are 51-54° C and pH 5.5-6.0. These waters flow down the accumulating iron deposits and over three major phototrophic mat communities: Synechococcus/Chloroflexus at 51-54° C, Pseudanabaena at 51-54° C, and a narrow Oscillatoria at 36-45° C. We are assessing the contribution of the phototrophs to biosignature formation in this high iron system. These biosignatures can be used to assess the biological contribution to ancient iron deposits on Earth (e.g. Precambrian Banded Iron Formations) and, potentially, to those found on Mars. Most studies to date have focused on chemotrophic iron-oxidizing communities; however, recent research has demonstrated that phototrophs have a significant physiological impact on these iron thermal springs (Pierson et al. 1999, Pierson and Parenteau 2000, and Trouwborst et al., 2003). We completed a survey of the microfossils, biominerals, biofabrics, and lipid biomarkers in the phototrophic mats and stromatolitic iron deposits using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The Synechococcus/Chloroflexus mat was heavily encrusted with iron silicates while the narrow Oscillatoria mat was encrusted primarily with iron oxides. Encrustation of the cells increased with depth in the mats. Amorphous 2-line ferrihydrite is the primary precipitate in the spring and the only iron oxide mineral associated with the mats. Goethite, hematite, and siderite were detected in dry sediment samples on the face of the main iron deposit. Analysis of polar lipid fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) generated a suite of lipid biomarkers. The Synechococcus/Chloroflexus mat contained two mono-unsaturated isomers of n-C18:1 with smaller amounts of polyunsaturated n-C18:2, characteristic of cyanobacteria

Groundwater mixing at fracture intersections triggers massive iron-rich microbial mats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bochet, O.; Le Borgne, T.; Bethencourt, L.; Aquilina, L.; Dufresne, A.; Pédrot, M.; Farasin, J.; Abbott, B. W.; Labasque, T.; Chatton, E.; Lavenant, N.; Petton, C.

2017-12-01

While most freshwater on Earth resides and flows in groundwater systems, these deep subsurface environments are often assumed to have little biogeochemical activity compared to surface environments. Here we report a massive microbial mat of iron-oxidizing bacteria, flourishing 60 meters below the surface, far below the mixing zone where most microbial activity is believed to occur. The abundance of microtubular structures in the mat hinted at the prevalence of of Leptothrix ochracea, but metagenomic analysis revealed a diverse consortium of iron-oxidizing bacteria dominated by unknown members of the Gallionellaceae family. This deep biogeochemical hot spot formed at the intersection of bedrock fractures, which maintain redox gradients by mixing water with different residence times and chemical compositions. Using measured fracture properties and hydrological conditions we developed a quantitative model to simulate the reactive zone where such deep hot spots could occur. While seasonal fluctuations are generally thought to decrease with depth, we found that meter-scale changes in water table level moved the depth of the reactive zone hundreds of meters because the microaerophilic threshold for ironoxidizers is highly sensitive to changes in mixing rates at fracture intersections. These results demonstrate that dynamic microbial communities can be sustained deep below the surface in bedrock fractures. Given the ubiquity of fractures at multiple scales in Earth's subsurface, such deep hot spots may strongly influence global biogeochemical cycles.

Water-rich planets: How habitable is a water layer deeper than on Earth?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noack, L.; Höning, D.; Rivoldini, A.; Heistracher, C.; Zimov, N.; Journaux, B.; Lammer, H.; Van Hoolst, T.; Bredehöft, J. H.

2016-10-01

Water is necessary for the origin and survival of life as we know it. In the search for life-friendly worlds, water-rich planets therefore are obvious candidates and have attracted increasing attention in recent years. The surface H2O layer on such planets (containing a liquid water ocean and possibly high-pressure ice below a specific depth) could potentially be hundreds of kilometres deep depending on the water content and the evolution of the proto-atmosphere. We study possible constraints for the habitability of deep water layers and introduce a new habitability classification relevant for water-rich planets (from Mars-size to super-Earth-size planets). A new ocean model has been developed that is coupled to a thermal evolution model of the mantle and core. Our interior structure model takes into account depth-dependent thermodynamic properties and the possible formation of high-pressure ice. We find that heat flowing out of the silicate mantle can melt an ice layer from below (in some cases episodically), depending mainly on the thickness of the ocean-ice shell, the mass of the planet, the surface temperature and the interior parameters (e.g. radioactive mantle heat sources). The high pressure at the bottom of deep water-ice layers could also impede volcanism at the water-mantle boundary for both stagnant lid and plate tectonics silicate shells. We conclude that water-rich planets with a deep ocean, a large planet mass, a high average density or a low surface temperature are likely less habitable than planets with an Earth-like ocean.

Comment on "A hydrogen-rich early Earth atmosphere".

PubMed

Catling, David C

2006-01-06

Tian et al. (Reports, 13 May 2005, p. 1014) proposed a hydrogen-rich early atmosphere with slow hydrogen escape from a cold thermosphere. However, their model neglects the ultraviolet absorption of all gases other than H2. The model also neglects Earth's magnetic field, which affects the temperature and density of ions and promotes nonthermal escape of neutral hydrogen.

Assessing rare earth elements in quartz rich geological samples.

PubMed

Santoro, A; Thoss, V; Ribeiro Guevara, S; Urgast, D; Raab, A; Mastrolitti, S; Feldmann, J

2016-01-01

Sodium peroxide (Na2O2) fusion coupled to Inductively Coupled Plasma Tandem Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) measurements was used to rapidly screen quartz-rich geological samples for rare earth element (REE) content. The method accuracy was checked with a geological reference material and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) measurements. The used mass-mode combinations presented accurate results (only exception being (157)Gd in He gas mode) with recovery of the geological reference material QLO-1 between 80% and 98% (lower values for Lu, Nd and Sm) and in general comparable to INAA measurements. Low limits of detection for all elements were achieved, generally below 10 pg g(-1), as well as measurement repeatability below 15%. Overall, the Na2O2/ICP-MS/MS method proved to be a suitable lab-based method to quickly and accurately screen rock samples originating from quartz-rich geological areas for rare earth element content; particularly useful if checking commercial viability. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Insights into the structure and metabolic function of microbes that shape pelagic iron-rich aggregates ("iron snow").

PubMed

Lu, Shipeng; Chourey, Karuna; Reiche, Marco; Nietzsche, Sandor; Shah, Manesh B; Neu, Thomas R; Hettich, Robert L; Küsel, Kirsten

2013-07-01

Microbial ferrous iron [Fe(II)] oxidation leads to the formation of iron-rich macroscopic aggregates ("iron snow") at the redoxcline in a stratified lignite mine lake in east-central Germany. We aimed to identify the abundant Fe-oxidizing and Fe-reducing microorganisms likely to be involved in the formation and transformation of iron snow present in the redoxcline in two basins of the lake that differ in their pH values. Nucleic acid- and lipid-stained microbial cells of various morphologies detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy were homogeneously distributed in all iron snow samples. The dominant iron mineral appeared to be schwertmannite, with shorter needles in the northern than in the central basin samples. Total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies ranged from 5.0 × 10(8) copies g (dry weight)(-1) in the acidic central lake basin (pH 3.3) to 4.0 × 10(10) copies g (dry weight)(-1) in the less acidic (pH 5.9) northern basin. Total RNA-based quantitative PCR assigned up to 61% of metabolically active microbial communities to Fe-oxidizing- and Fe-reducing-related bacteria, indicating that iron metabolism was an important metabolic strategy. Molecular identification of abundant groups suggested that iron snow surfaces were formed by chemoautotrophic iron oxidizers, such as Acidimicrobium, Ferrovum, Acidithiobacillus, Thiobacillus, and Chlorobium, in the redoxcline and were rapidly colonized by heterotrophic iron reducers, such as Acidiphilium, Albidiferax-like, and Geobacter-like groups. Metaproteomics yielded 283 different proteins from northern basin iron snow samples, and protein identification provided a glimpse into some of their in situ metabolic processes, such as primary production (CO2 fixation), respiration, motility, and survival strategies.

Phase Relations of Iron and Iron-Nickel Alloys up to 3 Mbars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuwayama, Y.; Hirose, K.; Sata, N.; Ohishi, Y.

2007-12-01

Iron is believed to be the major component of the Earth's core because it is the most abundant element that satisfies the observed seismic densities. Based on cosmochemical models and the studies of iron meteorites, it is generally accepted that the Earth's core also contains substantial amounts of nickel. Therefore, the high pressure behaviour of iron-nickel alloys is crucially important for interpreting and constraining geophysical and geochemical models of the Earth's core. The phase relation of iron at relatively low pressure has been well established. α-Fe with bcc structure at ambient condition transforms to γ-Fe at high temperature and to ɛ-Fe with hcp structure at above ~ 10 GPa. In contrast, the phase relation and the crystal structure at high pressure and temperature are still highly controversial. The phase relations of iron-nickel alloys were also studied in an externally-heated diamond-anvil cell (Huang et al. 1988, 1992) and in a laser-heated diamond-anvil cell (Lin et al. 2002, Mao et al. 2005, Dubrovinsky et al. 2007), but these experiments were limited to the pressure of 225 GPa. Applications of the previous results to the Earth's inner core conditions required significant extrapolations. In this study, we have investigated the phase relations of iron and a number of iron-nickel alloys in a wide range of pressures (>300 GPa), temperatures (>2000 K) and compositions (0-80 wt% Ni) using a laser-heated diamond-anvil cell with synchrotron x-ray diffraction. For iron, in-situ x-ray diffraction studies showed a wide range of stability of ɛ-Fe with an hcp structure up to 300 GPa and 2000 K and up to 343 GPa at room temperature. No evidence for the existence of phases other than ɛ-Fe, such as β-Fe with a dhcp structure (suggested by Dubrovinsky et al. 2000) or orthorhombic structure (suggested by Andrault et al. 1997), was observed. For iron-nickel alloys, high pressure and temperature experiments were conducted on Fe-18.4 wt% Ni, Fe-24.9 wt% Ni, Fe

Significance of tourmaline-rich rocks in the north range group of the cuyuna iron range, East-Central Minnesota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cleland, J.M.; Morey, G.B.; McSwiggen, P.L.

1996-01-01

Concentrations of tourmaline in Early Proterozoic metasedirnentary rocks of the Cuyuna iron range, east-central Minnesota, provide a basis for redefinition of the evolutionary history of the area. Manganiferous iron ore forms beds within the Early Proterozoic Trommald Formation, between thick-bedded granular iron-formation having shallow-water depositional attributes and thin-bedded, nongranular iron-formation having deeper water attributes. These manganese-rich units were previously assumed to be sedimentary in origin. However, a revaluation of drill core and mine samples from the Cuyuna North range has identified strata-bound tourmaline and tourmalinite, which has led to a rethinking of genetic models for the geology of the North range. We interpret the tourmaline-rich rocks of the area to be a product of submarine-hydrothermal solutions flowing along and beneath the sedirnent-seawater interface. This model for the depositional environment of the tourmaline is supported by previously reported mineral assemblages within the Trommald Formation that comprise aegirine; barium feldspar; manganese silicates, carbonates, and oxides; and Sr-rich barite veins. In many places, tourmaline-rich metasedimentary rocks and tourmalinites are associated locally with strata-bound sulfide deposits. At those localities, the tourmaline-rich strata are thought to be lateral equivalents of exhalative sulfide zones or genetically related subsea-floor replacements. On the basis of the occurrence of the tourmaline-rich rocks and tourmalinites, and on the associated minerals, we suggest that there is a previously unrecognized potential for sediment-hosted sulfide deposits in the Cuyuna North range.

The Janus face of iron on anoxic worlds: iron oxides are both protective and destructive to life on the early Earth and present-day Mars.

PubMed

Wadsworth, Jennifer; Cockell, Charles S

2017-05-01

The surface of the early Earth was probably subjected to a higher flux of ultraviolet (UV) radiation than today. UV radiation is known to severely damage DNA and other key molecules of life. Using a liquid culture and a rock analogue system, we investigated the interplay of protective and deleterious effects of iron oxides under UV radiation on the viability of the model organism, Bacillus subtilis. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, there exists a fine balance between iron oxide's protective effects against this radiation and its deleterious effects caused by Photo-Fenton reactions. The maximum damage was caused by a concentration of hematite of ∼1 mg/mL. Concentrations above this confer increasing protection by physical blockage of the UV radiation, concentrations below this cause less effective UV radiation blockage, but also a correspondingly less effective Photo-Fenton reaction, providing an overall advantage. These results show that on anoxic worlds, surface habitability under a high UV flux leaves life precariously poised between the beneficial and deleterious effects of iron oxides. These results have relevance to the Archean Earth, but also the habitability of the Martian surface, where high levels of UV radiation in combination with iron oxides and hydrogen peroxide can be found. © FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Earth's core-mantle boundary - Results of experiments at high pressures and temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knittle, Elise; Jeanloz, Raymond

1991-01-01

Laboratory experiments document that liquid iron reacts chemically with silicates at high pressures (above 2.4 x 10 to the 10th Pa) and temperatures. In particular, (Mg,Fe)SiO3 perovskite, the most abundant mineral of earth's lower mantle, is expected to react with liquid iron to produce metallic alloys (FeO and FeSi) and nonmetallic silicates (SiO2 stishovite and MgSiO3 perovskite) at the pressures of the core-mantle boundary, 14 x 10 to the 10th Pa. The experimental observations, in conjunction with seismological data, suggest that the lowermost 200 to 300 km of earth's mantle, the D-double-prime layer, may be an extremely heterogeneous region as a result of chemical reactions between the silicate mantle and the liquid iron alloy of earth's core. The combined thermal-chemical-electrical boundary layer resulting from such reactions offers a plausible explanation for the complex behavior of seismic waves near the core-mantle boundary and could influence earth's magnetic field observed at the surface.

Rapid Separation of Copper Phase and Iron-Rich Phase From Copper Slag at Low Temperature in a Super-Gravity Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Xi; Gao, Jintao; Huang, Zili; Guo, Zhancheng

2018-03-01

A novel approach for quickly separating a metal copper phase and iron-rich phase from copper slag at low temperature is proposed based on a super-gravity method. The morphology and mineral evolution of the copper slag with increasing temperature were studied using in situ high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy and ex situ scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. Fe3O4 particles dispersed among the copper slag were transformed into FeO by adding an appropriate amount of carbon as a reducing agent, forming the slag melt with SiO2 at low temperature and assisting separation of the copper phase from the slag. Consequently, in a super-gravity field, the metallic copper and copper matte were concentrated as the copper phase along the super-gravity direction, whereas the iron-rich slag migrated in the opposite direction and was quickly separated from the copper phase. Increasing the gravity coefficient (G) significantly enhanced the separation efficiency. After super-gravity separation at G = 1000 and 1473 K (1200 °C) for 3 minutes, the mass fraction of Cu in the separated copper phase reached 86.11 wt pct, while that in the separated iron-rich phase was reduced to 0.105 wt pct. The recovery ratio of Cu in the copper phase was as high as up to 97.47 pct.

Rapid Separation of Copper Phase and Iron-Rich Phase From Copper Slag at Low Temperature in a Super-Gravity Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Xi; Gao, Jintao; Huang, Zili; Guo, Zhancheng

2018-06-01

A novel approach for quickly separating a metal copper phase and iron-rich phase from copper slag at low temperature is proposed based on a super-gravity method. The morphology and mineral evolution of the copper slag with increasing temperature were studied using in situ high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy and ex situ scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. Fe3O4 particles dispersed among the copper slag were transformed into FeO by adding an appropriate amount of carbon as a reducing agent, forming the slag melt with SiO2 at low temperature and assisting separation of the copper phase from the slag. Consequently, in a super-gravity field, the metallic copper and copper matte were concentrated as the copper phase along the super-gravity direction, whereas the iron-rich slag migrated in the opposite direction and was quickly separated from the copper phase. Increasing the gravity coefficient (G) significantly enhanced the separation efficiency. After super-gravity separation at G = 1000 and 1473 K (1200 °C) for 3 minutes, the mass fraction of Cu in the separated copper phase reached 86.11 wt pct, while that in the separated iron-rich phase was reduced to 0.105 wt pct. The recovery ratio of Cu in the copper phase was as high as up to 97.47 pct.

Prevalence of anemia and consumption of iron-rich food groups in Mexican children and adolescents: Ensanut MC 2016.

PubMed

De la Cruz-Góngora, Vanessa; Villalpando, Salvador; Shamah-Levy, Teresa

2018-01-01

To describe the prevalence of anemia and con-sumption of iron rich groups among Mexican children and adolescents who participated in the Halfway National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2016. Our study sample included children and adolescents who provided full capillary hemoglobin data. Anemia was defined accord-ing to WHO criteria. Logistic regression models were used to explore the association among consumption of iron-rich food groups, sociodemographic characteristics and anemia. In 2016, the prevalence of anemia was 26.9% in children aged 1 to 4 years old, 12.5% in those aged 5 to 11, and 9.6% in adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Rates were the highest among females who lived in the southern and central parts of Mexico, belonged to an indigenous ethnic group and fell within the first tercile of the Household Wealth Index. Consumption of beef by preschoolers and viscera by ado-lescents was associated with lower risk for anemia; higher risk was associated with consumption of Liconsa milk and non-heme iron by preschoolers. Anemia is highly prevalent in Mexican children and adolescents, affect-ing mainly the poorest and youngest populations. Sources of heme iron are the principal dietary factor associated with low risk for anemia.

Semiconductor sensor for optically measuring polarization rotation of optical wavefronts using rare earth iron garnets

DOEpatents

Duncan, Paul G.

2002-01-01

Described are the design of a rare earth iron garnet sensor element, optical methods of interrogating the sensor element, methods of coupling the optical sensor element to a waveguide, and an optical and electrical processing system for monitoring the polarization rotation of a linearly polarized wavefront undergoing external modulation due to magnetic field or electrical current fluctuation. The sensor element uses the Faraday effect, an intrinsic property of certain rare-earth iron garnet materials, to rotate the polarization state of light in the presence of a magnetic field. The sensor element may be coated with a thin-film mirror to effectively double the optical path length, providing twice the sensitivity for a given field strength or temperature change. A semiconductor sensor system using a rare earth iron garnet sensor element is described.

Iron-Terephthalate Coordination Network Thin Films Through In-Situ Atomic/Molecular Layer Deposition.

PubMed

Tanskanen, A; Karppinen, M

2018-06-12

Iron terephthalate coordination network thin films can be fabricated using the state-of-the-art gas-phase atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) technique in a highly controlled manner. Iron is an Earth-abundant and nonhazardous transition metal, and with its rich variety of potential applications an interesting metal constituent for the inorganic-organic coordination network films. Our work underlines the role of the metal precursor used when aiming at in-situ ALD/MLD growth of crystalline inorganic-organic thin films. We obtain crystalline iron terephthalate films when FeCl 3 is employed as the iron source whereas depositions based on the bulkier Fe(acac) 3 precursor yield amorphous films. The chemical composition and structure of the films are investigated with GIXRD, XRR, FTIR and XPS.

Bioavailability of iron in geophagic earths and clay minerals, and their effect on dietary iron absorption using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model

PubMed Central

Seim, Gretchen L.; Ahn, Cedric I.; Bodis, Mary S.; Luwedde, Flavia; Miller, Dennis D.; Hillier, Stephen; Tako, Elad; Glahn, Raymond P.; Young, Sera L.

2014-01-01

Geophagy, the deliberate consumption of earth, is strongly associated with iron (Fe) deficiency. It has been proposed that geophagy may be practiced as a means to improve Fe status by increasing Fe intakes and, conversely, that geophagy may cause Fe deficiency by inhibiting Fe absorption. We tested these hypotheses by measuring Fe concentration and relative bioavailable Fe content of 12 samples of geophagic earth and 4 samples of pure clay minerals. Further, we assessed the impact of these samples on the bioavailability of Fe from an Fe-rich test meal (cooked white beans, WB). Fe concentrations were measured with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Fe bioavailability was determined using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model in which ferritin formation was used as an index of Fe bioavailability. Geophagic earth and clay mineral samples were evaluated with this model, both alone and in combination with WB (1:16 ratio, sample:WB). Median Fe concentration of the geophagic earth was 3485 (IQR 2462, 14571) μg/g and mean Fe concentration in the clay minerals was 2791 (± 1782) μg/g. All specimens had Fe concentrations significantly higher (p ≤ 0.005) than the Fe concentration of WB (77 μg/g). Ferritin formation (i.e. Fe uptake) in cells exposed to geophagic earths and clay minerals was significantly lower than in cells exposed to WB (p ≤ 0.05) and Fe uptake responses of 11 of the 16 samples were not significantly different from the blank, indicating no bioavailable Fe. When samples were combined with WB, 5 of 16 had mean ferritin levels that were significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05, one tail) than the WB alone, indicating that the samples inhibited Fe uptake from the WB. None of the ferritin responses of cells exposed to both WB and earth/clay were significantly higher than WB alone. Thus, although geophagic earths and mineral clays are high in total Fe, very little of this Fe is bioavailable. Further, some geophagic earth and clay mineral

How Mercury can be the most reduced terrestrial planet and still store iron in its mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malavergne, Valérie; Cordier, Patrick; Righter, Kevin; Brunet, Fabrice; Zanda, Brigitte; Addad, Ahmed; Smith, Thomas; Bureau, Hélène; Surblé, Suzy; Raepsaet, Caroline; Charon, Emeline; Hewins, Roger H.

2014-05-01

Mercury is notorious as the most reduced planet with the highest metal/silicate ratio, yet paradoxically data from the MESSENGER spacecraft show that its iron-poor crust is high in sulfur (up to ˜6 wt%, ˜80× Earth crust abundance) present mainly as Ca-rich sulfides on its surface. These particularities are simply impossible on the other terrestrial planets. In order to understand the role played by sulfur during the formation of Mercury, we investigated the phase relationships in Mercurian analogs of enstatite chondrite-like composition experimentally under conditions relevant to differentiation of Mercury (˜1 GPa and 1300-2000 °C). Our results show that Mg-rich and Ca-rich sulfides, which both contain Fe, crystallize successively from reduced silicate melts upon cooling below 1550 °C. As the iron concentration in the reduced silicates stays very low (≪1 wt%), these sulfides represent new host phases for both iron and sulfur in the run products. Extrapolated to Mercury, these results show that Mg-rich sulfide crystallization provides the first viable and fundamental means for retaining iron as well as sulfur in the mantle during differentiation, while sulfides richer in Ca would crystallize at shallower levels. The distribution of iron in the differentiating mantle of Mercury was mainly determined by its partitioning between metal (or troilite) and Mg-Fe-Ca-rich sulfides rather than by its partitioning between metal (or troilite) and silicates. Moreover, the primitive mantle might also be boosted in Fe by a reaction at the core mantle boundary (CMB) between Mg-rich sulfides of the mantle and FeS-rich outer core materials to produce (Fe, Mg)S. The stability of Mg-Fe-Ca-rich sulfides over a large range of depths up to the surface of Mercury would be consistent with sulfur, calcium and iron abundances measured by MESSENGER.

Enabling iron pyrite (FeS2) and related ternary pyrite compounds for high-performance solar energy applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caban Acevedo, Miguel

The success of solar energy technologies depends not only on highly efficient solar-to-electrical energy conversion, charge storage or chemical fuel production, but also on dramatically reduced cost, to meet the future terawatt energy challenges we face. The enormous scale involved in the development of impactful solar energy technologies demand abundant and inexpensive materials, as well as energy-efficient and cost-effective processes. As a result, the investigation of semiconductor, catalyst and electrode materials made of earth-abundant and sustainable elements may prove to be of significant importance for the long-term adaptation of solar energy technologies on a larger scale. Among earth-abundant semiconductors, iron pyrite (cubic FeS2) has been considered the most promising solar energy absorber with the potential to achieve terawatt energy-scale deployment. Despite extensive synthetic progress and device efforts, the solar conversion efficiency of iron pyrite has remained below 3% since the 1990s, primarily due to a low open circuit voltage (V oc). The low photovoltage (Voc) of iron pyrite has puzzled scientists for decades and limited the development of cost-effective solar energy technologies based on this otherwise promising semiconductor. Here I report a comprehensive investigation of the syntheses and properties of iron pyrite materials, which reveals that the Voc of iron pyrite is limited by the ionization of a high density of intrinsic bulk defect states despite high density surface states and strong surface Fermi level pinning. Contrary to popular belief, bulk defects most-likely caused by intrinsic sulfur vacancies in iron pyrite must be controlled in order to enable this earth-abundant semiconductor for cost-effective and sustainable solar energy conversion. Lastly, the investigation of iron pyrite presented here lead to the discovery of ternary pyrite-type cobalt phosphosulfide (CoPS) as a highly-efficient earth-abundant catalyst material for

High-Pressure Geoscience Special Feature: Dynamical stability of Fe-H in the Earth's mantle and core regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isaev, Eyvaz I.; Skorodumova, Natalia V.; Ahuja, Rajeev; Vekilov, Yuri K.; Johansson, Börje

2007-05-01

The core extends from the depth of 2,900 km to the center of the Earth and is composed mainly of an iron-rich alloy with nickel, with 10% of the mass comprised of lighter elements like hydrogen, but the exact composition is uncertain. We present a quantum mechanical first-principles study of the dynamical stability of FeH phases and their phonon densities of states at high pressure. Our free-energy calculations reveal a phonon-driven stabilization of dhcp FeH at low pressures, thus resolving the present contradiction between experimental observations and theoretical predictions. Calculations reveal a complex phase diagram for FeH under pressure with a dhcp → hcp → fcc sequence of structural transitions.

Polymorphic Nature of Iron and Degree of Lattice Preferred Orientation Beneath the Earth's Inner Core Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattesini, Maurizio; Belonoshko, Anatoly B.; Tkalčić, Hrvoje

2018-01-01

Deciphering the polymorphic nature and the degree of iron lattice-preferred orientation in the Earth's inner core holds a key to understanding the present status and evolution of the inner core. A multiphase lattice-preferred orientation pattern is obtained for the top 350 km of the inner core by means of the ab initio based Candy Wrapper Velocity Model coupled to a Monte Carlo phase discrimination scheme. The achieved geographic distribution of lattice alignment is characterized by two regions of freezing, namely within South America and the Western Central Pacific, that exhibit an uncommon high degree of lattice orientation. In contrast, widespread regions of melting of relatively weak lattice ordering permeate the rest of the inner core. The obtained multiphase lattice-preferred orientation pattern is in line with mantle-constrained geodynamo simulations and allows to setup an ad hoc mineral physics scenario for the complex Earth's inner core. It is found that the cubic phase of iron is the dominating iron polymorph in the outermost part of the inner core.

The effect of oxygen on density of liquid iron at high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takubo, Y.; Terasaki, H.; Shimoyama, Y.; Urakawa, S.; Suzuki, A.; Nishida, K.; Kamuro, R.; Kishimoto, S.; Kondo, T.; Ohtani, E.; Yoshinori, K.

2012-12-01

The Earth's outer core has been thought to be composed of liquid iron alloys with 10 % of light elements, such as sulfur, carbon, silicon and oxygen. Density of liquid iron alloy is one of the key parameters to understand the composition and structure of the Earth's outer core. The effect of various light elements (e.g., S, Si, and C) on the density of liquid iron at high pressure and high temperature has been studied (Nishida et al., 2011; Tateyama et al., 2011 Sanloup et al., 2011; Terasaki et al., 2010). It was revealed that the density depression is quite different depending on dissolving light element. However the effect of oxygen on the density of liquid iron has not been investigated due to high liquidus temperature of Fe-O system, although oxygen is one of the major candidates of the light elements in the Earth's outer core (e.g., Ringwood, 1977). Oxygen could be incorporated into the core during early terrestrial evolution (Corgne et al., 2009). In this study, we have measured the density of liquid Fe-O in the pressure and temperature ranges of 2.3-3.0 GPa and 2000-2250 K using X-ray absorption method. High pressure experiment was performed using a cubic-type multi-anvil press installed at BL22XU of the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility in Japan. Monochromatic X-ray of 35 keV was used. Mixture of Fe and FeO powders with 0.5 wt% oxygen, which corresponds to the eutectic composition at 3 GPa (Ohtani et al., 1984) was used as a sample. The sample was inserted in a single crystal sapphire capsule. The obtained density of this study is 6.7 g/cm3 at 3 GPa and 2005 K. Compared to the density of pure liquid iron (Anderson and Ahrens, 1994) at the present experimental condition, the density of liquid Fe-O is about 5.3 % smaller than that of pure liquid iron. On the other hand, thermal expansion coefficient of liquid Fe-O shows similar value to that of liquid iron.

Phototrophs in high-iron-concentration microbial mats: physiological ecology of phototrophs in an iron-depositing hot spring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pierson, B. K.; Parenteau, M. N.; Griffin, B. M.

1999-01-01

At Chocolate Pots Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park the source waters have a pH near neutral, contain high concentrations of reduced iron, and lack sulfide. An iron formation that is associated with cyanobacterial mats is actively deposited. The uptake of [(14)C]bicarbonate was used to assess the impact of ferrous iron on photosynthesis in this environment. Photoautotrophy in some of the mats was stimulated by ferrous iron (1.0 mM). Microelectrodes were used to determine the impact of photosynthetic activity on the oxygen content and the pH in the mat and sediment microenvironments. Photosynthesis increased the oxygen concentration to 200% of air saturation levels in the top millimeter of the mats. The oxygen concentration decreased with depth and in the dark. Light-dependent increases in pH were observed. The penetration of light in the mats and in the sediments was determined. Visible radiation was rapidly attenuated in the top 2 mm of the iron-rich mats. Near-infrared radiation penetrated deeper. Iron was totally oxidized in the top few millimeters, but reduced iron was detected at greater depths. By increasing the pH and the oxygen concentration in the surface sediments, the cyanobacteria could potentially increase the rate of iron oxidation in situ. This high-iron-content hot spring provides a suitable model for studying the interactions of microbial photosynthesis and iron deposition and the role of photosynthesis in microbial iron cycling. This model may help clarify the potential role of photosynthesis in the deposition of Precambrian banded iron formations.

FeO2 and FeOOH under deep lower-mantle conditions and Earth's oxygen-hydrogen cycles.

PubMed

Hu, Qingyang; Kim, Duck Young; Yang, Wenge; Yang, Liuxiang; Meng, Yue; Zhang, Li; Mao, Ho-Kwang

2016-06-09

The distribution, accumulation and circulation of oxygen and hydrogen in Earth's interior dictate the geochemical evolution of the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. The oxygen-rich atmosphere and iron-rich core represent two end-members of the oxygen-iron (O-Fe) system, overlapping with the entire pressure-temperature-composition range of the planet. The extreme pressure and temperature conditions of the deep interior alter the oxidation states, spin states and phase stabilities of iron oxides, creating new stoichiometries, such as Fe4O5 (ref. 5) and Fe5O6 (ref. 6). Such interactions between O and Fe dictate Earth's formation, the separation of the core and mantle, and the evolution of the atmosphere. Iron, in its multiple oxidation states, controls the oxygen fugacity and oxygen budget, with hydrogen having a key role in the reaction of Fe and O (causing iron to rust in humid air). Here we use first-principles calculations and experiments to identify a highly stable, pyrite-structured iron oxide (FeO2) at 76 gigapascals and 1,800 kelvin that holds an excessive amount of oxygen. We show that the mineral goethite, FeOOH, which exists ubiquitously as 'rust' and is concentrated in bog iron ore, decomposes under the deep lower-mantle conditions to form FeO2 and release H2. The reaction could cause accumulation of the heavy FeO2-bearing patches in the deep lower mantle, upward migration of hydrogen, and separation of the oxygen and hydrogen cycles. This process provides an alternative interpretation for the origin of seismic and geochemical anomalies in the deep lower mantle, as well as a sporadic O2 source for the Great Oxidation Event over two billion years ago that created the present oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Tracing iron-carbon redox from surface to core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCammon, C. A.; Cerantola, V.; Bykova, E.; Kupenko, I.; Bykov, M.; Chumakov, A. I.; Rüffer, R.; Dubrovinsky, L. S.

2017-12-01

Numerous redox reactions separate the Earth's oxidised surface from its reduced core. Many involve iron, the Earth's most abundant element and the mantle's most abundant transition element. Most iron redox reactions (although not all) also involve other elements, including carbon, where iron-carbon interactions drive a number of important processes within the Earth, for example diamond formation. Many of the Earth's redox boundaries are sharp, much like the seismic properties that define them, for example between the lower mantle and the core. Other regions that appear seismically homogeneous, for example the lower mantle, harbour a wealth of reactions between oxidised and reduced phases of iron and carbon. We have undertaken many experiments at high pressure and high temperature on phases containing iron and carbon using synchrotron-based X-rays to probe structures and iron oxidation states. Results demonstrate the dominant role that crystal structures play in determining the stable oxidation states of iron and carbon, even when oxygen fugacity (and common sense) would suggest otherwise. Iron in bridgmanite, for example, occurs predominantly in its oxidised form (ferric iron) throughout the lower mantle, despite the inferred reducing conditions. Newly discovered structures of iron carbonate also stabilise ferric iron, while simultaneously reducing some carbon to diamond to balance charge. Other high-pressure iron carbonates appear to be associated with the emerging zoo of iron oxide phases, involving transitions between ferrous and ferric iron through the exchange of oxygen. The presentation will trace redox relations between iron and carbon from the Earth's surface to its core, with an emphasis on recent experimental results.

Influence of carotene-rich vegetable meals on the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency in Filipino schoolchildren.

PubMed

Maramag, C C; Ribaya-Mercado, J D; Rayco-Solon, P; Solon, J A A; Tengco, L W; Blumberg, J B; Solon, F S

2010-05-01

To determine the effects of eating carotene-rich green and yellow vegetables on the prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia in schoolchildren. Schoolchildren (n=104), aged 9-12 years, received standardized meals containing 4.2 mg of provitamin A carotenoids/day (mainly beta-carotene) from yellow and green leafy vegetables and at least 7 g dietary fat/day. The meals were provided three times/day, 5 days/week, for 9 weeks at school. Before and after the dietary intervention, total-body vitamin A pool size was assessed by using the deuterated-retinol-dilution method; serum retinol and beta-carotene concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography; and whole blood haemoglobin (Hb) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) concentrations were measured by using a photometer and a hematofluorometer, respectively. After 9 weeks, the mean total-body vitamin A pool size increased twofold (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.11, -0.07 micromol retinol; P<0.001), and serum beta-carotene concentration increased fivefold (95% CI: -0.97, -0.79 micromol/l; P<0.001). Blood Hb (95% CI: -1.02, -0.52 g per 100 ml; P<0.001) and ZnPP increased (95% CI: -11.82, -4.57 microol/mol haem; P<0.001). The prevalence of anaemia (Hb<11.5 g per 100 ml) decreased from 12.5 to 1.9% (P<0.001). There were no significant changes in the prevalence of iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anaemia. Ingestion of carotene-rich yellow and green leafy vegetables improves the total-body vitamin A pool size and Hb concentration, and decreases anaemia rates in Filipino schoolchildren, with no effect on iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anaemia rates.

Electrical and thermal conductivity of Fe-C alloy at high pressure: implications for effects of carbon on the geodynamo of the Earth's core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, C.; Lin, J. F.; Liu, Y.; Feng, S.; Jin, C.; Yoshino, T.

2017-12-01

Thermal conductivity of iron alloy in the Earth's core plays a crucial role in constraining the energetics of the geodynamo and the thermal evolution of the planet. Studies on the thermal conductivity of iron reveal the importance of the effects of light elements and high temperature. Carbon has been proposed to be a candidate light element in Earth's core for its meteoritic abundance and high-pressure velocity-density profiles of iron carbides (e.g., Fe7C3). In this study, we employed four-probe van der Pauw method in a diamond anvil cell to measure the electrical resistivity of pure iron, iron carbon alloy, and iron carbides at high pressures. These studies were complimented with synchrotron X-ray diffraction and focused ion beam (FIB) analyses. Our results show significant changes in the electrical conductivity of these iron-carbon alloys that are consistent previous reports with structural and electronic transitions at high pressures, indicating that these transitions should be taken into account in evaluating the electrical and thermal conductivity at high pressure. To apply our results to understand the thermal conduction in the Earth's core, we have compared our results with literature values for the electrical and thermal conductivity of iron alloyed with light elements (C, Si) at high pressures. These comparisons permit the validity of the Wiedemann-Franz law and Matthiessen's rule for the effects of light elements on the thermal conductivity of the Earth's core. We found that an addition of a light element such as carbon has an strong effect on the reducing the thermal conductivity of Earth's core, but the magnitude of the alloying effect strongly depends on the identity of the light element and the crystal and electronic structures. Based on our results and literature values, we have modelled the electrical and thermal conductivity of iron-carbon alloy at Earth's core pressure-temperature conditions to the effects on the heat flux in the Earth's core. In

Laser ablation of iron-rich black films from exposed granite surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delgado Rodrigues, J.; Costa, D.; Mascalchi, M.; Osticioli, I.; Siano, S.

2014-10-01

Here, we investigated the potential of laser removal of iron-rich dark films from weathered granite substrates, which represents a very difficult conservation problem because of the polymineralic nature of the stone and of its complex deterioration mechanisms. As often occurs, biotite was the most critical component because of its high optical absorption, low melting temperature, and pronounced cleavage, which required a careful control of the photothermal and photomechanical effects to optimize the selective ablation of the mentioned unwanted dark film. Different pulse durations and wavelengths Nd:YAG lasers were tested and optimal irradiation conditions were determined through thorough analytical characterisations. Besides addressing a specific conservation problem, the present work provides information of general valence in laser uncovering of encrusted granite.

Anisotropy and Microstructure of High Coercivity Rare Earth Iron Permanent Magnets, List of Papers Published

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

EARTH IRON PERMANENT MAGNETS. LIST OF PAPERS PUBLISHED 1986 - 1989 Contract No.: DAJA45-86-C-0010 Report No.: R/D-5295-MS-01 NOV 0 � A = LIST OF...R.Gr~ssinger - ’-Does a Co substitution really improve the temperature dependence of Nd-Fe-B based permanent magnets" .’ Proc. of 91h Int. Workshop...in NdzFe,4-4-iZx B (Z=A1,Si,Co, Ga) compounds", J. de Physique 49 (1988) CS-599. (16) R.Gr8ssinger, R.Krewenka, H.Buchn~r, H.Harada " A new analysis of

Insights into the Structure and Metabolic Function of Microbes That Shape Pelagic Iron-Rich Aggregates (“Iron Snow”)

PubMed Central

Lu, Shipeng; Chourey, Karuna; Reiche, Marco; Nietzsche, Sandor; Shah, Manesh B.; Neu, Thomas R.; Hettich, Robert L.

2013-01-01

Microbial ferrous iron [Fe(II)] oxidation leads to the formation of iron-rich macroscopic aggregates (“iron snow”) at the redoxcline in a stratified lignite mine lake in east-central Germany. We aimed to identify the abundant Fe-oxidizing and Fe-reducing microorganisms likely to be involved in the formation and transformation of iron snow present in the redoxcline in two basins of the lake that differ in their pH values. Nucleic acid- and lipid-stained microbial cells of various morphologies detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy were homogeneously distributed in all iron snow samples. The dominant iron mineral appeared to be schwertmannite, with shorter needles in the northern than in the central basin samples. Total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies ranged from 5.0 × 108 copies g (dry weight)−1 in the acidic central lake basin (pH 3.3) to 4.0 × 1010 copies g (dry weight)−1 in the less acidic (pH 5.9) northern basin. Total RNA-based quantitative PCR assigned up to 61% of metabolically active microbial communities to Fe-oxidizing- and Fe-reducing-related bacteria, indicating that iron metabolism was an important metabolic strategy. Molecular identification of abundant groups suggested that iron snow surfaces were formed by chemoautotrophic iron oxidizers, such as Acidimicrobium, Ferrovum, Acidithiobacillus, Thiobacillus, and Chlorobium, in the redoxcline and were rapidly colonized by heterotrophic iron reducers, such as Acidiphilium, Albidiferax-like, and Geobacter-like groups. Metaproteomics yielded 283 different proteins from northern basin iron snow samples, and protein identification provided a glimpse into some of their in situ metabolic processes, such as primary production (CO2 fixation), respiration, motility, and survival strategies. PMID:23645202

Effects of Composition and Iron Spin State on the Structural Transition of (Mg,Fe)CO3 in the Earth's Lower Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, H.; Huang, S. C.; Wei, C. M.; Hsing, C. R.

2015-12-01

Iron-bearing magnesium carbonates (Mg,Fe)CO3 are believed the major carbon carriers in the Earth's deep lower mantle; they may play a crucial role in the Earth's deep carbon cycle. Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of these carbonates is thus essential for our understanding of the mantle's role in global carbon cycle. Experiments have shown that (Mg,Fe)CO3 ferromagnesite (calcite structure) can be stable up to 80-100 GPa. At 45-50 GPa, ferromangsite undergoes a high-spin to low-spin transition, accompanied by a volume reduction and elastic anomalies. Starting ~100 GPa, ferromagnesite goes through a complicated structural transition. The detail of this transition and the atomic structures of high-pressure (Mg,Fe)CO3 phases are still highly debated. Experimental observations and theoretical results are inconsistent so far. In experiments, several distinct high-pressure (Mg,Fe)CO3 structures have been reported, including a P21/c phase [1] and a Pmm2 phase [2]. In theory, a C2/m phase [3] and a P-1 phase [4] have been suggested, while the Pmm2 phase is not found. One possible reason for such a discrepancy is that all available theoretical calculations so far are based on pure MgCO3, while experimental works are performed using (Mg,Fe)CO3 with high iron concentration ( > 50%). Clearly, the concentration of iron and the possible iron spin crossover can significantly affect the stability of these high-pressure (Mg,Fe)CO3 phases. Here, we use density functional theory + self-consistent Hubbard U (DFT+Usc) calculations to study this structural transition. The effects of composition and iron spin state on these (Mg,Fe)CO3 phases are also discussed. Our results can be expected to provide insightful information for better understanding the Earth's deep carbon cycle.[1] E. Boulard et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108, 5184 (2011).[2] J. Liu et al., Sci. Rep. 5, 7640 (2015). [3] A. R. Oganov et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 273, 38 (2008). [4] C. J. Pickard and

Sound Velocities of Iron-Nickel and Iron-Nickel-Silicon Alloys at High Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, R. A.; Jackson, J. M.; Sturhahn, W.; Zhao, J.; Murphy, C. A.

2014-12-01

Seismological and cosmochemical studies suggest Earth's core is primarily composed of iron with ~5 to 10 wt% nickel and some light elements [e.g. 1]. To date, the concentration of nickel and the amount and identity of light elements remain poorly constrained due in part to the difficulty of conducting experimental measurements at core conditions. The vibrational properties of a variety iron alloys paired with seismic observations can help better constrain the composition of the core. We directly measured the partial phonon density of states of bcc- and hcp-structured Fe0.9Ni0.1 and Fe0.85Ni0.1Si0.05 at high pressures. The samples were compressed using a panoramic diamond anvil cell. A subset of the experiments were conducted using neon as a pressure transmitting medium. Measurements of high statistical quality were performed with nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NRIXS) at sector 3-ID-B of the Advanced Photon Source [2, 3, 4]. The unit cell volume of each sample was determined at each compression point with in-situ x-ray diffraction at sector 3-ID-B before and after each NRIXS measurement. The Debye, compressional, and shear sound velocities were determined from the low energy region of the partial phonon density of states paired with the volume measurements. We will present partial phonon density of states and sound velocities for Fe0.9Ni0.1 and Fe0.85Ni0.1Si0.05 at high-pressure and compare with those of pure iron. References: [1] McDonough, W.F. (2004): Compositional Model for the Earth's Core. Elsevier Ltd., Oxford. [2] Murphy, C.A., J.M. Jackson, W. Sturhahn, and B. Chen (2011): Melting and thermal pressure of hcp-Fe from the phonon density of states, Phys. Earth Planet. Int., doi:10.1016/j.pepi.2011.07.001. [3] Murphy, C.A., J.M. Jackson, W. Sturhahn, and B. Chen (2011): Grüneisen parameter of hcp-Fe to 171 GPa, Geophys. Res. Lett., doi:10.1029/2011GL049531. [4] Murphy, C.A., J.M. Jackson, and W. Sturhahn (2013): Experimental constraints on the

An impact-induced terrestrial atmosphere and iron-water reactions during accretion of the Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lange, M. A.; Ahrens, T. J.

1985-01-01

Shock wave data and theoretical calculations were used to derive models of an impact-generated terrestrial atmosphere during accretion of the Earth. The models showed that impacts of infalling planetesimals not only provided the entire budget of terrestrial water but also led to a continuous depletion of near-surface layers of water-bearing minerals of their structural water. This resulted in a final atmospheric water reservoir comparable to the present day total water budget of the Earth. The interaction of metallic iron with free water at the surface of the accreting Earth is considered. We carried out model calcualtions simulating these processes during accretion. It is assumed that these processes are the prime source of the terrestrial FeO component of silicates and oxides. It is demonstrated that the iron-water reaction would result in the absence of atmospheric/hydrospheric water, if homogeneous accretion is assumed. In order to obtain the necessary amount of terrestrial water, slightly heterogeneous accretion with initially 36 wt% iron planetesimals, as compared with a homogeneous value of 34 wt% is required.

High purity Fe3O4 from Local Iron Sand Extraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunanto, Y. E.; Izaak, M. P.; Jobiliong, E.; Cahyadi, L.; Adi, W. A.

2018-04-01

Indonesia has a long coastline and is rich with iron sand. The iron sand is generally rich in various elements such as iron and titanium. One of the products processing of the iron sand mineral is iron (II) (III) oxide (magnetite Fe3O4). The stages of purification process to extracting magnetite phase and discarding the other phases has been performed. Magnetite phase analysis of ironsand extraction retrieved from Indonesia have been investigated. The result of analysis element of iron sand shows that it consists of majority Fe around 65 wt%. However, there are still 17 impurities such as Ti, Al, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Sc, Sm, Th, V, Yb, and Zn. After extraction process, Fe element content increases up to 94%. The iron sand powder after milling for 10 hours and separating using a magnetic separator, the iron sand powders are dissolved in acid chloride solution to form a solution of iron chloride, and this solution is sprinkled with sodium hydroxide to obtain fine powders of Fe3O4. The fine powders which formed were washed with de-mineralization water. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the fine powders have a single phase of Fe3O4. The analysis result shows that the sample has the chemical formula: Fe3O4 with a cubic crystal system, space group: Fd-3m and lattice parameters: a = b = c = 8.3681 (1) Å, α = β = γ = 90°. The microstructure analysis shows that the particle of Fe3O4 homogeneously shaped like spherical. The magnetic properties using vibrating sample magnetometer shows that Fe3O4 obtained have ferromagnetic behavior with soft magnetic characteristics. We concluded that this purification of iron sand had been successfully performed to obtain fine powders of Fe3O4 with high purity.

Pelagic photoferrotrophy and iron cycling in a modern ferruginous basin.

PubMed

Llirós, Marc; García-Armisen, Tamara; Darchambeau, François; Morana, Cédric; Triadó-Margarit, Xavier; Inceoğlu, Özgül; Borrego, Carles M; Bouillon, Steven; Servais, Pierre; Borges, Alberto V; Descy, Jean-Pierre; Canfield, Don E; Crowe, Sean A

2015-09-08

Iron-rich (ferruginous) ocean chemistry prevailed throughout most of Earth's early history. Before the evolution and proliferation of oxygenic photosynthesis, biological production in the ferruginous oceans was likely driven by photoferrotrophic bacteria that oxidize ferrous iron {Fe(II)} to harness energy from sunlight, and fix inorganic carbon into biomass. Photoferrotrophs may thus have fuelled Earth's early biosphere providing energy to drive microbial growth and evolution over billions of years. Yet, photoferrotrophic activity has remained largely elusive on the modern Earth, leaving models for early biological production untested and imperative ecological context for the evolution of life missing. Here, we show that an active community of pelagic photoferrotrophs comprises up to 30% of the total microbial community in illuminated ferruginous waters of Kabuno Bay (KB), East Africa (DR Congo). These photoferrotrophs produce oxidized iron {Fe(III)} and biomass, and support a diverse pelagic microbial community including heterotrophic Fe(III)-reducers, sulfate reducers, fermenters and methanogens. At modest light levels, rates of photoferrotrophy in KB exceed those predicted for early Earth primary production, and are sufficient to generate Earth's largest sedimentary iron ore deposits. Fe cycling, however, is efficient, and complex microbial community interactions likely regulate Fe(III) and organic matter export from the photic zone.

The Stability of Hydrogen-Rich Atmospheres of Earth-Like Planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zahnle, Kevin

2016-01-01

Understanding hydrogen escape is essential to understanding the limits to habitability, both for liquid water where the Sun is bright, but also to assess the true potential of H2 as a greenhouse gas where the Sun is faint. Hydrogen-rich primary atmospheres of Earth-like planets can result either from gravitational capture of solar nebular gases (with helium), or from impact shock processing of a wide variety of volatile-rich planetesimals (typically accompanied by H2O, CO2, and under the right circumstances, CH4). Most studies of hydrogen escape from planets focus on determining how fast the hydrogen escapes. In general this requires solving hydro- dynamic equations that take into account the acceleration of hydrogen through a critical transonic point and an energy budget that should include radiative heating and cooling, thermal conduction, the work done in lifting the hydrogen against gravity, and the residual heat carried by the hydrogen as it leaves. But for planets from which hydrogen escape is modest or insignificant, the atmosphere can be approximated as hydrostatic, which is much simpler, and for which a relatively full-featured treatment of radiative cooling by embedded molecules, atoms, and ions such as CO2 and H3+ is straightforward. Previous work has overlooked the fact that the H2 molecule is extremely efficient at exciting non-LTE CO2 15 micron emission, and thus that radiative cooling can be markedly more efficient when H2 is abundant. We map out the region of phase space in which terrestrial planets keep hydrogen-rich atmospheres, which is what we actually want to know for habitability. We will use this framework to reassess Tian et al's hypothesis that H2-rich atmospheres may have been rather long-lived on Earth itself. Finally, we will address the empirical observation that rocky planets with thin or negligible atmospheres are rarely or never bigger than 1.6 Earth radii.

Feasibility of sulfide control in sewers by reuse of iron rich drinking water treatment sludge.

PubMed

Sun, Jing; Pikaar, Ilje; Sharma, Keshab Raj; Keller, Jürg; Yuan, Zhiguo

2015-03-15

Dosage of iron salt is the most commonly used method for sulfide control in sewer networks but incurs high chemical costs. In this study, we experimentally investigate the feasibility of using iron rich drinking water treatment sludge for sulfide control in sewers. A lab-scale rising main sewer biofilm reactor was used. The sulfide concentration in the effluent decreased from 15.5 to 19.8 mgS/L (without dosing) to below 0.7-2.3 mgS/L at a sludge dosing rate achieving an iron to total dissolved inorganic sulfur molar ratio (Fe:S) of 1:1, with further removal of sulfide possible by prolonging the reaction time. In fact, batch tests revealed an Fe consumption to sulfide removal ratio of 0.5 ± 0.02 (mole:mole), suggesting the possible occurrence of other reactions involving the removal of sulfide. Modelling revealed that the reaction between iron in sludge and sulfide has reaction orders of 0.65 ± 0.01 and 0.77 ± 0.02 with respect to the Fe and sulfide concentrations, respectively. The addition of sludge slightly increased the total chemical oxidation demand (tCOD) concentration (by approximately 12%) as expected, but decreased the soluble chemical oxidation demand (sCOD) concentration and methane formation by 7% and 20%, respectively. Some phosphate removal (13%) was also observed at the sludge dosing rate of 1:1 (Fe:S), which is beneficial to nutrient removal from the wastewater. Overall, this study suggests that dosing iron-rich drinking water sludge to sewers could be an effective strategy for sulfide removal in sewer systems, which would also reduce the sludge disposal costs for drinking water treatment works. However, its potential side-effects on sewer sedimentation and on the wastewater treatment plant effluent remain to be investigated. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Novel in Vivo Model for Assessing the Impact of Geophagic Earth on Iron Status

PubMed Central

Seim, Gretchen L.; Tako, Elad; Ahn, Cedric; Glahn, Raymond P.; Young, Sera L.

2016-01-01

The causes and consequences of geophagy, the craving and consumption of earth, remain enigmatic, despite its recognition as a behavior with public health implications. Iron deficiency has been proposed as both a cause and consequence of geophagy, but methodological limitations have precluded a decisive investigation into this relationship. Here we present a novel in vivo model for assessing the impact of geophagic earth on iron status: Gallus gallus (broiler chicken). For four weeks, animals were gavaged daily with varying dosages of geophagic material or pure clay mineral. Differences in haemoglobin (Hb) across treatment groups were assessed weekly and differences in liver ferritin, liver iron, and gene expression of the iron transporters divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), duodenal cytochrome B (DcytB) and ferroportin were assessed at the end of the study. Minimal impact on iron status indicators was observed in all non-control groups, suggesting dosing of geophagic materials may need refining in future studies. However, this model shows clear advantages over prior methods used both in vitro and in humans, and represents an important step in explaining the public health impact of geophagy on iron status. PMID:27304966

Bioavailability of iron in geophagic earths and clay minerals, and their effect on dietary iron absorption using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model.

PubMed

Seim, Gretchen L; Ahn, Cedric I; Bodis, Mary S; Luwedde, Flavia; Miller, Dennis D; Hillier, Stephen; Tako, Elad; Glahn, Raymond P; Young, Sera L

2013-08-01

Geophagy, the deliberate consumption of earth, is strongly associated with iron (Fe) deficiency. It has been proposed that geophagy may be practiced as a means to improve Fe status by increasing Fe intakes and, conversely, that geophagy may cause Fe deficiency by inhibiting Fe absorption. We tested these hypotheses by measuring Fe concentration and relative bioavailable Fe content of 12 samples of geophagic earth and 4 samples of pure clay minerals. Further, we assessed the impact of these samples on the bioavailability of Fe from an Fe-rich test meal (cooked white beans, WB). Fe concentrations were measured with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Fe bioavailability was determined using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model in which ferritin formation was used as an index of Fe bioavailability. Geophagic earth and clay mineral samples were evaluated with this model, both alone and in combination with WB (1 : 16 ratio, sample : WB). Median Fe concentration of the geophagic earth was 3485 (IQR 2462, 14 ,571) μg g⁻¹ and mean Fe concentration in the clay minerals was 2791 (±1782) μg g⁻¹. All specimens had Fe concentrations significantly higher (p ≤ 0.005) than the Fe concentration of WB (77 μg g⁻¹). Ferritin formation (i.e. Fe uptake) in cells exposed to geophagic earths and clay minerals was significantly lower than in cells exposed to WB (p ≤ 0.05) and Fe uptake responses of 11 of the 16 samples were not significantly different from the blank, indicating no bioavailable Fe. When samples were combined with WB, 5 of 16 had mean ferritin levels that were significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05, one tail) than the WB alone, indicating that the samples inhibited Fe uptake from the WB. None of the ferritin responses of cells exposed to both WB and earth/clay were significantly higher than WB alone. Thus, although geophagic earths and mineral clays are high in total Fe, very little of this Fe is bioavailable. Further, some

Early Earth differentiation [rapid communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, Michael J.; Trønnes, Reidar G.

2004-09-01

The birth and infancy of Earth was a time of profound differentiation involving massive internal reorganization into core, mantle and proto-crust, all within a few hundred million years of solar system formation ( t0). Physical and isotopic evidence indicate that the formation of iron-rich cores generally occurred very early in planetesimals, the building blocks of proto-Earth, within about 3 million years of t0. The final stages of terrestrial planetary accretion involved violent and tremendously energetic giant impacts among core-segregated Mercury- to Mars-sized objects and planetary embryos. As a consequence of impact heating, the early Earth was at times partially or wholly molten, increasing the likelihood for high-pressure and high-temperature equilibration among core- and mantle-forming materials. The Earth's silicate mantle harmoniously possesses abundance levels of the siderophile elements Ni and Co that can be reconciled by equilibration between iron alloy and silicate at conditions comparable to those expected for a deep magma ocean. Solidification of a deep magma ocean possibly involved crystal-melt segregation at high pressures, but subsequent convective stirring of the mantle could have largely erased nascent layering. However, primitive upper mantle rocks apparently have some nonchondritic major and trace element refractory lithophile element ratios that can be plausibly linked to early mantle differentiation of ultra-high-pressure mantle phases. The geochemical effects of crystal fractionation in a deep magma ocean are partly constrained by high-pressure experimentation. Comparison between compositional models for the primitive convecting mantle and bulk silicate Earth generally allows, and possibly favors, 10-15% total fractionation of a deep mantle assemblage comprised predominantly of Mg-perovskite and with minor but geochemically important amounts of Ca-perovskite and ferropericlase. Long-term isolation of such a crystal pile is generally

3D polymer hydrogel for high-performance atomic iron-rich catalysts for oxygen reduction in acidic media

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qiao, Zhi; Zhang, Hanguang; Karakalos, Stavros

Current platinum group metal (PGM)-free carbon nanocomposite catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic electrolyte often suffer from rapid degradation associated with carbon corrosion due to the use of large amount of amorphoous carbon black supports. Here, we developed a new concept of using freestanding 3D hydrogel to design support-free Fe-N-C catalysts. A 3D polyaniline (PANI)-based hydrogel was used for preparing a new type of single atomic iron site-rich catalyst, which has exhibited exceptionally enhanced activity and stability compared to conventional Fe-N-C catalysts supported on amorphous carbon blacks. The achieved performance metric on the hydrogel PANI-Fe catalysts ismore » one of the best ever reported PGM-free catalysts, reaching a half-wave potential up to 0.83 V vs. RHE and only leaving 30 mV gap with Pt/C catalysts (60 μgPt/cm2) in challenging acidic media. Remarkable ORR stability was accomplished as well on the same catalyst evidenced by using harsh potential cycling tests. The well dispersion of atomic iron into partially graphitized carbon, featured with dominance of micropores and porous network structures, is capable of accommodating increased number of active sites, strengthening local bonding among iron, nitrogen and carbon, and facilitating mass transfer. The 3D polymer hydrogel approach would be a new pathway to advance PGM-free catalysts.« less

3D polymer hydrogel for high-performance atomic iron-rich catalysts for oxygen reduction in acidic media

DOE PAGES

Qiao, Zhi; Zhang, Hanguang; Karakalos, Stavros; ...

2017-08-03

Current platinum group metal (PGM)-free carbon nanocomposite catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic electrolyte often suffer from rapid degradation associated with carbon corrosion due to the use of large amount of amorphoous carbon black supports. Here, we developed a new concept of using freestanding 3D hydrogel to design support-free Fe-N-C catalysts. A 3D polyaniline (PANI)-based hydrogel was used for preparing a new type of single atomic iron site-rich catalyst, which has exhibited exceptionally enhanced activity and stability compared to conventional Fe-N-C catalysts supported on amorphous carbon blacks. The achieved performance metric on the hydrogel PANI-Fe catalysts ismore » one of the best ever reported PGM-free catalysts, reaching a half-wave potential up to 0.83 V vs. RHE and only leaving 30 mV gap with Pt/C catalysts (60 μgPt/cm2) in challenging acidic media. Remarkable ORR stability was accomplished as well on the same catalyst evidenced by using harsh potential cycling tests. The well dispersion of atomic iron into partially graphitized carbon, featured with dominance of micropores and porous network structures, is capable of accommodating increased number of active sites, strengthening local bonding among iron, nitrogen and carbon, and facilitating mass transfer. The 3D polymer hydrogel approach would be a new pathway to advance PGM-free catalysts.« less

Salivary proline-rich protein may reduce tannin-iron chelation: a systematic narrative review.

PubMed

Delimont, Nicole M; Rosenkranz, Sara K; Haub, Mark D; Lindshield, Brian L

2017-01-01

Tannins are often cited for antinutritional effects, including chelation of non-heme iron. Despite this, studies exploring non-heme iron bioavailability inhibition with long-term consumption have reported mixed results. Salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs) may mediate tannin-antinutritional effects on non-heme iron bioavailability. To review evidence regarding biochemical binding mechanisms and affinity states between PRPs and tannins, as well as effects of PRPs on non-heme iron bioavailability with tannin consumption in vivo. Narrative systematic review and meta-analysis. Common themes in biochemical modeling and affinity studies were collated for summary and synthesis; data were extracted from in vivo experiments for meta-analysis. Thirty-two studies were included in analysis. Common themes that positively influenced tannin-PRP binding included specificity of tannin-PRP binding, PRP and tannin stereochemistry. Hydrolyzable tannins have different affinities than condensed tannins when binding to PRPs. In vivo, hepatic iron stores and non-heme iron absorption are not significantly affected by tannin consumption ( d  = -0.64-1.84; -2.7-0.13 respectively), and PRP expression may increase non-heme iron bioavailability with tannin consumption. In vitro modeling suggests that tannins favor PRP binding over iron chelation throughout digestion. Hydrolyzable tannins are not representative of tannin impact on non-heme iron bioavailability in food tannins because of their unique structural properties and PRP affinities. With tannin consumption, PRP production is increased, and may be an initial line of defense against tannin-non-heme iron chelation in vivo . More research is needed to compare competitive binding of tannin-PRP to tannin-non-heme iron complexes, and elucidate PRPs' role in adaption to non-heme iron bioavailability in vivo.

Iron chemistry at the service of life.

PubMed

Sánchez, Manu; Sabio, Laura; Gálvez, Natividad; Capdevila, Mercè; Dominguez-Vera, Jose M

2017-06-01

Iron is an essential element for almost all organisms on Earth. It is necessary for a number of crucial processes such as hemoglobin and myoglobin transport and storage of oxygen in mammals; electron transfer support in a variety of iron-sulfur protein or cytochrome reactions; and activation and catalysis of reactions of a wide range of substrate like alkanes, olefins, and alcohols. Living organisms adopted iron as the main metal to carry out all of these functions due to the rich coordination chemistry of its two main redox states, Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ , and because of its abundance in the Earth's crust and oceans. This paper presents an overview of the coordination chemistry of iron that makes it suitable for a large variety of functions within biological systems. Despite iron's chemical advantages, organisms were forced to manage with some drawbacks: Fe 3+ insolubility and the formation of toxic radicals, especially the hydroxyl radical. Iron chemistry within biology is an example of how organisms evolved by creating molecular machinery to overcome these difficulties and perform crucial processes with extraordinary elegance and efficiency. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(6):382-388, 2017. © 2017 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Mechanism of the high transition temperature for the 1111-type iron-based superconductors R FeAsO (R =rare earth ): Synergistic effects of local structures and 4 f electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lifang; Meng, Junling; Liu, Xiaojuan; Yao, Fen; Meng, Jian; Zhang, Hongjie

2017-07-01

Among the iron-based superconductors, the 1111-type Fe-As-based superconductors REFeAs O1 -xFx (RE = rare earth) exhibit high transition temperatures (Tc) above 40 K. We perform first-principles calculations based on density functional theory with the consideration of both electronic correlations and spin-orbit couplings on rare earths and Fe ions to study the underlying mechanism as the microscopic structural distortions in REFeAsO tuned by both lanthanide contraction and external strain. The electronic structures evolve similarly in both cases. It is found that there exist an optimal structural regime that will not only initialize but also optimize the orbital fluctuations due to the competing Fe-As and Fe-Fe crystal fields. We also find that the key structural features in REFeAsO, such as As-Fe-As bond angle, intrinsically induce the modification of the Fermi surface and dynamic spin fluctuation. These results suggest that the superconductivity is mediated by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations. Simultaneously, we show that the rare-earth 4 f electrons play important roles on the high transition temperature whose behavior might be analogous to that of the heavy-fermion superconductors. The superconductivity of these 1111-type iron-based superconductors with high-Tc is considered to originate from the synergistic effects of local structures and 4 f electrons.

Oxygen in the Martian atmosphere: Regulation of PO2 by the deposition of iron formations on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, Roger G.

1992-01-01

During Earth's early history, and prior to the evolution of its present day oxygenated atmosphere, extensive iron rich siliceous sedimentary rocks were deposited, consisting of alternating layers of silica (chert) and iron oxide minerals (hematite and magnetite). The banding in iron formations recorded changes of atmosphere-hydrosphere interactions near sea level in the ancient ocean, which induced the oxidation of dissolved ferrous iron, precipitation of insoluble ferric oxides and silica, and regulation of oxygen in Earth's early atmosphere. Similarities between the Archean Earth and the composition of the present day atmosphere on Mars, together with the pervasive presence of ferric oxides in the Martian regolith suggest that iron formation might also have been deposited on Mars and influenced the oxygen content of the Martian atmosphere. Such a possibility is discussed here with a view to assessing whether the oxygen content of the Martian atmosphere has been regulated by the chemical precipitation of iron formations on Mars.

Potentially bioavailable ferrous iron nanoparticles in glacial sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawkings, J.; Benning, L. G.; Raiswell, R.; Kaulich, B.; Araki, T.; Abyaneh, M.; Koch-Müller, M.; Stockdale, A.; Tranter, M.; Wadham, J.

2017-12-01

Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for marine phytoplankton, the primary producers of the ocean. Despite it being the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, it is highly insoluble, due in part to its rapid oxidation from ferric (Fe2+) to ferrous phases (Fe3+), which often leads to the formation of nanoparticulate iron oxyhydroxide phases1. The insoluble nature of Fe in oxygenated waters means Fe limitation of primary producers is prevalent in 30-50% of the world's oceans, including areas of high biological productivity proximal to significant glacial activity (e.g., the Southern Ocean). Glaciers and ice sheets are a significant source of nanoparticulate Fe, which may be important in sustaining the high productivity observed in the near coastal regions proximal to glacial coverage. The reactivity of particulate iron is poorly understood, despite its importance in the ocean Fe inventory. Here we combined geochemical extractions, high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy to investigate the abundance, morphology and valence state of reactive iron in glacial sediments. Our results document the widespread occurrence of amorphous and Fe(II)-rich nanoparticles in glacial meltwaters and icebergs. Fe(II) is thought to be highly bioavailable in marine environments. We argue that glaciers and ice sheets are therefore able to supply potentially bioavailable Fe(II)-containing nanoparticulate material for downstream ecosystems, including those in a marine setting. The flux of bioavailable particulate iron from Arctic glaciers may increase as rising air temperatures lead to higher meltwater export.

Iron-rich Oxides at the Core-mantle Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wicks, J. K.; Jackson, J. M.; Sturhahn, W.; Bower, D. J.; Zhuravlev, K. K.; Prakapenka, V.

2013-12-01

Seismic observations near the base of the core-mantle boundary (CMB) have detected 5-20 km thick patches in which the seismic wave velocities are reduced by up to 30%. These ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs) have been interpreted as aggregates of partially molten material (e.g. Williams and Garnero 1996, Hernlund and Jellinek, 2010) or as solid, iron-enriched residues (e.g. Knittle and Jeanloz, 1991; Mao et al., 2006; Wicks et al., 2010), typically based on proposed sources of velocity reduction. The stabilities of these structure types have been explored through dynamic models that have assembled a relationship between ULVZ stability and density (Hernlund and Tackley, 2007; Bower et al., 2010). Now, to constrain the chemistry and mineralogy of ULVZs, more information is needed on the relationship between density and sound velocity of candidate phases. We present the pressure-volume-temperature equation of state of (Mg0.06 57Fe0.94)O determined up to pressures of 120 GPa and temperatures of 2000 K. Volume was measured with X-ray diffraction at beamline 13-ID-D of the Advanced Photon Source (APS), where high pressures and temperatures are achieved in a diamond anvil cell with in-situ laser heating. Sample assemblies were prepared using dehydrated NaCl as an insulator and neon as a pressure transmitting medium. We present results with and without iron as a buffer and thermal pressure gauge. We have also determined the room temperature Debye velocity (VD) of (Mg0.06 57Fe0.94)O using nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering and in-situ X-ray diffraction, up to 80 GPa at 3-ID-B of the APS. The effect of the electronic environment of the iron sites on the velocities was tracked in-situ using synchrotron Moessbauer spectroscopy. Using our measured equation of state, the seismically relevant compressional (VP) and shear (VS) wave velocities were calculated from the Debye velocities. We combine these studies with a simple mixing model to predict the properties of a solid

Abundance, size distributions and trace-element binding of organic and iron-rich nanocolloids in Alaskan rivers, as revealed by field-flow fractionation and ICP-MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stolpe, Björn; Guo, Laodong; Shiller, Alan M.; Aiken, George R.

2013-03-01

Water samples were collected from six small rivers in the Yukon River basin in central Alaska to examine the role of colloids and organic matter in the transport of trace elements in Northern high latitude watersheds influenced by permafrost. Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), selected elements (Al, Si, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Ba, Pb, U), and UV-absorbance spectra were measured in 0.45 μm filtered samples. 'Nanocolloidal size distributions' (0.5-40 nm, hydrodynamic diameter) of humic-type and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb were determined by on-line coupling of flow field-flow fractionation (FFF) to detectors including UV-absorbance, fluorescence, and ICP-MS. Total dissolved and nanocolloidal concentrations of the elements varied considerably between the rivers and between spring flood and late summer base flow. Data on specific UV-absorbance (SUVA), spectral slopes, and the nanocolloidal fraction of the UV-absorbance indicated a decrease in aromaticity and size of CDOM from spring flood to late summer. The nanocolloidal size distributions indicated the presence of different 'components' of nanocolloids. 'Fulvic-rich nanocolloids' had a hydrodynamic diameter of 0.5-3 nm throughout the sampling season; 'organic/iron-rich nanocolloids' occurred in the <8 nm size range during the spring flood; whereas 'iron-rich nanocolloids' formed a discrete 4-40 nm components during summer base flow. Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn were distributed between the nanocolloid components depending on the stability constant of the metal (+II)-organic complexes, while stronger association of Cr to the iron-rich nanocolloids was attributed to the higher oxidation states of Cr (+III or +IV). Changes in total dissolved element concentrations, size and composition of CDOM, and occurrence and size of organic/iron and iron-rich nanocolloids were related to variations in their sources from either the upper organic-rich

Properties of the moon, Mars, Martian satellites, and near-earth asteroids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, Jeffrey G.

1989-01-01

Environments and surface properties of the moon, Mars, Martian satellites, and near-earth asteroids are discussed. Topics include gravity, atmospheres, surface properties, surface compositions, seismicity, radiation environment, degradation, use of robotics, and environmental impacts. Gravity fields vary from large fractions of the earth's field such as 1/3 on Mars and 1/6 on the moon to smaller fractions of 0.0004 g on an asteroid 1 km in diameter. Spectral data and the analogy with meteor compositions suggest that near-earth asteroids may contain many resources such as water-rich carbonaceous materials and iron-rich metallic bodies. It is concluded that future mining and materials processing operations from extraterrestrial bodies require an investment now in both (1) missions to the moon, Mars, Phobos, Deimos, and near-earth asteroids and (2) earth-based laboratory research in materials and processing.

Preconcentration and determination of rare-earth elements in iron-rich water samples by extraction chromatography and plasma source mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

PubMed

Hernández González, Carolina; Cabezas, Alberto J Quejido; Díaz, Marta Fernández

2005-11-15

A 100-fold preconcentration procedure based on rare-earth elements (REEs) separation from water samples with an extraction chromatographic column has been developed. The separation of REEs from matrix elements (mainly Fe, alkaline and alkaline-earth elements) in water samples was performed loading the samples, previously acidified to pH 2.0 with HNO(3), in a 2ml column preconditioned with 20ml 0.01M HNO(3). Subsequently, REEs were quantitatively eluted with 20ml 7M HNO(3). This solution was evaporated to dryness and the final residue was dissolved in 10ml 2% HNO(3) containing 1mugl(-1) of cesium used as internal standard. The solution was directly analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), using ultrasonic nebulization, obtaining quantification limits ranging from 0.05 to 0.10 ngl(-1). The proposed method has been applied to granitic waters running through fracture fillings coated by iron and manganese oxy-hydroxides in the area of the Ratones (Cáceres, Spain) old uranium mine.

Water oxidation: High five iron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloret-Fillol, Julio; Costas, Miquel

2016-03-01

The oxidation of water is essential to the sustainable production of fuels using sunlight or electricity, but designing active, stable and earth-abundant catalysts for the reaction is challenging. Now, a complex containing five iron atoms is shown to efficiently oxidize water by mimicking key features of the oxygen-evolving complex in green plants.

Paleozoic and Mesozoic silica-rich seawater: Evidence from hematitic chert (jasper) deposits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grenne, Tor; Slack, J.F.

2003-01-01

Laterally extensive beds of highly siliceous, hematitic chert (jasper) are associated with many volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits of Late Cambrian to Early Cretaceous age, yet are unknown in analogous younger (including modern) settings. Textural studies suggest that VMS-related jaspers in the Ordovician Løkken ophiolite of Norway were originally deposited as Si- and Fe-rich gels that precipitated from hydrothermal plumes as colloidal silica and iron-oxyhydroxide particles. Rare earth element patterns and Ge/Si ratios of the jaspers reflect precipitation from plumes having seawater dilution factors of 103 to 104, similar to modern examples. We propose that silica in the ancient jaspers is not derived from submarine hydrothermal fluids-as suggested by previous workers-but instead was deposited from silic-rich sea-water. Flocculation and precipitation of the silica were triggered inorganically by the bridging effect of positively charged iron oxyhydroxides in the hydrothermal plume. A model involving amorphous silica (opal-A) precursors to the jaspers suggests that silica contents of Cambrian-Early Cretaceous oceans were at least 110 mg/L SiO2, compared to values of 40-60 mg/L SiO2 estimated in other studies. The evolution of ancient silica-rich to modern Fe-rich precipitates in submarine-hydrothermal plumes reflects a changeover from silica-saturated to silica-depleted seawater through Phanerozoic time, due mainly to ocean-wide emergence of diatoms in the Cretaceous.

Melting behavior of Earth's lower mantle minerals at high pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, S.; Yang, J.; Prakapenka, V. B.; Zhang, Y.; Greenberg, E.; Lin, J. F.

2017-12-01

Melting behavior of the most abundant lower mantle minerals, bridgmanite and ferropericlase, at high pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions is of critical importance to understand the dynamic evolution of the early Earth and to explain the seismological and geochemical signatures in the present lowermost mantle. Theoretical calculations [1] and geodynamical models [2] suggested that partial melting of early Earth among MgO-FeO-SiO2 ternary could be located at the eutectic point where a pyrolitic composition formed for the Earth's lower mantle and the eutectic crystallization process could provide a plausible mechanism to the origin of the ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs) near the core-mantle boundary. Here we have investigated the melting behavior of ferropericlase and Al,Fe-bearing bridgmanite in laser-heated diamond anvil cells coupled with in situ X-ray diffraction up to 120 GPa. Together with chemical and texture characterizations of the quenched samples, these results are analyzed using thermodynamic models to address the effects of iron on the liquidus and solidus temperatures as well as solid-liquid iron partitioning and the eutectic point in ferropericlase-bridgmanite existing system at lower-mantle pressure. In this presentation, we discuss the application of these results to better constrain the seismic observations of the deep lowermost mantle such as large low shear wave velocity provinces (LLSVPs) and ULVZs. We will also discuss the geochemical consequences of the ferropericlase-bridgmanite melting due to the changes in the electronic spin and valence states of iron in the system. ADDIN EN.REFLIST 1. Boukaré, C.E., Y. Ricard, and G. Fiquet, Thermodynamics of the MgO-FeO-SiO2 system up to 140 GPa: Application to the crystallization of Earth's magma ocean. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2015. 120(9): p. 6085-6101. 2. Labrosse, S., J. Hernlund, and N. Coltice, A crystallizing dense magma ocean at the base of the Earth's mantle. Nature, 2007

Biosignatures Preservation Potential and Habitability in Phyllosilicates vs. Iron-rich Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonaccorsi, R.; Stoker, C. R.; McKay, C. P.; Science Team

2008-12-01

Phyllosilicates have been identified on the surface of Mars by the OMEGA-Mars/Express [e.g., 1], the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) instruments, i.e., HiRISE and CRISM, as well as inferred from rover observations in Gusev Crater [2]). A better understanding of the preservation potential and habitability in phyllosilicates and hematite-rich materials, achieved by studying analog sites, will therefore provide critical information in support of next decade missions landing site selection e.g., 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), the ESA Pasteur ExoMars. We present geochemical (d13C-org, d13N-tot, CN ratios) and microbiological proxies i.e., Adenosin-Triphosphate (ATP-based) and Limulus-Amebocite-Lysate (LAL-based biomass) from a suite of phyllosilicate and iron-rich environmental samples e.g., Rio Tinto (Spain), Death Valley (CA, USA), Atacama Desert (Chile), and the California coast. Phyllosilicates-rich zones (47-74wt.%) from the Rio Tinto (RT) region can preserve up to 10-time higher amount of organics (C-org = 0.23 wt.%) than the embedding hematite/goethite-rich (34-89 wt.%) rocks i.e., C-org: ~0.05 wt.% [4]. It is possible that under low pH and highly oxidizing conditions [e.g., 3] surface-derived organics are rapidly oxidized within the shallow hematite/goethite-rich materials, but preserved in phyllosilicates (smectites/illite) where conditions are more conducive [4]. ATP-based biomass was detected in some oxidized-rock samples where roots materials were present (750-1245 RLUs). Geochemical and microbiological analyses are underway to confirm the preservation/ habitability trends observed in the Rio Tinto near surface. Preliminary results suggest that oxidized, goethite-rich, sandstone (Purisima formation, CA) have higher ATP- and LAL-based (Gram negative) biomass contents i.e., 2.0 107 cell/g (35.05 EU/mL) and 3891 RLUs, than the overlying clays units i.e., 1.34 107 cell/g (22.0EU/mL) and 1143 RLUs. REFERENCES: [1] Bibring et al., 2006, Science 312

Redistribution of Iron and Titanium in High-Pressure Ultramafic Rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, Rosalind J.; Evans, Katy A.; Reddy, Steven M.; Lester, Gregory W.

2017-11-01

The redox state of iron in high-pressure serpentinites, which host a significant proportion of Fe3+ in subduction zones, can be used to provide an insight into iron cycling and constrain the composition of subduction zone fluids. In this study, we use oxide and silicate mineral textures, interpretation of mineral parageneses, mineral composition data, and whole rock geochemistry of high-pressure retrogressed ultramafic rocks from the Zermatt-Saas Zone to constrain the distribution of iron and titanium, and iron oxidation state. These data provide an insight on the oxidation state and composition of fluids at depth in subduction zones. Oxide minerals host the bulk of iron, particularly Fe3+. The increase in mode of magnetite and observation of magnetite within antigorite veins in the investigated ultramafic samples during initial retrogression is most consistent with oxidation of existing iron within the samples during the infiltration of an oxidizing fluid since it is difficult to reconcile addition of Fe3+ with the known limited solubility of this species. However, high Ti contents are not typical of serpentinites and also cannot be accounted for by simple mixing of a depleted mantle protolith with the nearby Allalin gabbro. Titanium-rich phases coincide with prograde metamorphism and initial exhumation, implying the early seafloor and/or prograde addition and late mobilization of Ti. If Ti addition has occurred, then the introduction of Fe3+, also generally considered to be immobile, cannot be disregarded. We explore possible transport vectors for Ti and Fe through mineral texture analysis.

Thermal treatment for increasing magnetostrictive response of rare earth-iron alloy rods

DOEpatents

Verhoeven, J.D.; McMasters, O.D.

1989-07-18

Magnetostrictive rods formed from rare earth-iron alloys are subjected to a short time heat treatment to increase their magnetostrictive response under compression. The heat treatment is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 900 to 1,000 C for 20 minutes to six hours.

Thermal treatment for increasing magnetostrictive response of rare earth-iron alloy rods

DOEpatents

Verhoeven, John D.; McMasters, O. D.

1989-07-18

Magnetostrictive rods formed from rare earth-iron alloys are subjected to a short time heat treatment to increase their Magnetostrictive response under compression. The heat treatment is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 900.degree. to 1000.degree. C. for 20 minutes to six hours.

Super earth interiors and validity of Birch's Law for ultra-high pressure metals and ionic solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ware, Lucas Andrew

2015-01-01

Super Earths, recently detected by the Kepler Mission, expand the ensemble of known terrestrial planets beyond our Solar System's limited group. Birch's Law and velocity-density systematics have been crucial in constraining our knowledge of the composition of Earth's mantle and core. Recently published static diamond anvil cell experimental measurements of sound velocities in iron, a key deep element in most super Earth models, are inconsistent with each other with regard to the validity of Birch's Law. We examine the range of validity of Birch's Law for several metallic elements, including iron, and ionic solids shocked with a two-stage light gas gun into the ultra-high pressure, temperature fluid state and make comparisons to the recent static data.

Effects of rare earth doping on multi-core iron oxide nanoparticles properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petran, Anca; Radu, Teodora; Borodi, Gheorghe; Nan, Alexandrina; Suciu, Maria; Turcu, Rodica

2018-01-01

New multi-core iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles doped with rare earth metals (Gd, Eu) were obtained by a one step synthesis procedure using a solvothermal method for potential biomedical applications. The obtained clusters were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and magnetization measurements. They possess high colloidal stability, a saturation magnetization of up to 52 emu/g, and nearly spherical shape. The presence of rare earth ions in the obtained samples was confirmed by EDX and XPS. XRD analysis proved the homogeneous distribution of the trivalent rare earth ions in the inverse-spinel structure of magnetite and the increase of crystal strain upon doping the samples. XPS study reveals the valence state and the cation distribution on the octahedral and tetrahedral sites of the analysed samples. The observed shift of the XPS valence band spectra maximum in the direction of higher binding energies after rare earth doping, as well as theoretical valence band calculations prove the presence of Gd and Eu ions in octahedral sites. The blood protein adsorption ability of the obtained samples surface, the most important factor of the interaction between biomaterials and body fluids, was assessed by interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The rare earth doped clusters surface show higher afinity for binding BSA. In vitro cytotoxicity test results for the studied samples showed no cytotoxicity in low and medium doses, establishing a potential perspective for rare earth doped MNC to facilitate multiple therapies in a single formulation for cancer theranostics.

Iron rich low cost superalloys. Ph.D. Thesis. Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wayne, S. F.

1985-01-01

An iron-rich low-cost superalloy was developed. The alloy, when processed by conventional chill casting, has physical and mechanical properties that compare favorably with existing nickel and cobalt based superalloys while containing significantly lower amounts of strategic elements. Studies were also made on the properties of Cr(20)-Mn(10)-C(3.4)-Fe(bal.), a eutectic alloy processed by chill casting and directional solidification which produced an aligned microstructure consisting of M7C3 fibers in a gamma-Fe matrix. Thermal expansion of the M7C3 (M = Fe, Cr, Mn) carbide lattice was measured up to 800 C and found to be highly anisotropic, with the a-axis being the predominant mode of expansion. Repetitive impact sliding wear experiments performed with the Fe rich eutectic alloy showed that the directionally solidified microstructure greatly improved the alloy's wear resistance as compared to the chill cast microstructure and conventional nickel base superalloys. Studies on the molybdenum cementite phase prove that the crystal structure of the xi phase is not orthorhombic. The crystal structure of the xi phase is made up of octahedra building elements consisting of four Mo and two Fe atoms and trigonal prisms consisting of four Fe and two Mo atoms. The voids are occupied by carbon atoms. The previous chemical formula for the molybdenum cementite MoFe2C is now clearly seen to be Mo12Fe22C10.

A seismologically consistent compositional model of Earth's core.

PubMed

Badro, James; Côté, Alexander S; Brodholt, John P

2014-05-27

Earth's core is less dense than iron, and therefore it must contain "light elements," such as S, Si, O, or C. We use ab initio molecular dynamics to calculate the density and bulk sound velocity in liquid metal alloys at the pressure and temperature conditions of Earth's outer core. We compare the velocity and density for any composition in the (Fe-Ni, C, O, Si, S) system to radial seismological models and find a range of compositional models that fit the seismological data. We find no oxygen-free composition that fits the seismological data, and therefore our results indicate that oxygen is always required in the outer core. An oxygen-rich core is a strong indication of high-pressure and high-temperature conditions of core differentiation in a deep magma ocean with an FeO concentration (oxygen fugacity) higher than that of the present-day mantle.

Growth-induced anisotropy in bismuth - Rare-earth iron garnets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fratello, V. J.; Slusky, S. E. G.; Brandle, C. D.; Norelli, M. P.

1986-01-01

The bismuth-doped rare-earth iron garnets, (R3-x-yBixPby)Fe5O12 (Bi:RIG, R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y), were prepared under constant growth conditions to investigate the influence of ionic species on the bismuth-based growth-induced uniaxial anisotropy K(u) exp g. The effect of ionic species on growth-induced anisotropy in Bi:RIG was not consistent with the ionic size model of site ordering. In particular, Bi:SmIG, Bi:EuIG, and Bi:TbIG displayed high growth-induced anisotropies, up to 331,000 erg/cu cm at room temperature for x of about 0.5. The temperature dependence of these K(u) exp gs was somewhat higher than that of the well studied Bi:YIG. The site ordering of Bi can be modeled by assuming that small, low-oxygen-coordination BiOw exp +3-2 w melt complexes have a strong site selectivity for small, high-oxygen coordination sites at the growth interface.

Iron-titanium oxyhydroxides which transport water into the deep upper mantle and mantle transition zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsukage, K. N.; Nishihara, Y.

2015-12-01

We experimentally discovered a new hydrous phase in the system FeOOH-TiO2 at pressures of 10-16 GPa and temperatures of 1000-1600°C which corresponds to conditions of the deep upper mantle and the Earth's mantle transition zone. Seven different compositions in the FeOOH-TiO2 system having molar ratios of x = Ti/(Fe + Ti) = 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5, 0.75 that were prepared by mixing reagent grade a-FeOOH (goethite) and TiO2 (anatase) powders were used as starting materials. High-pressure and high-temperature experiments were carried out using Kawai-type multi-anvil apparatus (Orange-1000 at Ehime University and SPI-1000 at Tokyo Institute of Technology). In this system, we identified two stable iron-titanium oxyhydroxide phases whose estimated composition is expressed by (FeH)1 - xTixO2 . One is the Fe-rich solid solution (x < 0.23) with e-FeOOH type crystal structure (e-phase, orthorhombic, P21nm) that was described by the previous studies (e.g., Suzuki 2010), and the other is the more Ti-rich solid solution (x > 0.35) with a-PbO2 type structure (a-phase, orthorhombic, Pbcn). The a-phase is stable up to 1500ºC for a composition of x = 0.5 and at least to 1600ºC for x = 0.75. Our result means that this phase is stable at average mantle temperature in the Earth's mantle transition zone. The Iron-titanium-rich hydrous phases was possible to stable in basalt + H2O system (e.g., Hashimoto and Matsukage 2013). Therefore our findings suggest that water transport in the Earth's deep interior is probably much more efficient than had been previously thought.

Oxygenic photosynthesis as a protection mechanism for cyanobacteria against iron-encrustation in environments with high Fe2+ concentrations

PubMed Central

Ionescu, Danny; Buchmann, Bettina; Heim, Christine; Häusler, Stefan; de Beer, Dirk; Polerecky, Lubos

2014-01-01

If O2 is available at circumneutral pH, Fe2+ is rapidly oxidized to Fe3+, which precipitates as FeO(OH). Neutrophilic iron oxidizing bacteria have evolved mechanisms to prevent self-encrustation in iron. Hitherto, no mechanism has been proposed for cyanobacteria from Fe2+-rich environments; these produce O2 but are seldom found encrusted in iron. We used two sets of illuminated reactors connected to two groundwater aquifers with different Fe2+ concentrations (0.9 μM vs. 26 μM) in the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL), Sweden. Cyanobacterial biofilms developed in all reactors and were phylogenetically different between the reactors. Unexpectedly, cyanobacteria growing in the Fe2+-poor reactors were encrusted in iron, whereas those in the Fe2+-rich reactors were not. In-situ microsensor measurements showed that O2 concentrations and pH near the surface of the cyanobacterial biofilms from the Fe2+-rich reactors were much higher than in the overlying water. This was not the case for the biofilms growing at low Fe2+ concentrations. Measurements with enrichment cultures showed that cyanobacteria from the Fe2+-rich environment increased their photosynthesis with increasing Fe2+ concentrations, whereas those from the low Fe2+ environment were inhibited at Fe2+ > 5 μM. Modeling based on in-situ O2 and pH profiles showed that cyanobacteria from the Fe2+-rich reactor were not exposed to significant Fe2+ concentrations. We propose that, due to limited mass transfer, high photosynthetic activity in Fe2+-rich environments forms a protective zone where Fe2+ precipitates abiotically at a non-lethal distance from the cyanobacteria. This mechanism sheds new light on the possible role of cyanobacteria in precipitation of banded iron formations. PMID:25228899

Exploring Iron Silicate Precursors of Ancient Iron Formations through Rock Record, Laboratory and Field Analogue Investigations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, J. E.; Rasmussen, B.; Muhling, J.; Benzerara, K.; Jezequel, D.; Cosmidis, J.; Templeton, A. S.

2016-12-01

crater lakes that are variably iron- and silica-rich. As we continue to probe the mechanism of Fe(II/III)-silicate formation, we can constrain the activity of silica, pH, and pO2 on early Earth and describe any potential influence of microbial activity on the precipitation of these phases.

Melting in super-earths.

PubMed

Stixrude, Lars

2014-04-28

We examine the possible extent of melting in rock-iron super-earths, focusing on those in the habitable zone. We consider the energetics of accretion and core formation, the timescale of cooling and its dependence on viscosity and partial melting, thermal regulation via the temperature dependence of viscosity, and the melting curves of rock and iron components at the ultra-high pressures characteristic of super-earths. We find that the efficiency of kinetic energy deposition during accretion increases with planetary mass; considering the likely role of giant impacts and core formation, we find that super-earths probably complete their accretionary phase in an entirely molten state. Considerations of thermal regulation lead us to propose model temperature profiles of super-earths that are controlled by silicate melting. We estimate melting curves of iron and rock components up to the extreme pressures characteristic of super-earth interiors based on existing experimental and ab initio results and scaling laws. We construct super-earth thermal models by solving the equations of mass conservation and hydrostatic equilibrium, together with equations of state of rock and iron components. We set the potential temperature at the core-mantle boundary and at the surface to the local silicate melting temperature. We find that ancient (∼4 Gyr) super-earths may be partially molten at the top and bottom of their mantles, and that mantle convection is sufficiently vigorous to sustain dynamo action over the whole range of super-earth masses.

Iron Homeostasis in Yellowstone National Park Hot Spring Microbial Communities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, I.; Tringe, S. G.; Franklin, H.; Bryant, D. A.; Klatt, C. G.; Sarkisova, S. A.; Guevara, M.

2010-01-01

It has been postulated that life may have originated on Earth, and possibly on Mars, in association with hydrothermal activity and high concentrations of ferrous iron. However, it is not clear how an iron-rich thermal hydrosphere could be hospitable to microbes, since reduced iron appears to stimulate oxidative stress in all domains of life and particularly in oxygenic phototrophs. Therefore, the study of microbial diversity in iron-depositing hot springs (IDHS) and the mechanisms of iron homeostasis and suppression of oxidative stress may help elucidate how Precambrian organisms could withstand the extremely high concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by interaction between environmental Fe(2+) and O2. Proteins and clusters of orthologous groups (COGs) involved in the maintenance of Fe homeostasis found in cyanobacteria (CB) inhabiting environments with high and low [Fe] were main target of this analysis. Preliminary results of the analysis suggest that the Chocolate Pots (CP) microbial community is heavily dominated by phototrophs from the cyanobacteria (CB), Chloroflexi and Chlorobi phyla, while the Mushroom Spring (MS) effluent channel harbors a more diverse community in which Chloroflexi are the dominant phototrophs. It is speculated that CB inhabiting IDHS have an increased tolerance to both high concentrations of Fe(2+) and ROS produced in the Fenton reaction. This hypothesis was explored via a comparative analysis of the diversity of proteins and COGs involved in Fe and redox homeostasis in the CP and MS microbiomes.

Proline-rich proteins moderate the inhibitory effect of tea on iron absorption in rats.

PubMed

Kim, Hee-Seon; Miller, Dennis D

2005-03-01

Tea inhibits iron absorption in studies in which tea is given with radiolabeled iron to humans as a single dose. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that proline-rich proteins (PRPs) may act as a defense against this effect by forming complexes with tannins, thereby preventing them from inhibiting iron absorption. Two studies were conducted. In study 1, rats were given test solutions containing (59)FeCl(3) in water, tea, or tea + gelatin (T/G). In study 2, the rats were divided into 3 groups and assigned to one of 3 nutritionally complete diets: control, tea (5 g tea tannin/kg diet), or T/G (5 g tea tannin + 60 g gelatin/kg diet). Rats were fed the respective diets for 5 d and then given a single (59)Fe-labeled meal of the diet. Iron absorption was measured by whole-body retention of the (59)Fe over a 2-wk period. Iron absorption in study 1 was lower in the tea group (24 +/- 9.6%, P < 0.05) than in the T/G (42 +/- 19.4%) or water groups (50 +/- 7.5%). In study 2, iron absorption did not differ among the groups. Rats fed the tea diet had dramatic hypertrophy of the parotid salivary glands. Adding gelatin as a proxy for salivary PRPs to the tea eliminated the inhibitory effect of tea on iron absorption. The results suggest that PRPs, whether from salivary glands or diet, can protect against the inhibition of iron absorption by tea.

Laboratory experiments on the impact disruption of iron meteorites at temperature of near-Earth space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katsura, Takekuni; Nakamura, Akiko M.; Takabe, Ayana; Okamoto, Takaya; Sangen, Kazuyoshi; Hasegawa, Sunao; Liu, Xun; Mashimo, Tsutomu

2014-10-01

Iron meteorites and some M-class asteroids are generally understood to be fragments that were originally part of cores of differentiated planetesimals or part of local melt pools on primitive bodies. The parent bodies of iron meteorites may have formed in the terrestrial planet region, from which they were then scattered into the main belt (Bottke, W.F., Nesvorný, D., Grimm, R.E., Morbidelli, A., O'Brien, D.P. [2006]. Nature 439, 821-824). Therefore, a wide range of collisional events at different mass scales, temperatures, and impact velocities would have occurred between the time when the iron was segregated and the impact that eventually exposed the iron meteorites to interplanetary space. In this study, we performed impact disruption experiments of iron meteorite specimens as projectiles or targets at room temperature to increase understanding of the disruption process of iron bodies in near-Earth space. Our iron specimens (as projectiles or targets) were almost all smaller in size than their counterparts (as targets or projectiles, respectively). Experiments of impacts of steel specimens were also conducted for comparison. The fragment mass distribution of the iron material was different from that of rocks. In the iron fragmentation, a higher percentage of the mass was concentrated in larger fragments, probably due to the ductile nature of the material at room temperature. The largest fragment mass fraction f was dependent not only on the energy density but also on the size d of the specimen. We assumed a power-law dependence of the largest fragment mass fraction to initial peak pressure P0 normalized by a dynamic strength, Y, which was defined to be dependent on the size of the iron material. A least squares fit to the data of iron meteorite specimens resulted in the following relationship: f∝∝d, indicating a large size dependence of f. Additionally, the deformation of the iron materials in high-velocity shots was found to be most significant when the

Thermal Equation of State of Iron: Constraint on the Density Deficit of Earth's Core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fei, Y.; Murphy, C. A.; Shibazaki, Y.; Huang, H.

2013-12-01

The seismically inferred densities of Earth's solid inner core and the liquid outer core are smaller than the measured densities of solid hcp-iron and liquid iron, respectively. The inner core density deficit is significantly smaller than the outer core density deficit, implying different amounts and/or identities of light-elements incorporated in the inner and outer cores. Accurate measurements of the thermal equation-of-state of iron over a wide pressure and temperature range are required to precisely quantify the core density deficits, which are essential for developing a quantitative composition model for the core. The challenge has been evaluating the experimental uncertainties related to the choice of pressure scales and the sample environment, such as hydrostaticity at multi-megabar pressures and extreme temperatures. We have conducted high-pressure experiments on iron in MgO, NaCl, and Ne pressure media and obtained in-situ X-ray diffraction data up to 200 GPa at room temperature. Using inter-calibrated pressure scales including the MgO, NaCl, Ne, and Pt scales, we have produced a consistent compression curve of hcp-Fe at room temperature. We have also performed laser-heated diamond-anvil cell experiments on both Fe and Pt in a Ne pressure medium. The experiment was designed to quantitatively compare the thermal expansion of Fe and Pt in the same sample environment using Ne as the pressure medium. The thermal expansion data of hcp-Fe at high pressure were derived based on the thermal equation of state of Pt. Using the 300-K isothermal compression curve of iron derived from our static experiments as a constraint, we have developed a thermal equation of state of hcp-Fe that is consistent with the static P-V-T data of iron and also reproduces the shock wave Hugoniot data for pure iron. The thermodynamic model, based on both static and dynamic data, is further used to calculate the density and bulk sound velocity of liquid iron. Our results define the solid

Solid iron-hydrogen alloys under high pressure by first principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umemoto, K.; Hirose, K.

2016-12-01

Hydrogen and iron are two of major constituents of the Earth and planetary interiors. The crystal structure of solid FeHx is one of the most fundamental information in order to understand properties of planetary cores. It is well known that FeH takes closed-packed structures: dhcp, hcp, and fcc. Recently, hydrogen-rich phases, FeH2 and FeH3, were experimentally synthesized [1]. Although a tetragonal structure of FeH2 was proposed, it could not explain experimental observations, energetic stability and compression curve. Here we propose a new crystal structure of FeH2. The symmetry of the new structure is completely identical to that in originally proposed one, but the hydrogen sublattice which cannot be directly determined by XRD experiments is different. It will be demonstrated by first principles that the new structure can be fully consistent with experimental observations. [1] C. M. Pépin, A. Dewaele, G. Geneste, P. Loubeyre, and M. Mezouar, Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 265504 (2014).

Method of increasing magnetostrictive response of rare earth-iron alloy rods

DOEpatents

Verhoeven, John D.; McMasters, O. Dale; Gibson, Edwin D.; Ostenson, Jerome E.; Finnemore, Douglas K.

1989-04-04

This invention comprises a method of increasing the magnetostrictive response of rare earth-iron (RFe) magnetostrictive alloy rods by a thermal-magnetic treatment. The rod is heated to a temperature above its Curie temperature, viz. from 400.degree. to 600.degree. C.; and, while the rod is at that temperature, a magnetic field is directionally applied and maintained while the rod is cooled, at least below its Curie temperature.

Method of increasing magnetostrictive response of rare earth-iron alloy rods

DOEpatents

Verhoeven, J.D.; McMasters, O.D.; Gibson, E.D.; Ostenson, J.E.; Finnemore, D.K.

1989-04-04

This invention comprises a method of increasing the magnetostrictive response of rare earth-iron (RFe) magnetostrictive alloy rods by a thermal-magnetic treatment. The rod is heated to a temperature above its Curie temperature, viz. from 400 to 600 C; and, while the rod is at that temperature, a magnetic field is directionally applied and maintained while the rod is cooled, at least below its Curie temperature. 2 figs.

Phase relations of iron and iron nickel alloys up to 300 GPa: Implications for composition and structure of the Earth's inner core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuwayama, Yasuhiro; Hirose, Kei; Sata, Nagayoshi; Ohishi, Yasuo

2008-09-01

We have investigated the phase relations of iron and iron-nickel alloys with 18 to 50 wt.% Ni up to over 300 GPa using a laser-heated diamond-anvil cell. The synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements show the wide stability of hcp-iron up to 301 GPa and 2000 K and 319 GPa and 300 K without phase transition to dhcp, orthorhombic, or bcc phases. On the other hand, the incorporation of nickel has a remarkable effect on expanding the stability field of fcc phase. The geometry of the temperature-composition phase diagram of iron-nickel alloys suggests that the hcp-fcc-liquid triple point is located at 10 to 20 wt.% Ni at the pressure of the inner core boundary. The fcc phase could crystallize depending on the nickel and silicon contents in the Earth's core, both of which are fcc stabilizer.

Uncovering the Chemistry of Earth-like Planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Li; Jacobsen, Stein; Sasselov, Dimitar D.

2015-01-01

We propose to use evidence from our solar system to understand exoplanets, and in particular, to predict their surface chemistry and thereby the possibility of life. An Earth-like planet, born from the same nebula as its host star, is composed primarily of silicate rocks and an iron-nickel metal core, and depleted in volatile content in a systematic manner. The more volatile (easier to vaporize or dissociate into gas form) an element is in an Earth-like planet, the more depleted the element is compared to its host star. After depletion, an Earth-like planet would go through the process of core formation due to heat from radioactive decay and collisions. Core formation depletes a planet's rocky mantle of siderophile (iron-loving) elements, in addition to the volatile depletion. After that, Earth-like planets likely accrete some volatile-rich materials, called 'late veneer'. The late veneer could be essential to the origins of life on Earth and Earth-like planets, as it also delivers the volatiles such as nitrogen, sulfur, carbon and water to the planet's surface, which are crucial for life to occur. We plan to build an integrative model of Earth-like planets from the bottom up. We would like to infer their chemical compositions from their mass-radius relations and their host stars' elemental abundances, and understand the origins of volatile contents (especially water) on their surfaces, and thereby shed light on the origins of life on them.

Solid - solid and solid - liquid phase transitions of iron and iron alloys under laser shock compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harmand, M.; Krygier, A.; Appel, K.; Galtier, E.; Hartley, N.; Konopkova, Z.; Lee, H. J.; McBride, E. E.; Miyanishi, K.; Nagler, B.; Nemausat, R.; Vinci, T.; Zhu, D.; Ozaki, N.; Fiquet, G.

2017-12-01

An accurate knowledge of the properties of iron and iron alloys at high pressures and temperatures is crucial for understanding and modelling planetary interiors. While Earth-size and Super-Earth Exoplanets are being discovered in increasingly large numbers, access to detailed information on liquid properties, melting curves and even solid phases of iron and iron at the pressures and temperatures of their interiors is still strongly limited. In this context, XFEL sources coupled with high-energy lasers afford unique opportunities to measure microscopic structural properties at far extreme conditions. Also the achievable time resolution allows the shock history and phase transition mechanisms to be followed during laser compression, improving our understanding of the high pressure and high strain experiments. Here we present recent studies devoted to investigate the solid-solid and solid-liquid transition in laser-shocked iron and iron alloys (Fe-Si, Fe-C and Fe-O alloys) using X-ray diffraction and X-ray diffuse scattering. Experiment were performed at the MEC end-station of the LCLS facility at SLAC (USA). Detection of the diffuse scattering allowed the identification of the first liquid peak position along the Hugoniot, up to 4 Mbar. The time resolution shows ultrafast (between several tens and several hundreds of picoseconds) solid-solid and solid-liquid phase transitions. Future developments at XFEL facilities will enable detailed studies of the solid and liquid structures of iron and iron alloys as well as out-of-Hugoniot studies.

Sintered rare earth-iron Laves phase magnetostrictive alloy product and preparation thereof

DOEpatents

Malekzadeh, Manoochehr; Pickus, Milton R.

1979-01-01

A sintered rare earth-iron Laves phase magnetostrictive alloy product characterized by a grain oriented morphology. The grain oriented morphology is obtained by magnetically aligning powder particles of the magnetostrictive alloy prior to sintering. Specifically disclosed are grain oriented sintered compacts of Tb.sub.x Dy.sub.1-x Fe.sub.2 and their method of preparation. The present sintered products have enhanced magnetostrictive properties.

Iron-magnesium silicate bioweathering on Earth (and Mars?).

PubMed

Fisk, M R; Popa, R; Mason, O U; Storrie-Lombardi, M C; Vicenzi, E P

2006-02-01

We examined the common, iron-magnesium silicate minerals olivine and pyroxene in basalt and in mantle rocks to determine if they exhibit textures similar to bioweathering textures found in glass. Our results show that weathering in olivine may occur as long, narrow tunnels (1-3 microm in diameter and up to 100 microm long) and as larger irregular galleries, both of which have distinctive characteristics consistent with biological activity. These weathering textures are associated with clay mineral by-products and nucleic acids. We also examined olivine and pyroxene in martian meteorites, some of which experienced preterrestrial aqueous alteration. Some olivines and pyroxenes in the martian meteorite Nakhla were found to contain tunnels that are similar in size and shape to tunnels in terrestrial iron-magnesium silicates that contain nucleic acids. Though the tunnels found in Nakhla are similar to the biosignatures found in terrestrial minerals, their presence cannot be used to prove that the martian alteration features had a biogenic origin. The abundance and wide distribution of olivine and pyroxene on Earth and in the Solar System make bioweathering features in these minerals potentially important new biosignatures that may play a significant role in evaluating whether life ever existed on Mars.

Implications for Core Formation of the Earth from High Pressure-Temperature Au Partitioning Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danielson, L. R.; Sharp, T. G.; Hervig, R. L.

2005-01-01

Siderophile elements in the Earth.s mantle are depleted relative to chondrites. This is most pronounced for the highly siderophile elements (HSEs), which are approximately 400x lower than chondrites. Also remarkable is the relative chondritic abundances of the HSEs. This signature has been interpreted as representing their sequestration into an iron-rich core during the separation of metal from silicate liquids early in the Earth's history, followed by a late addition of chondritic material. Alternative efforts to explain this trace element signature have centered on element partitioning experiments at varying pressures, temperatures, and compositions (P-T-X). However, first results from experiments conducted at 1 bar did not match the observed mantle abundances, which motivated the model described above, a "late veneer" of chondritic material deposited on the earth and mixed into the upper mantle. Alternatively, the mantle trace element signature could be the result of equilibrium partitioning between metal and silicate in the deep mantle, under P-T-X conditions which are not yet completely identified. An earlier model determined that equilibrium between metal and silicate liquids could occur at a depth of approximately 700 km, 27(plus or minus 6) GPa and approximately 2000 (plus or minus 200) C, based on an extrapolation of partitioning data for a variety of moderately siderophile elements obtained at lower pressures and temperatures. Based on Ni-Co partitioning, the magma ocean may have been as deep as 1450 km. At present, only a small range of possible P-T-X trace element partitioning conditions has been explored, necessitating large extrapolations from experimental to mantle conditions for tests of equilibrium models. Our primary objective was to reduce or remove the additional uncertainty introduced by extrapolation by testing the equilibrium core formation hypothesis at P-T-X conditions appropriate to the mantle.

Toxicity of chelated iron (Fe-DTPA) in American cranberry

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is naturally adapted to environments with high concentrations of soluble iron. Yet, there is a need to further explore iron nutrition in cranberry given concerns of toxicity problems from irrigation with iron-rich water. This study investigated the threat o...

Uncovering the Chemistry of Earth-like Planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, L.; Jacobsen, S. B.; Sasselov, D. D.

2015-12-01

We propose to use the evidence from our solar system to understand exoplanets, and in particular, to predict their surface chemistry and thereby the possibility of life. An Earth-like planet, born from the same nebula as its host star, is composed primarily of silicate rocks and an iron-nickel metal core, and depleted in volatile content in a systematic manner. The more volatile (easier to vaporize or dissociate into gas form) an element is in an Earth-like planet, the more depleted the element is compared to its host star. After depletion, an Earth-like planet would go through the process of core formation due to heat from radioactive decay and collisions. Core formation depletes a planet's rocky mantle of siderophile (iron-loving) elements, in addition to the volatile depletion. After that, Earth-like planets likely accrete some volatile-rich materials, called "late veneer". The late veneer could be essential to the origins of life on Earth and Earth-like planets, as it also delivers the volatiles such as nitrogen, sulfur, carbon and water to the planet's surface, which are crucial for life to occur. Here we build an integrative model of Earth-like planets from the bottom up. Thus the chemical compositions of Earth-like planets could be inferred from their mass-radius relations and their host stars' elemental abundances, and the origins of volatile contents (especially water) on their surfaces could be understood, and thereby shed light on the origins of life on them. This elemental abundance model could be applied to other rocky exoplanets in exoplanet systems.

Reaction between hydrous wadsleyite and iron: Implication for water distribution in Earth's transition zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, F.; Li, J.; Liu, J.; Dong, J.

2017-12-01

The mantle transition zone (TZ) is considered as a potential water reservoir due to large capacities of wadsleyite and ringwoodite to store water in the structures. Whether it is a hydrous layer or an empty reservoir, however, is still under debate. Because the TZ may contain metallic iron1, 2 and water is an oxidizing agent at > 5 GPa, the stability of coexisting iron and TZ hydrous phases needs to be examined. In this study, we conducted multi-anvil experiments on iron with synthetic hydrous wadsleyite or forsterite and water under TZ pressure-temperature conditions. Similar rapid reactions were observed for both types of starting materials, producing ferropericlase, iron-bearing wadsleyite or ringwoodite, and iron hydride. The results imply that a hydrous TZ is incompatible with a reduced state, and that water distribution of TZ is confined to subducting slabs and slab-mantle boundaries, where water or hydrous phases in slab must oxidize the adjacent mantle before they can hydrate the silicates. In contrast, the bulk transition zone may be mostly dry. The iron hydride produced from this slab-mantle interaction may sink to greater depths due to their low melting temperature3, thus providing a pathway for hydrogen to enter the lower mantle and core. References 1. O'Neill HSC, McCammon C, Canil D, Rubie D, Ross C, Seifert F. Mossbauer spectroscopy of mantle transition zone phases and determination of minimum Fe3+ content. American Mineralogist 1993, 78(3-4): 456-460. 2. Rohrbach A, Ballhaus C, Golla-Schindler U, Ulmer P, Kamenetsky VS, Kuzmin DV. Metal saturation in the upper mantle. Nature 2007, 449(7161): 456-458. 3. Sakamaki K, Takahashi E, Nakajima Y, Nishihara Y, Funakoshi K, Suzuki T, et al. Melting phase relation of FeH x up to 20GPa: Implication for the temperature of the Earth's core. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 2009, 174(1): 192-201.

The crystal structure of an iron-rich variety of zanazziite belonging to heteropolyhedral framework roscherite-group beryllophosphates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rastsvetaeva, R. K.; Rozenberg, K. A.; Chukanov, N. V.; Möckel, S.

2009-07-01

The iron-rich variety of zanazziite Ca2[Mg0.65Fe0.35□1.0][Mg1.90Fe1.25Al0.5Mn0.35]Σ4Be4(PO4)6(OH)4(H2O,OH)2 · 4H2O, which is a heteropolyhedral framework roscherite-group beryllophos-phate from the Sapucaia pegmatite (Minas Gerais, Brazil), was studied by X-ray diffraction. The refinement was carried out in the triclinic and monoclinic systems. It was found that the cation distribution on octahedral sites in the crystal structure is in better agreement with the monoclinic symmetry ( a = 15.876 Å, b = 11.860 Å, c = 6.607 Å, β = 95.49°, sp. gr. C2/ c). In the sample under study, no ordering of Mg or Fe atoms in octahedral sites is observed in sp. gr. P bar 1 , unlike the more iron-rich member of the roscherite group (atencioite).

Crystallization characteristics of iron-rich glass ceramics prepared from nickel slag and blast furnace slag

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhong-Jie; Ni, Wen; Li, Ke-Qing; Huang, Xiao-Yan; Zhu, Li-Ping

2011-08-01

The crystallization process of iron-rich glass-ceramics prepared from the mixture of nickel slag (NS) and blast furnace slag (BFS) with a small amount of quartz sand was investigated. A modified melting method which was more energy-saving than the traditional methods was used to control the crystallization process. The results show that the iron-rich system has much lower melting temperature, glass transition temperature ( T g), and glass crystallization temperature ( T c), which can result in a further energy-saving process. The results also show that the system has a quick but controllable crystallization process with its peak crystallization temperature at 918°C. The crystallization of augite crystals begins from the edge of the sample and invades into the whole sample. The crystallization process can be completed in a few minutes. A distinct boundary between the crystallized part and the non-crystallized part exists during the process. In the non-crystallized part showing a black colour, some sphere-shaped augite crystals already exist in the glass matrix before samples are heated to T c. In the crystallized part showing a khaki colour, a compact structure is formed by augite crystals.

Reflectance spectroscopy and GEX simulation of palagonite and iron-rich montmorillonite clay mixtures: Implications for the surface composition of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orenberg, J. B.; Handy, J.; Quinn, R.

1992-01-01

Because of the power of remote sensing reflectance spectroscopy in determining mineralogy, it has been used as the major method of identifying a possible mineral analogue of the martian surface. A summary of proposed martian surface compositions from reflectance spectroscopy before 1979 was presented by Singer et al. Since that time, iron-rich montmorillonite clay, nanocrystalline or nanophase hematite, and palagonite have been suggested as Mars soil analogue materials. Palagonite in petrological terms is best described as an amorphous, hydrated, ferric iron, silica gel. Montmorillonite is a member of the smectite clay group, and its structure is characterized by an octahedral sheet in coordination with two tetrahedral sheets in which oxygen atoms are shared. The crystal unity of montmorillonite is well defined in contrast to palagonite where it is considered amorphous or poorly crystalline at best. Because of the absence of the diagnostic strong 2.2-micron reflectance band characteristic of clays in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum of Mars and palagonite and based upon a consideration of wide wavelength coverage (0.3-50 microns), Roush et al. concluded that palagonite is a more likely Mars surface analogue. In spite of the spectral agreement of palagonite and the Mars reflectance spectrum in the 2.2-micron region, palagonite shows poor correspondence with the results of the Viking LR experiment. In contrast, iron-rich montmorillonite clays show relatively good agreement with the results of the Viking LR experiment. This spectral study was undertaken to evaluate the spectral properties of mixtures of palagonite and Mars analogue iron-rich montmorillonite clay (16-18 wt. percent Fe as Fe2O3) as a Mars surface mineralogical model. Mixtures of minerals as Mars surface analogue materials have been studied before, but the mixtures were restricted to crystalline clays and iron oxides.

The long history of iron in the Universe and in health and disease.

PubMed

Sheftel, Alex D; Mason, Anne B; Ponka, Prem

2012-03-01

Not long after the Big Bang, iron began to play a central role in the Universe and soon became mired in the tangle of biochemistry that is the prima essentia of life. Since life's addiction to iron transcends the oxygenation of the Earth's atmosphere, living things must be protected from the potentially dangerous mix of iron and oxygen. The human being possesses grams of this potentially toxic transition metal, which is shuttling through his oxygen-rich humor. Since long before the birth of modern medicine, the blood-vibrant red from a massive abundance of hemoglobin iron-has been a focus for health experts. We describe the current understanding of iron metabolism, highlight the many important discoveries that accreted this knowledge, and describe the perils of dysfunctional iron handling. Isaac Newton famously penned, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants". We hope that this review will inspire future scientists to develop intellectual pursuits by understanding the research and ideas from many remarkable thinkers of the past. The history of iron research is a long, rich story with early beginnings, and is far from being finished. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Transferrins: Molecular mechanisms of iron transport and disorders. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aqueous corrosion of phosphide minerals from iron meteorites: a highly reactive source of prebiotic phosphorus on the surface of the early Earth.

PubMed

Pasek, Matthew A; Lauretta, Dante S

2005-08-01

We present the results of an experimental study of aqueous corrosion of Fe-phosphide under conditions relevant to the early Earth. The results strongly suggest that iron meteorites were an important source of reactive phosphorus (P), a requirement for the formation of P-based life. We further demonstrate that iron meteorites were an abundant source of phosphide minerals early in Earth history. Phosphide corrosion was studied in five different solutions: deionized water, deionized water buffered with sodium bicarbonate, deionized water with dissolved magnesium and calcium chlorides, deionized water containing ethanol and acetic acid, and deionized water containing the chlorides, ethanol, and acetic acid. Experiments were performed in the presence of both air and pure Ar gas to evaluate the effect of atmospheric chemistry. Phosphide corrosion in deionized water results in a metastable mixture of mixed-valence, P-bearing ions including pyrophosphate and triphosphate, key components for metabolism in modern life. In a pH-buffered solution of NaHCO(3), the condensed and reduced species diphosphonate is an abundant corrosion product. Corrosion in ethanol- and acetic acid-containing solutions yields additional P-bearing organic molecules, including acetyl phosphonate and a cyclic triphosphorus molecule. Phosphonate is a major corrosion product of all experiments and is the only P-bearing molecule that persists in solutions with high concentrations of magnesium and calcium chlorides, which suggests that phosphonate may have been a primitive oceanic source of P. The stability and reactivity of phosphonate and hypophosphite in solution were investigated to elucidate reaction mechanisms and the role of mineral catalysts on P-solution chemistry. Phosphonate oxidation is rapid in the presence of Fe metal but negligible in the presence of magnetite and in the control sample. The rate of hypophosphite oxidation is independent of reaction substrate.

Petrology of iron-rich magmatic segregations associated with strongly peraluminous trondhjemite in the Cornucopia stock, northeastern Oregon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, K.; Barnes, C. G.; Browning, J. M.; Karlsson, H. R.

The Middle Cretaceous Cornucopia stock in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon is a small composite intrusion consisting of hornblende biotite tonalite, biotite trondhjemite, and three cordierite two mica trondhjemite units. Unusual magnetite + biotite-rich tonalitic rocks are associated with the Crater Lake cordierite trondhjemite, the youngest of the intrusions. Oxide-rich tonalites are characterized by high Fe ( 47-68 wt% total Fe as FeO), low SiO2 (<36 wt%), and enrichments in HFSE and REE (La(N)=361-903). Oxide-rich tonalites appear in a variety of forms, including composite dikes and sheets, in which they are associated with leucocratic tonalite. Leucotonalite is lower in SiO2 (60-72 wt%) than Crater Lake trondhjemite, and generally has ΣREE contents and Eu anomalies intermediate between the oxide-rich tonalite and Crater Lake compositions. Oxide-rich tonalites crosscut, and are crosscut by, shear zones in the host trondhjemite, indicating their emplacement late in the pluton's crystallization history. Granitic dikes crosscut the composite dikes in all localities. Geochemical considerations and sedimentary-like structures, such as load casts and bedding of magnetite-rich assemblages in the composite dikes and sheets, are suggestive of crystal settling from an Fe-rich parental magma. The Fe-rich liquid parental to the oxide-rich tonalite-leucotonalite pairs formed by extensive, in-situ, plagioclase + quartz-dominated crystallization of strongly peraluminous trondhjemite. Early magnetite saturation in the trondhjemite was suppressed, either because the parental trondhjemitic magma had a lower initial total Fe content or because it had a lower ferric-ferrous ratio, possibly reflecting a lower oxygen fugacity. Accumulation of magnetite from Fe-rich residual magma is a viable mechanism for the concentration of iron, and the subsequent formation of Fe-rich rocks, in calcic siliceous intrusions. Apparently, Fe-enrichment can occur locally in calcic magmas, and

Petrology of iron-rich magmatic segregations associated with strongly peraluminous trondhjemite in the Cornucopia stock, northeastern Oregon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, K.; Barnes, C. G.; Browning, J. M.; Karlsson, H. R.

2001-11-01

The Middle Cretaceous Cornucopia stock in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon is a small composite intrusion consisting of hornblende biotite tonalite, biotite trondhjemite, and three cordierite two mica trondhjemite units. Unusual magnetite + biotite-rich tonalitic rocks are associated with the Crater Lake cordierite trondhjemite, the youngest of the intrusions. Oxide-rich tonalites are characterized by high Fe ( 47-68 wt% total Fe as FeO), low SiO2 (<36 wt%), and enrichments in HFSE and REE (La(N)=361-903). Oxide-rich tonalites appear in a variety of forms, including composite dikes and sheets, in which they are associated with leucocratic tonalite. Leucotonalite is lower in SiO2 (60-72 wt%) than Crater Lake trondhjemite, and generally has ΣREE contents and Eu anomalies intermediate between the oxide-rich tonalite and Crater Lake compositions. Oxide-rich tonalites crosscut, and are crosscut by, shear zones in the host trondhjemite, indicating their emplacement late in the pluton's crystallization history. Granitic dikes crosscut the composite dikes in all localities. Geochemical considerations and sedimentary-like structures, such as load casts and bedding of magnetite-rich assemblages in the composite dikes and sheets, are suggestive of crystal settling from an Fe-rich parental magma. The Fe-rich liquid parental to the oxide-rich tonalite-leucotonalite pairs formed by extensive, in-situ, plagioclase + quartz-dominated crystallization of strongly peraluminous trondhjemite. Early magnetite saturation in the trondhjemite was suppressed, either because the parental trondhjemitic magma had a lower initial total Fe content or because it had a lower ferric-ferrous ratio, possibly reflecting a lower oxygen fugacity. Accumulation of magnetite from Fe-rich residual magma is a viable mechanism for the concentration of iron, and the subsequent formation of Fe-rich rocks, in calcic siliceous intrusions. Apparently, Fe-enrichment can occur locally in calcic magmas, and

Linking carbon and iron cycles by investigating transport, fate and mineralogy of iron-bearing colloids from peat-draining rivers - Scotland as model for high-latitude rivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, Deborah; Crocket, Kirsty; Brand, Tim; Stutter, Marc; Wilson, Clare; Schröder, Christian

2016-04-01

Linking carbon and iron cycles by investigating transport, fate and mineralogy of iron-bearing colloids from peat-draining rivers - Scotland as model for high-latitude rivers Wood, D.A¹, Crocket, K², Brand, T², Stutter, M³, Wilson, C¹ & Schröder, C¹ ¹Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA ²Scottish Association for Marine Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Dunbeg, Oban, PA37 1QA ³James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH The biogeochemical iron cycle exerts significant control on the carbon cycle¹. Iron is a limiting nutrient in large areas of the world's oceans and its bioavailability controls CO2 uptake by marine photosynthesizing microorganisms. While atmospheric iron inputs to the open ocean have been extensively measured, global river inputs have likely been underestimated because most major world rivers exhibit extensive iron removal by flocculation and sedimentation during seawater mixing. Iron minerals and organic matter mutually stabilise each other², which results in a 'rusty carbon sink' in sediments³ on the one hand but may also enhance transport beyond the salinity gradient on the other. Humic-rich, high latitude rivers have a higher iron-carrying capacity⁴-⁶ but are underrepresented in iron flux calculations. The West Coast sea lochs in Scotland are fed by predominantly peatland drainage catchments, and the rivers entering the sea lochs carry a high load of organic matter. The short distance between many of these catchments and the coastal ocean facilitates source-to-sea research investigating transport, fate and mineralogy of iron-bearing colloids providing a good analogue for similar high latitude fjordic systems. We use SeaFAST+ICP-MS and Mössbauer spectroscopy to survey trace metal concentrations, with emphasis on iron concentrations, speciation and mineralogy, across salinity gradients. In combination with ultra-filtration techniques, this allows

A novel in vivo model for assessing the impact of geophagic earth on iron status

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The causes and consequences of geophagy, the craving and consumption of earth, remain enigmatic, despite its recognition as a behavior with public health implications. Iron deficiency has been proposed as both a cause and consequence of geophagy, but methodological limitations have precluded a decis...

Solubility of iron from combustion source particles in acidic media linked to iron speciation.

PubMed

Fu, Hongbo; Lin, Jun; Shang, Guangfeng; Dong, Wenbo; Grassian, Vichi H; Carmichael, Gregory R; Li, Yan; Chen, Jianmin

2012-10-16

In this study, iron solubility from six combustion source particles was investigated in acidic media. For comparison, a Chinese loess (CL) dust was also included. The solubility experiments confirmed that iron solubility was highly variable and dependent on particle sources. Under dark and light conditions, the combustion source particles dissolved faster and to a greater extent relative to CL. Oil fly ash (FA) yielded the highest soluble iron as compared to the other samples. Total iron solubility fractions measured in the dark after 12 h ranged between 2.9 and 74.1% of the initial iron content for the combustion-derived particles (Oil FA > biomass burning particles (BP) > coal FA). Ferrous iron represented the dominant soluble form of Fe in the suspensions of straw BP and corn BP, while total dissolved Fe presented mainly as ferric iron in the cases of oil FA, coal FA, and CL. Mössbauer measurements and TEM analysis revealed that Fe in oil FA was commonly presented as nanosized Fe(3)O(4) aggregates and Fe/S-rich particles. Highly labile source of Fe in corn BP could be originated from amorphous Fe form mixed internally with K-rich particles. However, Fe in coal FA was dominated by the more insoluble forms of both Fe-bearing aluminosilicate glass and Fe oxides. The data presented herein showed that iron speciation varies by source and is an important factor controlling iron solubility from these anthropogenic emissions in acidic solutions, suggesting that the variability of iron solubility from combustion-derived particles is related to the inherent character and origin of the aerosols themselves. Such information can be useful in improving our understanding on iron solubility from combustion aerosols when they undergo acidic processing during atmospheric transport.

Higher iron bioavailability of a human-like collagen iron complex.

PubMed

Zhu, Chenhui; Yang, Fan; Fan, Daidi; Wang, Ya; Yu, Yuanyuan

2017-07-01

Iron deficiency remains a public health problem around the world due to low iron intake and/or bioavailability. FeSO 4 , ferrous succinate, and ferrous glycinate chelate are rich in iron but have poor bioavailability. To solve the problem of iron deficiency, following previous research studies, a thiolated human-like collagen-ironcomplex supplement with a high iron content was prepared in an anaerobic workstation. In addition, cell viability tests were evaluated after conducting an MTT assay, and a quantitative analysis of the thiolated human-like collagen-iron digesta samples was performed using the SDS-PAGE method coupled with gel filtration chromatography. The iron bioavailability was assessed using Caco-2 cell monolayers and iron-deficiency anemia mice models. The results showed that (1) one mole of thiolated human-like collagen-iron possessed approximately 35.34 moles of iron; (2) thiolated human-like collagen-iron did not exhibit cytotoxity and (3) thiolated human-like collagen- iron digesta samples had higher bioavailability than other iron supplements, including FeSO 4 , ferrous succinate, ferrous glycine chelate and thiolated human-like collagen-Fe iron. Finally, the iron bioavailability was significantly enhanced by vitamin C. These results indicated that thiolated human-like collagen-iron is a promising iron supplement for use in the future.

High dietary iron increases oxidative stress and radiosensitivity in the rat retina and vasculature after exposure to fractionated gamma radiation

PubMed Central

Theriot, Corey A; Westby, Christian M; Morgan, Jennifer L L; Zwart, Sara R; Zanello, Susana B

2016-01-01

Radiation exposure in combination with other space environmental factors including microgravity, nutritional status, and deconditioning is a concern for long-duration space exploration missions. Astronauts experience altered iron homeostasis due to adaptations to microgravity and an iron-rich food system. Iron intake reaches three to six times the recommended daily allowance due to the use of fortified foods on the International Space Station. Iron is associated with certain optic neuropathies and can potentiate oxidative stress. This study examined the response of eye and vascular tissue to gamma radiation exposure (3 Gy fractionated at 37.5 cGy per day every other day for 8 fractions) in rats fed an adequate-iron diet or a high-iron diet. Twelve-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of four experimental groups: adequate-iron diet/no radiation (CON), high-iron diet/no radiation (IRON), adequate-iron diet/radiation (RAD), and high-iron diet/radiation (IRON+RAD). Animals were maintained on the corresponding iron diet for 2 weeks before radiation exposure. As previously published, the high-iron diet resulted in elevated blood and liver iron levels. Dietary iron overload altered the radiation response observed in serum analytes, as evidenced by a significant increase in catalase levels and smaller decrease in glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity levels. 8-OHdG immunostaining, showed increased intensity in the retina after radiation exposure. Gene expression profiles of retinal and aortic vascular samples suggested an interaction between the response to radiation and high dietary iron. This study suggests that the combination of gamma radiation and high dietary iron has deleterious effects on retinal and vascular health and physiology. PMID:28725729

Uncovering the Chemistry of Earth-like Planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Li; Sasselov, Dimitar; Jacobsen, Stein

2015-08-01

We propose to use the evidence from our solar system to understand exoplanets, and in particular, to predict their surface chemistry and thereby the possibility of life. An Earth-like planet, born from the same nebula as its host star, is composed primarily of silicate rocks and an iron-nickel metal core, and depleted in volatile content in a systematic manner. The more volatile (easier to vaporize or dissociate into gas form) an element is in an Earth-like planet, the more depleted the element is compared to its host star. After depletion, an Earth-like planet would go through the process of core formation due to heat from radioactive decay and collisions. Core formation depletes a planet’s rocky mantle of siderophile (iron-loving) elements, in addition to the volatile depletion. After that, Earth-like planets likely accrete some volatile-rich materials, called “late veneer”. The late veneer could be essential to the origins of life on Earth and Earth-like planets, as it also delivers the volatiles such as nitrogen, sulfur, carbon and water to the planet’s surface, which are crucial for life to occur. Here we build an integrative model of Earth-like planets from the bottom up. Thus the chemical compositions of Earth-like planets could be inferred from their mass-radius relations and their host stars’ elemental abundances, and the origins of volatile contents (especially water) on their surfaces could be understood, and thereby shed light on the origins of life on them. This elemental abundance model could be applied to other rocky exoplanets in exoplanet systems.

Redistribution of iron and titanium in subduction zones: insights from high-pressure serpentinites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, Rosalind; Evans, Katy; Reddy, Steven; Lester, Gregory

2017-04-01

The redox state, quantity and composition of subduction zone fluids influence the transport and precipitation of elements including those which are redox-sensitive, of economic importance such as Cu, Au and Ag, and those considered to be immobile, which include Fe3+. However, subduction zone fluids remain poorly understood. The redox state of Fe in high-pressure ultramafic rocks, which host a significant proportion of Fe3+, can be used to provide an insight into Fe cycling and constrain the composition of subduction zone fluids. In this work, a combination of the study of oxide and silicate mineral textures, interpretation of mineral parageneses, mineral composition data, and the whole rock geochemistry of high-pressure retrogressed ultramafic rocks from the Zermatt-Saas Zone constrains the distribution of iron and titanium, and oxidation state of iron, to provide constraints on fluids at depth in subduction zones. Oxide minerals host the bulk of the iron, particularly Fe3+. The increase in mode of magnetite during initial retrogression is most consistent with oxidation of existing iron within the samples during the infiltration of an oxidising fluid since it is difficult to reconcile addition of Fe3+ with the known limited solubility of this species. These fluids may be sourced from hybrid samples and/or serpentinites at greater depths. However, high Ti contents are not typical of serpentinites and additionally cannot be accounted for by simple mixing of a depleted mantle protolith with the nearby Allalin gabbro. Titanium-rich samples are suggested to result from fluid-facilitated hybridisation of gabbro and serpentinite protoliths prior to peak metamorphism, and provides the tantalising possibility that Ti, an element generally perceived as immobile, has been added to the rock during this process. If Ti addition has occurred, then the introduction of Fe3+, also generally considered to be immobile, cannot be disregarded. Aluminosilicate complexing could provide a

Enabling Earth-Abundant Pyrite (FeS2) Semiconductor Nanostructures for High Performance Photovoltaic Devices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jin, Song

2014-11-18

This project seeks to develop nanostructures of iron pyrite, an earth-abundant semiconductor, to enable their applications in high-performance photovoltaic (PV) devices. Growth of high purity iron pyrite nanostructures (nanowires, nanorods, and nanoplates), as well as iron pyrite thin films and single crystals, has been developed and their structures characterized. These structures have been fundamentally investigated to understand the origin of the low solar energy conversion efficiency of iron pyrite and various passivation strategies and doping approaches have been explored in order to improve it. By taking advantage of the high surface-to-bulk ratio in nanostructures and effective electrolyte gating, we fullymore » characterized both the surface inversion and bulk electrical transport properties for the first time through electrolyte-gated Hall measurements of pyrite nanoplate devices and show that pyrite is n-type in the bulk and p-type near the surface due to strong inversion, which has important consequences to using nanocrystalline pyrite for efficient solar energy conversion. Furthermore, through a comprehensive investigation on n-type iron pyrite single crystals, we found the ionization of high-density bulk deep donor states, likely resulting from bulk sulfur vacancies, creates a non-constant charge distribution and a very narrow surface space charge region that limits the total barrier height, thus satisfactorily explains the limited photovoltage and poor photoconversion efficiency of iron pyrite single crystals. These findings suggest new ideas on how to improve single crystal pyrite and nanocrystalline or polycrystalline pyrite films to enable them for high performance solar applications.« less

Reactive iron in marine sediments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Canfield, Donald E.

1989-01-01

The influence of reactive iron oxides on sediment pore-water chemistry is considered in detail. A carefully calibrated extraction scheme is used to determine the depth distributions of reactive iron phases at two very different localities: the relatively iron-rich Mississippi Delta and the relatively iron-poor FOAM site in Long Island Sound. Closed system incubations are used to characterize the rates of reaction between sulfide and both naturally occurring and pure iron mineral phases. Rates of iron liberation to pore solution are measured in the presence and absence of sulfate reduction, and the origin of dissolved iron in organic-rich sediments is speculated upon.

Defining the Iron-Rich Fe-Ni-S Melting Curve at 20GPa: Implications for Martian Core Solidification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilfoy, F. G.; Li, J.

2016-12-01

In 1997, the Mars Global Surveyor detected strong remnant magnetization of 4 Ga impact basins in the planet's southern highlands (Acuna et al. 1999), but the dearth of strongly magnetized rocks younger than 4 Ga in age is interpreted as evidence cataloging the death of an early Martian dynamo (Stevenson, 2001; Fassett 2011). In order to investigate the thermal evolution of the Martian core and assess the possibility of iron "snow" core crystallization to restart the dynamo, a series of multi-anvil experiments have been conducted to define the iron-rich liquidus of the Fe-Ni-S system at 20 GPa, the estimated pressure of the Martian core-mantle boundary (CMB), across its entire temperature range. Due to the fineness of features at high temperatures and low S concentrations, area analysis techniques, in additional to traditional electron microprobe analysis, were used to determine the composition of the experimental data. When fitted using an asymmetrical regular solution model, our data yields a liquidus that is significantly depressed when compared to calculations made assuming ideal behavior. Pronounced melting point depression at S contents corresponding to the likely composition of the Martian core means that the onset of crystallization will take much longer than previously thought. By comparing a calculated areotherm to liquidii interpolated between our experimental data and that from the literature, we find that the two intersect at the high-pressure end. Thus, the Martian core solidification is expected to begin at the center of planet and iron "snow" core crystallization is unlikely to occur within Mars .

Iron and oxygen isotope fractionation during iron UV photo-oxidation: Implications for early Earth and Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Nicole X.; Dauphas, Nicolas; Greenwood, Richard C.

2017-01-01

Banded iron formations (BIFs) contain appreciable amounts of ferric iron (Fe3+). The mechanism by which ferrous iron (Fe2+) was oxidized into Fe3+ in an atmosphere that was globally anoxic is highly debated. Of the three scenarios that have been proposed to explain BIF formation, photo-oxidation by UV photons is the only one that does not involve life (the other two are oxidation by O2 produced by photosynthesis, and anoxygenic photosynthesis whereby Fe2+ is directly used as electron donor in place of water). We experimentally investigated iron and oxygen isotope fractionation imparted by iron photo-oxidation at a pH of 7.3. The iron isotope fractionation between precipitated Fe3+-bearing lepidocrocite and dissolved Fe2+ follows a Rayleigh distillation with an instantaneous 56Fe/54Fe fractionation factor of + 1.2 ‰. Such enrichment in the heavy isotopes of iron is consistent with the values measured in BIFs. We also investigated the nature of the mass-fractionation law that governs iron isotope fractionation in the photo-oxidation experiments (i.e., the slope of the δ56Fe-δ57Fe relationship). The experimental run products follow a mass-dependent law corresponding to the high-T equilibrium limit. The fact that a ∼3.8 Gyr old BIF sample (IF-G) from Isua (Greenland) falls on the same fractionation line confirms that iron photo-oxidation in the surface layers of the oceans was a viable pathway to BIF formation in the Archean, when the atmosphere was largely transparent to UV photons. Our experiments allow us to estimate the quantum yield of the photo-oxidation process (∼0.07 iron atom oxidized per photon absorbed). This yield is used to model iron oxidation on early Mars. As the photo-oxidation proceeds, the aqueous medium becomes more acidic, which slows down the reaction by changing the speciation of iron to species that are less efficient at absorbing UV-photons. Iron photo-oxidation in centimeter to meter-deep water ponds would take months to years to

A manganese-rich environment supports superoxide dismutase activity in a Lyme disease pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi.

PubMed

Aguirre, J Dafhne; Clark, Hillary M; McIlvin, Matthew; Vazquez, Christine; Palmere, Shaina L; Grab, Dennis J; Seshu, J; Hart, P John; Saito, Mak; Culotta, Valeria C

2013-03-22

The Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi represents a novel organism in which to study metalloprotein biology in that this spirochete has uniquely evolved with no requirement for iron. Not only is iron low, but we show here that B. burgdorferi has the capacity to accumulate remarkably high levels of manganese. This high manganese is necessary to activate the SodA superoxide dismutase (SOD) essential for virulence. Using a metalloproteomic approach, we demonstrate that a bulk of B. burgdorferi SodA directly associates with manganese, and a smaller pool of inactive enzyme accumulates as apoprotein. Other metalloproteins may have similarly adapted to using manganese as co-factor, including the BB0366 aminopeptidase. Whereas B. burgdorferi SodA has evolved in a manganese-rich, iron-poor environment, the opposite is true for Mn-SODs of organisms such as Escherichia coli and bakers' yeast. These Mn-SODs still capture manganese in an iron-rich cell, and we tested whether the same is true for Borrelia SodA. When expressed in the iron-rich mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, B. burgdorferi SodA was inactive. Activity was only possible when cells accumulated extremely high levels of manganese that exceeded cellular iron. Moreover, there was no evidence for iron inactivation of the SOD. B. burgdorferi SodA shows strong overall homology with other members of the Mn-SOD family, but computer-assisted modeling revealed some unusual features of the hydrogen bonding network near the enzyme's active site. The unique properties of B. burgdorferi SodA may represent adaptation to expression in the manganese-rich and iron-poor environment of the spirochete.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Hematite-Rich Spherules: Implications for Diagenesis and Hematite Spherule Formation in Outcrops at Meridiani Planum, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golden, D. C.; Ming, D. W.; Morris, R. V.; Graff, T. G.

2007-01-01

The Athena science payload onboard the Opportunity rover identified hematite-rich spherules (mean diameter of 4.2 +/- 0.8 mm) embedded in outcrops and occurring as lag deposits at Meridiani Planum. They have formed as diagenetic concretions from the rapid breakdown of pre-existing jarosite and other iron sulfates when chemically distinct groundwater passed through the sediments. Diagenetic, Fe-cemented concretions found in the Jurassic Navajo Formation, Utah and hematite-rich spherules found within sulfate-rich volcanic breccia on Mauna Kea volcano, Hawaii are possible terrestrial analogues for Meridiani spherules. The Navajo Formation concretions form in porous quartz arenite from the dissolution of iron oxides by reducing fluids and subsequent Fe precipitation to form spherical Fe- and Si-rich concretions. The Mauna Kea spherules form by hydrothermal, acid-sulfate alteration of basaltic tephra. The formation of hematite-rich spherules with similar chemical, mineralogical, and morphological properties to the Meridiani spherules is rare on Earth, so little is known about their formation conditions. In this study, we have synthesized in the laboratory hematite-rich spherules that are analogous in nearly all respects to the Meridiani spherules.

Microbial Diversity in Surface Iron-Rich Aqueous Environments: Implications for Seeking Signs of Life on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, I. I.; Allen, C. C.; Tringe, S. G.; Klatt, C. G.; Bryant, D. A.; Sarkisova, S. A.; Garrison, D. H.; McKay, D. S.

2010-01-01

The success of selecting future landing sites on Mars to discover extinct and/or extant extraterrestrial life is dependent on the correct approximation of available knowledge about terrestrial paleogeochemistry and life evolution to Martian (paleo) geology and geochemistry. It is well known that both Earth and Mars are Fe rich. This widespread occurrence suggests that Fe may have played a key role in early life forms, where it probably served as a key constituent in early prosthetic moieties in many proteins of ancient microbes on Earth and likely Mars. The second critical idea is the premise that Life on Mars could most likely have developed when Mars experienced tectonic activity [1] which dramatically decreased around 1 bin years after Martian creation. After that Martian life could have gone extinct or hibernated in the deep subsurface, which would be expensive to reach in contrast to the successful work of Martian surface rovers. Here we analyze the diversity of microbes in several terrestrial Fe rich surface environments in conjunction with the phylogeny and molecular timing of emergence of those microbes on Earth. Anticipated results should help evaluate future landing sites on Mars in searches for biosignatures.

Melting relations in the iron-sulfur system at ultra-high pressures - Implications for the thermal state of the earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Quentin; Jeanloz, Raymond

1990-01-01

The melting temperatures of FeS-troilite and of a 10-wt-pct sulfur iron alloy have been measured to pressures of 120 and 90 GPa, respectively. The results document that FeS melts at a temperature of 4100 (+ or - 300) K at the pressure of the core-mantle boundary. Eutecticlike behavior persists in the iron-sulfur system to the highest pressures of measurements, in marked contrast to the solid-solutionlike behavior observed at high pressures in the iron-iron oxide system. Iron with 10-wt-pct sulfur melts at a similar temperature as FeS at core-mantle boundary conditions. If the sole alloying elements of iron within the core are sulfur and oxygen and the outer core is entirely liquid, the minimum temperature at the top of the outer core is 4900 (+ or - 400) K. Calculations of mantle geotherms dictate that there must be a temperature increase of between 1000 and 2000 K across thermal boundary layers within the mantle. If D-double-prime is compositionally stratified, it could accommodate the bulk of this temperature jump.

Data gaps in anthropogenically driven local-scale species richness change studies across the Earth's terrestrial biomes.

PubMed

Murphy, Grace E P; Romanuk, Tamara N

2016-05-01

There have been numerous attempts to synthesize the results of local-scale biodiversity change studies, yet several geographic data gaps exist. These data gaps have hindered ecologist's ability to make strong conclusions about how local-scale species richness is changing around the globe. Research on four of the major drivers of global change is unevenly distributed across the Earth's biomes. Here, we use a dataset of 638 anthropogenically driven species richness change studies to identify where data gaps exist across the Earth's terrestrial biomes based on land area, future change in drivers, and the impact of drivers on biodiversity, and make recommendations for where future studies should focus their efforts. Across all drivers of change, the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and the tropical moist broadleaf forests are the best studied. The biome-driver combinations we have identified as most critical in terms of where local-scale species richness change studies are lacking include the following: land-use change studies in tropical and temperate coniferous forests, species invasion and nutrient addition studies in the boreal forest, and warming studies in the boreal forest and tropics. Gaining more information on the local-scale effects of the specific human drivers of change in these biomes will allow for better predictions of how human activity impacts species richness around the globe.

Carbon in iron phases under high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, L.; Skorodumova, N. V.; Belonoshko, A. B.; Johansson, B.; Ahuja, R.

2005-11-01

The influence of carbon impurities on the properties of iron phases (bcc, hcp, dhcp, fcc) has been studied using the first-principles projector augmented-wave (PAW) method for a wide pressure range. It is shown that the presence of ~6 at. % of interstitial carbon has a little effect on the calculated structural sequence of the iron phases under high pressure. The bcc -> hcp transition both for pure iron and iron containing carbon takes place around 9 GPa. According to the enthalpies comparison, the solubility of carbon into the iron solid is decreased by high pressure. The coexistence of iron carbide (Fe3C) + pure hcp Fe is most stable phase at high pressure compared with other phases. Based on the analysis of the pressure-density dependences for Fe3C and hcp Fe, we suggest that there might be some fraction of iron carbide present in the core.

Highly siderophile elements were stripped from Earth’s mantle by iron sulfide segregation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubie, David C.; Laurenz, Vera; Jacobson, Seth A.; Morbidelli, Alessandro; Palme, Herbert; Vogel, Antje K.; Frost, Daniel J.

2016-09-01

Highly siderophile elements (HSEs) are strongly depleted in the bulk silicate Earth (BSE) but are present in near-chondritic relative abundances. The conventional explanation is that the HSEs were stripped from the mantle by the segregation of metal during core formation but were added back in near-chondritic proportions by late accretion, after core formation had ceased. Here we show that metal-silicate equilibration and segregation during Earth’s core formation actually increased HSE mantle concentrations because HSE partition coefficients are relatively low at the high pressures of core formation within Earth. The pervasive exsolution and segregation of iron sulfide liquid from silicate liquid (the “Hadean matte”) stripped magma oceans of HSEs during cooling and crystallization, before late accretion, and resulted in slightly suprachondritic palladium/iridium and ruthenium/iridium ratios.

Innovative Method for Separating Phosphorus and Iron from High-Phosphorus Oolitic Hematite by Iron Nugget Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Hongliang; Duan, Dongping; Wang, Xing; Chen, Siming

2014-10-01

This study puts forward a new method to separate phosphorus and iron from high-phosphorus oolitic hematite through iron nuggets process. Firstly, the physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics of high-phosphorus oolitic hematite are investigated. Then, the reaction mechanisms of high-phosphorus hematite together with feasibility to separating phosphorus and iron by iron nugget process are discussed. Meanwhile, the experiments of high-phosphorus hematite used in rotary hearth furnace iron nugget processes are studied as well. The results indicate that the iron nugget process is a feasible and efficient method for iron and phosphorus separation of high-phosphorus oolitic hematite. The phosphorus content in iron nuggets is relatively low. Through the optimization of process parameters, the lowest of phosphorus in iron nuggets is 0.22 pct, the dephosphorization rate is above 86 pct, and the recovery of Fe is above 85 pct by the iron nugget process. This study aims to provide a theoretical and technical basis for economical and rational use of high-phosphorus oolitic hematite.

Thermal equation of state of hcp-iron: Constraint on the density deficit of Earth's solid inner core: THERMAL EQUATION OF STATE OF HCP-IRON

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fei, Yingwei; Murphy, Caitlin; Shibazaki, Yuki

We conducted high-pressure experiments on hexagonal close packed iron (hcp-Fe) in MgO, NaCl, and Ne pressure-transmitting media and found general agreement among the experimental data at 300 K that yield the best fitted values of the bulk modulus K 0 = 172.7(±1.4) GPa and its pressure derivative K 0'= 4.79(±0.05) for hcp-Fe, using the third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. Using the derived thermal pressures for hcp-Fe up to 100 GPa and 1800 K and previous shockwave Hugoniot data, we developed a thermal equation of state of hcp-Fe. The thermal equation of state of hcp-Fe is further used to calculate themore » densities of iron along adiabatic geotherms to define the density deficit of the inner core, which serves as the basis for developing quantitative composition models of the Earth's inner core. We determine the density deficit at the inner core boundary to be 3.6%, assuming an inner core boundary temperature of 6000 K.« less

Stability of the high pressure phase Fe3S2 up to Earth's core pressures in the Fe-S-O and the Fe-S-Si systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zurkowski, C. C.; Chidester, B.; Davis, A.; Brauser, N.; Greenberg, E.; Prakapenka, V. B.; Campbell, A.

2017-12-01

Earth's core is comprised of an iron-nickel alloy that contains 5-15% of a light element component. The abundance and alloying capability of sulfur, silicon and oxygen in the bulk Earth make them important core alloy candidates; therefore, the high-pressure phase equilibria of the Fe-S-O and Fe-S-Si systems are relevant for understanding the possible chemistry of Earth's core. Previously, a Fe3S2 phase was recognized as a low-pressure intermediate phase in the Fe-FeS system that is stable from 14-21 GPa, but the structure of this phase has not been resolved. We report in-situ XRD and chemical analysis of recovered samples to further examine the stability and structure of Fe3S2 as it coexists with other phases in the Fe-S-O and Fe-S-Si systems. In situ high P-T synchrotron XRD experiments were conducted in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell to determine the equilibrium phases in Fe75S7O18 and Fe80S5Si15 compositions between 30 and 174 GPa and up to 3000 K. In the S,O-rich samples, an orthorhombic Fe3S2 phase coexists with hcp-Fe, Fe3S and FeO and undergoes two monoclinic distortions between 60 and 174 GPa. In the S,Si-rich samples, the orthorhombic Fe3S2 phase was observed up to 115 GPa. With increasing pressure, the Fe3S2 phase becomes stable to higher temperatures in both compositions, suggesting possible Fe3(S,O)2 or Fe3(S,Si)2 solid solutions. SEM analysis of a laser heated Fe75S7O18 sample recovered from 40 GPa and 1450 K confirms a Fe3(S,O)2 phase with O dissolved into the structure. Based on the current melting data in the Fe-S-O and Fe-S-Si systems, the Fe3(S,O)2 stability field intersects the solidus in the outer core and could be a possible liquidus phase in Fe,S,O-rich planetary cores, whereas Fe3S is the stable sulfide at outer core pressures in Fe,S,Si-rich systems.

Reflectance spectroscopy of palagonite and iron-rich montmorillonite clay mixtures: Implications for the surface composition of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orenberg, J. B.; Handy, J.

1991-01-01

Because of the power of remote sensing reflectance spectroscopy in determining mineralogy, it was used as the major method of identifying possible mineral analogs of the Martian surface. A summary of proposed Martian surface compositions from reflectance spectroscopy before 1979 was presented. Since that time, iron-rich montmorillonite clay, nanocrystalline or nanophase hematite, and palagonite were suggested as Mars soil analog materials.

Near-Earth asteroids: Metals occurrence, extraction, and fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westfall, Richard

Near-earth asteroids occur in three principle types of orbits: Amor, Apollo, and Aten. Amor asteroids make relatively close (within 0.3 AU) approaches to the earth's orbit, but do not actually overlap it. Apollo asteroids spend most of their time outside the earth's orbital path, but at some point of close approach to the sun, they cross the orbit of the earth. Aten asteroids are those whose orbits remain inside the earth's path for the majority of their time, with semi-major axes less than 0.1 AU. Near-earth orbit asteroids include: stones, stony-irons, irons, carbonaceous, and super-carbonaceous. Metals within these asteroids include: iron, nickel, cobalt, the platinum group, aluminum, titanium, and others. Focus is on the extraction of ferrous and platinum group metals from the stony-iron asteroids, and the iron asteroids. Extraction of the metal fraction can be accomplished through the use of tunnel-boring-machines (TBM) in the case of the stony-irons. The metals within the story-iron asteroids occur as dispersed granules, which can be separated from the stony fraction through magnetic and gaseous digestion separation techniques. The metal asteroids are processes by drilling and gaseous digestion or by gaseous digestion alone. Manufacturing of structures, housings, framing networks, pressure vessels, mirrors, and other products is accomplished through the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of metal coating on advanced composites and on the inside of contour-defining inflatables (CDI). Metal coatings on advanced composites provide: resistance to degradation in the hostile environments of space; superior optical properties; superior heat dissipation; service as wear coatings; and service as evidential coatings. Metal coatings on the inside of CDI produce metal load-bearing products. Fibers such as graphite, kevlar, glass, ceramic, metal, etc., can be incorporated in the metal coatings on the inside of CDI producing metal matrix products which exhibit high strength

Near-Earth asteroids: Metals occurrence, extraction, and fabrication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Westfall, Richard

1991-01-01

Near-earth asteroids occur in three principle types of orbits: Amor, Apollo, and Aten. Amor asteroids make relatively close (within 0.3 AU) approaches to the earth's orbit, but do not actually overlap it. Apollo asteroids spend most of their time outside the earth's orbital path, but at some point of close approach to the sun, they cross the orbit of the earth. Aten asteroids are those whose orbits remain inside the earth's path for the majority of their time, with semi-major axes less than 0.1 AU. Near-earth orbit asteroids include: stones, stony-irons, irons, carbonaceous, and super-carbonaceous. Metals within these asteroids include: iron, nickel, cobalt, the platinum group, aluminum, titanium, and others. Focus is on the extraction of ferrous and platinum group metals from the stony-iron asteroids, and the iron asteroids. Extraction of the metal fraction can be accomplished through the use of tunnel-boring-machines (TBM) in the case of the stony-irons. The metals within the story-iron asteroids occur as dispersed granules, which can be separated from the stony fraction through magnetic and gaseous digestion separation techniques. The metal asteroids are processes by drilling and gaseous digestion or by gaseous digestion alone. Manufacturing of structures, housings, framing networks, pressure vessels, mirrors, and other products is accomplished through the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of metal coating on advanced composites and on the inside of contour-defining inflatables (CDI). Metal coatings on advanced composites provide: resistance to degradation in the hostile environments of space; superior optical properties; superior heat dissipation; service as wear coatings; and service as evidential coatings. Metal coatings on the inside of CDI produce metal load-bearing products. Fibers such as graphite, kevlar, glass, ceramic, metal, etc., can be incorporated in the metal coatings on the inside of CDI producing metal matrix products which exhibit high strength

Experimentally determined Si isotope fractionation between silicate and Fe metal and implications for Earth's core formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahar, Anat; Ziegler, Karen; Young, Edward D.; Ricolleau, Angele; Schauble, Edwin A.; Fei, Yingwei

2009-10-01

Stable isotope fractionation amongst phases comprising terrestrial planets and asteroids can be used to elucidate planet-forming processes. To date, the composition of the Earth's core remains largely unknown though cosmochemical and geophysical evidence indicates that elements lighter than iron and nickel must reside there. Silicon is often cited as a light element that could explain the seismic properties of the core. The amount of silicon in the core, if any, can be deduced from the difference in 30Si/ 28Si between meteorites and terrestrial rocks if the Si isotope fractionation between silicate and Fe-rich metal is known. Recent studies (e.g., [Georg R.B., Halliday A.N., Schauble E.A., Reynolds B.C., 2007. Silicon in the Earth's core. Nature 447 (31), 1102-1106.]; [Fitoussi, C., Bourdon, B., Kleine, T., Oberli, F., Reynolds, B. C., 2009. Si isotope systematics of meteorites and terrestrial peridotites: implications for Mg/Si fractionation in the solar nebula and for Si in the Earth's core. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 287, 77-85.]) showing (sometimes subtle) differences between 30Si/ 28Si in meteorites and terrestrial rocks suggest that Si missing from terrestrial rocks might be in the core. However, any conclusion based on Earth-meteorite comparisons depends on the veracity of the 30Si/ 28Si fractionation factor between silicates and metals at appropriate conditions. Here we present the first direct experimental evidence that silicon isotopes are not distributed uniformly between iron metal and rock when equilibrated at high temperatures. High-precision measurements of the silicon isotope ratios in iron-silicon alloy and silicate equilibrated at 1 GPa and 1800 °C show that Si in silicate has higher 30Si/ 28Si than Si in metal, by at least 2.0‰. These findings provide an experimental foundation for using isotope ratios of silicon as indicators of terrestrial planet formation processes. They imply that if Si isotope equilibrium existed during segregation of Earth

Effects of iron on the lattice thermal conductivity of Earth's deep mantle and implications for mantle dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsieh, Wen-Pin; Deschamps, Frédéric; Okuchi, Takuo; Lin, Jung-Fu

2018-04-01

Iron may critically influence the physical properties and thermochemical structures of Earth's lower mantle. Its effects on thermal conductivity, with possible consequences on heat transfer and mantle dynamics, however, remain largely unknown. We measured the lattice thermal conductivity of lower-mantle ferropericlase to 120 GPa using the ultrafast optical pump-probe technique in a diamond anvil cell. The thermal conductivity of ferropericlase with 56% iron significantly drops by a factor of 1.8 across the spin transition around 53 GPa, while that with 8–10% iron increases monotonically with pressure, causing an enhanced iron substitution effect in the low-spin state. Combined with bridgmanite data, modeling of our results provides a self-consistent radial profile of lower-mantle thermal conductivity, which is dominated by pressure, temperature, and iron effects, and shows a twofold increase from top to bottom of the lower mantle. Such increase in thermal conductivity may delay the cooling of the core, while its decrease with iron content may enhance the dynamics of large low shear-wave velocity provinces. Our findings further show that, if hot and strongly enriched in iron, the seismic ultralow velocity zones have exceptionally low conductivity, thus delaying their cooling.

Effects of iron on the lattice thermal conductivity of Earth's deep mantle and implications for mantle dynamics.

PubMed

Hsieh, Wen-Pin; Deschamps, Frédéric; Okuchi, Takuo; Lin, Jung-Fu

2018-04-17

Iron may critically influence the physical properties and thermochemical structures of Earth's lower mantle. Its effects on thermal conductivity, with possible consequences on heat transfer and mantle dynamics, however, remain largely unknown. We measured the lattice thermal conductivity of lower-mantle ferropericlase to 120 GPa using the ultrafast optical pump-probe technique in a diamond anvil cell. The thermal conductivity of ferropericlase with 56% iron significantly drops by a factor of 1.8 across the spin transition around 53 GPa, while that with 8-10% iron increases monotonically with pressure, causing an enhanced iron substitution effect in the low-spin state. Combined with bridgmanite data, modeling of our results provides a self-consistent radial profile of lower-mantle thermal conductivity, which is dominated by pressure, temperature, and iron effects, and shows a twofold increase from top to bottom of the lower mantle. Such increase in thermal conductivity may delay the cooling of the core, while its decrease with iron content may enhance the dynamics of large low shear-wave velocity provinces. Our findings further show that, if hot and strongly enriched in iron, the seismic ultralow velocity zones have exceptionally low conductivity, thus delaying their cooling.

Efficiently Communicating Rich Heterogeneous Geospatial Data from the FeMO2008 Dive Cruise with FlashMap on EarthRef.org

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minnett, R. C.; Koppers, A. A.; Staudigel, D.; Staudigel, H.

2008-12-01

EarthRef.org is comprehensive and convenient resource for Earth Science reference data and models. It encompasses four main portals: the Geochemical Earth Reference Model (GERM), the Magnetics Information Consortium (MagIC), the Seamount Biogeosciences Network (SBN), and the Enduring Resources for Earth Science Education (ERESE). Their underlying databases are publically available and the scientific community has contributed widely and is urged to continue to do so. However, the net result is a vast and largely heterogeneous warehouse of geospatial data ranging from carefully prepared maps of seamounts to geochemical data/metadata, daily reports from seagoing expeditions, large volumes of raw and processed multibeam data, images of paleomagnetic sampling sites, etc. This presents a considerable obstacle for integrating other rich media content, such as videos, images, data files, cruise tracks, and interoperable database results, without overwhelming the web user. The four EarthRef.org portals clearly lend themselves to a more intuitive user interface and has, therefore, been an invaluable test bed for the design and implementation of FlashMap, a versatile KML-driven geospatial browser written for reliability and speed in Adobe Flash. FlashMap allows layers of content to be loaded and displayed over a streaming high-resolution map which can be zoomed and panned similarly to Google Maps and Google Earth. Many organizations, from National Geographic to the USGS, have begun using Google Earth software to display geospatial content. However, Google Earth, as a desktop application, does not integrate cleanly with existing websites requiring the user to navigate away from the browser and focus on a separate application and Google Maps, written in Java Script, does not scale up reliably to large datasets. FlashMap remedies these problems as a web-based application that allows for seamless integration of the real-time display power of Google Earth and the flexibility of

The effect of gold kiwifruit consumed with an iron fortified breakfast cereal meal on iron status in women with low iron stores: A 16 week randomised controlled intervention study

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Dietary treatment is often recommended as the first line of treatment for women with mild iron deficiency. Although it is well established that ascorbic acid enhances iron absorption, it is less clear whether the consumption of ascorbic acid rich foods (such as kiwifruit) with meals fortified with iron improves iron status. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the consumption of ZESPRI® GOLD kiwifruit (a fruit high in ascorbic acid and carotenoids) with an iron fortified breakfast cereal meal increases iron status in women with low iron stores. Methods/Design Eighty nine healthy women aged 18-44 years with low iron stores (serum ferritin (SF) ≤ 25 μg/L, haemoglobin (Hb) ≥ 115 g/L) living in Auckland, New Zealand were randomised to receive an iron fortified breakfast cereal (16 mg iron per serve) and either two ZESPRI® GOLD kiwifruit or a banana (low ascorbic acid and carotenoid content) to eat at breakfast time every day for 16 weeks. Iron status (SF, Hb, C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)), ascorbic acid and carotenoid status were measured at baseline and after 16 weeks. Anthropometric measures, dietary intake, physical activity and blood loss were measured before and after the 16 week intervention. Discussion This randomised controlled intervention study will be the first study to investigate the effect of a dietary based intervention of an iron fortified breakfast cereal meal combined with an ascorbic acid and carotenoid rich fruit on improving iron status in women with low iron stores. Trial registration ACTRN12608000360314 PMID:20102633

The hydro- and multi-isotope geochemistry of iron-rich ground waters emerging at the southern Baltic Sea coast line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lipka, Marko; Wu, Zijun; Escher, Peter; Struck, Ulrich; Dellwig, Olaf; Schafmeister, Maria; Böttcher*, Michael E.

2013-04-01

Iron-rich groundwater springs emerging at the shore zone of the southern Baltic Sea (BS; Site Meschendorf) were examined on a seasonal base for a period of about two years. Besides major, minor, and trace elements, stable isotopes of water (H-2, O-18), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC; C-13), and sulfate (S-34) were analyzed. The stream bed sediment was extracted for the geochemistry of the newly formed precipitates and further characterized via SEM-EDAX. Subsequently, the hydrogeochemical results were subjected to a thermodynamic analysis via the PHREEQC speciation model. The springs emerge from small pits (about 60 cm diameter; up to 15cm depth). Surrounding sediments are sandy with gravels found at depth and corresponding high permeabilities. The positions of different springs on the shore zone were stable during the investigation period while the shape of the pits and the stream beds may vary due to wind- and wave-driven forces. Selected measurements of spring yield discharges close to 10 L/min. The H-2 and O-18 contents of the spring waters indicate the ground water to originate from relatively young mixed meteoric waters. The hydrochemistry of the springs was similar and showed some variability in between which indicates that the genetic processes for the ground water before reaching the surface may slightly differ. The springs are characterized by dissolved Ca, Mg, Na, DIC and sulfate, mainly reflecting the interaction with soils and bedrocks in the recharge area that is dominated by marly till. The oxygen-free ground water is rich in Fe, P, and DIC. Iron and dissolved sulfate originate from the oxidation of pyrite, as further confirmed by the 34-S signature of sulfate. The carbon isotope signature of DIC indicates a mixture of biogenic CO2 from the soil zone with some water-rock interaction with carbonate minerals. The streams flow towards the BS and, in contact with the atmosphere, outgas carbon dioxide and takes up oxygen. Upon CO2-degassing, C-12 is

High Pressure Elastic Constants of High-Pressure Iron Analog Osmium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godwal, B. K.; Geballe, Z.; Jeanloz, R.

2011-12-01

Understanding the elasticity of hcp iron is important both for ascertaining the stable phase and for explaining the observed seismic anomalies of Earth's inner core. A systematic experimental study of analog materials is warranted because experiments at inner-core conditions remain exceptionally challenging and theory has yielded conflicting results for iron. The deformation of hexagonal close-packed (hcp) Os, an analog for the high-pressure hcp form of Fe, has been characterized under non-hydrostatic stresses using synchrotron-based angular-dispersive radial x-ray diffraction to pressures of 60 GPa at room temperature. Starting with published ultrasonic values of elastic constants and previous measurements of linear and volume compressibilities, we estimate the single-crystal elasticity tensor of osmium to 60 GPa and find that the crystal orientation with the largest shear modulus, (002), accommodates the largest shear stress (10 GPa) and a differential strain surpassing the Voigt iso-strain limit. We find the conventional elastic model, bounded by Reuss (iso-stress) and Voigt limits, inadequate for explaining our measurements. Instead, we infer that plastic deformation limits the amount of shear stress supported by the crystal planes near the a-axis, causing the more elastically strong c-axis to support the majority of the differential strain. This conclusion is consistent with the elasto-plastic self-consistent approach used to model the effect of plasticity on the high-pressure deformation of hcp-Co (Merkel et al, PRB 79, 064110 (2009)). Importantly, we document a strength anisotropy so large that the Voigt (elastic) limit is clearly surpassed.

Effect of carbon, sulfur and silicon on iron melting at high pressure: Implications for composition and evolution of the planetary terrestrial cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Liwei; Fei, Yingwei; Liu, Xi; Gong, Zizheng; Shahar, Anat

2013-08-01

High-pressure melting experiments in the Fe-S-C ternary and Fe-S-Si-C quaternary systems have been conducted in the range of 3.5-20 GPa and 920-1700 °C in the multi-anvil press. The mutual solubility, melting relations, and crystallization sequences were systematically investigated with changes of pressure, temperature and bulk composition. Five starting materials of Fe(84.69 wt%)-C(4.35 wt%)-S(7.85 wt%), Fe(84.87 wt%)-C(2.08 wt%)-S(11.41 wt%), Fe(86.36 wt%)-C(0.96 wt%)-S(10.31 wt%), Fe(85.71 wt%)-C(0.33 wt%)-S(11.86 wt%) and Fe(82.95 wt%)-C(0.66 wt%)-S(13.7 wt%)-Si(2.89 wt%) were employed. For Fe(84.69 wt%)-C(4.35 wt%)-S(7.85 wt%), the first crystallized phase is Fe3C at 5 GPa and Fe7C3 at 10-20 GPa. For Fe(84.87 wt%)-C(2.08 wt%)-S(11.41 wt%), Fe3C is the stable carbide at subsolidus temperature at 5-15 GPa. For Fe(86.36 wt%)-C(0.96 wt%)-S(10.31 wt%) and Fe(85.71 wt%)-C(0.33 wt%)-S(11.86 wt%), the first crystallized phase is metallic Fe instead of iron carbide at 5-10 GPa. The cotectic curves in Fe-S-C ternary system indicate only a small amount of C is needed to form an iron carbide solid inner core with the presence of S. Experiments on Fe(82.95 wt%)-C(0.66 wt%)-S(13.7 wt%)-Si(2.89 wt%) showed that a small amount of C does not significantly change the closure pressure of miscibility gap compared with that in Fe-S-Si system. It is observed that S preferentially partitions into molten iron while a significant amount of Si enters the solid phase with temperature decrease. Meanwhile, the C concentration in the liquid and solid iron metal changes little with temperature variations. If S, C and Si partitioning behavior between molten iron and solid iron metal with temperature remains the same under Earth's present core pressure conditions, the solid inner core should be iron dominated with dissolved Si. On the other hand, the liquid outer core will be S rich and Si poor. Moderate carbon will be evenly present in both solid and liquid cores. Based on our melting data

Search for trans-iron elements in hot, helium-rich white dwarfs with the HST Cosmic Origins Spectrograph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoyer, D.; Rauch, T.; Werner, K.; Kruk, J. W.

2018-04-01

The metal abundances in the atmospheres of hot white dwarfs (WDs) entering the cooling sequence are determined by the preceding Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) evolutionary phase and, subsequently, by the onset of gravitational settling and radiative levitation. In this paper, we investigate three hot He-rich WDs, which are believed to result from a late He-shell flash. During such a flash, the He-rich intershell matter is dredged up and dominates the surface chemistry. Hence, in contrast to the usual H-rich WDs, their spectra allow direct access to s-process element abundances in the intershell that were synthesized during the AGB stage. In order to look for trans-iron group elements (atomic number Z > 29), we performed a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmosphere analysis of new ultraviolet spectra taken with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope. One of our program stars is of PG 1159 spectral type; this star, PG 1707+427, has effective temperature Teff = 85 000 K, and surface gravity logg = 7.5. The two other stars are DO white dwarfs: WD 0111+002 has Teff = 58 000 K and log g = 7.7, and PG 0109+111 has Teff = 70 000 K and log g = 8.0. These stars trace the onset of element diffusion during early WD evolution. While zinc is the only trans-iron element we could detect in the PG 1159 star, both DOs exhibit lines from Zn, Ga, Ge, Se; one additionally exhibits lines from Sr, Sn, Te, and I and the other from As. Generally, the trans-iron elements are very abundant in the DOs, meaning that radiative levitation must be acting. Most extreme is the almost six orders of magnitude oversolar abundance of tellurium in PG 0109+111. In terms of mass fraction, it is the most abundant metal in the atmosphere. The two DOs join the hitherto unique hot DO RE 0503-289, in which 14 trans-iron elements had even been identified. Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which

Theoretical study of novel complexed structures for methoxy derivatives of scytonemin: potential biomarkers in iron-rich stressed environments.

PubMed

Varnali, Tereza; Edwards, Howell G M

2013-09-01

Scytonemin is a cyanobacterial sheath pigment with potent UV (UVA, UVB, and UVC) absorbing properties. Di- and tetramethoxy derivatives of scytonemin have also been found and described in the literature. The importance of these biomolecules is their photoprotective function, which is one of the major survival strategies adopted by extremophiles in environmentally stressed conditions. Also, iron compounds [particularly iron(III) oxides] offer an additional UV-protecting facility to subsurface endolithic biological colonization; hence, banded iron formations (accompanied by zones of depletion of iron) in rock matrices have attracted attention with special interest in the method of transportation of iron compounds through the rock. Di- and tetramethoxyscytonemin and their iron(III) complexes have been modeled and studied computationally by using density functional theory calculations at the level of B3LYP/6-31G** methodology. We propose new structures that could feature in survival strategy and facilitate the movement of iron through the rock especially for iron-rich stressed terrestrial environments exemplified by the Río Tinto system with the added potential of subsurface Mars exploration. This study represents a continuation of our previous work on scytonemin. The calculated Raman spectra of the proposed iron complexes are compared with those of their parent compounds and discussed in relation to structural changes effected in the parent ligand upon complexation. This information leads to new insights to be gained by experimental Raman spectroscopists and the characterization of spectroscopic biosignatures for the database being compiled for the remote Raman analytical interrogation of the martian surface and subsurface being proposed for the ESA ExoMars mission planned for launch in 2018.

Dynamical stability of Fe-H in the Earth's mantle and core regions.

PubMed

Isaev, Eyvaz I; Skorodumova, Natalia V; Ahuja, Rajeev; Vekilov, Yuri K; Johansson, Börje

2007-05-29

The core extends from the depth of 2,900 km to the center of the Earth and is composed mainly of an iron-rich alloy with nickel, with 10% of the mass comprised of lighter elements like hydrogen, but the exact composition is uncertain. We present a quantum mechanical first-principles study of the dynamical stability of FeH phases and their phonon densities of states at high pressure. Our free-energy calculations reveal a phonon-driven stabilization of dhcp FeH at low pressures, thus resolving the present contradiction between experimental observations and theoretical predictions. Calculations reveal a complex phase diagram for FeH under pressure with a dhcp --> hcp --> fcc sequence of structural transitions.

Electrochemistry and the Earth's Core-Mantle Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavner, A.; Walker, D.

2001-12-01

timescales. A second set of experiments examined the behavior of iron-silicate interfaces subjected to electric fields of 1-10 V, applied for times ranging from several minutes to several days. The samples were quenched from high temperatures, mounted, and examined using both light and electron microscopy. When the iron/iron-sulfide end is charged positively (+1-2 V) with respect to the silicate, oxides form around the platinum electrode embedded within the iron metal, suggesting the reaction Fe->Fe+2+2e- occurs in the metal. When the electric field is reversed, the silicate and MgO surrounding the + electrode turns red, implying the reaction Fe+2\\rightarrowFe^{+3}+e^{-}$ occurs at the silicate (anode end) of the sample. The richness of electrical and electrically activated chemical behavior observed at metal-silicate interfaces may be relevant to the Earth's core mantle boundary.

Accretion and differentiation of carbon in the early Earth.

PubMed

Tingle, T N

1998-05-15

sulfur of iron meteorites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 37, 1295-1319; Deines, P., Wickman, F.E., 1975. A contribution to the stable carbon isotope geochemistry of iron meteorites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 39, 547-557] identical to the mode in the distribution found in diamonds, carbonatites and oceanic basalts [Mattey, D.P., 1987. Carbon isotopes in the mantle. Terra Cognita 7, 31-37]. (3) The room pressure solubility of C in molten iron is 4.3 wt% C. Phase equilibria confirm that the Fe-C eutectic persists to 12 GPa, and thermochemical calculations for the Fe-C-S system by Wood [Wood, B.J., 1993. Carbon in the core. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 117, 593-607] predict that C is soluble in Fe liquids at core pressures. The abundance of 36Ar in chondrites decreases exponentially with increasing shock pressure as observed for C. It is well known that noble gases are positively correlated and physically associated with C in meteorites [e.g. Otting, W., Zahringer J., 1967. Total carbon content and primordial rare gases in chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 31, 1949-1960; Reynolds, J.H., Frick, U., Niel, J.M., Phinney, D.L., 1978. Rare-gas-rich separates from carbonaceous chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 42, 1775-1797]. This suggests a mechanism by which primordial He and other noble gases may have incorporated into the Earth during accretion. The abundance of He in the primordial Earth required to sustain the modern He flux for 4 Ga (assuming a planetary 3 He/4 He; Reynolds et al. [Reynolds, J.H., Frick, U., Niel, J.M., Phinney, D.L., 1978. Rare-gas-rich separates from carbonaceous chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 42, 1775-1797] is calculated to be > or = 10(-8) cm3 g-1. This minimum estimate is consistent with a 1-10% efficiency of noble gas retention during accretion and the observed abundance of He in carbonaceous chondrites (10(-5) to 10(-4) cm3 g-1 excluding spallogenic contributions).

An iridium-rich iron micrometeorite with silicate inclusions from the Moon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jolliff, Bradley L.; Korotev, Randy L.; Haskin, Larry A.

1993-01-01

We have found a 0.1 mg iron micrometeorite containing meteoritic silicate inclusions in an agglutinate from 2-2.5 cm deep in regolith core 60014. The metal is 93 percent iron, 6.5 percent nickel, 0.5 percent cobalt, approximately 150 ppm iridium, and less than 2 ppm gold. Although the Ir concentration is higher than that reported previously for any iron meteorite group, it lies on the extrapolation to low Ni and high Ir concentrations of several meteorite groups on Ni,Ir plots (groups 2C,D,E, and 3AB,E,F). Tiny, subrounded silicate inclusions comprise low-Ca pyroxene (En83), olivine (FO80), and albitic and potassic feldspars, as mixtures of minerals or glasses. Minor phases include oldhamite (CaS) and, tentatively, hercynite (FeAl2O4). The inclusions have pyroxene FeO/MnO of approximately 25 and olivine FeO/MnO of 40-60. In comparison with known iron meteorites, the inclusions are most similar to those in type 2E, e.g., Weekeroo Station, Colomera, and Kodaikanal. As far as we know, this is the first observation of an iron meteorite with silicate inclusions from a lunar sample. No metal fragments with meteoritic, nonmetallic inclusions were reported in several previous, exhaustive studies of soil particles.

Method of coating an iron-based article

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Magdefrau, Neal; Beals, James T.; Sun, Ellen Y.

A method of coating an iron-based article includes a first heating step of heating a substrate that includes an iron-based material in the presence of an aluminum source material and halide diffusion activator. The heating is conducted in a substantially non-oxidizing environment, to cause the formation of an aluminum-rich layer in the iron-based material. In a second heating step, the substrate that has the aluminum-rich layer is heated in an oxidizing environment to oxidize the aluminum in the aluminum-rich layer.

Effect of light elements on the sound velocities in solid iron: Implications for the composition of Earth's core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badro, James; Fiquet, Guillaume; Guyot, François; Gregoryanz, Eugene; Occelli, Florent; Antonangeli, Daniele; d'Astuto, Matteo

2007-02-01

We measured compressional sound velocities in light element alloys of iron (FeO, FeSi, FeS, and FeS2) at high-pressure by inelastic X-ray scattering. This dataset provides new mineralogical constraints on the composition of Earth's core, and completes the previous sets formed by the pressure-density systematics for these compounds. Based on the combination of these datasets and their comparison with radial seismic models, we propose an average composition model of the Earth's core. We show that the incorporation of small amounts of silicon or oxygen is compatible with geophysical observations and geochemical abundances. The effect of nickel on the calculated light element contents is shown to be negligible. The preferred core model derived from our measurements is an inner core which contains 2.3 wt.% silicon and traces of oxygen, and an outer core containing 2.8 wt.% silicon and around 5.3 wt.% oxygen.

Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of High Iron Toxicity in Yeast

PubMed Central

Lin, Huilan; Li, Liangtao; Jia, Xuan; Ward, Diane McVey; Kaplan, Jerry

2011-01-01

Iron storage in yeast requires the activity of the vacuolar iron transporter Ccc1. Yeast with an intact CCC1 are resistant to iron toxicity, but deletion of CCC1 renders yeast susceptible to iron toxicity. We used genetic and biochemical analysis to identify suppressors of high iron toxicity in Δccc1 cells to probe the mechanism of high iron toxicity. All genes identified as suppressors of high iron toxicity in aerobically grown Δccc1 cells encode organelle iron transporters including mitochondrial iron transporters MRS3, MRS4, and RIM2. Overexpression of MRS3 suppressed high iron toxicity by decreasing cytosolic iron through mitochondrial iron accumulation. Under anaerobic conditions, Δccc1 cells were still sensitive to high iron toxicity, but overexpression of MRS3 did not suppress iron toxicity and did not result in mitochondrial iron accumulation. We conclude that Mrs3/Mrs4 can sequester iron within mitochondria under aerobic conditions but not anaerobic conditions. We show that iron toxicity in Δccc1 cells occurred under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Microarray analysis showed no evidence of oxidative damage under anaerobic conditions, suggesting that iron toxicity may not be solely due to oxidative damage. Deletion of TSA1, which encodes a peroxiredoxin, exacerbated iron toxicity in Δccc1 cells under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, suggesting a unique role for Tsa1 in iron toxicity. PMID:21115478

High-grade iron ore at Windarling, Yilgarn Craton: a product of syn-orogenic deformation, hypogene hydrothermal alteration and supergene modification in an Archean BIF-basalt lithostratigraphy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angerer, Thomas; Hagemann, Steffen G.; Danyushevsky, Leonid

2013-08-01

Banded iron formation (BIF)-hosted iron ore deposits in the Windarling Range are located in the lower greenstone succession of the Marda-Diemals greenstone belt, Southern Cross domain, Yilgarn Craton and constitute a total hematite-martite-goethite ore resource of minimum 52 Mt at 60 wt.% Fe (0.07 P). Banded iron formation is interlayered with high-Mg basalts at Windarling and precipitated during episodes of volcanic quiescence. Trace element content and the rare earth element (REE) ratios Y/Ho (42 to 45), Sm/Yb (1.5), together with positive La and Gd anomalies in `least-altered' hematite-magnetite-metachert-BIF indicate the precipitation from Archean seawater that was fertilised by hydrothermal vent fluids with a basaltic HREE-Y signature. Hypogene iron ore in sub-greenschist facies metamorphosed BIF formed during three distinct stages: ore stage 1 was a syn- to post-metamorphic, syn-D1, Fe-Ca-Mg-Ni-Co-P-REE metasomatism that produced local Ni-REE-rich Fe-dolomite-magnetite alteration in BIF. Hydrothermal alteration was induced by hot fluid flow controlled by brittle-ductile reactivation of BIF-basalt margins and crosscutting D1 faults. The Ni-Co-rich content of dolomite and a shift in REE ratios in carbonate-altered BIF towards Archean mafic rock signature (Y/Ho to 31 to 40, Sm/Yb to 1 to 2 and Gd/Gd* to 1.2 to 1.4) suggest that high-Mg basalts in the Windarling Range were the primary source of introduced metals. During ore stage 2, a syn-deformational and likely acidic and oxidised fluid flow along BIF-basalt margins and within D1 faults leached carbonate and precipitated lepidoblastic and anhedral/granoblastic hematite. High-grade magnetite-hematite ore is formed during this stage. Ore stage 3 hydrothermal specular hematite (spcH)-Fe-dolomite-quartz alteration was controlled by a late-orogenic, brittle, compressional/transpressional stage (D4; the regional-scale shear-zone-related D3 is not preserved in Windarling). This minor event remobilised iron oxides

On the Interior of Carbon-Rich Exoplanets: New Insight from Si-C System at Ultra High Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miozzi Ferrini, F.; Morard, G.; Antonangeli, D.; Clark, A. N.; Edmund, E.; Fiquet, G.; Mezouar, M.

2017-12-01

The variability in the mass/radius ratio of the more than 3200 exoplanets discovered so far, is a direct consequence of the large diversity of their internal composition. Exoplanets with a mass between 1 and 10 times the mass of the Earth are typically referred to as super-Earths, and their mineralogical composition depends on that of the protoplanetary disk. The key variable in determining the chemical makeup of such planets is the C/O ratio. Values of C/O ratio smaller than 0.8 correspond to an interior dominated by silicates (e.g. terrestrial planets), whereas for C/O ratios > 0.8 the interior is enriched in carbon. In these C-rich planets, Si may form carbides instead of silicates (Duffy et al., 2015). The detection of planet 55 Cancri e, with a particularly high C/O ratio, has increased the interest in carbon-rich planets. 55 Cancri e has been modelled as a layered structure made by different assemblages of carbon, silicon and iron (Madhusudan et al., 2012). However, the accuracy of such type of models suffers the lack of experimental data on the Si - C system at extreme conditions of pressure and temperature. Experimental equations of state are limited to 80 GPa (Nisr et al., 2017) and little is known about subsolidus relation, with only one theoretical study from Wilson and Militzer (2004) at multi-megabar pressures. Here we present experiments on SiC samples by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, in laser heated diamond anvil cell between 30-200 GPa and 300-3500 K. The results show evidences of coexistence of SiC with Si or C, without the appearance of intermediate compounds. Moreover, between 60 and 75 GPa, SiC undergoes a phase transition from the zinc blend structure (B3), to the rock salt structure (B1). This phase transition, also reported in previous literature work (e.g. Daviau and Lee, 2017), corresponds to a change in the atoms coordination, and is accompanied by an important volume reduction. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the ERC Planet

High Tolerance to Iron Contamination in Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Poindexter, Jeremy R.; Hoye, Robert L. Z.; Nienhaus, Lea

The relationship between charge-carrier lifetime and the tolerance of lead halide perovskite (LHP) solar cells to intrinsic point defects has drawn much attention by helping to explain rapid improvements in device efficiencies. However, little is known about how charge-carrier lifetime and solar cell performance in LHPs are affected by extrinsic defects (i.e., impurities), including those that are common in manufacturing environments and known to introduce deep levels in other semiconductors. Here, we evaluate the tolerance of LHP solar cells to iron introduced via intentional contamination of the feedstock and examine the root causes of the resulting efficiency losses. We findmore » that comparable efficiency losses occur in LHPs at feedstock iron concentrations approximately 100 times higher than those in p-type silicon devices. Photoluminescence measurements correlate iron concentration with nonradiative recombination, which we attribute to the presence of deep-level iron interstitials, as calculated from first-principles, as well as iron-rich particles detected by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy. At moderate contamination levels, we witness prominent recovery of device efficiencies to near-baseline values after biasing at 1.4 V for 60 s in the dark. We theorize that this temporary effect arises from improved charge-carrier collection enhanced by electric fields strengthened from ion migration toward interfaces. Lastly, our results demonstrate that extrinsic defect tolerance contributes to high efficiencies in LHP solar cells, which inspires further investigation into potential large-scale manufacturing cost savings as well as the degree of overlap between intrinsic and extrinsic defect tolerance in LHPs and 'perovskite-inspired' lead-free stable alternatives.« less

High Tolerance to Iron Contamination in Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

DOE PAGES

Poindexter, Jeremy R.; Hoye, Robert L. Z.; Nienhaus, Lea; ...

2017-06-28

The relationship between charge-carrier lifetime and the tolerance of lead halide perovskite (LHP) solar cells to intrinsic point defects has drawn much attention by helping to explain rapid improvements in device efficiencies. However, little is known about how charge-carrier lifetime and solar cell performance in LHPs are affected by extrinsic defects (i.e., impurities), including those that are common in manufacturing environments and known to introduce deep levels in other semiconductors. Here, we evaluate the tolerance of LHP solar cells to iron introduced via intentional contamination of the feedstock and examine the root causes of the resulting efficiency losses. We findmore » that comparable efficiency losses occur in LHPs at feedstock iron concentrations approximately 100 times higher than those in p-type silicon devices. Photoluminescence measurements correlate iron concentration with nonradiative recombination, which we attribute to the presence of deep-level iron interstitials, as calculated from first-principles, as well as iron-rich particles detected by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy. At moderate contamination levels, we witness prominent recovery of device efficiencies to near-baseline values after biasing at 1.4 V for 60 s in the dark. We theorize that this temporary effect arises from improved charge-carrier collection enhanced by electric fields strengthened from ion migration toward interfaces. Lastly, our results demonstrate that extrinsic defect tolerance contributes to high efficiencies in LHP solar cells, which inspires further investigation into potential large-scale manufacturing cost savings as well as the degree of overlap between intrinsic and extrinsic defect tolerance in LHPs and 'perovskite-inspired' lead-free stable alternatives.« less

Comprehensive Utilization of Iron and Phosphorus from High-Phosphorus Refractory Iron Ore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yongsheng; Zhang, Qi; Han, Yuexin; Gao, Peng; Li, Guofeng

2018-02-01

An innovative process of coal-based reduction followed by magnetic separation and dephosphorization was developed to simultaneously recover iron and phosphorus from one typical high-phosphorus refractory iron ore. The experimental results showed that the iron minerals in iron ore were reduced to metallic iron during the coal-based reduction and the phosphorus was enriched in the metallic iron phase. The CaO-SiO2-FeO-Al2O3 slag system was used in the dephosphorization of metallic iron. A hot metal of 99.17% Fe and 0.10% P was produced with Fe recovery of 84.41%. Meanwhile, a dephosphorization slag of 5.72% P was obtained with P recovery of 67.23%. The contents of impurities in hot metal were very low, and it could be used as feedstock for steelmaking after a secondary refining. Phosphorus in the dephosphorization slag mainly existed in the form of a 5CaO·P2O5·SiO2 solid solution where the P2O5 content is 13.10%. At a slag particle size of 20.7 μm (90% passing), 94.54% of the P2O5 could be solubilized in citric acid, indicating the slag met the feedstock requirements in phosphate fertilizer production. Consequently, the proposed process achieved simultaneous Fe and P recovery, paving the way to comprehensive utilization of high-phosphorus refractory iron ore.

High-rate behaviour of iron ore pellet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gustafsson, Gustaf; Häggblad, Hans-Åke; Jonsén, Pär; Nishida, Masahiro

2015-09-01

Iron ore pellets are sintered, centimetre-sized spheres of ore with high iron content. Together with carbonized coal, iron ore pellets are used in the production of steel. In the transportation from the pelletizing plants to the customers, the iron ore pellets are exposed to different loading situations, resulting in degradation of strength and in some cases fragmentation. For future reliable numerical simulations of the handling and transportation of iron ore pellets, knowledge about their mechanical properties is needed. This paper describes the experimental work to investigate the dynamic mechanical properties of blast furnace iron ore pellets. To study the dynamic fracture of iron ore pellets a number of split Hopkinson pressure bar tests are carried out and analysed.

Local magnetic moments in iron and nickel at ambient and Earth's core conditions.

PubMed

Hausoel, A; Karolak, M; Şaşιoğlu, E; Lichtenstein, A; Held, K; Katanin, A; Toschi, A; Sangiovanni, G

2017-07-12

Some Bravais lattices have a particular geometry that can slow down the motion of Bloch electrons by pre-localization due to the band-structure properties. Another known source of electronic localization in solids is the Coulomb repulsion in partially filled d or f orbitals, which leads to the formation of local magnetic moments. The combination of these two effects is usually considered of little relevance to strongly correlated materials. Here we show that it represents, instead, the underlying physical mechanism in two of the most important ferromagnets: nickel and iron. In nickel, the van Hove singularity has an unexpected impact on the magnetism. As a result, the electron-electron scattering rate is linear in temperature, in violation of the conventional Landau theory of metals. This is true even at Earth's core pressures, at which iron is instead a good Fermi liquid. The importance of nickel in models of geomagnetism may have therefore to be reconsidered.

Mineralized iron oxidizing bacteria from hydrothermal vents: targeting biosignatures on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leveille, R. J.

2010-12-01

Putative hydrothermal systems have been identified on Mars based on orbital imagery and rover-based analyses. Based on Earth analogs, hydrothermal systems on Mars would be highly attractive for their potential for preserving organic and inorganic biosignatures. For example, iron oxidizing bacteria are ubiquitous in marine and terrestrial hydrothermal systems, where they often display distinctive cell morphologies and are commonly encrusted by minerals, especially bacteriogenic iron oxides and silica. Microfossils of iron oxidizing bacteria have been found in ancient Si-Fe deposits and iron oxidation may be an ancient and widespread metabolic pathway. In order to investigate mineralized iron oxidizing bacteria as a biosignature, we have examined samples collected from extinct hydrothermal vents along Explorer Ridge, NE Pacific Ocean. In addition, microaerophilic iron oxidizing bacteria, isolated from active Pacific hydrothermal vents, were grown in a Fe-enriched seawater medium at constant pH (6.5) and O2 concentration (5%) in a controlled bioreactor system. Samples and experimental products were examined with a combination of variable-pressure and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in some cases by preparing samples with a focused ion beam (FIB) milling system. Light-toned seafloor samples display abundant filamentous forms resembling, in both size and shape (1-5 microns in diameter and up to several microns in length), the twisted stalks of Gallionella and the elongated filaments of Leptothrix. Some samples consist entirely of low-density masses of silica (>90% Si) encrusted filamentous forms. The presence of unmineralized filamentous matter rich in C and Fe suggests that these are the remains of iron oxidizing bacteria. Mineralized filaments sectioned by FIB show variable internal material within semi-hollow, tubular-like features. Silica encrustations also show pseudo-concentric growth bands. In the bioreactor runs, abundant microbial growth and

Contribution of eukaryotic microbial communities to the formation of Fe-rich accretions in an extreme acidic environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodrigues, L.; Valente, T.; Correia, A.; Alves, A.; Foing, B.; Davies, G. R.

2012-04-01

In the acid mine drainage of Valdarcas, northern Portugal, Fe-rich tubular and spherical macroaccretions are directly associated with the presence of eukaryotic microorganisms. This raises the question whether they are biogenically-derived or the result of an abiotic process mediated by microeukaryotic phototrophs. The drainage water at Valdarcas is characterized by very low pH values (pH<3.5), high metal solubility and presence of iron colloids. Mineralogical analysis (XRD and SEM) of the precipitates indicates a mixture of goethite, schwertmannite and jarosite. Euglenophyta and Chlorophyta acidophilic algal were previously identified in this site. The spatial distribution of Euglena mutabilis indicated that it has a preference to grow up on schwertmannite-rich precipitates. Field observations demonstrate the existence of oxygenated microenvironments created by algal activity suggesting that algae influence iron minerals precipitation, especially schwertmannite. The mineral-microorganism interactions are relevant to understanding this unique and extreme environment. Further investigations regarding the mineralogical and chemical characterization of these deposits, and the identification of microorganisms involved in the process could be helpful to enhance our knowledge of past Fe formations throughout Earth's primordial environment. It is expectable that this information will contribute to establish a framework for recognition of biosignatures on other planets and extraterrestrial bodies. In this study, results on the chemical and mineralogical composition of the structures are presented. The biological context is characterised based on observations made by optical microscopy complemented with molecular data on the microbial communities obtained by culture independent methods. The results are discussed within the context of two models: the studied Fe-rich stromatolites are microeukaryotic-mediated as described by previous workers from similar environments or are

The microstructure and tensile properties of extruded melt-spun ribbons of iron-rich B2 FeAl

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, I.; Gaydosh, D. J.

1987-01-01

The microstructure of extruded rods of iron-rich FeAl(B2-structure), as characterized by TEM, SEM, optical microscopy and x-ray diffractometry, consisted of elongated grains with a 111-line fibre texture containing a high dislocation density. Numerous oxide particles were found, mostly in lines which reflected the matrix flow during extrusion. In addition, some large inclusions were present. Tensile testing of annealed, relatively dislocation-free specimens as a function of increasing temperature found increasing ductility up to 900K, above which a ductility drop occurred accompanied by a change in fracture mode, from transgranular cleavage to intergranular fracture. The yield strength, which was independent of temperature up to 800K (at about 500MPa), also decreased rapidly as diffusion became more important. The predominant slip vector changed from 111-line to 100-line around 700K.

High-temperature oxidation/corrosion of iron-based superalloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lemkey, F. D.; Smeggil, J. G.; Bailey, R. S.; Schuster, J. C.; Nowotny, H.

1987-01-01

The oxidation and sulfidation of several novel iron-base superalloys were evaluated in high-temperature cyclic tests. The experimental austenitic alloys examined were modifications of NASAUT-4GA which were developed for Stirling-engine application. The weight gains and resulting surface scales were measured and analyzed. Mixed oxide scales were found to form on all specimens exposed above 871 C. The build-up of these scales led to a depletion of Mn and Cr in a zone adjacent to the oxides. In addition, the initial oxidation of the Fe-rich alloy was inhibited by a thin but tenacious Si layer which formed at the interface between oxides and the parent layer. Sulfidation tests using Na2SO4 coatings resulted in the formation of a protective spinel and alpha-Fe2O3 phases. Preferential attack of the carbide phase by hydrogen was not observed after 350 h at 871 C.

Dynamical stability of Fe-H in the Earth's mantle and core regions

PubMed Central

Isaev, Eyvaz I.; Skorodumova, Natalia V.; Ahuja, Rajeev; Vekilov, Yuri K.; Johansson, Börje

2007-01-01

The core extends from the depth of 2,900 km to the center of the Earth and is composed mainly of an iron-rich alloy with nickel, with 10% of the mass comprised of lighter elements like hydrogen, but the exact composition is uncertain. We present a quantum mechanical first-principles study of the dynamical stability of FeH phases and their phonon densities of states at high pressure. Our free-energy calculations reveal a phonon-driven stabilization of dhcp FeH at low pressures, thus resolving the present contradiction between experimental observations and theoretical predictions. Calculations reveal a complex phase diagram for FeH under pressure with a dhcp → hcp → fcc sequence of structural transitions. PMID:17483486

Discussion on the application of high additional value of high purity and high quality direct reduced iron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yue, Chongfeng; Bai, Lu; Hong, Yicheng; Xu, Lijun

2018-03-01

The high purity and high quality direct reduced iron(DRI) products which were produced by high grade and high quality iron powder, with a high grade and low impurity characteristics. This article introduced the application of high purity and high quality DRI in the fields of amorphous base material, atomized iron powder, powder superalloy, high purity and ultra-low carbon special metallurgy products, precision casting, super alloy and various iron-based alloys. It provides a reference for the high added value utilization of DRI.

Magnetic transition and sound velocities of Fe 3S at high pressure: implications for Earth and planetary cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Jung-Fu; Fei, Yingwei; Sturhahn, Wolfgang; Zhao, Jiyong; Mao, Ho-kwang; Hemley, Russell J.

2004-09-01

Magnetic, elastic, thermodynamic, and vibrational properties of the most iron-rich sulfide, Fe3S, known to date have been studied with synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy (SMS) and nuclear resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (NRIXS) up to 57 GPa at room temperature. The magnetic hyperfine fields derived from the time spectra of the synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy show that the low-pressure magnetic phase displays two magnetic hyperfine field sites and that a magnetic collapse occurs at 21 GPa. The magnetic to non-magnetic transition significantly affects the elastic, thermodynamic, and vibrational properties of Fe3S. The magnetic collapse of Fe3S may also affect the phase relations in the iron-sulfur system, changing the solubility of sulfur in iron under higher pressures. Determination of the physical properties of the non-magnetic Fe3S phase is important for the interpretation of the amount and properties of sulfur present in the planetary cores. Sound velocities of Fe3S obtained from the measured partial phonon density of states (PDOS) for 57Fe incorporated in the alloy show that Fe3S has higher compressional and shear wave velocity than those of hcp-Fe and hcp-Fe0.92Ni0.08 alloy under high pressures, making sulfur a potential light element in the Earth's core based on geophysical arguments. The VP and VS of the non-magnetic Fe3S follow a Birch's law trend whereas the slopes decrease in the magnetic phase, indicating that the decrease of the magnetic moment significantly affects the sound velocities. If the Martian core is in the solid state containing 14.2 wt.% sulfur, it is likely that the non-magnetic Fe3S phase is a dominant component and that our measured sound velocities of Fe3S can be used to construct the corresponding velocity profile of the Martian core. It is also conceivable that Fe3P and Fe3C undergo similar magnetic phase transitions under high pressures.

Experimental Constraints on the Stability of Clinopyroxene (+) Magnesite in Iron Bearing Planetary Mantles: Implications for Nakhlite Formation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Audrey M.; Righter, Kevin

2010-01-01

Carbon is present in various forms in the Earth s upper mantle (carbonate- or diamond-bearing mantle xenoliths, carbonatite magmas, CO2 emissions from volcanoes...). Moreover, there is enough carbon in chondritic material to stabilize carbonates into the mantles of Mars or Venus as well as in the Earth. However, the interactions with iron have to be constrained, because Fe is commonly thought to buffer oxygen fugacity into planetary mantles. [1] and [2] show evidences of the stability of clinopyroxene Ca(Mg,Fe)Si2O6 + magnesite (Mg,Fe)CO3 in the Earth s mantle around 6GPa (about 180km). The stability of oxidized forms of carbon (like magnesite) depends on the oxygen fugacity of the system. In the Earth s mantle, the maximum carbon content is 10000 ppm [3]. The fO2 parameter varies vertically as a function of pressure, but also laterally because of geodynamic processes like subduction. Thus, carbonates, graphite, diamond, C-rich gases and melts are all stable forms of carbon in the Earth s mantle. [4] show that the fO2 variations observed in SNC meteorites can be explained by polybaric graphite-CO-CO2 equilibria in the Martian mantle. [5] inferred from thermodynamic calculations that the stable form of carbon in the source regions of the Martian basalts should be graphite (and/or diamond). After [6], a metasomatizing agent like a CO2-rich melt may infiltrate the mantle source of nakhlites. However, according to [7] and [8], the FeO wt% value in the Martian bulk mantle is more than twice that of the Earth s mantle (KLB-1 composition by [9]). As iron and carbon are two elements with various oxidation states, Fe/C interaction mechanisms must be considered.

Probing the Hydrogen Sublattice of FeHx with High-Pressure Neutron Diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, C. A.; Guthrie, M.; Boehler, R.; Somayazulu, M.; Fei, Y.; Molaison, J.; dos Santos, A. M.

2013-12-01

The combination of seismic, cosmochemical, and mineral physics observations have revealed that Earth's iron-rich core must contain some light elements, such as hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, silicon, and/or sulfur. Therefore, understanding the influence of these light elements on the structural, thermoelastic, and electronic properties of iron is important for constraining the composition of this remote layer of the Earth and, in turn, providing constraints on planetary differentiation and core formation models. The high-pressure structural and magnetic properties of iron hydride (FeHx) have previously been studied using synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Such experiments revealed that the double hexagonal close-packed (dhcp) structure of FeHx is stable above a pressure of ~5 GPa and up to at least 80 GPa at 300 K [1]. In addition, dhcp-FeHx is ferromagnetic at low-pressures, but undergoes a magnetic collapse around 22 GPa [2]. X-ray experiments provide valuable insight into the properties of FeHx, but such techniques are largely sensitive to the iron component because it is difficult to detect the hydrogen sublattice with x-rays. Therefore, neutron diffraction has been used to investigate metastable FeHx, which is formed by quenching the high-pressure phase to liquid nitrogen temperatures and probing the sample at ambient pressure [3]. However, such neutron experiments have been limited to formation pressures below 10 GPa, and cannot be performed at ambient temperature. Here we present the first in-situ investigation of FeHx at 300 K using high-pressure neutron diffraction experiments performed at the Spallation Neutrons and Pressure Diffractometer (SNAP) instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In order to achieve pressures of ~50 GPa, we loaded iron samples with a hydrogen gas pressure medium into newly designed large-volume panoramic diamond-anvil cells (DACs) for neutron diffraction experiments [4; 5]. We

The primary solar-type atmosphere surrounding the accreting Earth: H2O-induced high surface temperature.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasaki, S.

In the solar nebula, a growing planet attracts ambient gas to form a solar-type atmosphere. The structure of this H2-He atmosphere is calculated assuming the Earth was formed in the nebula. The blanketing effect of the atmosphere renders the planetary surface molten when the planetary mass exceeds 0.2 ME (ME being the present Earth's mass). Reduction of the surface melt by atmospheric H2 should add a large amount of H2O to the atmosphere: under the quartz-iron-fayalite oxygen buffer, partial pressure ratio P(H2O)/P(H2) becomes higher than 0.1. Enhancing opacity and gas mean molecular weight, the excess H2O raises the temperature and renders the atmosphere in convective equilibrium, while the dissociation of H2 suppresses the adiabatic temperature gradient. The surface temperature of the proto-Earth can be as high as 4700K when its mass is 1 ME. Such a high temperature may accelerate the evaporation of surface materials. A deep totally-molten magma ocean should exist in the accretion Earth.

Fossilization of Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria at Hydrothermal Vents: a Useful Biosignature on Mars?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leveille, R. J.; Lui, S.

2009-05-01

Iron oxidizing bacteria are ubiquitous in marine and terrestrial environments on Earth, where they often display distinctive cell morphologies and are commonly encrusted by minerals, especially bacteriogenic iron oxides and silica. Putative microfossils of iron oxidizing bacteria have been found in jaspers as old as 490Ma and microbial iron oxidation may be an ancient metabolic pathway. In order to investigate the usefulness of mineralized iron oxidizing bacteria as a biosignature, we have examined mineral samples collected from relict hydrothermal systems along Explorer Ridge, NE Pacific Ocean. In addition, microaerophilic, neutrophilic iron oxidizing bacteria, isolated from Pacific hydrothermal vents, were grown in a Fe-enriched seawater medium at constant pH (6.5) and oxygen concentration (5 percent) in a controlled bioreactor system. Both natural samples and experimental products were examined with a combination of variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission gun SEM, and in some cases by preparing samples with a focused ion beam (FIB) milling system. Natural seafloor samples display abundant filamentous forms often resembling, in both size and shape, the twisted stalks of Gallionella and the elongated filaments of Leptothrix. Generally, these filamentous features are 1-5 microns in diameter and up to several microns in length. Some samples consist entirely of low- density, porous masses of silica encrusted filamentous forms. Presumably, these masses were formed by a rapid precipitation by the influx of silica-rich fluids into a microbial mat dominated by bacteria with filamentous morphologies. The presence of rare, amorphous (unmineralized) filamentous matter rich in C and Fe suggests that these bacteria were iron oxidizers. There is no evidence that sulfur oxidizers were present. Filamentous features sectioned by FIB milling show internal material within semi-hollow tubular-like features. Silica encrustations also show pseudo

Geology of the Biwabik Iron Formation and Duluth Complex.

PubMed

Jirsa, Mark A; Miller, James D; Morey, G B

2008-10-01

The Biwabik Iron Formation is a approximately 1.9 billion year-old sequence of iron-rich sedimentary rocks that was metamorphosed at its eastern-most extent by approximately 1.1 billion year-old intrusions of the Duluth Complex. The metamorphic recrystallization of iron-formation locally produced iron-rich amphiboles and other fibrous iron-silicate minerals. The presence of these minerals in iron-formation along the eastern part of what is known as the Mesabi Iron Range, and their potential liberation by iron mining has raised environmental health concerns. We describe here the geologic setting and mineralogic composition of the Biwabik Iron Formation in and adjacent to the contact metamorphic aureole of the Duluth Complex. The effects of metamorphism are most pronounced within a few kilometers of the contact, and decrease progressively away from it. The contact aureole has been divided into four metamorphic zones-each characterized by the composition and crystal structure of the metamorphic minerals it contains. The recrystallization of iron-formation to iron-rich amphibole minerals (grunerite and cummingtonite) and iron-pyroxene minerals (hedenbergite and ferrohypersthene) is best developed in zones that are most proximal to the Duluth Complex contact.

Geology of the Biwabik Iron Formation and Duluth Complex

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jirsa, M.A.; Miller, J.D.; Morey, G.B.

2008-01-01

The Biwabik Iron Formation is a ???1.9 billion year-old sequence of iron-rich sedimentary rocks that was metamorphosed at its eastern-most extent by ???1.1 billion year-old intrusions of the Duluth Complex. The metamorphic recrystallization of iron-formation locally produced iron-rich amphiboles and other fibrous iron-silicate minerals. The presence of these minerals in iron-formation along the eastern part of what is known as the Mesabi Iron Range, and their potential liberation by iron mining has raised environmental health concerns. We describe here the geologic setting and mineralogic composition of the Biwabik Iron Formation in and adjacent to the contact metamorphic aureole of the Duluth Complex. The effects of metamorphism are most pronounced within a few kilometers of the contact, and decrease progressively away from it. The contact aureole has been divided into four metamorphic zones-each characterized by the composition and crystal structure of the metamorphic minerals it contains. The recrystallization of iron-formation to iron-rich amphibole minerals (grunerite and cummingtonite) and iron-pyroxene minerals (hedenbergite and ferrohypersthene) is best developed in zones that are most proximal to the Duluth Complex contact. ?? 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

H2-rich fluids from serpentinization: Geochemical and biotic implications

PubMed Central

Sleep, N. H.; Meibom, A.; Fridriksson, Th.; Coleman, R. G.; Bird, D. K.

2004-01-01

Metamorphic hydration and oxidation of ultramafic rocks produces serpentinites, composed of serpentine group minerals and varying amounts of brucite, magnetite, and/or FeNi alloys. These minerals buffer metamorphic fluids to extremely reducing conditions that are capable of producing hydrogen gas. Awaruite, FeNi3, forms early in this process when the serpentinite minerals are Fe-rich. Olivine with the current mantle Fe/Mg ratio was oxidized during serpentinization after the Moon-forming impact. This process formed some of the ferric iron in the Earth's mantle. For the rest of Earth's history, serpentinites covered only a small fraction of the Earth's surface but were an important prebiotic and biotic environment. Extant methanogens react H2 with CO2 to form methane. This is a likely habitable environment on large silicate planets. The catalytic properties of FeNi3 allow complex organic compounds to form within serpentinite and, when mixed with atmospherically produced complex organic matter and waters that circulated through basalts, constitutes an attractive prebiotic substrate. Conversely, inorganic catalysis of methane by FeNi3 competes with nascent and extant life. PMID:15326313

CD1 Mouse Retina Is Shielded From Iron Overload Caused by a High Iron Diet

PubMed Central

Bhoiwala, Devang L.; Song, Ying; Cwanger, Alyssa; Clark, Esther; Zhao, Liang-liang; Wang, Chenguang; Li, Yafeng; Song, Delu; Dunaief, Joshua L.

2015-01-01

Purpose High RPE iron levels have been associated with age-related macular degeneration. Mutation of the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin leads to RPE iron accumulation and degeneration in patients with aceruloplasminemia; mice lacking ceruloplasmin and its homolog hephaestin have a similar RPE degeneration. To determine whether a high iron diet (HID) could cause RPE iron accumulation, possibly contributing to RPE oxidative stress in AMD, we tested the effect of dietary iron on mouse RPE iron. Methods Male CD1 strain mice were fed either a standard iron diet (SID) or the same diet with extra iron added (HID) for either 3 months or 10 months. Mice were analyzed with immunofluorescence and Perls' histochemical iron stain to assess iron levels. Levels of ferritin, transferrin receptor, and oxidative stress gene mRNAs were measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in neural retina (NR) and isolated RPE. Morphology was assessed in plastic sections. Results Ferritin immunoreactivity demonstrated a modest increase in the RPE in 10-month HID mice. Analysis by qPCR showed changes in mRNA levels of iron-responsive genes, indicating moderately increased iron in the RPE of 10-month HID mice. However, even by age 18 months, there was no Perls' signal in the retina or RPE and no retinal degeneration. Conclusions These findings indicate that iron absorbed from the diet can modestly increase the level of iron deposition in the wild-type mouse RPE without causing RPE or retinal degeneration. This suggests regulation of retinal iron uptake at the blood-retinal barriers. PMID:26275132

First-principles theory of iron up to earth-core pressures: Structural, vibrational, and elastic properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Soederlind, P.; Moriarty, J.A.; Wills, J.M.

1996-06-01

{ital Ab} {ital initio} electronic-structure calculations, based on density-functional theory and a full-potential linear-muffin-tin-orbital method, have been used to predict crystal-structure phase stabilities, elastic constants, and Brillouin-zone-boundary phonons for iron under compression. Total energies for five crystal structures, bcc, fcc, bct, hcp, and dhcp, have been calculated over a wide volume range. In agreement with experiment and previous theoretical calculations, a magnetic bcc ground state is obtained at ambient pressure and a nonmagnetic hcp ground state is found at high pressure, with a predicted bcc {r_arrow} hcp phase transition at about 10 GPa. Also in agreement with very recent diamond-anvil-cellmore » experiments, a metastable dhcp phase is found at high pressure, which remains magnetic and consequently accessible at high temperature up to about 50 GPa. In addition, the bcc structure becomes mechanically unstable at pressures above 2 Mbar (200 GPa) and a metastable, but still magnetic, bct phase ({ital c}/{ital a} {approx_equal} 0.875) develops. For high-pressure nonmagnetic iron, fcc and hcp elastic constants and fcc phonon frequencies have been calculated to above 4 Mbar. These quantities rise smoothly with pressure, but an increasing tendency towards elastic anisotropy as a function of compression is observed, and this has important implications for the solid inner-core of the earth. The fcc elastic-constant and phonon data have also been used in combination with generalized pseudopotential theory to develop many-body interatomic potentials, from which high-temperature thermodynamic properties and melting can be obtained. In this paper, these potentials have been used to calculate full fcc and hcp phonon spectra and corresponding Debye temperatures as a function of compression. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}« less

Preserved Filamentous Microbial Biosignatures in the Brick Flat Gossan, Iron Mountain, California.

PubMed

Williams, Amy J; Sumner, Dawn Y; Alpers, Charles N; Karunatillake, Suniti; Hofmann, Beda A

2015-08-01

A variety of actively precipitating mineral environments preserve morphological evidence of microbial biosignatures. One such environment with preserved microbial biosignatures is the oxidized portion of a massive sulfide deposit, or gossan, such as that at Iron Mountain, California. This gossan may serve as a mineralogical analogue to some ancient martian environments due to the presence of oxidized iron and sulfate species, and minerals that only form in acidic aqueous conditions, in both environments. Evaluating the potential biogenicity of cryptic textures in such martian gossans requires an understanding of how microbial textures form biosignatures on Earth. The iron-oxide-dominated composition and morphology of terrestrial, nonbranching filamentous microbial biosignatures may be distinctive of the underlying formation and preservation processes. The Iron Mountain gossan consists primarily of ferric oxide (hematite), hydrous ferric oxide (HFO, predominantly goethite), and jarosite group minerals, categorized into in situ gossan, and remobilized iron deposits. We interpret HFO filaments, found in both gossan types, as HFO-mineralized microbial filaments based in part on (1) the presence of preserved central filament lumina in smooth HFO mineral filaments that are likely molds of microbial filaments, (2) mineral filament formation in actively precipitating iron-oxide environments, (3) high degrees of mineral filament bending consistent with a flexible microbial filament template, and (4) the presence of bare microbial filaments on gossan rocks. Individual HFO filaments are below the resolution of the Mars Curiosity and Mars 2020 rover cameras, but sinuous filaments forming macroscopic matlike textures are resolvable. If present on Mars, available cameras may resolve these features identified as similar to terrestrial HFO filaments and allow subsequent evaluation for their biogenicity by synthesizing geochemical, mineralogical, and morphological analyses. Sinuous

Preserved filamentous microbial biosignatures in the Brick Flat gossan, Iron Mountain, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Williams, Amy J.; Sumner, Dawn Y.; Alpers, Charles N.; Karunatillake, Suniti; Hofmann, Beda A

2015-01-01

A variety of actively precipitating mineral environments preserve morphological evidence of microbial biosignatures. One such environment with preserved microbial biosignatures is the oxidized portion of a massive sulfide deposit, or gossan, such as that at Iron Mountain, California. This gossan may serve as a mineralogical analogue to some ancient martian environments due to the presence of oxidized iron and sulfate species, and minerals that only form in acidic aqueous conditions, in both environments. Evaluating the potential biogenicity of cryptic textures in such martian gossans requires an understanding of how microbial textures form biosignatures on Earth. The iron-oxide-dominated composition and morphology of terrestrial, nonbranching filamentous microbial biosignatures may be distinctive of the underlying formation and preservation processes. The Iron Mountain gossan consists primarily of ferric oxide (hematite), hydrous ferric oxide (HFO, predominantly goethite), and jarosite group minerals, categorized into in situ gossan, and remobilized iron deposits. We interpret HFO filaments, found in both gossan types, as HFO-mineralized microbial filaments based in part on (1) the presence of preserved central filament lumina in smooth HFO mineral filaments that are likely molds of microbial filaments, (2) mineral filament formation in actively precipitating iron-oxide environments, (3) high degrees of mineral filament bending consistent with a flexible microbial filament template, and (4) the presence of bare microbial filaments on gossan rocks. Individual HFO filaments are below the resolution of the Mars Curiosity and Mars 2020 rover cameras, but sinuous filaments forming macroscopic matlike textures are resolvable. If present on Mars, available cameras may resolve these features identified as similar to terrestrial HFO filaments and allow subsequent evaluation for their biogenicity by synthesizing geochemical, mineralogical, and morphological analyses. Sinuous

Microbial Communities Associated with Biogenic Iron Oxide Mineralization in Circumneutral pH Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, C. S.; Banfield, J. F.

2002-12-01

Lithotrophic growth on iron is a metabolism that has been found in a variety of neutral pH environments and is likely important in sustaining life in microaerophilic solutions, especially those low in organics. The composition of the microbial communities, especially the organisms that are responsible for iron oxidation, and carbon and nitrogen fixation, are not known, yet the ability to recognize these contributions is vital to our understanding of iron cycling in natural environments. Our approach has been to study the microbial community structure, mineralogy, and geochemistry of ~20 cm thick, 100's meters long, fluffy iron oxide-encrusted biological mats growing in the Piquette Mine tunnel, and to compare the results to those from geochemically similar environments. In situ measurements (Hydrolab) and geochemical characterization of bulk water samples and peepers (dialysis sampling vials) indicate that the environment is microaerobic, with micromolar levels of iron, high carbonate and sulfate, and typical groundwater nitrate and nitrite concentrations. 16S rDNA clone libraries show that the microbial mat and water contain communities with considerable diversity within the Bacterial domain, a large proportion of Nitrospira and Betaproteobacteria, and no Archaea. Because clone library data are not necessarily indicative of actual abundance, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on water, mat, and sediment samples from the Piquette mine and two circumneutral iron- and carbonate-rich springs in the Oregon Cascade Range. Domain- and phylum-level probes were chosen based on the clone library results (Nitrospira, Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Planctomyces). FISH data reveal spatial associations between specific microbial groups and mineralized structures. The organisms responsible for making the mineralized sheaths that compose the bulk of the iron oxide mat are Betaproteobacteria (probably Leptothrix

A High Serum Iron Level Causes Mouse Retinal Iron Accumulation Despite an Intact Blood-Retinal Barrier

PubMed Central

Zhao, Liangliang; Li, Yafeng; Song, Delu; Song, Ying; Theurl, Milan; Wang, Chenguang; Cwanger, Alyssa; Su, Guanfang; Dunaief, Joshua L.

2015-01-01

The retina can be shielded by the blood-retinal barrier. Because photoreceptors are damaged by excess iron, it is important to understand whether the blood-retinal barrier protects against high serum iron levels. Bone morphogenic protein 6 (Bmp6) knockout mice have serum iron overload. Herein, we tested whether the previously documented retinal iron accumulation in Bmp6 knockout mice might result from the high serum iron levels or, alternatively, low levels of retinal hepcidin, an iron regulatory hormone whose transcription can be up-regulated by Bmp6. Furthermore, to determine whether increases in serum iron can elevate retinal iron levels, we i.v. injected iron into wild-type mice. Retinas were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence to assess the levels of iron-regulated genes/proteins and oxidative stress. Retinal hepcidin mRNA levels in Bmp6 knockout retinas were the same as, or greater than, those in age-matched wild-type retinas, indicating that Bmp6 knockout does not cause retinal hepcidin deficiency. Changes in mRNA levels of L ferritin and transferrin receptor indicated increased retinal iron levels in i.v. iron-injected wild-type mice. Oxidative stress markers were elevated in photoreceptors of mice receiving i.v. iron. These findings suggest that elevated serum iron levels can overwhelm local retinal iron regulatory mechanisms. PMID:25174877

PHOTOCHEICAL PRODUCTION OF HYDROXYL RADICAL IN NATURAL WATER - THE ROLE OF IRON AND DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER

EPA Science Inventory

Photochemical hydroxyl radical (OH) production was measured in several natural waters to investigate the importance of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and iron-CDOM complexes as sources of OH. High rates of OH photoproduction in highly colored, iron-rich, acidic waters a...

Alloying effects of Ni, Si, and S on the phase diagram and sound velocities of Fe under high pressures and high temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, J.; Fei, Y.; Sturhahn, W.; Zhao, J.; Mao, H.; Hemley, R.

2004-05-01

Iron-nickel is the most abundant constituent of the Earth's core. The amount of Ni in the core is about 5.5 wt%. Geophysical and cosmochemical studies suggest that the Earth's outer core also contains approximately 10% of light element(s) and a certain amount of light element(s) may be present in the inner core. Si and S are believed to be alloying light elements in the iron-rich planetary cores such as the Earth and Mars. Therefore, understanding the alloying effects of Ni, Si, and S on the phase diagram and physical properties of Fe under core conditions is crucial for geophysical and geochemical models of planetary interiors. The addition of Ni and Si does not appreciably change the compressibility of hcp-Fe under high pressures. Studies of the phase relations of Fe and Fe-Ni alloys indicate that Fe with up to 10 wt% Ni is likely to be in the hcp structure under inner core conditions. On the other hand, adding Si into Fe strongly stabilizes the bcc structure to much higher pressures and temperatures (Lin et al., 2002). We have also studied the sound velocities and magnetic properties of Fe0.92Ni0.08, Fe0.85Si0.15, and Fe3S alloys with nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering and nuclear forward scattering up to 106 GPa, 70 GPa, and 57 GPa, respectively. The sound velocities of the alloys are obtained from the measured partial phonon density of states for 57Fe incorporated in the alloys. Addition of Ni slightly decreases the VP and VS of Fe under high pressures (Lin et al., 2003). Si or S alloyed with Fe increases the VP and VS under high pressures, which provides a better match to seismological data of the Earth's core. We note that the increase in the VP and VS of Fe0.85Si0.15 and Fe3S is mainly contributed from the density decrease of adding Si and S in iron. Time spectra of the nuclear forward scattering reveal that the most iron rich sulfide, Fe3S, undergoes a magnetic to non-magnetic transition at approximately 18 GPa from a low-pressure magnetically

Diffusive Transport and Structural Properties of Liquid Iron Alloys at High Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Posner, E.; Rubie, D. C.; Steinle-Neumann, G.; Frost, D. J.

2017-12-01

Diffusive transport properties of liquid iron alloys at high pressures (P) and temperatures (T) place important kinetic constraints on processes related to the origin and evolution of planetary cores. Earth's core composition is largely controlled by the extent of chemical equilibration achieved between liquid metal bodies and a silicate magma ocean during core formation, which can be estimated using chemical diffusion data. In order to estimate the time and length scales of metal-silicate chemical equilibration, we have measured chemical diffusion rates of Si, O and Cr in liquid iron over the P-T range of 1-18 GPa and 1873-2643 K using a multi-anvil apparatus. We have also performed first-principles molecular dynamic simulations of comparable binary liquid compositions, in addition to pure liquid Fe, over a much wider P-T range (1 bar-330 GPa, 2200-5500 K) in order to both validate the simulation results with experimental data at conditions accessible in the laboratory and to extend our dataset to conditions of the Earth's core. Over the entire P-T range studied using both methods, diffusion coefficients are described consistently and well using an exponential function of the homologous temperature relation. Si, Cr and Fe diffusivities of approximately 5 × 10-9 m2 s-1 are constant along the melting curve from ambient to core pressures, while oxygen diffusion is 2-3 times faster. Our results indicate that in order for the composition of the Earth's core to represent chemical equilibrium, impactor cores must have broken up into liquid droplet sizes no larger than a few tens of cm. Structural properties, analyzed using partial radial distribution functions from the molecular dynamics simulations, reveal a pressure-induced structural change in liquid Fe0.96O0.04 at densities of 8 g cm-3, in agreement with previous experimental studies. For densities above 8 g cm-3, the liquid is essentially close packed with a local CsCl-like (B2) packing of Fe around O under

Redox Interactions between Iron and Carbon in Planetary Mantles: Implications for Degassing and Melting Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, A.; Righter, K.

2009-01-01

Carbon stability in planetary mantles has been studied by numerous authors because it is thought to be the source of C-bearing atmospheres and of C-rich lavas observed at the planetary surface. In the Earth, carbonaceous peridotites and eclogites compositions have been experimentally studied at mantle conditions [1] [2] [3]. [4] showed that the fO2 variations observed in martian meteorites can be explained by polybaric graphite-CO-CO2 equilibria in the Martian mantle. Based on thermodynamic calculations [4] and [5] inferred that the stable form of carbon in the source regions of the Martian basalts should be graphite (and/or diamond), and equilibrium with melts would be a source of CO2 for the martian atmosphere. Considering the high content of iron in the Martian mantle (approx.18.0 wt% FeO; [6]), compared to Earth s mantle (8.0 wt% FeO; [7]) Fe/C redox interactions should be studied in more detail.

Iron and vegetarian diets.

PubMed

Saunders, Angela V; Craig, Winston J; Baines, Surinder K; Posen, Jennifer S

2013-08-19

Vegetarians who eat a varied and well balanced diet are not at any greater risk of iron deficiency anaemia than non-vegetarians. A diet rich in wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, iron-fortified cereals and green leafy vegetables provides an adequate iron intake. Vitamin C and other organic acids enhance non-haem iron absorption, a process that is carefully regulated by the gut. People with low iron stores or higher physiological need for iron will tend to absorb more iron and excrete less. Research to date on iron absorption has not been designed to accurately measure absorption rates in typical Western vegetarians with low ferritin levels.

Iron Oxidation and Core Formation in Recombinant Heteropolymeric Human Ferritins.

PubMed

Mehlenbacher, Matthew; Poli, Maura; Arosio, Paolo; Santambrogio, Paolo; Levi, Sonia; Chasteen, N Dennis; Bou-Abdallah, Fadi

2017-08-01

In animals, the iron storage and detoxification protein, ferritin, is composed of two functionally and genetically distinct subunit types, H (heavy) and L (light), which co-assemble in various ratios with tissue specific distributions to form shell-like protein structures of 24 subunits within which a mineralized iron core is stored. The H-subunit possesses a ferroxidase center (FC) that catalyzes Fe(II) oxidation, whereas the L-subunit does not. To assess the role of the L-subunit in iron oxidation and core formation, two human recombinant heteropolymeric ferritins, designated H-rich and L-rich with ratios of ∼20H:4L and ∼22L:2H, respectively, were employed and compared to the human homopolymeric H-subunit ferritin (HuHF). These heteropolymeric ferritins have a composition similar to the composition of those found in hearts and brains (i.e., H-rich) and in livers and spleens (i.e., L-rich). As for HuHF, iron oxidation in H-rich ferritin was found to proceed with a 2:1 Fe(II):O 2 stoichiometry at an iron level of 2 Fe(II) atoms/H-subunit with the generation of H 2 O 2 . The H 2 O 2 reacted with additional Fe(II) in a 2:1 Fe(II):H 2 O 2 ratio, thus avoiding the production of hydroxyl radical. A μ-1,2-peroxo-diFe(III) intermediate was observed at the FC of H-rich ferritin as for HuHF. Importantly, the H-rich protein regenerated full ferroxidase activity more rapidly than HuHF did and additionally formed larger iron cores, indicating dual roles for the L-subunit in facilitating iron turnover at the FC and in mineralization of the core. The L-rich ferritin, while also facilitating iron oxidation at the FC, additionally promoted oxidation at the mineral surface once the iron binding capacity of the FC was exceeded.

Sound velocity and density of magnesiowüstites: Implications for ultralow-velocity zone topography: Sound velocities of Iron-rich Oxides

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wicks, June; Jackson, Jennifer M.; Sturhahn, Wolfgang

We explore the effect of Mg/Fe substitution on the sound velocities of iron-rich (Mg 1 - xFe x)O, where x = 0.84, 0.94, and 1.0. Sound velocities were determined using nuclear resonance inelastic X-ray scattering as a function of pressure, approaching those of the lowermost mantle. The systematics of cation substitution in the Fe-rich limit has the potential to play an important role in the interpretation of seismic observations of the core-mantle boundary. By determining a relationship between sound velocity, density, and composition of (Mg,Fe)O, this study explores the potential constraints on ultralow-velocity zones at the core-mantle boundary.

Microbial diversity and iron oxidation at Okuoku-hachikurou Onsen, a Japanese hot spring analog of Precambrian iron formations.

PubMed

Ward, L M; Idei, A; Terajima, S; Kakegawa, T; Fischer, W W; McGlynn, S E

2017-11-01

Banded iron formations (BIFs) are rock deposits common in the Archean and Paleoproterozoic (and regionally Neoproterozoic) sedimentary successions. Multiple hypotheses for their deposition exist, principally invoking the precipitation of iron via the metabolic activities of oxygenic, photoferrotrophic, and/or aerobic iron-oxidizing bacteria. Some isolated environments support chemistry and mineralogy analogous to processes involved in BIF deposition, and their study can aid in untangling the factors that lead to iron precipitation. One such process analog system occurs at Okuoku-hachikurou (OHK) Onsen in Akita Prefecture, Japan. OHK is an iron- and CO 2 -rich, circumneutral hot spring that produces a range of precipitated mineral textures containing fine laminae of aragonite and iron oxides that resemble BIF fabrics. Here, we have performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of microbial communities across the range of microenvironments in OHK to describe the microbial diversity present and to gain insight into the cycling of iron, oxygen, and carbon in this ecosystem. These analyses suggest that productivity at OHK is based on aerobic iron-oxidizing Gallionellaceae. In contrast to other BIF analog sites, Cyanobacteria, anoxygenic phototrophs, and iron-reducing micro-organisms are present at only low abundances. These observations support a hypothesis where low growth yields and the high stoichiometry of iron oxidized per carbon fixed by aerobic iron-oxidizing chemoautotrophs like Gallionellaceae result in accumulation of iron oxide phases without stoichiometric buildup of organic matter. This system supports little dissimilatory iron reduction, further setting OHK apart from other process analog sites where iron oxidation is primarily driven by phototrophic organisms. This positions OHK as a study area where the controls on primary productivity in iron-rich environments can be further elucidated. When compared with geological data, the metabolisms and mineralogy at

Siderophilic Cyanobacteria: Implications for Early Earth.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, I. I.; Mummey, D.; Sarkisova, S.; Shen, G.; Bryant, D. A.; Lindsay, J.; Garrison, D.; McKay, D. S.

2006-01-01

Of all extant environs, iron-depositing hot springs (IDHS) may exhibit the greatest similarity to late Precambrian shallow warm oceans in regards to temperature, O2 gradients and dissolved iron and H2S concentrations. Despite the insights into the ecology, evolutionary biology, paleogeobiochemistry, and astrobiology examination of IDHS could potentially provide, very few studies dedicated to the physiology and diversity of cyanobacteria (CB) inhabiting IDHS have been conducted. Results. Here we describe the phylogeny, physiology, ultrastructure and biogeochemical activity of several recent CB isolates from two different greater Yellowstone area IDHS, LaDuke and Chocolate Pots. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes indicated that 6 of 12 new isolates examined couldn't be placed within established CB genera. Some of the isolates exhibited pronounced requirements for elevated iron concentrations, with maximum growth rates observed when 0.4-1 mM Fe(3+) was present in the media. In light of "typical" CB iron requirements, our results indicate that elevated iron likely represents a salient factor selecting for "siderophilicM CB species in IDHS. A universal feature of our new isolates is their ability to produce thick EPS layers in which iron accumulates resulting in the generation of well preserved signatures. In parallel, siderophilic CB show enhanced ability to etch the analogs of iron-rich lunar regolith minerals and impact glasses. Despite that iron deposition by CB is not well understood mechanistically, we recently obtained evidence that the PS I:PS II ratio is higher in one of our isolates than for other CB. Although still preliminary, this finding is in direct support of the Y. Cohen hypothesis that PSI can directly oxidize Fe(2+). Conclusion. Our results may have implications for factors driving CB evolutionary relationships and biogeochemical processes on early Earth and probably Mars.

Hydrogen Clathrate Structures in Rare Earth Hydrides at High Pressures: Possible Route to Room-Temperature Superconductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Feng; Sun, Ying; Pickard, Chris J.; Needs, Richard J.; Wu, Qiang; Ma, Yanming

2017-09-01

Room-temperature superconductivity has been a long-held dream and an area of intensive research. Recent experimental findings of superconductivity at 200 K in highly compressed hydrogen (H) sulfides have demonstrated the potential for achieving room-temperature superconductivity in compressed H-rich materials. We report first-principles structure searches for stable H-rich clathrate structures in rare earth hydrides at high pressures. The peculiarity of these structures lies in the emergence of unusual H cages with stoichiometries H24 , H29 , and H32 , in which H atoms are weakly covalently bonded to one another, with rare earth atoms occupying the centers of the cages. We have found that high-temperature superconductivity is closely associated with H clathrate structures, with large H-derived electronic densities of states at the Fermi level and strong electron-phonon coupling related to the stretching and rocking motions of H atoms within the cages. Strikingly, a yttrium (Y) H32 clathrate structure of stoichiometry YH10 is predicted to be a potential room-temperature superconductor with an estimated Tc of up to 303 K at 400 GPa, as derived by direct solution of the Eliashberg equation.

Hydrogen Clathrate Structures in Rare Earth Hydrides at High Pressures: Possible Route to Room-Temperature Superconductivity.

PubMed

Peng, Feng; Sun, Ying; Pickard, Chris J; Needs, Richard J; Wu, Qiang; Ma, Yanming

2017-09-08

Room-temperature superconductivity has been a long-held dream and an area of intensive research. Recent experimental findings of superconductivity at 200 K in highly compressed hydrogen (H) sulfides have demonstrated the potential for achieving room-temperature superconductivity in compressed H-rich materials. We report first-principles structure searches for stable H-rich clathrate structures in rare earth hydrides at high pressures. The peculiarity of these structures lies in the emergence of unusual H cages with stoichiometries H_{24}, H_{29}, and H_{32}, in which H atoms are weakly covalently bonded to one another, with rare earth atoms occupying the centers of the cages. We have found that high-temperature superconductivity is closely associated with H clathrate structures, with large H-derived electronic densities of states at the Fermi level and strong electron-phonon coupling related to the stretching and rocking motions of H atoms within the cages. Strikingly, a yttrium (Y) H_{32} clathrate structure of stoichiometry YH_{10} is predicted to be a potential room-temperature superconductor with an estimated T_{c} of up to 303 K at 400 GPa, as derived by direct solution of the Eliashberg equation.

Metagenomic Study of Iron Homeostasis in Iron Depositing Hot Spring Cyanobacterial Community

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, I.; Franklin H.; Tringe, S. G.; Klatt, C. G.; Bryant, D. A.; Sarkisova, S. A.; Guevara, M.

2010-01-01

Introduction: It is not clear how an iron-rich thermal hydrosphere could be hospitable to cyanobacteria, since reduced iron appears to stimulate oxidative stress in all domains of life and particularly in oxygenic phototrophs. Therefore, metagenomic study of cyanobacterial community in iron-depositing hot springs may help elucidate how oxygenic prokaryotes can withstand the extremely high concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by interaction between environmental Fe2+ and O2. Method: Anchor proteins from various species of cyanobacteria and some anoxygenic phototrophs were selected on the basis of their hypothetical role in Fe homeostasis and the suppression of oxidative stress and were BLASTed against the metagenomes of iron-depositing Chocolate Pots and freshwater Mushroom hot springs. Results: BLASTing proteins hypothesized to be involved in Fe homeostasis against the microbiomes from the two springs revealed that iron-depositing hot spring has a greater abundance of defensive proteins such as bacterioferritin comigratory protein (Bcp) and DNA-binding Ferritin like protein (Dps) than a fresh-water hot spring. One may speculate that the abundance of Bcp and Dps in an iron-depositing hot spring is connected to the need to suppress oxidative stress in bacteria inhabiting environments with high Fe2+ concnetration. In both springs, Bcp and Dps are concentrated within the cyanobacterial fractions of the microbial community (regardless of abundance). Fe3+ siderophore transport (from the transport system permease protein query) may be less essential to the microbial community of CP because of the high [Fe]. Conclusion: Further research is needed to confirm that these proteins are unique to photoautotrophs such as those living in iron-depositing hot spring.

UV-light-driven prebiotic synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonfio, Claudia; Valer, Luca; Scintilla, Simone; Shah, Sachin; Evans, David J.; Jin, Lin; Szostak, Jack W.; Sasselov, Dimitar D.; Sutherland, John D.; Mansy, Sheref S.

2017-12-01

Iron-sulfur clusters are ancient cofactors that play a fundamental role in metabolism and may have impacted the prebiotic chemistry that led to life. However, it is unclear whether iron-sulfur clusters could have been synthesized on prebiotic Earth. Dissolved iron on early Earth was predominantly in the reduced ferrous state, but ferrous ions alone cannot form polynuclear iron-sulfur clusters. Similarly, free sulfide may not have been readily available. Here we show that UV light drives the synthesis of [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] clusters through the photooxidation of ferrous ions and the photolysis of organic thiols. Iron-sulfur clusters coordinate to and are stabilized by a wide range of cysteine-containing peptides and the assembly of iron-sulfur cluster-peptide complexes can take place within model protocells in a process that parallels extant pathways. Our experiments suggest that iron-sulfur clusters may have formed easily on early Earth, facilitating the emergence of an iron-sulfur-cluster-dependent metabolism.

The Basic Leucine Zipper Stress Response Regulator Yap5 Senses High-Iron Conditions by Coordination of [2Fe-2S] Clusters

PubMed Central

Rietzschel, Nicole; Pierik, Antonio J.; Bill, Eckhard; Mühlenhoff, Ulrich

2014-01-01

Iron is an essential, yet at elevated concentrations toxic trace element. To date, the mechanisms of iron sensing by eukaryotic iron-responsive transcription factors are poorly understood. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor Yap5, a member of the Yap family of bZIP stress response regulators, administrates the adaptive response to high-iron conditions. Despite the central role of the iron-sensing process for cell viability, the molecule perceived by Yap5 and the underlying regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Here, we show that Yap5 senses high-iron conditions by two Fe/S clusters bound to its activator domain (Yap5-AD). The more stable iron-regulatory Fe/S cluster at the N-terminal cysteine-rich domain (n-CRD) of Yap5 is detected in vivo and in vitro. The second cluster coordinated by the C-terminal CRD can only be shown after chemical reconstitution, since it is bound in a labile fashion. Both clusters are of the [2Fe-2S] type as characterized by UV/visible (UV/Vis), circular dichroism, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Fe/S cluster binding to Yap5-AD induces a conformational change that may activate transcription. The cluster-binding motif of the n-CRD domain is highly conserved in HapX-like transcription factors of pathogenic fungi and thus may represent a general sensor module common to many eukaryotic stress response regulators. PMID:25368382

Antarctic iron meteorites: An unexpectedly high proportion of falls of unusual interest

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clarke, R. S., Jr.

1986-01-01

The inhabited and explored areas of Earth have contributed 725 iron meteorites, accounting for 28% of the 2611 authenticated meteorites known of all types. Observed fall statistics give a much different view of relative abundance. The 42 historic iron meteorite falls spanning 230 years suggests a frequency of one fall per 5.6 years and represents only 4.9% of the total 853 known falls. Antarctic iron meteorite recoveries offer promise of providing a new perspective on the influx problem. At least 42 iron meteorite specimens were found during the last 25 years by various field teams working in Antarctica. Most of these specimens were not described in detail, but the available data indicates that 21 separate falls are represented, 50% of the number of recovered specimens. Twelve of the 21 falls were both structurally classified and placed into chemical groups. They are listed in order of increasing structural complexity and/or Ni content.

Iron-tolerant Cyanobacteria as a Tool to Study Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Iron Deposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, I. I.; Mummey, D.; Cooksey, K. E.; McKay, D. S.

2005-01-01

We are investigating biological mechanisms of terrestrial iron deposition as analogs for Martian hematite recently confirmed by. Possible terrestrial analogs include iron oxide hydrothermal deposits, rock varnish, iron-rich laterites, ferricrete soils, moki balls, and banded iron formations (BIFs). With the discovery of recent volcanic activity in the summit craters of five Martian volcanoes, renewed interest in the iron dynamics of terrestrial hydrothermal environments and associated microorganisms is warranted. In this study we describe a new genus and species of CB exhibiting elevated dissolved iron tolerance and the ability to precipitate hematite on the surface of their exopolymeric sheathes.

High-Temperature Nucleosynthesis Processes on the Proton-Rich Side of Stability: the Alpha-Rich Freezeout and the rp^2-Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, Bradley S.

2001-10-01

Nucleosynthesis on the proton-rich side of stability has at least two intriguing aspects. First, the most abundant of the stable iron-group isotopes, such as ^48Ti, ^52Cr, and ^56,57Fe, are synthesized as proton-rich, radioactive parents in alpha-rich freezeouts from equilibrium. The production of these radioactive progenitors depends in large measure on reactions on the proton-rich side of stability. The second intriguing aspect is that explosive nucleosynthesis in a hydrogen-rich environment (namely, the rp-process) may be associated with exotic astrophysical settings, such as x-ray bursts, and may be responsible for production of some of the light p-process nuclei (for example, ^92,94Mo and ^96,98Ru). We have developed web-based tools to help nuclear physicists determine which nuclear reactions on the proton-rich side of stability govern the nucleosynthesis in these processes. For the alpha-rich freezeout, one may determine the effect of any one of 2,140 reactions on the yield of any isotope in the nuclear reaction network with the web calculator. As a relevant example, I will discuss the governing role of ^57Ni (n,p)^57Co in the synthesis of the important astronomical observable ^57Co. As for explosive, proton-rich burning, I will discuss the synthesis of p-process nuclei in the repetitive rp-process (the rp^2-process). Movies of the rp^2-process illustrate its important features and give some indications of the important nuclear reactions.

Thermal, dynamic and compositional aspects of the core-forming Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stevenson, D. J.

1985-01-01

Core formation is the most important and singular differentiation event in the history of a terrestrial planet. It almost certainly involved the downward migration of a partially or wholly molten iron alloy through a silicate and oxide mantle, and was contemporaneous with accretion. Several important, unresolved issues which have implications for mantle and core geochemistry, the thermal history of the Earth, and the origin of geomagnetism are addressed: whether the early Earth was molten; whether core formation involved low or high pressure geochemistry, or both; early Earth mantle homogenization; whether equilibration established between core forming material and the mantle through which it migrated; and how much iron is stranded and unable to reach the core.

Iron Atoms in Cr-Mn Antiferromagnetic Matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szymański, K.; Satuła, D.; Dobrzyński, L.; Biernacka, M.; Perzyńska, K.; Zaleski, P.

2002-06-01

The results of the Mössbauer effect measurements on bcc Cr rich Cr-Fe-Mn alloys in temperature range 12-296 K in zero- and in applied magnetic fields are reported. Monochromatic, circularly polarized radiation was used for investigation of iron moments alignment. Strong enhancement of internal hyperfine magnetic field induced by the applied magnetic field was detected and explained as due to dynamical effects. At high temperatures alignment of iron moments in antiferromagnetic phase is weakly magnetic field-dependent. At low temperatures the average hyperfine magnetic field is antiparallel to the net magnetization showing that iron moments are partly ordered by the applied field.

Biolabile ferrous iron bearing nanoparticles in glacial sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawkings, Jon R.; Benning, Liane G.; Raiswell, Rob; Kaulich, Burkhard; Araki, Tohru; Abyaneh, Majid; Stockdale, Anthony; Koch-Müller, Monika; Wadham, Jemma L.; Tranter, Martyn

2018-07-01

Glaciers and ice sheets are a significant source of nanoparticulate Fe, which is potentially important in sustaining the high productivity observed in the near-coastal regions proximal to terrestrial ice cover. However, the bioavailability of particulate iron is poorly understood, despite its importance in the ocean Fe inventory. We combined high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy to investigate the abundance, morphology and valence state of particulate iron in glacial sediments. Our results document the widespread occurrence of amorphous and Fe(II)-rich and Fe(II)-bearing nanoparticles in Arctic glacial meltwaters and iceberg debris, compared to Fe(III)-rich dominated particulates in an aeolian dust sample. Fe(II) is thought to be highly biolabile in marine environments. Our work shows that glacially derived Fe is more labile than previously assumed, and consequently that glaciers and ice sheets are therefore able to export potentially bioavailable Fe(II)-containing nanoparticulate material to downstream ecosystems, including those in a marine setting. Our findings provide further evidence that Greenland Ice Sheet meltwaters may provide biolabile particulate Fe that may fuel the large summer phytoplankton bloom in the Labrador Sea, and that Fe(II)-rich particulates from a region of very high productivity downstream of a polar ice sheet may be glacial in origin.

Habitability constraints on water-rich exoplanets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noack, Lena; Höning, Dennis; Rivoldini, Attilio; Heistracher, Clemens; Zimov, Nastasia; Journaux, Baptiste; Lammer, Helmut; Van Hoolst, Tim; Hendrik Bredehöft, Jan

2016-04-01

This research addresses the characterization, modelling, thermal evolution and possible habitability of water-rich exoplanets. Water is necessary for the origin and survival of life as we know it. In the search for habitable worlds, water-rich planets therefore seem obvious candidates. The water layer on such planets could be hundreds of kilometers deep. Depending on the temperature profile and the pressure gradient, it is likely that at great depths a significant part of the water layer is solid high pressure ice. Whether the solid ice layer extends to the bottom of the water layer, or if a shallow lower ocean forms above the silicate mantle, depends amongst others on the thermal state of the planet. We therefore model the thermal evolution of water-rich planets with a 1D parameterized model. Depth-dependent profiles for thermodynamic properties as well as pressure and gravity are obtained by solving the Poisson equation for the gravity and the hydrostatic pressure equation for pre-defined mass and composition (in terms of iron, silicates and water) [1]. For density, equations of state are applied. For the simulation of the thermal evolution of water-rich planets, several parameters (as initial temperatures or layer thicknesses) are unknown. We therefore employ a quantitatve study with more than 20'000 simulations, where we investigated which parameters have the largest influence on the appearance of a lower ocean, i.e. the possible melting of high-pressure ice by heat flowing out of the silicate mantle [2]. We find that the surface temperature has the largest influence on the thickness of water layers, for which a lower ocean can still form between the high-pressure ice layer and the silicate mantle. For higher surface temperatures, not only entirely liquid oceans are possible for deeper water shells, also a liquid ocean can form under high-pressure ice layers of hundreds of kilometer thickness (for a 1 Earth-mass planet). Deeper down, the lower ocean can still

Quantum Magnetism Applied to the Iron-Pnictides and Rare Earth Pyrochlores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Applegate, Ryan

This dissertation presents computational studies of two families of magnetic materials of significant current interest. The iron pnictides are new high temperature superconductors with interesting parent compound antiferromagnetism. The rare earth pyrochlore material Yb2Ti2O7 is a candidate quantum spin ice. The magnetic and structural phases of individual iron pnictides have both many common features and material specific differences. In an attempt to unify these behaviors as instances of a larger theoretical picture, we use Monte Carlo simulations of a two-dimensional Hamiltonian with coupled Heisenberg-spin and Ising-orbital degrees of freedom. We introduce spin-space and single-ion anisotropies and study the finite temperature transitions in our model. We develop a phase diagram and propose that the interplay of spin and orbital physics in the presence of anisotropy could explain how material details affect the transitions of the pnictide materials. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can study magnetic materials via the hyperfine interaction and the coupling between the nuclear moment and the field produced by the samples local moment environment. Recent measurements suggest that Zn doped BaFe2As2 may have quantum fluctuations about the striped phase that produce a distribution of fields at As nuclear sites. The non-magnetic ion Zn replaces Fe and can be treated as an impurity which can be studied by a zero-temperature Ising Series expansion method. We propose a Heisenberg-like J1a-J 1b-J2 model which has small ferromagnetic exchanges along the b axis and strong antiferromagnetic exchanges along the a axis. In our impurity model we find that the magnetic moments are everywhere reduced by quantum fluctuations, except on the nearest neighbor site in the AFM direction. We suggest that the presented impurity model may provide an explanation for the experimental measurements. Based on a recently proposed quantum spin ice model, we use numerical linked cluster (NLC

Preface to highly siderophile element constraints on Earth and planetary processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riches, Amy J. V.

2017-11-01

The geochemical properties of the highly siderophile elements (HSEs; Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, Pd, Re and Au) - being strongly iron-loving, but also chalcophile (i.e., having an affinity for sulphide), and generally occurring at ultra trace levels in silicate rocks, their weathered products, and oceanic waters - mean that this suite of elements and their isotopic compositions are useful in tracing a wide variety of processes. Thus, the HSEs are useful probes with which to tackle major research questions pertinent to past and present day change at a variety of scales and in a range of Earth and other-worldly environments by constraining reservoir compositions, chemical drivers, and the timing of key events and/or transformation rates.

A Synchrotron Mössbauer Spectroscopy Study of a Hydrated Iron-Sulfate at High Pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez, T. M.; Finkelstein, G. J.; Solomatova, N. V.; Jackson, J. M.

2017-12-01

Szomolnokite is a monohydrated ferrous iron sulfate mineral, FeSO4*H2O, where the ferrous iron atoms are in octahedral coordination with four corners shared with SO4 and two with H2O. While somewhat rare on Earth, szomolnokite has been detected on the surface of Mars along with several other hydrated sulfates and suggested to occur near the surface of Venus [1,2]. It is not clear if these sulfates are a result of reactions occurring at depth driven by changes in the behavior of iron in the sulfate. To date, only a few high-pressure studies have been conducted on hydrated iron sulfates using Mössbauer spectroscopy. Our study represents a first step towards understanding of the electronic environment of iron in a monohydrated sulfate at pressure. Using a hydrostatic helium pressure-transmitting medium, the pressure dependence of iron's site-specific behavior in a synthetic szomolnokite powdered sample was explored up to about 100 GPa with time-resolved synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy at the Advanced Photon Source of Argonne National Laboratory. At 1 bar, the Mössbauer spectrum is well described by three Fe2+-like sites, consistent with conventional Mössbauer spectra reported in Dyar et al. [3]. At pressures up to 20 GPa, changes in the hyperfine parameters are most likely due to a structural phase transition. Above this pressure, a fourth site is required to explain the time-spectra. Changes in the electronic configuration of iron, such as those due to a phase transition and/or a spin crossover, will affect the material's compressibility and transport properties. We will compare our high-pressure trends with those of other iron-bearing phases and discuss the relative influence on the dynamics of terrestrial planetary interiors. 1. Bishop et al. (2014) What Lurks in the Martian Rocks and Soil? Investigations of Sulfates, Phosphates, and Perchlorates. Spectral and thermal properties of perchlorate salts and implications for Mars. Am. Min. 99(8-9), 1580

Rock magnetic properties of iron-rich Chicxulub impact ejecta from La Sierrita, northeastern Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kontny, A.; Schulte, P.; Stinnesbeck, W.

2002-12-01

Curie or Néel temperature or reflects a grain-size effect of a ferromagnetic phase. The heating leg of the MS(T) curve generally displays constant low MS values. However, heating and cooling runs are irreversible and the cooling leg displays two Curie temperatures (TC) at 570 and 480°C, thus indicating transformation during heating of iron-bearing minerals into magnetite or magnetite-near phases. No characteristic TC related either to hematite or to goethite has been detected; this absence could be related to impurities (Si, Ni) or cation deficiency. Intensity of the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of the ejecta deposits is very small (0.3-0.7 mA/m). In fields below 10 mT, alternating field-demagnetization of NRM shows initial rapid decrease of about 50 % of the original intensity, whereas in fields of 160 mT no further demagnetization occurs. Induced remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition curves reveal that some studied samples are nearly saturated in fields of 1000 mT while others are not. Furthermore, the IRM data confirm the presence of a single dominant high coercive mineral such as hematite and goethite; these are the main iron-bearing magnetic phases, in addition to chlorite. The occurrence of hematite and goethite in the La Sierrita ejecta points to highly oxidizing conditions during or after ejecta formation. Such conditions may have prevented the origination of stronger (ferro-) magnetic phases (e.g. magnetite) or destroyed them.

Formation of biomineral iron oxides compounds in a Fe hyperaccumulator plant: Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv.

PubMed

Fuente, V; Rufo, L; Juárez, B H; Menéndez, N; García-Hernández, M; Salas-Colera, E; Espinosa, A

2016-01-01

We report a detailed work of composition and location of naturally formed iron biominerals in plant cells tissues grown in iron rich environments as Imperata cylindrica. This perennial grass grows on the Tinto River banks (Iberian Pyritic Belt) in an extreme acidic ecosystem (pH∼2.3) with high concentration of dissolved iron, sulphate and heavy metals. Iron biominerals were found at the cellular level in tissues of root, stem and leaf both in collected and laboratory-cultivated plants. Iron accumulated in this plant as a mix of iron compounds (mainly as jarosite, ferrihydrite, hematite and spinel phases) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), magnetometry (SQUID), electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX; TEM-EDX; HRSTEM). A low fraction of phosphorous was detected in this iron hyperaccumulator plant. Root and rhizomes tissues present a high proportion of ferromagnetic iron oxide compounds. Iron oxides-rich zones are localized in electron dense intra and inter-cellular aggregates that appear as dark deposits covering the inner membrane and organelles of the cell. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of accumulation, transport, distribution of iron in Imperata cylindrica. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Iron isotope biogeochemistry of Neoproterozoic marine shales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunzmann, Marcus; Gibson, Timothy M.; Halverson, Galen P.; Hodgskiss, Malcolm S. W.; Bui, Thi Hao; Carozza, David A.; Sperling, Erik A.; Poirier, André; Cox, Grant M.; Wing, Boswell A.

2017-07-01

Iron isotopes have been widely applied to investigate the redox evolution of Earth's surface environments. However, it is still unclear whether iron cycling in the water column or during diagenesis represents the major control on the iron isotope composition of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Interpretation of isotopic data in terms of oceanic redox conditions is only possible if water column processes dominate the isotopic composition, whereas redox interpretations are less straightforward if diagenetic iron cycling controls the isotopic composition. In the latter scenario, iron isotope data is more directly related to microbial processes such as dissimilatory iron reduction. Here we present bulk rock iron isotope data from late Proterozoic marine shales from Svalbard, northwestern Canada, and Siberia, to better understand the controls on iron isotope fractionation in late Proterozoic marine environments. Bulk shales span a δ 56Fe range from -0.45 ‰ to +1.04 ‰ . Although δ 56Fe values show significant variation within individual stratigraphic units, their mean value is closer to that of bulk crust and hydrothermal iron in samples post-dating the ca. 717-660 Ma Sturtian glaciation compared to older samples. After correcting for the highly reactive iron content in our samples based on iron speciation data, more than 90% of the calculated δ 56Fe compositions of highly reactive iron falls in the range from ca. -0.8 ‰ to +3 ‰ . An isotope mass-balance model indicates that diagenetic iron cycling can only change the isotopic composition of highly reactive iron by < 1 ‰ , suggesting that water column processes, namely the degree of oxidation of the ferrous seawater iron reservoir, control the isotopic composition of highly reactive iron. Considering a long-term decrease in the isotopic composition of the iron source to the dissolved seawater Fe(II) reservoir to be unlikely, we offer two possible explanations for the Neoproterozoic δ 56Fe trend. First, a

Sulfur and iron speciation in gas-rich impact-melt glasses from basaltic shergottites determined by microXANES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sutton, S.R.; Rao, M.N.; Nyquist, L.E.

2008-04-28

Sulfur and iron K XANES measurements were made on GRIM glasses from EET 79001. Iron is in the ferrous state. Sulfur speciation is predominately sulfide coordination but is Fe coordinated in Lith B and, most likely, Ca coordinated in Lith A. Sulfur is abundantly present as sulfate near Martian surface based on chemical and mineralogical investigations on soils and rocks in Viking, Pathfinder and MER missions. Jarosite is identified by Moessbauer studies on rocks at Meridian and Gusev, whereas MgSO{sub 4} is deduced from MgO-SO{sub 3} correlations in Pathfinder MER and Viking soils. Other sulfate minerals such as gypsum andmore » alunogen/S-rich aluminosilicates and halides are detected only in martian meteorites such as shergottites and nakhlites using SEM/FE-SEM and EMPA techniques. Because sulfur has the capacity to occur in multiple valence states, determination of sulfur speciation (sulfide/sulfate) in secondary mineral assemblages in soils and rocks near Mars surface may help us understand whether the fluid-rock interactions occurred under oxidizing or reducing conditions. On Earth, volcanic rocks contain measurable quantities of sulfur present as both sulfide and sulfate. Carroll and Rutherford showed that oxidized forms of sulfur may comprise a significant fraction of total dissolved sulfur, if the oxidation state is higher than {approx}2 log fO{sub 2} units relative to the QFM buffer. Terrestrial samples containing sulfates up to {approx}25% in fresh basalts from the Galapagos Rift on one hand and high sulfide contents present in oceanic basalts on the other indicate that the relative abundance of sulfide and sulfate varies depending on the oxygen fugacity of the system. Basaltic shergottites (bulk) such as Shergotty, EET79001 and Zagami usually contain small amounts of sulfur ({approx}0.5%) as pyrrhotite. But, in isolated glass pockets containing secondary salts (known as GRIM glasses) in these meteorites, sulfur is present in high abundance ({approx}1

Uranium, thorium and REE partitioning into sulfide liquids at high pressure and high temperature: Implications for reduced, S-rich planetary bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wohlers, A.; Wood, B. J.

2017-12-01

Based on models of the young solar nebula it is likely that the inner planets went through an early reduced phase of accretion with high metal/silicate ratio and low volatile element contents. Mercury is an existing example of a large planetary embryo with these characteristics but also with a very high S content. In order to investigate the geochemical evolution of Mercury-like bodies we experimentally determined the partitioning of lithophile elements (U, Th, Eu, Sm, Nd, Zr, La, Ce, Yb) between sulfide liquid, low-S metals and silicate melt at 1.5 GPa and 1400-2100˚C. Our results, when combined with those of Wohlers and Wood (2015) show that under highly reducing conditions (FeOsilicate<1wt%) U, Sm, Nd and other lithophile elements partition strongly into FeS liquids relative to silicate melts. The dependences of D's on the FeS contents of the metal and FeO contents of the silicate may be understood in terms of exchange reactions: UO2 + 2FeS = 2FeO + US2silicate sulfide silicate sulfideHigh concentrations of FeSmetal and low FeO contents of the silicate melts drive the reaction to the right, yielding high US2 in the sulfide and high DU. A second effect which raises DU (and other lithophile D's) is the S content of the silicate melt. The latter increases rapidly at low FeO contents and reaches 11wt %. This greatly reduces the activity coefficient of FeO, displacing the reaction further to the right. At 1.5GPa and 1400˚C we obtain sulfide-silicate partitioning with DNd/DSm 1.4 and DTh 0.1DU. As temperature increases to 2100˚C, DNd/DSm declines to 1.0 and DTh/DU increases to 0.3. We estimated the effects of accreting a reduced sulfur-rich component (with FeS core) added to early Earth. The results at 1400˚C imply the possibility of a significant ( 11ppm) 142Nd anomaly in silicate Earth and the addition of >8 ppb U to the core, but require an unreasonably high Th/U of silicate Earth (4.54). Results at 2100˚C lead to a 142Nd anomaly of 0 but addition of such a

Atomic scale study of vacancies in Earth's inner core: effect of pressure and chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritterbex, S.; Tsuchiya, T.

2017-12-01

Seismic observations of the Earth's inner core [1] remain ambiguously related to mineral physics studies of the inner core stable crystalline iron phase [2,3,4,5]. This makes it difficult to clarify the role of plastic deformation as one of the primary candidates responsible for the observed seismic anisotropy of Earth's inner core. Nonetheless, atomic self-diffusion mechanisms provide a direct link between plastic deformation and the mechanical properties of Earth's inner core stable iron phase(s). Using first-principles density functional based calculation techniques, we have studied the conjugate effect of pressure and chemistry on vacancy diffusion in HCP-, BCC- and FCC-iron by taking into account potential light alloying elements as hydrogen, silicon and sulfur. Our results show that inner core pressure highly inhibits the rate of intrinsic self-diffusion by suppressing defect concentration rather than by effecting the mobility of the defects. Moreover, we found light elements to be able to affect metallic bonding which allows for extrinsic diffusion mechanisms in iron under inner core conditions. The latter clearly enables to enhance defect concentration and hence to enhance the rate of plastic deformation. This suggests that inner core chemistry affects the rheological properties (e.g.viscosity) of iron alloys which finally should match with seismic observations. references: [1] Deuss, A., 2014. Heterogeneity and Anisotropy of Earth's inner core. An. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 42, 103-126. [2] Anzellini, S., Dewaele, A., Mezouar, M., Loubeyre, P., Morard, G., 2013. Melting of iron at Earth's inner core boundary based on fast X-ray diffraction. Science 340, 464-466. [3] Godwal, B.K., Gonzales-Cataldo, F., Verma, A.K., Stixrude, L., Jeanloz, R., 2015. Stability of iron crystal structures at 0.3-1.5 TPa. [4] Vocadlo, L., 2007. Ab initio calculations of the elasticity of iron and iron alloys at inner core conditions: evidence for a partially molten inner core

Behaviour of Rare Earth Elements during the Earth's core formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faure, Pierre; Bouhifd, Mohamed Ali; Boyet, Maud; Hammouda, Tahar; Manthilake, Geeth

2017-04-01

Rare Earth Elements (REE) are classified in the refractory group, which means that they have a high temperature condensation and their volatility-controlled fractionation is limited to high-temperature processes. Anomalies have been measured for Eu, Yb and Sm, which are the REE with the lowest condensation temperatures in CAIs and chondrules (e.g. [1]). REE are particularly abundant in the sulfides of enstatite chondrites, 100 to 1000 times the CI value [e.g. 2,3], proving that these elements are not strictly lithophile under extremely reducing conditions. However by investigating experimentally the impact of Earth's core formation on the behavior of Sm and Nd, we have shown the absence of fractionation between Sm and Nd during the segregation of the metallic phase [4]. Recently, Wohlers and Wood [5] proposed that Nd and Sm could be fractionated in presence of a S-rich alloy phase. However, their results were obtained at pressure and temperature conditions below the plausible conditions of the Earth's core formation. Clearly, large pressure range needs to be covered before well-constrained model can be expected. Furthermore, our preliminary metal-silicate partitioning results show that Ce and Eu have higher metal/silicate partition coefficients than their neighboring elements, and that the presence of sulphur enhances the relative difference between partition coefficients. In this presentation, we will present and discuss new metal-silicate partition coefficients of all REE at a deep magma ocean at pressures ranging from those of the uppermost upper mantle ( 5 GPa) to a maximum pressure expected in the range of 20 GPa, temperatures ranging from 2500 to about 3000 K, and oxygen fugacities within IW-1 to IW-5 (1 to 5 orders of magnitude lower than the iron-wüstite buffer). We will discuss the effect of S, as well as the effect of H2O on the behaviour of REE during the Earth's core formation: recent models suggest that contrary to currently accepted beliefs, the

Iron-rich clay minerals on Mars - Potential sources or sinks for hydrogen and indicators of hydrogen loss over time

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burt, D. M.

1989-01-01

Although direct evidence is lacking, indirect evidence suggests that iron-rich clay minerals or poorly-ordered chemical equivalents are widespread on the Martian surface. Such clays can act as sources or sinks for hydrogen ('hydrogen sponges'). Ferrous clays can lose hydrogen and ferric clays gain it by the coupled substitution Fe(3+)O(Fe(2+)OH)-1, equivalent to minus atomic H. This 'oxy-clay' substitution involves only proton and electron migration through the crystal structure, and therefore occurs nondestructively and reversibly, at relatively low temperatures. The reversible, low-temperature nature of this reaction contrasts with the irreversible nature of destructive dehydroxylation (H2O loss) suffered by clays heated to high temperatures. In theory, metastable ferric oxy-clays formed by dehydrogenation of ferrous clays over geologic time could, if exposed to water vapor, extract the hydrogen from it, releasing oxygen.

High strength and high toughness steel

DOEpatents

Parker, Earl R.; Zackay, Victor F.

1979-01-01

A structural steel which possess both high strength and high toughness and has particular application of cryogenic uses. The steel is produced by the utilization of thermally induced phase transformation following heating in a three-phase field in iron-rich alloys of the Fe-Ni-Ti system, with a preferred composition of 12% nickel, 0.5% titanium, the remainder being iron.

H2-rich fluids from serpentinization: geochemical and biotic implications.

PubMed

Sleep, N H; Meibom, A; Fridriksson, Th; Coleman, R G; Bird, D K

2004-08-31

Metamorphic hydration and oxidation of ultramafic rocks produces serpentinites, composed of serpentine group minerals and varying amounts of brucite, magnetite, and/or FeNi alloys. These minerals buffer metamorphic fluids to extremely reducing conditions that are capable of producing hydrogen gas. Awaruite, FeNi3, forms early in this process when the serpentinite minerals are Fe-rich. Olivine with the current mantle Fe/Mg ratio was oxidized during serpentinization after the Moon-forming impact. This process formed some of the ferric iron in the Earth's mantle. For the rest of Earth's history, serpentinites covered only a small fraction of the Earth's surface but were an important prebiotic and biotic environment. Extant methanogens react H2 with CO2 to form methane. This is a likely habitable environment on large silicate planets. The catalytic properties of FeNi3 allow complex organic compounds to form within serpentinite and, when mixed with atmospherically produced complex organic matter and waters that circulated through basalts, constitutes an attractive prebiotic substrate. Conversely, inorganic catalysis of methane by FeNi3 competes with nascent and extant life. Copyright 2004 The National Academy of Sciencs of the USA

Effects of Carbon Addition on Iron and Phosphorus in a Highly Weathered Tropical Soil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liptzin, D.; Silver, W. L.

2008-12-01

In the highly weathered iron (Fe)-rich soils of wet tropical forests, Fe may play a key role in controlling ecosystem processes because of its interactions with carbon (C) and phosphorus (P). The high NPP typical of tropical forests contributes significantly to the global C cycle. In Fe-rich tropical soils, NPP is thought to be limited by P. The periodic reducing conditions that occur in upland tropical soils may be associated with pulses of increased P availability because of the release of Fe-bound P during iron reduction. While little is known about the factors controlling Fe reduction in soils, it is likely that C availability plays a role. Typically, only simple C sources like acetate or glucose have been used to examine this limitation. However, the source of much of the C in nature is the complex mixture of organic compounds leached from leaves and litter. To investigate the linkages between Fe, C, and P, we compared the effects adding either acetate (200 mg C/L) or leaf leachate in low (50-100 mg C/L) or high (150-200 mg C/L) concentrations to incubated soils from a tropical rain forest in Puerto Rico under ambient atmospheric conditions. We measured pools of iron and phosphorus as well as pH at four time points over a month. Both Fe(II) and pH exhibited significant treatment effects, but not until the last sampling date. At this time, the Fe(II) concentration could explain 49% of the variability in soil pH. The pH was significantly higher in the acetate treatments than both the leaf leachate treatments. While Fe(II) concentration was significantly higher in the acetate treatment than the control and low leaf leachate treatment, there was no difference compared to the high leaf leachate treatment After one month microbial biomass P had increased significantly while the NaOH extractable organic P had decreased significantly. These changes suggest the rapid microbial uptake of P liberated from Fe. In conclusion, microbes appear to utilize more complex C in

A hydrogen-rich early Earth atmosphere.

PubMed

Tian, Feng; Toon, Owen B; Pavlov, Alexander A; De Sterck, H

2005-05-13

We show that the escape of hydrogen from early Earth's atmosphere likely occurred at rates slower by two orders of magnitude than previously thought. The balance between slow hydrogen escape and volcanic outgassing could have maintained a hydrogen mixing ratio of more than 30%. The production of prebiotic organic compounds in such an atmosphere would have been more efficient than either exogenous delivery or synthesis in hydrothermal systems. The organic soup in the oceans and ponds on early Earth would have been a more favorable place for the origin of life than previously thought.

Desiccation tolerance of iron bacteria biofilms on Mars regolith simulants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feyh, Nina; Szewzyk, Ulrich

2010-05-01

Iron oxidizing bacteria play an important role in the geological redox cycling of iron on earth. The redox change between Fe(II) and Fe(III) can be used for biological energy production [1]. Therefore iron oxidation in the iron rich martian soils may be or may have been microbially mediated. The microbial conversion of iron is considered to be an ancient form of metabolism [2], so it might have evolved on Mars as well. However, to exist in recent martian soils, bacteria must be able to endure dry and cold conditions. Neutrophilic iron oxidizers can be found in various iron rich aquatic environments, where they lead to the precipitation of insoluble ferric hydroxides. Some of these environments fall temporarily dry, what could have led to an adaptation to desiccation by bacteria, existing there. One strategy of iron bacteria to endure drought stress might be the formation of biofilms by excreting Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS). The deposition of iron hydroxides could enable them to endure dry conditions as well. For our experiments, neutrophilic iron oxidizing bacteria have been isolated from a creek in Bad Salzhausen/Hesse and temporarily drying out pools in Tierra del Fuego. Strains from aquatic environments in the national park "Unteres Odertal" and from water wells in Berlin/Brandenburg are included in the tests as well. In desiccation experiments, the capability of iron bacteria to tolerate dry conditions are investigated. The aim of our first experiment is the adaptation to dry conditions. Biofilms of 15 strains are grown on ceramic beads in liquid medium containing complexed Fe(II), established biofilms contain Fe(III) precipitates. The cultures are desiccated in a sterile airflow until the weight of the cultures remained constant. After a desiccation period of 9 h up to 7 d, the beads are transferred to fresh liquid medium. Adapted strains are used in further desiccation experiments, where biofilms are grown on two martian regolith simulants. These

Iron minerals within specific microfossil morphospecies of the 1.88 Ga Gunflint Formation.

PubMed

Lepot, Kevin; Addad, Ahmed; Knoll, Andrew H; Wang, Jian; Troadec, David; Béché, Armand; Javaux, Emmanuelle J

2017-03-23

Problematic microfossils dominate the palaeontological record between the Great Oxidation Event 2.4 billion years ago (Ga) and the last Palaeoproterozoic iron formations, deposited 500-600 million years later. These fossils are often associated with iron-rich sedimentary rocks, but their affinities, metabolism, and, hence, their contributions to Earth surface oxidation and Fe deposition remain unknown. Here we show that specific microfossil populations of the 1.88 Ga Gunflint Iron Formation contain Fe-silicate and Fe-carbonate nanocrystal concentrations in cell interiors. Fe minerals are absent in/on all organically preserved cell walls. These features are consistent with in vivo intracellular Fe biomineralization, with subsequent in situ recrystallization, but contrast with known patterns of post-mortem Fe mineralization. The Gunflint populations that display relatively large cells (thick-walled spheres, filament-forming rods) and intra-microfossil Fe minerals are consistent with oxygenic photosynthesizers but not with other Fe-mineralizing microorganisms studied so far. Fe biomineralization may have protected oxygenic photosynthesizers against Fe 2+ toxicity during the Palaeoproterozoic.

The effect of lipids, a lipid-rich ready-to-use therapeutic food, or a phytase on iron absorption from maize-based meals fortified with micronutrient powders.

PubMed

Monnard, Arnaud; Moretti, Diego; Zeder, Christophe; Steingötter, Andreas; Zimmermann, Michael B

2017-06-01

Background: Ready-to-use-therapeutic foods (RUTFs) high in lipid, protein, and iron are used to treat malnutrition. Lipids increase gastric residence time, which could increase iron absorption, particularly from poorly soluble iron compounds and in combination with phytase. Objectives: The objectives were to 1 ) assess the effect on iron absorption of a lipid emulsion given 20 min before or together with an iron-fortified maize meal and 2 ) assess iron absorption from a micronutrient powder (MNP) given with a nutrient-dense RUTF and/or a microbial phytase. Design: A total of 41 women participated in 3 studies. They consumed a maize meal fortified with isotopically labeled ferrous sulfate (FeSO 4 ; study 1) or ferric pyrophosphate (FePP; study 2). In studies 1 and 2, a lipid emulsion was given with or 20 min before the meal. In study 3, with the use of a 2 × 2 factorial design, subjects consumed a maize meal fortified with an MNP containing labeled FeSO 4 (MNP) given with an RUTF (MNP+RUTF), with a phytase (MNP+phytase), or both (MNP+RUTF+phytase). Iron absorption was assessed by isotope incorporation in erythrocytes 14 d after the test meals. Results: The lipid emulsion given either before or with the meal significantly increased iron absorption from FePP by 2.55-fold (95% CI: 1.48-, 4.37-fold; P = 0.001) but not from FeSO 4 There was a trend to increase iron absorption with the MNP+RUTF meal, which did not reach significance (1.21-fold; 95% CI: 0.92-, 1.61-fold; P = 0.060). The addition of phytase to MNP and MNP+RUTF significantly increased iron absorption by 1.85-fold (95% CI: 1.49-, 2.29-fold; P < 0.001), with no interaction between phytase and RUTF. Conclusions: In iron-fortified maize-based meals, the addition of lipids more than doubles iron absorption from FePP. Our results suggest the possibility of an enhancing effect on iron absorption of lipid-rich RUTFs, but more research is needed to determine this. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as

Metal-rich RRc Stars in the Carnegie RR Lyrae Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sneden, Christopher; Preston, George W.; Kollmeier, Juna A.; Crane, Jeffrey D.; Morrell, Nidia; Prieto, José L.; Shectman, Stephen A.; Skowron, Dorota M.; Thompson, Ian B.

2018-01-01

We describe and employ a stacking procedure to investigate abundances derived from the low signal-to-noise ratio spectra obtained in the Carnegie RR Lyrae Survey (CARRS). We find iron metallicities that extend from [Fe/H] ∼ ‑2.5 to values at least as large as [Fe/H] ∼ ‑0.5 in the 274-spectrum CARRS RRc data set. We consider RRc sample contamination by high amplitude solar metallicity δ Scuti stars (HADS) at periods less than 0.3 days, where photometric discrimination between RRc and δ Scuti stars has proven to be problematic. We offer a spectroscopic discriminant, the well-marked overabundance of heavy elements, principally [Ba/H], that is a common, if not universal, characteristic of HADS of all periods and axial rotations. No bona fide RRc stars known to us have verified heavy-element overabundances. Three out of 34 stars in our sample with [Fe/H] > ‑0.7 exhibit anomalously strong features of Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, and many rare earths. However, carbon is not enhanced in these three stars, and we conclude that their elevated n-capture abundances have not been generated in interior neutron-capture nucleosynthesis. Contamination by HADS appears to be unimportant, and metal-rich RRc stars occur in approximately the same proportion in the Galactic field as do metal-rich RRab stars. An apparent dearth of metal-rich RRc is probably a statistical fluke. Finally, we show that RRc stars have a similar inverse period–metallicity relationship as has been found for RRab stars.

High Latitude Dust in the Earth System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bullard, Joanna E.; Baddock, Matthew; Bradwell, Tom; Crusius, John; Darlington, Eleanor; Gaiero, Diego; Gasso, Santiago; Gisladottir, Gudrun; Hodgkins, Richard; McCulloch, Robert;

High-latitude dust in the Earth system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bullard, Joanna E; Baddock, Matthew; Bradwell, Tom; Crusius, John; Darlington, Eleanor; Gaiero, Diego; Gasso, Santiago; Gisladottir, Gudrun; Hodgkins, Richard; McCulloch, Robert; NcKenna Neuman, Cheryl; Mockford, Tom; Stewart, Helena; Thorsteinsson, Throstur

2016-01-01

Natural dust is often associated with hot, subtropical deserts, but significant dust events have been reported from cold, high latitudes. This review synthesizes current understanding of high-latitude (≥50°N and ≥40°S) dust source geography and dynamics and provides a prospectus for future research on the topic. Although the fundamental processes controlling aeolian dust emissions in high latitudes are essentially the same as in temperate regions, there are additional processes specific to or enhanced in cold regions. These include low temperatures, humidity, strong winds, permafrost and niveo-aeolian processes all of which can affect the efficiency of dust emission and distribution of sediments. Dust deposition at high latitudes can provide nutrients to the marine system, specifically by contributing iron to high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll oceans; it also affects ice albedo and melt rates. There have been no attempts to quantify systematically the expanse, characteristics, or dynamics of high-latitude dust sources. To address this, we identify and compare the main sources and drivers of dust emissions in the Northern (Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Iceland) and Southern (Antarctica, New Zealand, and Patagonia) Hemispheres. The scarcity of year-round observations and limitations of satellite remote sensing data at high latitudes are discussed. It is estimated that under contemporary conditions high-latitude sources cover >500,000 km2 and contribute at least 80–100 Tg yr−1 of dust to the Earth system (~5% of the global dust budget); both are projected to increase under future climate change scenarios.

Testing of fuel/oxidizer-rich, high-pressure preburners

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawver, B. R.

1982-01-01

Results of an evaluation of high pressure combustion of fuel rich and oxidizer rich LOX/RP-1 propellants using 4.0 inch diameter prototype preburner injectors and chambers are presented. Testing covered a pressure range from 8.9 to 17.5 MN/square meters (1292 to 2540 psia). Fuel rich mixture ratios ranged from 0.238 to 0.367; oxidizer rich mixture ratios ranged from 27.2 to 47.5. Performance, gas temperature uniformity, and stability data for two fuel rich and two ozidizer rich preburner injectors are presented for a conventional like-on-like (LOL) design and a platelet design injector. Kinetically limited combustion is shown by the excellent agreement of measured fuel rich gas composition and C performance data with kinetic model predictions. The oxidizer rich test results support previous equilibrium combustion predictions.

Identification of New Neutron-Rich Isotopes in the Rare-Earth Region Produced by 345 MeV/nucleon 238U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuda, Naoki; Kubo, Toshiyuki; Kameda, Daisuke; Inabe, Naohito; Suzuki, Hiroshi; Shimizu, Yohei; Takeda, Hiroyuki; Kusaka, Kensuke; Yanagisawa, Yoshiyuki; Ohtake, Masao; Tanaka, Kanenobu; Yoshida, Koichi; Sato, Hiromi; Baba, Hidetada; Kurokawa, Meiko; Ohnishi, Tetsuya; Iwasa, Naohito; Chiba, Ayuko; Yamada, Taku; Ideguchi, Eiji; Go, Shintaro; Yokoyama, Rin; Fujii, Toshihiko; Nishibata, Hiroki; Ieki, Kazuo; Murai, Daichi; Momota, Sadao; Nishimura, Daiki; Sato, Yoshiteru; Hwang, Jongwon; Kim, Sunji; Tarasov, Oleg B.; Morrissey, David J.; Simpson, Gary

2018-01-01

A search for new isotopes in the neutron-rich rare-earth region has been carried out using a 345 MeV/nucleon 238U beam at the RIKEN Nishina Center RI Beam Factory. Fragments produced were analyzed and identified using the BigRIPS in-flight separator. We observed a total of 29 new neutron-rich isotopes: 153Ba, 154,155,156La, 156,157,158Ce, 156,157,158,159,160,161Pr, 162,163Nd, 164,165Pm, 166,167Sm, 169Eu, 171Gd, 173,174Tb, 175,176Dy, 177,178Ho, and 179,180Er.

The preservation and degradation of filamentous bacteria and biomolecules within iron oxide deposits at Rio Tinto, Spain.

PubMed

Preston, L J; Shuster, J; Fernández-Remolar, D; Banerjee, N R; Osinski, G R; Southam, G

2011-05-01

One of the keys to understanding and identifying life on other planets is to study the preservation of organic compounds and their precursor micro-organisms on Earth. Rio Tinto in southwestern Spain is a well documented site of microbial preservation within iron sulphates and iron oxides over a period of 2.1 Ma. This study has investigated the preservation of filamentous iron oxidising bacteria and organics through optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, from laboratory cultures of natural samples to contemporary natural materials to million-year old river terraces. Up to 40% elemental carbon and >7% nitrogen has been identified within microbial filaments and cell clusters in all samples through SEM EDS analyses. FTIR spectroscopy identified C-H(x) absorption bands between 2960 and 2800 cm(-1), Amide I and II absorption bands at 1656 and 1535 cm(-1), respectively and functional group vibrations from within nucleic acids at 917, 1016 and 1124 cm(-1). Absorption bands tracing the diagenetic transformation of jarosite to goethite to hematite through the samples are also identified. This combination of mineralogy, microbial morphology and biomolecular evidence allows us to further understand how organic fossils are created and preserved in iron-rich environments, and ultimately will aid in the search for the earliest life on Earth and potential organics on Mars. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Iron chalcogenide superconductors at high magnetic fields

PubMed Central

Lei, Hechang; Wang, Kefeng; Hu, Rongwei; Ryu, Hyejin; Abeykoon, Milinda; Bozin, Emil S; Petrovic, Cedomir

2012-01-01

Iron chalcogenide superconductors have become one of the most investigated superconducting materials in recent years due to high upper critical fields, competing interactions and complex electronic and magnetic phase diagrams. The structural complexity, defects and atomic site occupancies significantly affect the normal and superconducting states in these compounds. In this work we review the vortex behavior, critical current density and high magnetic field pair-breaking mechanism in iron chalcogenide superconductors. We also point to relevant structural features and normal-state properties. PMID:27877518

Sphagnum-dominated bog systems are highly effective yet variable sources of bio-available iron to marine waters.

PubMed

Krachler, Regina; Krachler, Rudolf F; Wallner, Gabriele; Steier, Peter; El Abiead, Yasin; Wiesinger, Hubert; Jirsa, Franz; Keppler, Bernhard K

2016-06-15

Iron is a micronutrient of particular interest as low levels of iron limit primary production of phytoplankton and carbon fluxes in extended regions of the world's oceans. Sphagnum-peatland runoff is extraordinarily rich in dissolved humic-bound iron. Given that several of the world's largest wetlands are Sphagnum-dominated peatlands, this ecosystem type may serve as one of the major sources of iron to the ocean. Here, we studied five near-coastal creeks in North Scotland using freshwater/seawater mixing experiments of natural creek water and synthetic seawater based on a (59)Fe radiotracer technique combined with isotopic characterization of dissolved organic carbon by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. Three of the creeks meander through healthy Sphagnum-dominated peat bogs and the two others through modified peatlands which have been subject to artificial drainage for centuries. The results revealed that, at the time of sampling (August 16-24, 2014), the creeks that run through modified peatlands delivered 11-15μg iron per liter creek water to seawater, whereas the creeks that run through intact peatlands delivered 350-470μg iron per liter creek water to seawater. To find out whether this humic-bound iron is bio-available to marine algae, we performed algal growth tests using the unicellular flagellated marine prymnesiophyte Diacronema lutheri and the unicellular marine green alga Chlorella salina, respectively. In both cases, the riverine humic material provided a highly bio-available source of iron to the marine algae. These results add a new item to the list of ecosystem services of Sphagnum-peatlands. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterizing cosmochemical materials with genetic affinities to the Earth: Genetic and chronological diversity within the IAB iron meteorite complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Worsham, Emily A.; Bermingham, Katherine R.; Walker, Richard J.

2017-06-01

The IAB iron meteorite complex consists of a main group (MG) and five chemical subgroups (sLL, sLM, sLH, sHL, and sHH). Here, mass-independent Mo and radiogenic 182W isotope compositions are reported for IAB complex meteorites to evaluate the genetics and chronology, respectively, of the MG and subgroups. Osmium isotopes are used to correct for cosmic ray exposure effects on isotopes of Mo and W. The MG and three subgroups (i.e., sLL, sLM, and sLH), characterized by low Au abundances, have the same Mo isotopic compositions within analytical uncertainty, consistent with a common genetic origin. These meteorites, together with winonaites, are the only cosmochemical materials yet identified with Mo isotopic compositions that are identical to Earth. The Mo isotopic compositions of two subgroups characterized by higher Au abundances (sHL and sHH) are identical to one another within uncertainty, but differ from the low Au subgroups, indicating derivation from genetically distinct materials. The MG has a 182W, post calcium-aluminum inclusion (CAI) formation model age of 3.4 ± 0.7 Ma. One of the low Au subgroups (sLM) is ∼1.7 Ma younger, whereas the high Au subgroups are ∼1.5-3 Ma older. The new Mo-W data, coupled with chemical data, indicate that the MG and the low Au subgroups formed in different impact-generated melts, some of which evidently formed on a chemically disparate, but genetically identical parent body. The high Au subgroups likely formed via core-formation processes on separate, internally-heated parent bodies from other IAB subgroups. The IAB complex meteorites fall on a linear trend defined by 94Mo/96Mo vs. 95Mo/96Mo, along with most other iron meteorite groups. Variation along this line was caused by mixing between at least two nebular components. One component was likely a pure s-process enriched nucleosynthetic carrier, and the other a homogenized nebular component. Sombrerete, currently classified as an sHL iron, has a Mo isotopic composition that

Iron-Nickel alloy in the Earth's core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Jung-Fu; Heinz, Dion L.; Campbell, Andrew J.; Devine, James M.; Mao, Wendy L.; Shen, Guoyin

2002-05-01

The phase relations of an Fe10wt%Ni alloy were investigated in a diamond anvil cell up to 86 GPa and 2382 K. Adding nickel into iron stabilizes the fcc phase to higher pressures and lower temperatures compared to pure iron, and a region of two-phase coexistence between fcc and hcp phases is observed. Iron with up to 10 wt% nickel is likely to be in the hcp structure under inner core conditions. The axial ratio (c/a) of hcp-Fe10wt%Ni has a weak pressure dependence, but it increases substantially with increasing temperature. The extrapolated c/a ratio at ~5700 K and ~86 GPa is approximately 1.64, lower than a theoretically predicted value of nearly 1.7 for hcp-Fe at 5700 K and inner-core pressure. A lower c/a ratio should have an effect on the longitudinal anisotropy of the hcp phase, and hence, may influence the interpretation of the seismic wave anisotropy of the inner core.

Electron paramagnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion X-ray spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, and NMR characterization of iron-rich fired clays.

PubMed

Presciutti, Federica; Capitani, Donatella; Sgamellotti, Antonio; Brunetti, Brunetto Giovanni; Costantino, Ferdinando; Viel, Stéphane; Segre, Annalaura

2005-12-01

The aim of this study is to clarify the structure of an iron-rich clay and the structural changes involved in the firing process as a preliminary step to get information on ancient ceramic technology. To this purpose, illite-rich clay samples fired at different temperatures were characterized using a multitechnique approach, i.e., by electron paramagnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersion X-ray spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, magic angle spinning and multiple quantum magic angle spinning NMR. During firing, four main reaction processes occur: dehydration, dehydroxylation, structural breakdown, and recrystallization. When the results are combined from all characterization methods, the following conclusions could be obtained. Interlayer H2O is located close to aluminum in octahedral sites and is driven off at temperatures lower than 600 degrees C. Between 600 and 700 degrees C dehydroxylation occurs whereas, between 800 and 900 degrees C, the aluminum in octahedral sites disappears, due to the breakdown of the illite structure, and all iron present is oxidized to Fe3+. In samples fired at 1000 and 1100 degrees C iron clustering was observed as well as large single crystals of iron with the occurrence of ferro- or ferrimagnetic effects. Below 900 degrees C the aluminum in octahedral sites presents a continuous distribution of chemical shift, suggesting the presence of slightly distorted sites. Finally, over the whole temperature range, the presence of at least two tetrahedral aluminum sites was revealed, characterized by different values of the quadrupolar coupling constant.

Computational and experimental studies of iron-bearing carbonates and silicate glasses at lower mantle pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solomatova, N. V.; Jackson, J. M.; Asimow, P. D.; Sturhahn, W.; Rossman, G. R.; Roskosz, M.

2017-12-01

Decomposition of carbonates may be responsible for creating silicate melts within the lower mantle by lowering the melting temperature of surrounding rock. Identifying and characterizing the stability of carbonates is therefore a necessary step towards understanding the transport of carbon in Earth's interior. Dolomite is one of the major mineral forms in which carbon is subducted into the Earth's mantle. Although iron-free dolomite is expected to break down upon compression, high-pressure polymorphs of iron-bearing dolomite may resist decomposition. Using a genetic algorithm that predicts crystal structures, we found a monoclinic phase with space group C2/c that has a lower energy than all previously reported dolomite structures at pressures above 15 GPa, where the substitution of iron for magnesium stabilizes monoclinic dolomite at certain pressures of the lower mantle. Thus, an iron-bearing dolomite polymorph may be an important carbon carrier in regions of Earth's lower mantle. The depth at which carbonates will decompose is dependent on the age, temperature and density of subducting slabs. Decarbonation reactions may lower the melting temperature of surrounding rocks to produce silicate melts. In regions of the mantle where silicate melts may exist, it is important to understand the physical properties and dynamic behavior of the melts because they affect the chemical and thermal evolution of its interior. Composition, degree of polymerization, and iron's spin state affect such properties. The behavior of iron in silicate melts is poorly understood but, in some cases, may be approximated by iron-bearing glasses. We measured the hyperfine parameters of iron-bearing rhyolitic and basaltic glasses up to 120 GPa and 100 GPa, respectively, in a neon pressure medium using time-domain synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy. The spectra for rhyolitic and basaltic glasses are well explained by three high-spin Fe2+-like sites with distinct quadrupole splittings, reflecting

Preserved Filamentous Microbial Biosignatures in the Brick Flat Gossan, Iron Mountain, California

PubMed Central

Sumner, Dawn Y.; Alpers, Charles N.; Karunatillake, Suniti; Hofmann, Beda A.

2015-01-01

Abstract A variety of actively precipitating mineral environments preserve morphological evidence of microbial biosignatures. One such environment with preserved microbial biosignatures is the oxidized portion of a massive sulfide deposit, or gossan, such as that at Iron Mountain, California. This gossan may serve as a mineralogical analogue to some ancient martian environments due to the presence of oxidized iron and sulfate species, and minerals that only form in acidic aqueous conditions, in both environments. Evaluating the potential biogenicity of cryptic textures in such martian gossans requires an understanding of how microbial textures form biosignatures on Earth. The iron-oxide-dominated composition and morphology of terrestrial, nonbranching filamentous microbial biosignatures may be distinctive of the underlying formation and preservation processes. The Iron Mountain gossan consists primarily of ferric oxide (hematite), hydrous ferric oxide (HFO, predominantly goethite), and jarosite group minerals, categorized into in situ gossan, and remobilized iron deposits. We interpret HFO filaments, found in both gossan types, as HFO-mineralized microbial filaments based in part on (1) the presence of preserved central filament lumina in smooth HFO mineral filaments that are likely molds of microbial filaments, (2) mineral filament formation in actively precipitating iron-oxide environments, (3) high degrees of mineral filament bending consistent with a flexible microbial filament template, and (4) the presence of bare microbial filaments on gossan rocks. Individual HFO filaments are below the resolution of the Mars Curiosity and Mars 2020 rover cameras, but sinuous filaments forming macroscopic matlike textures are resolvable. If present on Mars, available cameras may resolve these features identified as similar to terrestrial HFO filaments and allow subsequent evaluation for their biogenicity by synthesizing geochemical, mineralogical, and morphological analyses

Benthic iron cycling in a high-oxygen environment: Implications for interpreting the Archean sedimentary iron isotope record.

PubMed

McCoy, V E; Asael, D; Planavsky, N

2017-09-01

The most notable trend in the sedimentary iron isotope record is a shift at the end of the Archean from highly variable δ 56 Fe values with large negative excursions to less variable δ 56 Fe values with more limited negative values. The mechanistic explanation behind this trend has been extensively debated, with two main competing hypotheses: (i) a shift in marine redox conditions and the transition to quantitative iron oxidation; and (ii) a decrease in the signature of microbial iron reduction in the sedimentary record because of increased bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). Here, we provide new insights into this debate and attempt to assess these two hypotheses by analyzing the iron isotope composition of siderite concretions from the Carboniferous Mazon Creek fossil site. These concretions precipitated in an environment with water column oxygenation, extensive sediment pile dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR) but limited bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). Most of the concretions have slightly positive iron isotope values, with a mean of 0.15‰ and limited iron isotope variability compared to the Archean sedimentary record. This limited variability in an environment with high DIR and low BSR suggests that these conditions alone are insufficient to explain Archean iron isotope compositions. Therefore, these results support the idea that the unusually variable and negative iron isotope values in the Archean are due to dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR) coupled with extensive water column iron cycling. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A comparison of mutations induced by accelerated iron particles versus those induced by low earth orbit space radiation in the FEM-3 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartman, P. S.; Hlavacek, A.; Wilde, H.; Lewicki, D.; Schubert, W.; Kern, R. G.; Kazarians, G. A.; Benton, E. V.; Benton, E. R.; Nelson, G. A.

2001-01-01

The fem-3 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans was employed to determine the mutation frequency as well as the nature of mutations induced by low earth orbit space radiation ambient to Space Shuttle flight STS-76. Recovered mutations were compared to those induced by accelerated iron ions generated by the AGS synchrotron accelerator at Brookhaven National Laboratory. For logistical reasons, dauer larvae were prepared at TCU, transported to either Kennedy Space Center or Brookhaven National Laboratory, flown in space or irradiated, returned to TCU and screened for mutants. A total of 25 fem-3 mutants were recovered after the shuttle flight and yielded a mutation frequency of 2.1x10(-5), roughly 3.3-fold higher than the spontaneous rate of 6.3x10(-6). Four of the mutations were homozygous inviable, suggesting that they were large deletions encompassing fem-3 as well as neighboring, essential genes. Southern blot analyses revealed that one of the 25 contained a polymorphism in fem-3, further evidence that space radiation can induce deletions. While no polymorphisms were detected among the iron ion-induced mutations, three of the 15 mutants were homozygous inviable, which is in keeping with previous observations that high LET iron particles generate deficiencies. These data provide evidence, albeit indirect, that an important mutagenic component of ambient space radiation is high LET charged particles such as iron ions.

PfeT, a P1B4 -type ATPase, effluxes ferrous iron and protects Bacillus subtilis against iron intoxication.

PubMed

Guan, Guohua; Pinochet-Barros, Azul; Gaballa, Ahmed; Patel, Sarju J; Argüello, José M; Helmann, John D

2015-11-01

Iron is an essential element for nearly all cells and limited iron availability often restricts growth. However, excess iron can also be deleterious, particularly when cells expressing high affinity iron uptake systems transition to iron rich environments. Bacillus subtilis expresses numerous iron importers, but iron efflux has not been reported. Here, we describe the B. subtilis PfeT protein (formerly YkvW/ZosA) as a P1B4 -type ATPase in the PerR regulon that serves as an Fe(II) efflux pump and protects cells against iron intoxication. Iron and manganese homeostasis in B. subtilis are closely intertwined: a pfeT mutant is iron sensitive, and this sensitivity can be suppressed by low levels of Mn(II). Conversely, a pfeT mutant is more resistant to Mn(II) overload. In vitro, the PfeT ATPase is activated by both Fe(II) and Co(II), although only Fe(II) efflux is physiologically relevant in wild-type cells, and null mutants accumulate elevated levels of intracellular iron. Genetic studies indicate that PfeT together with the ferric uptake repressor (Fur) cooperate to prevent iron intoxication, with iron sequestration by the MrgA mini-ferritin playing a secondary role. Protection against iron toxicity may also be a key role for related P1B4 -type ATPases previously implicated in bacterial pathogenesis. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Modeling aqueous ferrous iron chemistry at low temperatures with application to Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Marion, G.M.; Catling, D.C.; Kargel, J.S.

2003-01-01

Major uncertainties exist with respect to the aqueous geochemical evolution of the Martian surface. Considering the prevailing cryogenic climates and the abundance of salts and iron minerals on Mars, any attempt at comprehensive modeling of Martian aqueous chemistry should include iron chemistry and be valid at low temperatures and high solution concentrations. The objectives of this paper were to (1) estimate ferrous iron Pitzer-equation parameters and iron mineral solubility products at low temperatures (from < 0 ??C to 25 ??C), (2) incorporate these parameters and solubility products into the FREZCHEM model, and (3) use the model to simulate the surficial aqueous geochemical evolution of Mars. Ferrous iron Pitzer-equation parameters were derived in this work or taken from the literature. Six new iron minerals [FeCl2??4H2O, FeCl2??6H2O, FeSO4??H2O, FeSO4??7H2O, FeCO3, and Fe(OH)3] were added to the FREZCHEM model bringing the total solid phases to 56. Agreement between model predictions and experimental data are fair to excellent for the ferrous systems: Fe-Cl, Fe-SO4, Fe-HCO3, H-Fe-Cl, and H-Fe-SO4. We quantified a conceptual model for the aqueous geochemical evolution of the Martian surface. The five stages of the conceptual model are: (1) carbonic acid weathering of primary ferromagnesian minerals to form an initial magnesium-iron-bicarbonate-rich solution; (2) evaporation and precipitation of carbonates, including siderite (FeCO3), with evolution of the brine to a concentrated NaCl solution; (3) ferrous/ferric iron oxidation; (4) either evaporation or freezing of the brine to dryness; and (5) surface acidification. What began as a dilute Mg-Fe-HCO3 dominated leachate representing ferromagnesian weathering evolved into an Earth-like seawater composition dominated by NaCl, and finally into a hypersaline Mg-Na-SO4-Cl brine. Weathering appears to have taken place initially under conditions that allowed solution of ferrous iron [low O2(g)], but later caused

Recent research progress on iron- and manganese-based positive electrode materials for rechargeable sodium batteries.

PubMed

Yabuuchi, Naoaki; Komaba, Shinichi

2014-08-01

Large-scale high-energy batteries with electrode materials made from the Earth-abundant elements are needed to achieve sustainable energy development. On the basis of material abundance, rechargeable sodium batteries with iron- and manganese-based positive electrode materials are the ideal candidates for large-scale batteries. In this review, iron- and manganese-based electrode materials, oxides, phosphates, fluorides, etc, as positive electrodes for rechargeable sodium batteries are reviewed. Iron and manganese compounds with sodium ions provide high structural flexibility. Two layered polymorphs, O3- and P2-type layered structures, show different electrode performance in Na cells related to the different phase transition and sodium migration processes on sodium extraction/insertion. Similar to layered oxides, iron/manganese phosphates and pyrophosphates also provide the different framework structures, which are used as sodium insertion host materials. Electrode performance and reaction mechanisms of the iron- and manganese-based electrode materials in Na cells are described and the similarities and differences with lithium counterparts are also discussed. Together with these results, the possibility of the high-energy battery system with electrode materials made from only Earth-abundant elements is reviewed.

Recent research progress on iron- and manganese-based positive electrode materials for rechargeable sodium batteries

PubMed Central

Yabuuchi, Naoaki; Komaba, Shinichi

2014-01-01

Large-scale high-energy batteries with electrode materials made from the Earth-abundant elements are needed to achieve sustainable energy development. On the basis of material abundance, rechargeable sodium batteries with iron- and manganese-based positive electrode materials are the ideal candidates for large-scale batteries. In this review, iron- and manganese-based electrode materials, oxides, phosphates, fluorides, etc, as positive electrodes for rechargeable sodium batteries are reviewed. Iron and manganese compounds with sodium ions provide high structural flexibility. Two layered polymorphs, O3- and P2-type layered structures, show different electrode performance in Na cells related to the different phase transition and sodium migration processes on sodium extraction/insertion. Similar to layered oxides, iron/manganese phosphates and pyrophosphates also provide the different framework structures, which are used as sodium insertion host materials. Electrode performance and reaction mechanisms of the iron- and manganese-based electrode materials in Na cells are described and the similarities and differences with lithium counterparts are also discussed. Together with these results, the possibility of the high-energy battery system with electrode materials made from only Earth-abundant elements is reviewed. PMID:27877694

High-resolution simulations of the final assembly of Earth-like planets. 2. Water delivery and planetary habitability.

PubMed

Raymond, Sean N; Quinn, Thomas; Lunine, Jonathan I

2007-02-01

The water content and habitability of terrestrial planets are determined during their final assembly, from perhaps 100 1,000-km "planetary embryos " and a swarm of billions of 1-10-km "planetesimals. " During this process, we assume that water-rich material is accreted by terrestrial planets via impacts of water-rich bodies that originate in the outer asteroid region. We present analysis of water delivery and planetary habitability in five high-resolution simulations containing about 10 times more particles than in previous simulations. These simulations formed 15 terrestrial planets from 0.4 to 2.6 Earth masses, including five planets in the habitable zone. Every planet from each simulation accreted at least the Earth's current water budget; most accreted several times that amount (assuming no impact depletion). Each planet accreted at least five water-rich embryos and planetesimals from the past 2.5 astronomical units; most accreted 10-20 water-rich bodies. We present a new model for water delivery to terrestrial planets in dynamically calm systems, with low-eccentricity or low-mass giant planets-such systems may be very common in the Galaxy. We suggest that water is accreted in comparable amounts from a few planetary embryos in a " hit or miss " way and from millions of planetesimals in a statistically robust process. Variations in water content are likely to be caused by fluctuations in the number of water-rich embryos accreted, as well as from systematic effects, such as planetary mass and location, and giant planet properties.

The Earth's Core.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jeanloz, Raymond

1983-01-01

The nature of the earth's core is described. Indirect evidence (such as that determined from seismological data) indicates that it is an iron alloy, solid toward its center but otherwise liquid. Evidence also suggests that it is the turbulent flow of the liquid that generates the earth's magnetic field. (JN)

Recent changes of the Earth's core derived from satellite observations of magnetic and gravity fields.

PubMed

Mandea, Mioara; Panet, Isabelle; Lesur, Vincent; de Viron, Olivier; Diament, Michel; Le Mouël, Jean-Louis

2012-11-20

To understand the dynamics of the Earth's fluid, iron-rich outer core, only indirect observations are available. The Earth's magnetic field, originating mainly within the core, and its temporal variations can be used to infer the fluid motion at the top of the core, on a decadal and subdecadal time-scale. Gravity variations resulting from changes in the mass distribution within the Earth may also occur on the same time-scales. Such variations include the signature of the flow inside the core, though they are largely dominated by the water cycle contributions. Our study is based on 8 y of high-resolution, high-accuracy magnetic and gravity satellite data, provided by the CHAMP and GRACE missions. From the newly derived geomagnetic models we have computed the core magnetic field, its temporal variations, and the core flow evolution. From the GRACE CNES/GRGS series of time variable geoid models, we have obtained interannual gravity models by using specifically designed postprocessing techniques. A correlation analysis between the magnetic and gravity series has demonstrated that the interannual changes in the second time derivative of the core magnetic field under a region from the Atlantic to Indian Ocean coincide in phase with changes in the gravity field. The order of magnitude of these changes and proposed correlation are plausible, compatible with a core origin; however, a complete theoretical model remains to be built. Our new results and their broad geophysical significance could be considered when planning new Earth observation space missions and devising more sophisticated Earth's interior models.

Silicon rich nitride ring resonators for rare - earth doped telecommunications-band amplifiers pumped at the O-band.

PubMed

Xing, P; Chen, G F R; Zhao, X; Ng, D K T; Tan, M C; Tan, D T H

2017-08-22

Ring resonators on silicon rich nitride for potential use as rare-earth doped amplifiers pumped at 1310 nm with amplification at telecommunications-band are designed and characterized. The ring resonators are fabricated on 300 nm and 400 nm silicon rich nitride films and characterized at both 1310 nm and 1550 nm. We demonstrate ring resonators exhibiting similar quality factors exceeding 10,000 simultaneously at 1310 nm and 1550 nm. A Dysprosium-Erbium material system exhibiting photoluminescence at 1510 nm when pumped at 1310 nm is experimentally demonstrated. When used together with Dy-Er co-doped particles, these resonators with similar quality factors at 1310 nm and 1550 nm may be used for O-band pumped amplifiers for the telecommunications-band.

Ab initio simulations of iron-nickel alloys at Earth's core conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Côté, Alexander S.; Vočadlo, Lidunka; Brodholt, John P.

2012-09-01

We report ab initio density functional theory calculations on iron-nickel (FeNi) alloys at conditions representative of the Earth's inner core. We test different concentrations of Ni, up to ∼39 wt% using ab initio lattice dynamics, and investigate the thermodynamic and vibrational stability of the three candidate crystal structures (bcc, hcp and fcc). First of all, at inner core pressures, we find that pure Fe transforms from the hcp to the fcc phase at around 6000 K. Secondly, in agreement with low pressure experiments on Fe-Ni alloys, we find the fcc structure is stabilised by the incorporation of Ni under core pressures and temperatures. Our results show that the fcc structure may, therefore, be stable under core conditions depending on the temperature in the inner core and the Ni content. Lastly, we find that within the quasi-harmonic approximation, there is no stability field for FeNi alloys in the bcc structure under core conditions.

Lattice preferred orientation of hcp-iron induced by shear deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishihara, Y.; Ohuchi, T.; Kawazoe, T.; Maruyama, G.; Higo, Y.; Funakoshi, K. I.; Seto, Y.

2015-12-01

Many hypotheses have been proposed for origin of seismic anisotropy in the Earth's inner core which consists of solid metal. Plastic deformation of constituent material (most probably hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) iron) is one of the candidate processes to form the inner core anisotropy. Thus knowledge of deformation-induced lattice preferred orientation (LPO) of hcp-iron is important for understanding of nature of the inner core. In this study, we have carried out shear deformation experiments on hcp-iron and determined its deformation induced LPO. Since it is impossible to recover hcp-iron to ambient condition, both deformation and measurement of LPO have to be done at high-pressure conditions. Shear deformation experiments of hcp-iron were carried out using a deformation-DIA apparatus at high-pressure and high-temperature condition where hcp-iron is stable (9-18 GPa, 723 K). Development of LPO in the deforming sample was observed in-situ based on two-dimensional X-ray diffraction using an imaging plate detector and monochromatized synchrotron X-ray. In shear deformation of hcp-iron, <0001> and <112‾0> axes gradually aligned to be sub-parallel to shear plane normal and shear direction, respectively, from initial random orientation. The <0001> and <112‾0> axes are back-rotated from shear direction by 30°. The above results suggest basal slip <112‾0>{0001} is the dominant slip system under the studied deformation conditions. It has been shown that Earth's inner core has an axisymmetric anisotropy with P-wave traveling 3% faster along polar paths than along equatorial directions. Although elastic anisotropy of hcp-iron at the inner core conditions is still controversial, recent theoretical studies consistently shows that P-wave velocity of hcp-iron is fastest along <0001> direction at least at low-temperatures. Our experimental results could be suggesting that most part of the inner core deforms with shear plane sub-parallel to equatorial plane.

Mobility of rare earth elements in mine drainage: Influence of iron oxides, carbonates, and phosphates.

PubMed

Edahbi, Mohamed; Plante, Benoît; Benzaazoua, Mostafa; Ward, Matthew; Pelletier, Mia

2018-05-01

The geochemical behavior of rare earth elements (REE) was investigated using weathering cells. The influence of sorption and precipitation on dissolved REE mobility and fractionation is evaluated using synthetic iron-oxides, carbonates, and phosphates. Sorption cell tests are conducted on the main lithologies of the expected waste rocks from the Montviel deposit. The sorbed materials are characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with a microanalysis system (energy dispersive spectroscopy EDS) (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) in order to understand the effect of the synthetic minerals on REE mobility. The results confirm that sorption and precipitation control the mobility and fractionation of REE. The main sorbent phases are the carbonates, phosphates (present as accessory minerals in the Montviel waste rocks), and iron oxides (main secondary minerals generated upon weathering of the Montviel lithologies). The XANES results show that REE are present as trivalent species after weathering. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations results using Visual Minteq suggest that REE could precipitate as secondary phosphates (REEPO 4 ). Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Iron Speciation in Minerals and Melts at High Pressure: Implications for the Redox Evolution of the Early Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armstrong, K.; Frost, D. J.; McCammon, C. A.; Rubie, D. C.; Boffa Ballaran, T.; Miyajima, N.

2016-12-01

During the differentiation of the early Earth, the silicates of the mantle must have been in equilibrium with core-forming metal iron, as indicated by the depletion of siderophile elements from the mantle. Studies of ancient rocks suggest that by at least 3.9 Ga, the upper mantle was 4-5 log units more oxidized than metal saturation implies (Delano 2001). The process(es) by which the mantle was oxidized is unclear, but has implications for the timing of accretion, differentiation, and volatile delivery to the early Earth, as well as evolution of the early atmosphere. One plausible oxidation mechanism is suggested by the tendency of high-pressure silicate minerals to favor Fe3+ over Fe2+ in their structures, even at metal saturation. This preference in the lower mantle mineral bridgmanite has been proposed to drive the disproportionation reaction of FeO to form Fe­2O3 and iron metal (Frost and McCammon 2008). We have performed experiments at the Ru-RuO2 fO2 buffer which show that silicate melts may mirror this behavior and Fe3+ may be stabilized with pressure for a constant fO2; by 21 GPa, the previously observed trend of Fe3+ decreasing with pressure (O'Neill, 2006) reverses and ferric iron content had increased. If this is also the case at lower oxygen fugacities, FeO disproportionation may have occurred at the base of an early magma ocean, establishing a redox gradient similar to what is presumed for the mantle today. Here we report results of further multianvil and diamond anvil cell experiments exploring the plausibility of FeO disproportionation driving mantle oxidation. Experiments investigating Fe speciation in high pressure melts at variable fO2 will be discussed along with results of diamond anvil cell experiments investigating ferric iron content of lower mantle minerals at metal saturation.

Carbonate petrography, kerogen distribution, and carbon and oxygen isotope variations in an early Proterozoic transition from limestone to iron-formation deposition, Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beukes, N. J.; Klein, C.; Kaufman, A. J.; Hayes, J. M.

1990-01-01

sparites are most depleted in 13C. Carbonates in oxide-rich iron-formations are more depleted in 13C than those in siderite-rich iron-formation whereas the kerogens in oxide banded iron-formations (BIF) are more enriched. This implies that the siderite-rich iron-formations were not derived from oxide-rich iron-formation through reduction of ferric iron by organic matter. Organic matter oxidation by ferric iron did, however, decrease the abundance of kerogen in oxide-rich iron-formation and led to the formation of isotopically very light sparry carbonates. Siderite and calcmicrosparite both represent recrystallized primary micritic precipitates but differ in their 13C composition, with the siderites depleted in 13C by 4.6 per mil on average relative to calcmicrosparite. This means that the siderites were precipitated from water with dissolved inorganic carbon depleted in 13C by about 9 per mil relative to that from which the limestones precipitated. This implies an ocean system stratified with regard to total carbonate, with the deeper water, from which siderite-rich iron-formation formed, depleted in 13C. Iron-formations were deposited in areas of very low organic matter supply. Depletion of 13C may, therefore, derive not from degradation of organic matter but from hydrothermal activity, a conclusion which is supported by 18O composition of the carbonate minerals and trace element and rare earth element (REE) compositions of the iron-formations.

Iron-Tolerant Cyanobacteria for Human Habitation beyond Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Igor; Sarkisova, Svetlana; Jones, Jeff; Sternberg, Paul; Bayless, David; Mckay, David S.

2006-01-01

In light of the President's Moon/Mars initiative, lunar exploration has once again become a priority for NASA. In order to establish permanent bases on the Moon and proceed with human exploration of Mars, two key problems will be addressed: first, the production of O2 and second, the production of methane (CH4). While O2 is required for life support systems (LSS), both liquid O2 and CH4 are needed as an oxidizer and a propellant, respectively for the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) and the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). Unlike previous propulsion systems, the new CEV will use liquid oxygen (LO2) as an oxidizer and liquid methane (LCH4) as a propellant. Existing technology (e.g. hydrogen reduction) for the production of liquid oxygen from lunar regolith is very energy intensive and requires high temperature reactors. We propose an alternative approach using iron-tolerant cyanobacteria. We have found that iron-tolerant cyanobacteria (IT CB) are capable of etching iron-bearing minerals, which may lead to bonds breaking between Fe and O of common lunar mare basalt Feoxides including ilmenite, pseudobrookite, ferropseudobrookite, and armalcolite with the subsequent release of both Fe, Ti and oxygen as by-products. We also propose to use CB biomass for CH4 production as carbon stock and a propellant. Both processes can be accomplished in an energy and cost effective manner because sunlight will be used as an energy source and allows the reactions at ambient temperatures between 10-60 C. Current evaluations include assessing the thermodynamics of such biogenic reactions using a variety of nutrients and atmospheric parameters, as well as assessing the rates and species variation effects of the driving reactions.

Dynamic X-ray diffraction observation of shocked solid iron up to 170 GPa

PubMed Central

Denoeud, Adrien; Ozaki, Norimasa; Benuzzi-Mounaix, Alessandra; Uranishi, Hiroyuki; Kondo, Yoshihiko; Kodama, Ryosuke; Brambrink, Erik; Ravasio, Alessandra; Bocoum, Maimouna; Boudenne, Jean-Michel; Harmand, Marion; Guyot, François; Mazevet, Stephane; Riley, David; Makita, Mikako; Sano, Takayoshi; Sakawa, Youichi; Inubushi, Yuichi; Gregori, Gianluca; Koenig, Michel; Morard, Guillaume

2016-01-01

Investigation of the iron phase diagram under high pressure and temperature is crucial for the determination of the composition of the cores of rocky planets and for better understanding the generation of planetary magnetic fields. Here we present X-ray diffraction results from laser-driven shock-compressed single-crystal and polycrystalline iron, indicating the presence of solid hexagonal close-packed iron up to pressure of at least 170 GPa along the principal Hugoniot, corresponding to a temperature of 4,150 K. This is confirmed by the agreement between the pressure obtained from the measurement of the iron volume in the sample and the inferred shock strength from velocimetry deductions. Results presented in this study are of the first importance regarding pure Fe phase diagram probed under dynamic compression and can be applied to study conditions that are relevant to Earth and super-Earth cores. PMID:27357672

V, Cr, and Mn in the Earth, Moon, EPB, and SPB and the origin of the Moon: Experimental studies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Drake, M.J.; Capobianco, C.J.; Newsom, H.E.

1989-08-01

The abundances of V, Cr, and Mn inferred for the mantles of the Earth and Moon decrease in that order and are similar, but are distinct from those inferred for the mantles of the Eucrite Parent Body (EPB) and Shergottite Parent Body (SPB). This similarity between Earth and Moon has been used to suggest that the Moon is derived substantially or entirely from Earth mantle material following terrestrial core formation. To test this hypothesis, the authors have determined the partitioning of V, Cr, and Mn between solid iron metal, S-rich metallic liquid, and synthetic basaltic silicate liquid at 1,260{degree}C andmore » one bar pressure. The sequence of compatibility in the metallic phases is Cr > V > Mn at high oxygen fugacity and V > Cr > Mn at low oxygen fugacities. Solubilities in liquid metal always exceed solubilities in solid metal. These partition coefficients suggest that the abundances of V, Cr, and Mn do not reflect core formation in the Earth. Rather, they are consistent with the relative volatilities of these elements. The similarity in the depletion patterns of V, Cr, and Mn inferred for the mantles of the Earth and Moon is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for the Moon to have been derived wholly or in part from the Earth's mantle.« less

Phase relations of Fe-Si-Ni alloys at core conditions: Implications for the Earth inner core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiquet, G.; Boulard, E.; Auzende, A.; Antonangeli, D.; Badro, J.; Morard, G.; Siebert, J.; Perrillat, J.; Mezouar, M.

2008-12-01

The Earth core consists of a liquid outer core and a solid inner core, which are believed to be made predominantly of iron (Fe). Among all crystallographic structures proposed, a consensus has more or less emerged with the hexagonal closed packed structure -hcp- for iron. The question of the structure of this alloy at core conditions, in particular in vicinity of the melting line is however still largely debated. Among others, a possible thermal and chemical stabilization of body-centered cubic iron in the Earth's core has indeed been proposed with the theoretical calculations of Vocadlo et al. [Nature, 424, 536, 2003]. Recent X-ray experiments have shown the existence of such a bcc structure above 220 GPa at high-temperature for iron- nickel alloys [Dubrovinsky et al., Science, 316, 1880, 2007]. It is also known from density systematics that the Earth's core is made of iron alloyed with light elements [see Poirier, Phys. Earth Planet. Int., 85, 319, 1994]. We recently proposed a compositional model for the Earth's inner core from a systematic study of the effect of light elements on sound velocities at high pressure. Our preferred core model is an inner core which contains 2.3 wt % silicon and traces of oxygen [see Badro et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 254, 233, 2007 for more details]. Recent studies, however, suggest that small amount of silicon or nickel can substantially affect the phase relations and thermodynamic properties of iron alloys. We present results from an X-ray diffraction carried out at ESRF at high-pressure and high-temperature, using a state-of-the-art double sided laser heating system. We address the question of the structure of this alloy at core conditions. Two different alloys have been synthesized for this experiment, with Fe : 92.4, Si : 3.7, Ni 3.9 and Fe: 88.4, Si: 7.3, Ni: 4.3 in wt %, so as to satisfy the core preferred compositional model described in Badro et al. [2007]. The samples were loaded in a diamond anvil cell with neon as

Carbon Solubility in Metallic Iron and Melting Relations in the Fe-C System at High Pressure and Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y.; Fei, Y.

2006-05-01

Carbon has been proposed to be one of the light elements in the Earth's core. Knowledge of phase relations in the Fe-C system at high pressure and temperature is needed to understand the carbon content in the core and its effect on the physical properties and the temperature of the core. Experimental data in this system at high pressure and temperature are limited. In this study we report new experimental data on melting relations up to 25 GPa. The experiments were performed using piston-cylinder and multi-anvil devices at the Geophysical Laboratory. Mixtures of fine power of pure iron and graphite with different carbon content were prepared as starting materials. The starting materials were loaded into MgO capsules and then compressed to the desired pressures, using various high-pressure cell assemblies that have been calibrated at high pressure. High temperatures were achieved using either graphite heater (<6 GPa) or rhenium heater at higher pressures and measured with a tungsten-rhenium thermocouple. Melting relations were determined with a JEOL JXA-8900 electron microprobe, based on quench textures and chemical composition of the quenched phases. Powder X- ray diffraction technique was also used to identify phases and determine unit cell parameters. A positive slope between the solubility of carbon in metallic iron and pressure was found at elevated temperatures. The eutectic temperature increases with increasing pressure. The liquidus temperature determined in this study is significantly lower than the calculated value in previous study. Our study presents directly experimental measurements of the melting relations in the Fe-C system at high pressure and temperature, which provides better constraints on composition and temperature of the Earth's core.

Effect of inversion layer at iron pyrite surface on photovoltaic device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uchiyama, Shunsuke; Ishikawa, Yasuaki; Uraoka, Yukiharu

2018-03-01

Iron pyrite has great potential as a thin-film solar cell material because it has high optical absorption, low cost, and is earth-abundant. However, previously reported iron pyrite solar cells showed poor photovoltaic characteristics. Here, we have numerically simulated its photovoltaic characteristics and band structures by utilizing a two-dimensional (2D) device simulator, ATLAS, to evaluate the effects of an inversion layer at the surface and a high density of deep donor defect states in the bulk. We found that previous device structures did not consider the inversion layer at the surface region of iron pyrite, which made it difficult to obtain the conversion efficiency. Therefore, we remodeled the device structure and suggested that removing the inversion layer and reducing the density of deep donor defect states would lead to a high conversion efficiency of iron pyrite solar cells.

Hepatic Iron Overload and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PubMed Central

Kew, Michael C.

2014-01-01

In recent years it has become increasingly evident that excess body iron may be complicated by the supervention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) was the first condition in which hepatic iron overload was shown to predispose to the development of HCC. The inherited predisposition to excessive absorption of dietary iron in HH is almost always the result of homozygosity of the C282Y mutation of the HFE gene, which causes inappropriately low secretion of hepcidin. HCC develops in 8-10% of patients with HH and is responsible for approximately 45% of deaths in the HCC patients. Cirrhosis is almost always present when HCC is diagnosed. Dietary iron overload is a condition which occurs in rural-dwelling Black Africans in southern Africa as a result of the consumption, over time, of large volumes of alcohol home-brewed in iron containers and having, as a consequence, a high iron content. Iron loading of the liver results and may be complicated by malignant transformation of the liver (relative risk of approximately 10.0). Accompanying cirrhosis does occur but is less common than that in HH. The development of HCC as a consequence of increased dietary iron, and the fact that it may develop in the absence of cirrhosis, has been confirmed in an animal model. Drinking water with a high iron content might contribute to the high incidence of HCC in parts of Taiwan. The metabolic syndrome [obesity, insulin resistance type 2 (or diabetes mellitus type 2), non-alcoholic fatty liver or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis] has in recent years become a major public health problem in some resource-rich countries. A link between excess body iron and insulin resistance or the metabolic syndrome has become apparent. The metabolic syndrome may be complicated by the supervention of HCC, and recent evidence suggests that increased body iron may contribute to this complication. PMID:24804175

Chemical classification of iron meteorites. XI. Multi-element studies of 38 new irons and the high abundance of ungrouped irons from Antarctica

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wasson, J.T.; Ouyang, Xinwei; Wang, Jianmin

1989-03-01

The authors report concentrations of 14 elements in the metal of 38 iron meteorites and a pallasite. The meteorites are classified based on these data and on structural observations. Three samples are paired with previously classified irons; thus, these additional 35 irons raise the number of well-classified, independent iron meteorites to 598. One Yamato iron contains 342 mg/g Ni, the second highest Ni content in an IAB iron after Oktibbeha County. Two small irons from Western Australia appear to be metal nodules from mesosiderites. Several of the new irons are from Antarctica. Of 24 independent irons from Antarctica, 8 aremore » ungrouped. The fraction, 0.333, is much higher than the fraction 0.161 among all 598 classified irons. Statistical tests show that it is highly improbably ({approximately}2.9% probability) that the Antarctic population is a random sample of the larger population. The difference is probably related to the fact that the median mass of Antarctic irons is about two orders of magnitude smaller than that of non-Antarctic irons. It is doubtful that the difference results from fragmentation patterns yielding different size distributions favoring smaller masses among ungrouped irons. More likely is the possibility that smaller meteoroids tend to sample a larger number of asteroidal source regions, perhaps because small meteoroids tend to have higher ejection velocities or because small meteoroids have random-walked a greater increment of orbital semimajor axis away from that of the parent body.« less

Earthing the human body influences physiologic processes.

PubMed

Sokal, Karol; Sokal, Pawel

2011-04-01

This study was designed to answer the question: Does the contact of the human organism with the Earth via a copper conductor affect physiologic processes? Subjects and experiments: Five (5) experiments are presented: experiment 1-effect of earthing on calcium-phosphate homeostasis and serum concentrations of iron (N = 84 participants); experiment 2-effect of earthing on serum concentrations of electrolytes (N = 28); experiment 3-effect of earthing on thyroid function (N = 12); experiment 4-effect of earthing on glucose concentration (N = 12); experiment 5-effect of earthing on immune response to vaccine (N = 32). Subjects were divided into two groups. One (1) group of people was earthed, while the second group remained without contact with the Earth. Blood and urine samples were examined. Earthing of an electrically insulated human organism during night rest causes lowering of serum concentrations of iron, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and reduction of renal excretion of calcium and phosphorus. Earthing during night rest decreases free tri-iodothyronine and increases free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. The continuous earthing of the human body decreases blood glucose in patients with diabetes. Earthing decreases sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, total protein, and albumin concentrations while the levels of transferrin, ferritin, and globulins α1, α2, β, and γ increase. These results are statistically significant. Earthing the human body influences human physiologic processes. This influence is observed during night relaxation and during physical activity. Effect of the earthing on calcium-phosphate homeostasis is the opposite of that which occurs in states of weightlessness. It also increases the activity of catabolic processes. It may be the primary factor regulating endocrine and nervous systems.

Pathways to Earth-like atmospheres. Extreme ultraviolet (EUV)-powered escape of hydrogen-rich protoatmospheres.

PubMed

Lammer, Helmut; Kislyakova, K G; Odert, P; Leitzinger, M; Schwarz, R; Pilat-Lohinger, E; Kulikov, Yu N; Khodachenko, M L; Güdel, M; Hanslmeier, M

2011-12-01

We discuss the evolution of the atmosphere of early Earth and of terrestrial exoplanets which may be capable of sustaining liquid water oceans and continents where life may originate. The formation age of a terrestrial planet, its mass and size, as well as the lifetime in the EUV-saturated early phase of its host star play a significant role in its atmosphere evolution. We show that planets even in orbits within the habitable zone of their host stars might not lose nebular- or catastrophically outgassed initial protoatmospheres completely and could end up as water worlds with CO2 and hydrogen- or oxygen-rich upper atmospheres. If an atmosphere of a terrestrial planet evolves to an N2-rich atmosphere too early in its lifetime, the atmosphere may be lost. We show that the initial conditions set up by the formation of a terrestrial planet and by the evolution of the host star's EUV and plasma environment are very important factors owing to which a planet may evolve to a habitable world. Finally we present a method for studying the discussed atmosphere evolution hypotheses by future UV transit observations of terrestrial exoplanets.

Mesoarchean BIF and iron ores of the Badampahar greenstone belt, Iron Ore Group, East Indian Shield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Rupam; Baidya, Tapan Kumar

2017-12-01

Banded iron formations (BIFs) are chemically precipitated sedimentary rock characterized by alternating Fe-rich and Si-rich bands. The origin of BIF has remained controversial despite years of diligent research. Most models proposed for the BIF origin are based on the observations of well-preserved Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic BIFs. The present paper is focused on the origin of Mesoarchean BIFs present in the Badampahar greenstone belt (3.3-3.1 Ga), East Indian Shield. Here, BIF is interlayered with metavolcanic rocks, quartzite, phyllite and chert representing a typical greenstone sequence. Geochemical and sedimentological evidence suggest deposition of BIF below the wave base as part of a back-arc basin with insignificant detrital input. Interaction of seawater and volcanogenic high temperature hydrothermal fluids, generated from back-arc spreading centre, supplied metals for BIF deposition. Distinctly negative Ce anomalies in some lower BIF horizons indicate Fe2+ oxidation in an oxygenated hydrosphere and derivation of free oxygen from microbial photosynthesis. Subsequent stages of deformation, metamorphism, hydrothermal and supergene processes after deposition led to the formation of the iron ore bodies at present.

Direct measurement of thermal conductivity in solid iron at planetary core conditions.

PubMed

Konôpková, Zuzana; McWilliams, R Stewart; Gómez-Pérez, Natalia; Goncharov, Alexander F

2016-06-02

The conduction of heat through minerals and melts at extreme pressures and temperatures is of central importance to the evolution and dynamics of planets. In the cooling Earth's core, the thermal conductivity of iron alloys defines the adiabatic heat flux and therefore the thermal and compositional energy available to support the production of Earth's magnetic field via dynamo action. Attempts to describe thermal transport in Earth's core have been problematic, with predictions of high thermal conductivity at odds with traditional geophysical models and direct evidence for a primordial magnetic field in the rock record. Measurements of core heat transport are needed to resolve this difference. Here we present direct measurements of the thermal conductivity of solid iron at pressure and temperature conditions relevant to the cores of Mercury-sized to Earth-sized planets, using a dynamically laser-heated diamond-anvil cell. Our measurements place the thermal conductivity of Earth's core near the low end of previous estimates, at 18-44 watts per metre per kelvin. The result is in agreement with palaeomagnetic measurements indicating that Earth's geodynamo has persisted since the beginning of Earth's history, and allows for a solid inner core as old as the dynamo.

Rare-Earth Metals and Their Applications in Aviation

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-08-01

metals are not as common as iron and steel which are visible everywhere, yet they are not unfamiliar to us. We often encounter them in everyday life...the flint of a lighter. It is an alloy of rare-earth metal and iron . It contains about 30% iron and the remainder is a composite rare-earth alloy...used to manufacture the detonators of bullets and shells as well as the pyrophoric alloys of firing devices. This type of alloy has a 49.5% content of

Is Mars a habitable environment for extremophilic microorganisms from Earth?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rettberg, Petra; Reitz, Guenther; Flemming, Hans-Curt; Bauermeister, Anja

In the last decades several sucessful space missions to our neighboring planet Mars have deepened our knowledge about its environmental conditions substantially. Orbiters with intruments for remote sensing and landers with sophisticated intruments for in situ investigations resulted in a better understanding of Mars’ radiation climate, atmospheric composition, geology, and mineralogy. Extensive regions of the surface of Mars are covered with sulfate- and ferric oxide-rich layered deposits. These sediments indicate the possible existence of aqueous, acidic environments on early Mars. Similar environments on Earth harbour a specialised community of microorganisms which are adapted to the local stress factors, e.g. low pH, high concentrations of heavy metal ions, oligotrophic conditions. Acidophilic iron-sulfur bacteria isolated from such habitats on Earth could be considered as model organisms for an important part of a potential extinct Martian ecosystem or an ecosystem which might even exist today in protected subsurface niches. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was chosen as a model organism to study the ability of these bacteria to survive or grow under conditions resembling those on Mars. Stress conditions tested included desiccation, radiation, low temperatures, and high salinity. It was found that resistance to desiccation strongly depends on the mode of drying. Biofilms grown on membrane filters can tolerate longer periods of desiccation than planktonic cells dried without any added protectants, and drying under anaerobic conditions is more favourable to survival than drying in the presence of oxygen. Organic compounds such as trehalose and glycine betaine had a positive influence on survival after drying and freezing. A. ferrooxidans was shown to be sensitive to high salt concentrations, ionizing radiation, and UV radiation. However, the bacteria were able to utilize the iron minerals in Mars regolith mixtures as sole energy source. The survival and growth of

Elastic properties and phase transitions of Fe7C3 and new constraints on the light element budget of the Earth's inner core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prescher, C.; Bykova, E.; Kupenko, I.; Glazyrin, K.; Kantor, A.; McCammon, C. A.; Mookherjee, M.; Miyajima, N.; Cerantola, V.; Nakajima, Y.; Prakapenka, V.; Rüffer, R.; Chumakov, A.; Dubrovinsky, L. S.

2013-12-01

The Earth's inner core consists mainly of iron (or iron-nickel alloy) with some amount of light element(s) whereby their nature remains controversial. Seismological data suggest that the material forming Earth's inner core (pressures over 330 GPa and temperatures above 5000 K) has an enigmatically high Poisson's ratio ~0.44, while iron or it alloys with Si, S, O, or H expected to have at appropriate thermodynamic conditions Poisson's ratio well below 0.39. We will present an experimental study on a new high pressure variant in the iron carbide system. We have synthesized and solved structure of high-pressure orthorhombic phase of o-Fe7C3, and investigated its stability and behavior at pressures over 180 GPa and temperatures above 3500 K by means of different methods including single crystal X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and nuclear resonance scattering. O-Fe7C3 is structurally stable to at least outer core conditions and demonstrates magnetic or electronic transitions at ~18 GPa and ~70 GPa. The high pressure phase of o-Fe7C3 above 70 GPa exhibits anomalous elastic properties. When extrapolated to the conditions of the Earth's inner core it shows shear wave velocities and Poisson's ratios close to the values inferred by seismological models. Our results not only support earlier works suggesting that carbon may be an important component of Earth's core, but shows that it may drastically change iron's elastic properties, thus explaining anomalous Earth's inner core elastic properties.

Ab Initio Predictions of K, He and Ar Partitioning Between Silicate Melt and Liquid Iron Under High Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Z.; Tsuchiya, T.

2017-12-01

Element partitioning is an important property in recording geochemical processes during the core-mantle differentiation. However, experimental measurements of element partitioning coefficients under extreme temperature and pressure condition are still challenging. Theoretical modeling is also not easy, because it requires estimation of high temperature Gibbs free energy, which is not directly accessible by the standard molecular dynamics method. We recently developed an original technique to simulate Gibbs free energy based on the thermodynamics integration method[1]. We apply it to element partitioning of geochemical intriguing trace elements between molten silicate and liquid iron such as potassium, helium and argon as starting examples. Radiogenic potassium in the core can provide energy for Earth's magnetic field, convection in the mantle and outer core[2]. However, its partitioning behavior between silicate and iron remains unclear under high pressure[3,4]. Our calculations suggest that a clear positive temperature dependence of the partitioning coefficient but an insignificant pressure effect. Unlike sulfur and silicon, oxygen dissolved in the metals considerably enhances potassium solubility. Calculated electronic structures reveal alkali-metallic feature of potassium in liquid iron, favoring oxygen with strong electron affinity. Our results suggest that 40K could serve as a potential radiogenic heat source in the outer core if oxygen is the major light element therein.­­ We now further extend our technique to partitioning behaviors of other elements, helium and argon, to get insides into the `helium paradox' and `missing argon' problems. References [1] T. Taniuchi, and T. Tsuchiya, Phys.Rev.B. In press [2] B.A. Buffett, H.E. Huppert, J.R. Lister, and A.W. Woods, Geophys.Res.Lett. 29 (1996) 7989-8006. [3] V.R. Murthy, W. Westrenen, and Y. Fei, Nature. 426 (2003) 163-165. [4] A. Corgne, S.Keshav, Y. Fei, and W.F. McDonough, Earth.Planet.Sci.Lett. 256 (2007

Iron minerals within specific microfossil morphospecies of the 1.88 Ga Gunflint Formation

PubMed Central

Lepot, Kevin; Addad, Ahmed; Knoll, Andrew H.; Wang, Jian; Troadec, David; Béché, Armand; Javaux, Emmanuelle J.

2017-01-01

Problematic microfossils dominate the palaeontological record between the Great Oxidation Event 2.4 billion years ago (Ga) and the last Palaeoproterozoic iron formations, deposited 500–600 million years later. These fossils are often associated with iron-rich sedimentary rocks, but their affinities, metabolism, and, hence, their contributions to Earth surface oxidation and Fe deposition remain unknown. Here we show that specific microfossil populations of the 1.88 Ga Gunflint Iron Formation contain Fe-silicate and Fe-carbonate nanocrystal concentrations in cell interiors. Fe minerals are absent in/on all organically preserved cell walls. These features are consistent with in vivo intracellular Fe biomineralization, with subsequent in situ recrystallization, but contrast with known patterns of post-mortem Fe mineralization. The Gunflint populations that display relatively large cells (thick-walled spheres, filament-forming rods) and intra-microfossil Fe minerals are consistent with oxygenic photosynthesizers but not with other Fe-mineralizing microorganisms studied so far. Fe biomineralization may have protected oxygenic photosynthesizers against Fe2+ toxicity during the Palaeoproterozoic. PMID:28332570

Nitrogen solubility in the deep mantle and the origin of Earth's primordial nitrogen budget

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshioka, Takahiro; Wiedenbeck, Michael; Shcheka, Svyatoslav; Keppler, Hans

2018-04-01

The solubility of nitrogen in the major minerals of the Earth's transition zone and lower mantle (wadsleyite, ringwoodite, bridgmanite, and Ca-silicate perovskite) coexisting with a reduced, nitrogen-rich fluid phase was measured. Experiments were carried out in multi-anvil presses at 14 to 24 GPa and 1100 to 1800 °C close to the Fe-FeO buffer. Starting materials were enriched in 15N and the nitrogen concentrations in run products were measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry. Observed nitrogen (15N) solubilities in wadsleyite and ringwoodite typically range from 10 to 250 μg/g and strongly increase with temperature. Nitrogen solubility in bridgmanite is about 20 μg/g, while Ca-silicate perovskite incorporates about 30 μg/g under comparable conditions. Partition coefficients of nitrogen derived from coexisting phases are DNwadsleyite/olivine = 5.1 ± 2.1, DNringwoodite/wadsleyite = 0.49 ± 0.29, and DNbridgmanite/ringwoodite = 0.24 (+ 0.30 / - 0.19). Nitrogen solubility in the solid, iron-rich metal phase coexisting with the silicates was also measured and reached a maximum of nearly 1 wt.% 15N at 23 GPa and 1400 °C. These data yield a partition coefficient of nitrogen between iron metal and bridgmanite of DNmetal/bridgmanite ∼ 98, implying that in a lower mantle containing about 1% of iron metal, about half of the nitrogen still resides in the silicates. The high nitrogen solubility in wadsleyite and ringwoodite may be responsible for the low nitrogen concentrations often observed in ultradeep diamonds from the transition zone. Overall, the solubility data suggest that the transition zone and the lower mantle have the capacity to store at least 33 times the mass of nitrogen presently residing in the atmosphere. By combining the nitrogen solubility data in minerals with data on nitrogen solubility in silicate melts, mineral/melt partition coefficients of nitrogen can be estimated, from which the behavior of nitrogen during magma ocean crystallization can

Human response to high-background radiation environments on Earth and in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durante, M.; Manti, L.

2008-09-01

The main long-term objective of the space exploration program is the colonization of the planets of the Solar System. The high cosmic radiation equivalent dose rate represents an inescapable problem for the safe establishment of permanent human settlements on these planets. The unshielded equivalent dose rate on Mars ranges between 100 and 200 mSv/year, depending on the Solar cycle and altitude, and can reach values as high as 360 mSv/year on the Moon. The average annual effective dose on Earth is about 3 mSv, nearly 85% of which comes from natural background radiation, reduced to less than 1 mSv if man-made sources and the internal exposure to Rn daughters are excluded. However, some areas on Earth display anomalously high levels of background radiation, as is the case with thorium-rich monazite bearing sand deposits where values 200 400 times higher than the world average can be found. About 2% of the world’s population live above 3 km and receive a disproportionate 10% of the annual effective collective dose due to cosmic radiation, with a net contribution to effective dose by the neutron component which is 3 4 fold that at sea level. Thus far, epidemiological studies have failed to show any adverse health effects in the populations living in these terrestrial high-background radiation areas (HBRA), which provide an unique opportunity to study the health implications of an environment that, as closely as possibly achievable on Earth, resembles the chronic exposure of future space colonists to higher-than-normal levels of ionizing radiation. Chromosomal aberrations in the peripheral blood lymphocytes from the HBRA residents have been measured in several studies because chromosomal damage represents an early biomarker of cancer risk. Similar cytogenetic studies have been recently performed in a cohort of astronauts involved in single or repeated space flights over many years. The cytogenetic findings in populations exposed to high dose-rate background radiation

Possibility of High Phosphorus Pig Iron as Sacrificial Anode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad, Nisheeth Kr.; Pathak, A. S.; Kundu, S.; Mondal, K.

2018-05-01

Cathodic protection is an effective method to control the corrosion of underground pipelines and submerged structures. In the present work, high phosphorus containing pig iron was utilized as sacrificial anode for cathodic protection of underground mild steel plates and the results were compared with that of a commercially pure magnesium sacrificial anode. Driving potential and current between the galvanically coupled sacrificial anodes and mild steel plates were continuously monitored in real time for one month. Microstructure and morphology of the corrosion products formed on the surface of pig iron, magnesium sacrificial anodes and mild steel plates were observed with the help of optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy, and phase identification were performed using x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The distribution of phosphorus in the pig iron matrix and soluble rust formation on the surface of pig iron under buried condition were critical from the point of sacrificial effect, indicating the possible scientific reasons for high phosphorous pig iron to be used as sacrificial anode.

Obtaining of High Cr Content Cast Iron Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Florea, C.; Bejinariu, C.; Carcea, I.; Cimpoesu, N.; Chicet, D. L.; Savin, C.

2017-06-01

We have obtained, through the classic casting process, 3 highly chromium-based experimental alloys proposed for replacing the FC 250 classical cast iron in braking applications. Casting was carried out in an induction furnace and cast into moulds made of KALHARTZ 8500 resin casting mixture and HARTER hardener at SC RanCon SRL Iasi. It is known that the microstructure of the cast iron is a combination of martensite with a small amount of residual austenite after the heat treatment of the ingot. In the case of high-alloy chromium alloys, the performance of the material is due to the presence of M7C3 carbides distributed in the iron matrix Resistance to machining and deformation is based on alloy composition and microstructure, while abrasion resistance will depend on properties and wear conditions.

Iron microbial mats in modern and phanerozoic environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baele, Jean-Marc; Bouvain, Frédéric; De Jong, Jeroen; Matielli, Nadine; Papier, Séverine; Préat, Alain

2008-08-01

The recognition of iron microbial mats in terrestrial environments is of great relevance for the search for extraterrestrial life, especially on mars where significant iron minerals were identified in the subsurface. Most researches focused on very ancient microbial mats (e.g. BIFs) since they formed on Earth at a time where similar conditions are supposed to have prevailed on Mars too. However, environmental proxies are often difficult to use for these deposits on Earth which, in addition, may be heavily transformed due to diagenesis or even metamorphism. Here we present modern and phanerozoic iron microbial mats occurrences illustrating the wide variety of environments in which they form, including many marine settings, ponds, creeks, caves, volcanoes, etc. Contrarily to their Precambrian counterparts, Modern and Phanerozoic deposits are usually less affected by diagenesis and the environmental conditions likely to be better constrained. Therefore, their investigation may help for the search for morphological and geochemical biosignatures (e.g. iron isotopes) in ancient iron microbial occurrences on Earth but also on other Planets. In particular, many of the case studies presented here show that microstromatolithe-like morphologies may be valuable targets for screening potential biosignatures in various rock types.

Inhibition of bacterial oxidation of ferrous iron by lead nitrate in sulfate-rich systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wang, Hongmei; Gong, Linfeng; Cravotta,, Charles A.; Yang, Xiaofen; Tuovinen, Olli H.; Dong, Hailiang; Fu, Xiang

2013-01-01

Inhibition of bacterial oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe(II)) by Pb(NO3)2 was investigated with a mixed culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The culture was incubated at 30 °C in ferrous-sulfate medium amended with 0–24.2 mM Pb(II) added as Pb(NO3)2. Anglesite (PbSO4) precipitated immediately upon Pb addition and was the only solid phase detected in the abiotic controls. Both anglesite and jarosite (KFe3(SO4)2(OH)6) were detected in inoculated cultures. Precipitation of anglesite maintained dissolved Pb concentrations at 16.9–17.6 μM regardless of the concentrations of Pb(NO3)2 added. Fe(II) oxidation was suppressed by 24.2 mM Pb(NO3)2 addition even when anglesite was removed before inoculation. Experiments with 0–48 mM KNO3 demonstrated that bacterial Fe(II) oxidation decreased as nitrate concentration increased. Therefore, inhibition of Fe(II) oxidation at 24.2 mM Pb(NO3)2 addition resulted from nitrate toxicity instead of Pb addition. Geochemical modeling that considered the initial precipitation of anglesite to equilibrium followed by progressive oxidation of Fe(II) and the precipitation of jarosite and an amorphous iron hydroxide phase, without allowing plumbojarosite to precipitate were consistent with the experimental time-series data on Fe(II) oxidation under biotic conditions. Anglesite precipitation in mine tailings and other sulfate-rich systems maintains dissolved Pb concentrations below the toxicity threshold of A. ferrooxidans.

Inhibition of bacterial oxidation of ferrous iron by lead nitrate in sulfate-rich systems.

PubMed

Wang, Hongmei; Gong, Linfeng; Cravotta, Charles A; Yang, Xiaofen; Tuovinen, Olli H; Dong, Hailiang; Fu, Xiang

2013-01-15

Inhibition of bacterial oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe(II)) by Pb(NO(3))(2) was investigated with a mixed culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The culture was incubated at 30 °C in ferrous-sulfate medium amended with 0-24.2 mM Pb(II) added as Pb(NO(3))(2). Anglesite (PbSO(4)) precipitated immediately upon Pb addition and was the only solid phase detected in the abiotic controls. Both anglesite and jarosite (KFe(3)(SO(4))(2)(OH)(6)) were detected in inoculated cultures. Precipitation of anglesite maintained dissolved Pb concentrations at 16.9-17.6 μM regardless of the concentrations of Pb(NO(3))(2) added. Fe(II) oxidation was suppressed by 24.2 mM Pb(NO(3))(2) addition even when anglesite was removed before inoculation. Experiments with 0-48 mM KNO(3) demonstrated that bacterial Fe(II) oxidation decreased as nitrate concentration increased. Therefore, inhibition of Fe(II) oxidation at 24.2 mM Pb(NO(3))(2) addition resulted from nitrate toxicity instead of Pb addition. Geochemical modeling that considered the initial precipitation of anglesite to equilibrium followed by progressive oxidation of Fe(II) and the precipitation of jarosite and an amorphous iron hydroxide phase, without allowing plumbojarosite to precipitate were consistent with the experimental time-series data on Fe(II) oxidation under biotic conditions. Anglesite precipitation in mine tailings and other sulfate-rich systems maintains dissolved Pb concentrations below the toxicity threshold of A. ferrooxidans. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intraspinal TLR4 activation promotes iron storage but does not protect neurons or oligodendrocytes from progressive iron-mediated damage.

PubMed

Goldstein, Evan Z; Church, Jamie S; Pukos, Nicole; Gottipati, Manoj K; Popovich, Phillip G; McTigue, Dana M

2017-12-01

Iron is essential for basic cellular functions but in excess is highly toxic. For this reason, free iron and iron storage are controlled in the periphery by elaborate regulatory mechanisms. In contrast, iron regulation in the central nervous system (CNS) is not well defined. Given that excess iron is present after trauma, hemorrhagic stroke and neurodegeneration, understanding normal iron regulation and promoting iron uptake in CNS pathology is crucial. Peripherally, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation promotes iron sequestration by macrophages. Notably, iron-rich sites of CNS pathology typically contain TLR4 agonists, which may promote iron uptake. Indeed, our recent work showed impaired iron storage after acute spinal cord injury in mice with TLR4 deficiency. Here we used a reductionist model to ask if TLR4 activation in the CNS stimulates iron uptake and promotes neuroprotection from iron-induced toxicity. For this, we measured the ability of microglia/macrophages to sequester exogenous iron and prevent pathology with and without concomitant intraspinal TLR4 activation. Results show that, similar to the periphery, activating intraspinal TLR4 via focal LPS injection increased mRNA encoding iron uptake and storage proteins and promoted iron sequestration into ferritin-expressing macrophages. However, this did not prevent oligodendrocyte and neuron loss. Moreover, replacement of oligodendrocytes by progenitor cells - a normally robust response to in vivo macrophage TLR4 activation - was significantly reduced if iron was present concomitant with TLR4 activation. Thus, while TLR4 signaling promotes CNS iron uptake, future work needs to determine ways to enhance iron removal without blocking the reparative effects of innate immune receptor signaling. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

MODIFYING IRON REMOVAL PROCESSES TO INCREASE ARSENIC REMOVAL

EPA Science Inventory

Iron and manganese are naturally occurring substances that are normally found in insoluble forms in many ground waters in the US. Similar to iron and manganese, arsenic also occurs widely in the earth's crust and is a natural contaminant of many ground waters. Iron and manganese ...

Iron world and its astrobiological implications: The Tinto River case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez, F.; Amils, A.

2007-08-01

Extreme ecosystems have recently attracted considerable interest, not only because they prove that life is robust and adaptable, but also because their existence increases the probability of finding life elsewhere in the universe. Most of the best characterized extreme habitats on Earth correspond to geophysical constraints to which opportunistic microorganisms have adapted. However, some extreme acidic environments are unique in that they are the product of biological activity (chemolithotrophy). The Tinto River (Huelva, Southwestern Spain) is an unusual acidic ecosystem (100 km long, mean pH of 2.3) containing a high concentration of heavy metals and an unexpected level of microbial diversity (1,2). In the past, the extreme conditions of the river were considered the result of intense mining activity. The geomicrobiological analysis of the Tinto ecosystem strongly suggests that these conditions are the result of the metabolic activity of chemolithotrophic prokaryotes, mainly iron-oxidizers (3). The system seems to be controlled by iron, which is not only used as an electron donor, but also as an electron acceptor, allowing a full iron cycle to operate. Furthermore, ferric iron is responsible for the maintenance of the constant pH of the ecosystem and can protect the different organisms thriving in its waters from radiation. Laminar, iron-rich stromatolitic formations are generated by the precipitation of different iron minerals on the surface of the biofilms that cover most of the rocks in the river and the riverbed. These structures are similar to ancient massive bioinduced laminated iron bioformations formed long before the first mining activities started in the area 5000 years ago. The existence of these ancient iron-rich deposits formed prior to any known mining activity, under hydrochemical conditions similar to modern deposits, is considered a strong argument in favor of a natural origin of the river (4,5). Recently, the source area of the Tinto ecosystem

Earthing the Human Body Influences Physiologic Processes

PubMed Central

Sokal, Karol

2011-01-01

Abstract Objectives This study was designed to answer the question: Does the contact of the human organism with the Earth via a copper conductor affect physiologic processes? Subjects and experiments Five (5) experiments are presented: experiment 1—effect of earthing on calcium–phosphate homeostasis and serum concentrations of iron (N = 84 participants); experiment 2—effect of earthing on serum concentrations of electrolytes (N = 28); experiment 3—effect of earthing on thyroid function (N = 12); experiment 4—effect of earthing on glucose concentration (N = 12); experiment 5—effect of earthing on immune response to vaccine (N = 32). Subjects were divided into two groups. One (1) group of people was earthed, while the second group remained without contact with the Earth. Blood and urine samples were examined. Results Earthing of an electrically insulated human organism during night rest causes lowering of serum concentrations of iron, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and reduction of renal excretion of calcium and phosphorus. Earthing during night rest decreases free tri-iodothyronine and increases free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. The continuous earthing of the human body decreases blood glucose in patients with diabetes. Earthing decreases sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, total protein, and albumin concentrations while the levels of transferrin, ferritin, and globulins α1, α2, β, and γ increase. These results are statistically significant. Conclusions Earthing the human body influences human physiologic processes. This influence is observed during night relaxation and during physical activity. Effect of the earthing on calcium–phosphate homeostasis is the opposite of that which occurs in states of weightlessness. It also increases the activity of catabolic processes. It may be the primary factor regulating endocrine and nervous systems. PMID:21469913

Ejection of iron-bearing giant-impact fragments and the dynamical and geochemical influence of the fragment re-accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Genda, Hidenori; Iizuka, Tsuyoshi; Sasaki, Takanori; Ueno, Yuichiro; Ikoma, Masahiro

2017-07-01

The Earth was born in violence. Many giant collisions of protoplanets are thought to have occurred during the terrestrial planet formation. Here we investigated the giant impact stage by using a hybrid code that consistently deals with the orbital evolution of protoplanets around the Sun and the details of processes during giant impacts between two protoplanets. A significant amount of materials (up to several tens of percent of the total mass of the protoplanets) is ejected by giant impacts. We call these ejected fragments the giant-impact fragments (GIFs). In some of the erosive hit-and-run and high-velocity collisions, metallic iron is also ejected, which comes from the colliding protoplanets' cores. From ten numerical simulations for the giant impact stage, we found that the mass fraction of metallic iron in GIFs ranges from ∼1 wt% to ∼25 wt%. We also discussed the effects of the GIFs on the dynamical and geochemical characteristics of formed terrestrial planets. We found that the GIFs have the potential to solve the following dynamical and geochemical conflicts: (1) The Earth, currently in a near circular orbit, is likely to have had a highly eccentric orbit during the giant impact stage. The GIFs are large enough in total mass to lower the eccentricity of the Earth to its current value via their dynamical friction. (2) The concentrations of highly siderophile elements (HSEs) in the Earth's mantle are greater than what was predicted experimentally. Re-accretion of the iron-bearing GIFs onto the Earth can contribute to the excess of HSEs. In addition, Iron-bearing GIFs provide significant reducing agent that could transform primitive CO2-H2O atmosphere and ocean into more reducing H2-bearing atmosphere. Thus, GIFs are important for the origin of Earth's life and its early evolution.

Effects of High Dietary HEME Iron and Radiation on Cardiovascular Function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Westby, Christian M.; Brown, A. K.; Platts, S. H.

2012-01-01

The radiation related health risks to astronauts is of particular concern to NASA. Data support that exposure to radiation is associated with a number of disorders including a heightened risk for cardiovascular diseases. Independent of radiation, altered nutrient status (e.g. high dietary iron) also increases ones risk for cardiovascular disease. However, it is unknown whether exposure to radiation in combination with high dietary iron further increases ones cardiovascular risk. The intent of our proposal is to generate compulsory data examining the combined effect of radiation exposure and iron overload on sensitivity to radiation injury to address HRP risks: 1) Risk Factor of Inadequate Nutrition; 2) Risk of Cardiac Rhythm Problems; and 3) Risk of Degenerative Tissue or other Health Effects from Space Radiation. Towards our goal we propose two distinct pilot studies using the following specific aims: Vascular Aim 1: To determine the short-term consequences of the independent and combined effects of exposure to gamma radiation and elevated body iron stores on measures of endothelial function and cell viability and integrity. We hypothesize that animals that have high body iron stores and are exposed to gamma radiation will show a greater reduction in endothelial dependent nitric oxid production and larger pathological changes in endothelial integrity than animals that have only 1 of those treatments (either high iron stores or exposure to gamma radiation). Vascular Aim 2: Identify and compare the effects of gamma radiation and elevated body iron stores on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of proteins associated with endothelial cell function. We hypothesize that modifications of epigenetic control and posttranslational expression of proteins associated with endothelial cell function will be differentially altered in rats with high body iron stores and exposed to gamma radiation compared to rats with only 1 type of treatment. Cardiac Aim 1: To determine the

Ferric Iron Production in Magma Oceans and Evolution of Mantle Oxidation State

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schaefer, L.; Elkins-Tanton, L. T.; Pahlevan, K.

2018-05-01

Self-oxidation of the magma ocean by ferric iron production at high pressure may explain the mantle oxidation state of the Earth. Partitioning during fractional crystallization can further increase the mantle oxygen fugacity during solidification.

Stability of ferrous-iron-rich bridgmanite under reducing midmantle conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shim, Sang-Heon; Grocholski, Brent; Ye, Yu

2017-06-05

Our current understanding of the electronic state of iron in lower-mantle minerals leads to a 8 considerable disagreement in bulk sound speed with seismic measurements if the lower mantle 9 has the same composition as the upper mantle (pyrolite). In the modelling studies, the content 10 and oxidation state of Fe in the minerals have been assumed to be constant throughout the lower 11 mantle. Here, we report high pressure experimental results in which Fe becomes dominantly 1 Fe2+ 12 in bridgmanite synthesized at 40–70GPa and 2,000K, while it is in mixed oxidation state (Fe3+/ P Fe = 60%) inmore » the samples synthesized below and above the pressure range. Little Fe3+ 13 14 in bridgmanite combined with the strong partitioning of Fe2+ into ferropericlase will alter the Fe 15 content for these minerals at 1,100–1,700 km depths. Our calculations show that the change in 16 iron content harmonizes the bulk sound speed of pyrolite with the seismic values in this region. 17 Our experiments support no significant changes in bulk composition for most of the mantle, 18 while possible changes in physical properties and processes (such as viscosity and mantle flow 19 patterns) in the mid mantle.« less

Ferritin, an iron source in meat for Staphylococcus xylosus?

PubMed

Vermassen, Aurore; Talon, Régine; Leroy, Sabine

2016-05-16

Staphylococcus xylosus is frequently isolated from food of animal origin. Moreover, this species is one of the major starter cultures used for meat fermentation. Iron is a key element for growth and survival of bacteria. Meat is particularly rich in haemic (myoglobin and haemoglobin) and non-haemic (ferritin and transferrin) iron sources. Ferritin is a storage protein able to capture large quantities of iron. It is highly resistant to microbial attack and few microorganisms can use it as an iron source. Surprisingly, we found that the S. xylosus C2a strain grows in the presence of ferritin as a sole iron source. A three-cistron operon was highly overexpressed under ferritin iron growth conditions. We generated a deletion-insertion in the first gene of the operon and evaluated the phenotype of the mutant. The mutant showed decreased growth because it was less able to acquire iron from ferritin. Transcriptional analysis of the mutant revealed downregulation of several genes involved in the response to oxidative stress. This study characterized for the first time the capacity of a Staphylococcus to use iron from ferritin and revealed that a potential reductive pathway was involved in this acquisition. We hypothesize that this ability could give an advantage to S. xylosus in meat products. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High efficiency iron electrode and additives for use in rechargeable iron-based batteries

DOEpatents

Narayan, Sri R.; Prakash, G. K. Surya; Aniszfeld, Robert; Manohar, Aswin; Malkhandi, Souradip; Yang, Bo

2017-02-21

An iron electrode and a method of manufacturing an iron electrode for use in an iron-based rechargeable battery are disclosed. In one embodiment, the iron electrode includes carbonyl iron powder and one of a metal sulfide additive or metal oxide additive selected from the group of metals consisting of bismuth, lead, mercury, indium, gallium, and tin for suppressing hydrogen evolution at the iron electrode during charging of the iron-based rechargeable battery. An iron-air rechargeable battery including an iron electrode comprising carbonyl iron is also disclosed, as is an iron-air battery wherein at least one of the iron electrode and the electrolyte includes an organosulfur additive.

Fatigue of Austempered Ductile Iron with Two Strength Grades in Very High Cycle Regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jiwang; Li, Wei; Song, Qingpeng; Zhang, Ning; Lu, Liantao

2016-03-01

In this study, Austempered ductile irons (ADIs) with two different strength grades were produced and the fatigue properties were measured at 109 cycles. The results show that the S-N curves give a typical step-wise shape and there is no fatigue limit in the very high cycle fatigue regime. The two grades ADI have the similar fracture behaviors and fatigue failure can initiate from defects at specimen surface and subsurface zone. On the fracture surfaces of some specimens, the `granular-bright-facet' area with rich carbon distribution is observed in the vicinity of the defect. The microstructure affects the crack behaviors at the early propagation stage. The ADI with upper and lower bainite shows higher fatigue strength compared with the ADI with coarse upper bainite.

Importance of extended spatial coverage for quantitative susceptibility mapping of iron-rich deep gray matter.

PubMed

Elkady, Ahmed M; Sun, Hongfu; Wilman, Alan H

2016-05-01

Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) is an emerging area of brain research with clear application to brain iron studies in deep gray matter. However, acquisition of standard whole brain QSM can be time-consuming. One means to reduce scan time is to use a focal acquisition restricted only to the regions of interest such as deep gray matter. However, the non-local dipole field necessary for QSM reconstruction extends far beyond the structure of interest. We demonstrate the practical implications of these non-local fields on the choice of brain volume for QSM. In an illustrative numerical simulation and then in human brain experiments, we examine the effect on QSM of volume reduction in each dimension. For the globus pallidus, as an example of iron-rich deep gray matter, we demonstrate that substantial errors can arise even when the field-of-view far exceeds the physical structural boundaries. Thus, QSM reconstruction requires a non-local field-of-view prescription to ensure minimal errors. An axial QSM acquisition, centered on the globus pallidus, should encompass at least 76mm in the superior-inferior direction to conserve susceptibility values from the globus pallidus. This dimension exceeds the physical coronal extent of this structure by at least five-fold. As QSM sees wider use in the neuroscience community, its unique requirement for an extended field-of-view needs to be considered. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Iron overload by Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles is a High Risk Factor in Cirrhosis by a Systems Toxicology Assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Yushuang; Zhao, Mengzhu; Yang, Fang; Mao, Yang; Xie, Hang; Zhou, Qibing

2016-06-01

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as a contrast agent have been widely used in magnetic resonance imaging for tumor diagnosis and theranostics. However, there has been safety concern of SPIONs with cirrhosis related to excess iron-induced oxidative stress. In this study, the impact of iron overload by SPIONs was assessed on a mouse cirrhosis model. A single dose of SPION injection at 0.5 or 5 mg Fe/kg in the cirrhosis group induced a septic shock response at 24 h with elevated serum levels of liver and kidney function markers and extended impacts over 14 days including high levels of serum cholesterols and persistent low serum iron level. In contrast, full restoration of liver functions was found in the normal group with the same dosages over time. Analysis with PCR array of the toxicity pathways revealed the high dose of SPIONs induced significant expression changes of a distinct subset of genes in the cirrhosis liver. All these results suggested that excess iron of the high dose of SPIONs might be a risk factor for cirrhosis because of the marked impacts of elevated lipid metabolism, disruption of iron homeostasis and possibly, aggravated loss of liver functions.

Carbonate-sensitive phytotransferrin controls high-affinity iron uptake in diatoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McQuaid, Jeffrey B.; Kustka, Adam B.; Oborník, Miroslav; Horák, Aleš; McCrow, John P.; Karas, Bogumil J.; Zheng, Hong; Kindeberg, Theodor; Andersson, Andreas J.; Barbeau, Katherine A.; Allen, Andrew E.

2018-03-01

In vast areas of the ocean, the scarcity of iron controls the growth and productivity of phytoplankton. Although most dissolved iron in the marine environment is complexed with organic molecules, picomolar amounts of labile inorganic iron species (labile iron) are maintained within the euphotic zone and serve as an important source of iron for eukaryotic phytoplankton and particularly for diatoms. Genome-enabled studies of labile iron utilization by diatoms have previously revealed novel iron-responsive transcripts, including the ferric iron-concentrating protein ISIP2A, but the mechanism behind the acquisition of picomolar labile iron remains unknown. Here we show that ISIP2A is a phytotransferrin that independently and convergently evolved carbonate ion-coordinated ferric iron binding. Deletion of ISIP2A disrupts high-affinity iron uptake in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and uptake is restored by complementation with human transferrin. ISIP2A is internalized by endocytosis, and manipulation of the seawater carbonic acid system reveals a second-order dependence on the concentrations of labile iron and carbonate ions. In P. tricornutum, the synergistic interaction of labile iron and carbonate ions occurs at environmentally relevant concentrations, revealing that carbonate availability co-limits iron uptake. Phytotransferrin sequences have a broad taxonomic distribution and are abundant in marine environmental genomic datasets, suggesting that acidification-driven declines in the concentration of seawater carbonate ions will have a negative effect on this globally important eukaryotic iron acquisition mechanism.

Updating the Geologic Barcodes for South China: Discovery of Late Archean Banded Iron Formations in the Yangtze Craton.

PubMed

Ye, Hui; Wu, Chang-Zhi; Yang, Tao; Santosh, M; Yao, Xi-Zhu; Gao, Bing-Fei; Wang, Xiao-Lei; Li, Weiqiang

2017-11-08

Banded iron formations (BIFs) in Archean cratons provide important "geologic barcodes" for the global correlation of Precambrian sedimentary records. Here we report the first finding of late Archean BIFs from the Yangtze Craton, one of largest Precambrian blocks in East Asia with an evolutionary history of over 3.3 Ga. The Yingshan iron deposit at the northeastern margin of the Yangtze Craton, displays typical features of BIF, including: (i) alternating Si-rich and Fe-rich bands at sub-mm to meter scales; (ii) high SiO 2  + Fe 2 O 3total contents (average 90.6 wt.%) and Fe/Ti ratios (average 489); (iii) relative enrichment of heavy rare earth elements and positive Eu anomalies (average 1.42); (iv) and sedimentary Fe isotope compositions (δ 56 Fe IRMM-014 as low as -0.36‰). The depositional age of the BIF is constrained at ~2464 ± 24 Ma based on U-Pb dating of zircon grains from a migmatite sample of a volcanic protolith that conformably overlied the Yingshan BIF. The BIF was intruded by Neoproterozoic (805.9 ± 4.7 Ma) granitoids that are unique in the Yangtze Craton but absent in the North China Craton to the north. The discovery of the Yingshan BIF provides new constraints for the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Craton and has important implications in the reconstruction of Pre-Nuna/Columbia supercontinent configurations.

Mössbauer studies of iron hydride at high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choe, I.; Ingalls, R.; Brown, J. M.; Sato-Sorensen, Y.; Mills, R.

1991-07-01

We have measured in situ Mössbauer spectra of iron hydride made in a diamond anvil cell at high pressure and room temperature. The spectra show a sudden change at 3.5+/-0.5 GPa from a single hyperfine pattern to a superposition of three. The former pattern results from normal α-iron with negligible hydrogen content, and the latter from residual α-iron plus newly formed iron hydride. Between 3.5 and 10.4 GPa, the extra hydride pattern have hyperfine fields for one ranging from 276 to 263 kOe, and the other, from 317 to 309 kOe. Both have isomer shifts of about 0.4 mm/sec, and negligible quadrupole splittings. X-ray studies on quenched samples have shown that iron hydride is of double hexagonal close-packed structure, whose two nonequivalent iron sites may account for the observation of two different patterns. Even allowing for the effect of volume expansion, the observed isomer shifts for the hydride are considerably more positive than those of other metallic phases of iron. At the same time, the hyperfine fields are slightly smaller than that of α-iron. As a possible explanation, one may expect a bonding of hydrogen with iron, which would result in a small reduction of 4s electrons, possibly accompanied by a small increase of 3d electrons compared with the neutral atom in metallic iron. The difference between the hyperfine fields in the two spectra are presumably due to the different symmetry at the two iron sites.

Proterozoic low-Ti iron-oxide deposits in New York and New Jersey: relation to Fe-oxide (Cu-U-Au-rare earth element) deposits and tectonic implications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Foose, M.P.; McLelland, J.M.

1995-01-01

Low-Ti iron-oxide deposits in exposed Grenville-age rocks of New York and New Jersey belong to a distinct class of iron-oxide (Cu-U-Au-rare earth element [REE]) deposits that includes similar iron deposits in southeastern Missouri and the Kiruna district of Sweden, the giant Olympic Dam U-Cu-Au-Ag deposit (Australia), and the Bayan Obo REE-Nb deposit (China). Most of the New York-New Jersey deposits exhibit features consistent with a hydrothermal origin and define a regionally significant metallogenic event that provides important clues to the evolution of this part of the Grenville orogen. In the Adirondacks, the tectonic setting of these deposits is consistent with postorogenic uplift and extensive crustal melting at 1070-1050 Ma that was accompanied by late tectonic to posttectonic deposition of iron. -Authors

Environmental selection pressures related to iron utilization are involved in the loss of the flavodoxin gene from the plant genome.

PubMed

Pierella Karlusich, Juan J; Ceccoli, Romina D; Graña, Martín; Romero, Héctor; Carrillo, Néstor

2015-02-16

Oxidative stress and iron limitation represent the grim side of life in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The versatile electron transfer shuttle ferredoxin, an iron-sulfur protein, is particularly sensitive to these hardships, and its downregulation under adverse conditions severely compromises survival of phototrophs. Replacement of ferredoxin by a stress-resistant isofunctional carrier, flavin-containing flavodoxin, is a widespread strategy employed by photosynthetic microorganisms to overcome environmental adversities. The flavodoxin gene was lost in the course of plant evolution, but its reintroduction in transgenic plants confers increased tolerance to environmental stress and iron starvation, raising the question as to why a genetic asset with obvious adaptive value was not kept by natural selection. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that the evolutionary history of flavodoxin is intricate, with several horizontal gene transfer events between distant organisms, including Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea. The flavodoxin gene is unevenly distributed in most algal lineages, with flavodoxin-containing species being overrepresented in iron-limited regions and scarce or absent in iron-rich environments. Evaluation of cyanobacterial genomic and metagenomic data yielded essentially the same results, indicating that there was little selection pressure to retain flavodoxin in iron-rich coastal/freshwater phototrophs. Our results show a highly dynamic evolution pattern of flavodoxin tightly connected to the bioavailability of iron. Evidence presented here also indicates that the high concentration of iron in coastal and freshwater habitats may have facilitated the loss of flavodoxin in the freshwater ancestor of modern plants during the transition of photosynthetic organisms from the open oceans to the firm land. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

An Earth-sized planet with an Earth-like density.

PubMed

Pepe, Francesco; Cameron, Andrew Collier; Latham, David W; Molinari, Emilio; Udry, Stéphane; Bonomo, Aldo S; Buchhave, Lars A; Charbonneau, David; Cosentino, Rosario; Dressing, Courtney D; Dumusque, Xavier; Figueira, Pedro; Fiorenzano, Aldo F M; Gettel, Sara; Harutyunyan, Avet; Haywood, Raphaëlle D; Horne, Keith; Lopez-Morales, Mercedes; Lovis, Christophe; Malavolta, Luca; Mayor, Michel; Micela, Giusi; Motalebi, Fatemeh; Nascimbeni, Valerio; Phillips, David; Piotto, Giampaolo; Pollacco, Don; Queloz, Didier; Rice, Ken; Sasselov, Dimitar; Ségransan, Damien; Sozzetti, Alessandro; Szentgyorgyi, Andrew; Watson, Christopher A

2013-11-21

Recent analyses of data from the NASA Kepler spacecraft have established that planets with radii within 25 per cent of the Earth's (R Earth symbol) are commonplace throughout the Galaxy, orbiting at least 16.5 per cent of Sun-like stars. Because these studies were sensitive to the sizes of the planets but not their masses, the question remains whether these Earth-sized planets are indeed similar to the Earth in bulk composition. The smallest planets for which masses have been accurately determined are Kepler-10b (1.42 R Earth symbol) and Kepler-36b (1.49 R Earth symbol), which are both significantly larger than the Earth. Recently, the planet Kepler-78b was discovered and found to have a radius of only 1.16 R Earth symbol. Here we report that the mass of this planet is 1.86 Earth masses. The resulting mean density of the planet is 5.57 g cm(-3), which is similar to that of the Earth and implies a composition of iron and rock.

[Iron deficiency in infants and toddlers: impact on health and preventive strategies].

PubMed

Moráis López, A; Dalmau Serra, J

2011-06-01

Infants and toddlers represent a risk population for iron deficiency (ID), due to their relatively high requirements, which are frequently associated with a poor intake of iron-rich foods. A possible association between ID and impaired cognitive and psychomotor development has been described, and it has been suggested that some of these effects can be irreversible. For this reason, prevention of ID has become a subject of much concern. To promote an adequate dietetic iron intake is the most important approach for the prevention of ID. Exclusive breast-feeding provides adequate amounts of iron during the first 4-6 months of life, and iron-fortified formula should be used when an alternative is necessary. Fortified cereals and foods containing haem iron, such as meat, should be introduced early in complementary feeding. In toddlers, iron requirements can be satisfied with a daily consumption of at least one serving of iron-containing foods, along with enhancers of iron absorption. When daily requirements are not properly met by food intake, and in some high-risk populations, screening for ID and iron supplementation should be considered. Copyright © 2010 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Oxygen isotope variation in stony-iron meteorites.

PubMed

Greenwood, R C; Franchi, I A; Jambon, A; Barrat, J A; Burbine, T H

2006-09-22

Asteroidal material, delivered to Earth as meteorites, preserves a record of the earliest stages of planetary formation. High-precision oxygen isotope analyses for the two major groups of stony-iron meteorites (main-group pallasites and mesosiderites) demonstrate that each group is from a distinct asteroidal source. Mesosiderites are isotopically identical to the howardite-eucrite-diogenite clan and, like them, are probably derived from the asteroid 4 Vesta. Main-group pallasites represent intermixed core-mantle material from a single disrupted asteroid and have no known equivalents among the basaltic meteorites. The stony-iron meteorites demonstrate that intense asteroidal deformation accompanied planetary accretion in the early Solar System.

Does asteroid 4 Vesta, with watery 1 Ceres and the Galilean moons, record the Ringwood-mode iron core construction now predicated for Earth and even apply to the other terrestrial planets?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osmaston, M. F.

2014-04-01

zircons from water-requiring granitoids [7], and its continuing abundance in water-rich ringwoodite at the bottom of the upper mantle [8]. Vesta as a record of Ringwood-mode (RM) core formation. Based on its 220km diameter core [9] and a 500km mean overall diameter, the water generated by RM core formation would have given it a water-laden atmosphere containing an effective surface water layer over 30km deep. Current flows in this, presumably below a frozen lid, appear to have carved early deep channels in the uncoherent regolith, well seen as a.m.- conserving spiral channels (5.3hr rotationperiod) outboard of the later southern impact. Circum-equatorial similar grooves all seem to predate the impact cratering, made possible by loss of the water/ice. Character of an RM volcano interior. We can construct a vertical section from the meteoritic record, with eucrites at the top, diogenites in-between, pallasites (stonyiron) below and finally irons at the bottom. Eucrites are lavas whose FeO reduction reaction with the nebular H is recorded by clouding in the pyroxenes and plagioclase [10]. Pallasites are typical magma-chamber cumulate high-Mg olivines surrounded by an FeNi matrix which arrived by percolation from above. Lower still, the Fe/Ni 'irons' represent the pool below the lower-density olivines. Thus all these have been accessible to impact without breaking up long-solid iron cores. The >50-fold variety of observed FeNi compositions in 'irons' [11] could thus be natural volcanic variation, even on a single body, without invoking the rupture of so many separate cores. Finally, we suppose that Ceres and the Galileans, being further out, have (bar Io) managed to retain their Ringwood-mode water. For Europa [12,13], in particular, the ratio of core to preserved water seems close to the Ringwood-mode expectation. On the compulsive evidence [1,2] and our evidence [3,4] for Earth, it seems that Ringwood-mode core formation may have applied throughout the Inner Solar System

Recovering heavy rare earth metals from magnet scrap

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ott, Ryan T.; McCallum, Ralph W.; Jones, Lawrence L.

A method of treating rare earth metal-bearing permanent magnet scrap, waste or other material in a manner to recover the heavy rare earth metal content separately from the light rare earth metal content. The heavy rare earth metal content can be recovered either as a heavy rare earth metal-enriched iron based alloy or as a heavy rare earth metal based alloy.

The Fe{sup 2+}/Fe{sup 3+} ratio in natural and heat-treated iron-rich eudialytes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rastsvetaeva, R. K., E-mail: rast@ns.crys.ras.ru; Aksenov, S. M.; Rozenberg, K. A.

2011-03-15

The structures of natural iron-rich eudialyte (specimen 3458 from the Khibiny massif, the Kola Peninsula) and two heat-treated samples of this mineral calcined at 700 and 800 Degree-Sign C were determined by X-ray diffraction. The trigonal unit-cell parameters (sp. gr. R3m) are as follows: a = 14.2645(1) Angstrom-Sign , c = 29.9635(5) Angstrom-Sign ; a = 14.1307(1) Angstrom-Sign , c = 30.1229(3) Angstrom-Sign ; a = 14.1921(2) Angstrom-Sign , c = 30.2417(5) Angstrom-Sign , respectively. It was found that Fe{sup 3+} ions in the calcined eudialytes, as well as impurities in the starting specimen, occupy the square-pyramidal Fe{sup 3+}(V) sites,more » whereas Fe{sup 2+} ions are in the planar-tetragonal Fe{sup 2+}(IV) sites.« less

Iron diffusion from first principles calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wann, E.; Ammann, M. W.; Vocadlo, L.; Wood, I. G.; Lord, O. T.; Brodholt, J. P.; Dobson, D. P.

2013-12-01

The cores of Earth and other terrestrial planets are made up largely of iron1 and it is therefore very important to understand iron's physical properties. Chemical diffusion is one such property and is central to many processes, such as crystal growth, and viscosity. Debate still surrounds the explanation for the seismologically observed anisotropy of the inner core2, and hypotheses include convection3, anisotropic growth4 and dendritic growth5, all of which depend on diffusion. In addition to this, the main deformation mechanism at the inner-outer core boundary is believed to be diffusion creep6. It is clear, therefore, that to gain a comprehensive understanding of the core, a thorough understanding of diffusion is necessary. The extremely high pressures and temperatures of the Earth's core make experiments at these conditions a challenge. Low-temperature and low-pressure experimental data must be extrapolated across a very wide gap to reach the relevant conditions, resulting in very poorly constrained values for diffusivity and viscosity. In addition to these dangers of extrapolation, preliminary results show that magnetisation plays a major role in the activation energies for diffusion at low pressures therefore creating a break down in homologous scaling to high pressures. First principles calculations provide a means of investigating diffusivity at core conditions, have already been shown to be in very good agreement with experiments7, and will certainly provide a better estimate for diffusivity than extrapolation. Here, we present first principles simulations of self-diffusion in solid iron for the FCC, BCC and HCP structures at core conditions in addition to low-temperature and low-pressure calculations relevant to experimental data. 1. Birch, F. Density and composition of mantle and core. Journal of Geophysical Research 69, 4377-4388 (1964). 2. Irving, J. C. E. & Deuss, A. Hemispherical structure in inner core velocity anisotropy. Journal of Geophysical

Evidence of biogeochemical processes in iron duricrust formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levett, Alan; Gagen, Emma; Shuster, Jeremiah; Rintoul, Llew; Tobin, Mark; Vongsvivut, Jitraporn; Bambery, Keith; Vasconcelos, Paulo; Southam, Gordon

2016-11-01

Canga is a moderately hard iron-rich duricrust primarily composed of goethite as a result of the weathering of banded iron formations. Canga duricrusts lack a well-developed soil profile and consequently form an innate association with rupestrian plants that may become ferruginised, contributing to canga possessing macroscopic biological features. Examination of polished canga using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) revealed the biological textures associated with canga extended to the sub-millimetre scale in petrographic sections and polished blocks. Laminae that formed by abiotic processes and regions where goethite cements were formed in association with microorganisms were observed in canga. Biological cycling of iron within canga has resulted in two distinct forms of microbial fossilisation: permineralisation of multispecies biofilms and mineralisation of cell envelopes. Goethite permineralised biofilms frequently formed around goethite-rich kaolinite grains in close proximity to goethite bands and were composed of micrometre-scale rod-shaped, cocci and filamentous microfossils. In contrast, the cell envelopes immobilised by authigenic iron oxides were primarily of rod-shaped microorganisms, were not permineralised and occurred in pore spaces within canga. Complete mineralisation of intact rod-shaped casts and the absence of permineralisation suggested mineralised cell envelopes may represent fossilised iron-oxidising bacteria in the canga ecosystem. Replication of these iron-oxidising bacteria appeared to infill the porous regions within canga. Synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy demonstrated that organic biomarkers were poorly preserved with only weak bands indicative of aliphatic methylene (CH2) associated with permineralised microbial biofilms. High resolution imaging of microbial fossils in canga that had been etched with oxalic acid supported the poor preservation of organic biomarkers within canga

Nitrate-dependent iron oxidation limits iron transport in anoxic ocean regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scholz, Florian; Löscher, Carolin R.; Fiskal, Annika; Sommer, Stefan; Hensen, Christian; Lomnitz, Ulrike; Wuttig, Kathrin; Göttlicher, Jörg; Kossel, Elke; Steininger, Ralph; Canfield, Donald E.

2016-11-01

Iron is an essential element for life on Earth and limits primary production in large parts of the ocean. Oxygen-free continental margin sediments represent an important source of bioavailable iron to the ocean, yet little of the iron released from the seabed reaches the productive sea surface. Even in the anoxic water of oxygen minimum zones, where iron solubility should be enhanced, most of the iron is rapidly re-precipitated. To constrain the mechanism(s) of iron removal in anoxic ocean regions we explored the sediment and water in the oxygen minimum zone off Peru. During our sampling campaign the water column featured two distinct redox boundaries separating oxic from nitrate-reducing (i.e., nitrogenous) water and nitrogenous from weakly sulfidic water. The sulfidic water mass in contact with the shelf sediment contained elevated iron concentrations >300 nM. At the boundary between sulfidic and nitrogenous conditions, iron concentrations dropped sharply to <20 nM coincident with a maximum in particulate iron concentration. Within the iron gradient, we found an increased expression of the key functional marker gene for nitrate reduction (narG). Part of this upregulation was related to the activity of known iron-oxidizing bacteria. Collectively, our data suggest that iron oxidation and removal is induced by nitrate-reducing microbes, either enzymatically through anaerobic iron oxidation or by providing nitrite for an abiotic reaction. Given the important role that iron plays in nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis and respiration, nitrate-dependent iron oxidation likely represents a key-link between the marine biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon.

High solubility pathway for the carbon dioxide free production of iron.

PubMed

Licht, Stuart; Wang, Baohui

2010-10-07

We report a fundamental change in the understanding of iron oxide thermochemistry, opening a facile, new CO(2)-free route to iron production. The resultant process can eliminate a major global source of greenhouse gas emission, producing the staple iron in molten media at high rate and low electrolysis energy.

Geochemistry, Nd-Pb Isotopes, and Pb-Pb Ages of the Mesoproterozoic Pea Ridge Iron Oxide-Apatite–Rare Earth Element Deposit, Southeast Missouri

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ayuso, Robert A.; Slack, John F.; Day, Warren C.; McCafferty, Anne E.

2016-01-01

Iron oxide-apatite and iron oxide-copper-gold deposits occur within ~1.48 to 1.47 Ga volcanic rocks of the St. Francois Mountains terrane near a regional boundary separating crustal blocks having contrasting depleted-mantle Sm-Nd model ages (TDM). Major and trace element analyses and Nd and Pb isotope data were obtained to characterize the Pea Ridge deposit, improve identification of exploration targets, and better understand the regional distribution of mineralization with respect to crustal blocks. The Pea Ridge deposit is spatially associated with felsic volcanic rocks and plutons. Mafic to intermediate-composition rocks are volumetrically minor. Data for major element variations are commonly scattered and strongly suggest element mobility. Ratios of relatively immobile elements indicate that the felsic rocks are evolved subalkaline dacite and rhyolite; the mafic rocks are basalt to basaltic andesite. Granites and rhyolites display geochemical features typical of rocks produced by subduction. Rare earth element (REE) variations for the rhyolites are diagnostic of rocks affected by hydrothermal alteration and associated REE mineralization. The magnetite-rich rocks and REE-rich breccias show similar REE and mantle-normalized trace element patterns.Nd isotope compositions (age corrected) show that: (1) host rhyolites have ɛNd from 3.44 to 4.25 and TDM from 1.51 to 1.59 Ga; (2) magnetite ore and specular hematite rocks display ɛNd from 3.04 to 4.21 and TDM from 1.6 to 1.51 Ga, and ɛNd from 2.23 to 2.81, respectively; (3) REE-rich breccias have ɛNd from 3.04 to 4.11 and TDM from 1.6 to 1.51 Ga; and (4) mafic to intermediate-composition rocks range in ɛNd from 2.35 to 3.66 and in TDM from 1.66 to 1.56. The ɛNd values of the magnetite and specular hematite samples show that the REE mineralization is magmatic; no evidence exists for major overprinting by younger, crustal meteoric fluids, or by externally derived Nd. Host rocks, breccias, and

Iron-sulfur-carbon relationships in organic-carbon-rich sequences I: Cretaceous Western Interior seaway

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dean, W.E.; Arthur, M.A.

1989-01-01

Cretaceous marine strata deposited in shallow to intermediate depths in the Western Interior seaway of North America show considerable variation in organic-carbon enrichment and degree of pyrite formation. The extreme range of paleoceanographic and depositional conditions that occurred in this seaway provide a unique opportunity to examine the effects of iron-, carbon-, and sulfur-limitation on pyrite formation in one region over about 30 my. Ternary diagrams of the system Fe-S-OC, together with some measure of the reactivity of organic matter (pyrolysis hydrogen index), provide a rapid means of recognizing iron-, carbon-, and sulfur-limitation on pyrite formation in a series of samples from a single lithologic unit. Iron limitation is indicated by a concentration of data along a line of constant S/Fe ratio on a Fe-S-OC ternary diagram. Carbon limitation is indicated by a concentration of data along a line of constant S/OC ratio. Sulfur-limitation is suggested by the lack of a systematic Fe-S-OC relationship and residual organic matter that is high in abundance and reactivity. -from Authors

Pure-iron/iron-based-alloy hybrid soft magnetic powder cores compacted at ultra-high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Tatsuya; Tsuruta, Hijiri; Watanabe, Asako; Ishimine, Tomoyuki; Ueno, Tomoyuki

2018-04-01

We developed Fe/FeSiAl soft magnetic powder cores (SMCs) for realizing the miniaturization and high efficiency of an electromagnetic conversion coil in the high-frequency range (˜20 kHz). We found that Fe/FeSiAl SMCs can be formed with a higher density under higher compaction pressure than pure-iron SMCs. These SMCs delivered a saturation magnetic flux density of 1.7 T and iron loss (W1/20k) of 158 kW/m3. The proposed SMCs exhibited similar excellent characteristics even in block shapes, which are closer to the product shapes.

A textural and compositional investigation on the source and timing of iron oxidation and titanium enrichment in high-pressure serpentinites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, R.; Evans, K. A.; Reddy, S.; Lester, G. W.

2016-12-01

The redox state, quantity and composition of subduction zone fluids influence the transport and precipitation of elements including those which are redox-sensitive, of economic importance such as Cu, Au and Ag, and those considered to be immobile, which include Fe3+. However, subduction zone fluids remain poorly understood. The redox state of Fe in high-pressure ultramafic rocks, which host a significant proportion of Fe3+, can be used to provide an insight into Fe cycling and constrain the composition and possible source of subduction zone fluids. In this work, we use a combination of oxide mineral textures, mineral parageneses, mineral composition data, and whole rock geochemistry of high-pressure retrogressed ultramafic rocks from the Zermatt-Saas Zone to constrain the distribution and oxidation state of iron, and to provide insights on the nature of fluids at depth within subduction zones. Oxide minerals host the bulk of the iron, particularly Fe3+. The increase in mode of magnetite during initial retrogression is most consistent with oxidation of existing iron via the infiltration of an oxidising fluids since it is difficult to reconcile addition of Fe3+ with the known limited solubility of this species. In addition, fluid-mediated or mechanical mixing with other lithologies in the slab could introduce elements and alter the bulk composition of serpentinites. However, the high Ti content of one sample cannot be explained by simple mixing of a depleted mantle protolith with the nearby Allalin gabbros, and provides the tantalising possibility that Ti, an element generally perceived as immobile, has been added to the rock. While we cannot completely exclude the possibility of pre-subduction Ti addition, textural analysis of Ti-rich minerals suggest mobilisation of Ti during subduction on at least a centimetre scale. If Ti addition has occurred, then the introduction of Fe3+, also generally considered to be immobile, cannot be disregarded. The Al-rich nature of

Volcanism, Iron, and Phytoplankton in the Heard and McDonald Islands Region, Southern Indian Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coffin, M. F.; Arculus, R. J.; Bowie, A. R.; Chase, Z.; Robertson, R.; Trull, T. W.; Heobi in2016 v01 Shipboard Party, T.

2016-12-01

Phytoplankton supply approximately half of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, and iron supply limits the growth of phytoplankton in the anemic Southern Ocean. Situated entirely within the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean are Australia's only active subaerial volcanoes, Heard and McDonald islands (HIMI) on the central Kerguelen Plateau, a large igneous province. Widespread fields of submarine volcanoes, some of which may be active, extend for distances of up to several hundred kilometers from the islands. The predominantly eastward-flowing Antarctic Circumpolar Current sweeps across the central Kerguelen Plateau, and extensive blooms of phytoplankton are observed on the Plateau down-current of HIMI. The goal of RV Investigator voyage IN2016_V01, conducted in January/February 2016, is to test the hypothesis that hydrothermal fluids, which cool active submarine volcanoes in the HIMI region, ascend from the seafloor and fertilise surface waters with iron, thereby enhancing biological productivity beginning with phytoplankton. Significant initial shipboard results include: Documentation, for the first time, of the role of active HIMI and nearby submarine volcanoes in supplying iron to the Southern Ocean. Nearshore waters had elevated dissolved iron levels. Although biomass was not correspondingly elevated, fluorescence induction data indicated highly productive resident phytoplankton. Discovery of >200 acoustic plumes emanating from the seafloor and ascending up to tens of meters into the water column near HIMI. Deep tow camera footage shows bubbles rising from the seafloor in an acoustic plume field north of Heard Island. Mapping 1,000 km2 of uncharted seafloor around HIMI. Submarine volcanic edifices punctuate the adjacent seafloor, and yielded iron-rich rocks similar to those found on HIMI, respectively. Acoustic plumes emanating from some of these features suggest active seafloor hydrothermal systems.

Indefinitely stable iron(IV) cage complexes formed in water by air oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomyn, Stefania; Shylin, Sergii I.; Bykov, Dmytro; Ksenofontov, Vadim; Gumienna-Kontecka, Elzbieta; Bon, Volodymyr; Fritsky, Igor O.

2017-01-01

In nature, iron, the fourth most abundant element of the Earth's crust, occurs in its stable forms either as the native metal or in its compounds in the +2 or +3 (low-valent) oxidation states. High-valent iron (+4, +5, +6) compounds are not formed spontaneously at ambient conditions, and the ones obtained synthetically appear to be unstable in polar organic solvents, especially aqueous solutions, and this is what limits their studies and use. Here we describe unprecedented iron(IV) hexahydrazide clathrochelate complexes that are assembled in alkaline aqueous media from iron(III) salts, oxalodihydrazide and formaldehyde in the course of a metal-templated reaction accompanied by air oxidation. The complexes can exist indefinitely at ambient conditions without any sign of decomposition in water, nonaqueous solutions and in the solid state. We anticipate that our findings may open a way to aqueous solution and polynuclear high-valent iron chemistry that remains underexplored and presents an important challenge.

Indefinitely stable iron(IV) cage complexes formed in water by air oxidation.

PubMed

Tomyn, Stefania; Shylin, Sergii I; Bykov, Dmytro; Ksenofontov, Vadim; Gumienna-Kontecka, Elzbieta; Bon, Volodymyr; Fritsky, Igor O

2017-01-19

In nature, iron, the fourth most abundant element of the Earth's crust, occurs in its stable forms either as the native metal or in its compounds in the +2 or +3 (low-valent) oxidation states. High-valent iron (+4, +5, +6) compounds are not formed spontaneously at ambient conditions, and the ones obtained synthetically appear to be unstable in polar organic solvents, especially aqueous solutions, and this is what limits their studies and use. Here we describe unprecedented iron(IV) hexahydrazide clathrochelate complexes that are assembled in alkaline aqueous media from iron(III) salts, oxalodihydrazide and formaldehyde in the course of a metal-templated reaction accompanied by air oxidation. The complexes can exist indefinitely at ambient conditions without any sign of decomposition in water, nonaqueous solutions and in the solid state. We anticipate that our findings may open a way to aqueous solution and polynuclear high-valent iron chemistry that remains underexplored and presents an important challenge.

Indefinitely stable iron(IV) cage complexes formed in water by air oxidation

PubMed Central

Tomyn, Stefania; Shylin, Sergii I.; Bykov, Dmytro; Ksenofontov, Vadim; Gumienna-Kontecka, Elzbieta; Bon, Volodymyr; Fritsky, Igor O.

2017-01-01

In nature, iron, the fourth most abundant element of the Earth's crust, occurs in its stable forms either as the native metal or in its compounds in the +2 or +3 (low-valent) oxidation states. High-valent iron (+4, +5, +6) compounds are not formed spontaneously at ambient conditions, and the ones obtained synthetically appear to be unstable in polar organic solvents, especially aqueous solutions, and this is what limits their studies and use. Here we describe unprecedented iron(IV) hexahydrazide clathrochelate complexes that are assembled in alkaline aqueous media from iron(III) salts, oxalodihydrazide and formaldehyde in the course of a metal-templated reaction accompanied by air oxidation. The complexes can exist indefinitely at ambient conditions without any sign of decomposition in water, nonaqueous solutions and in the solid state. We anticipate that our findings may open a way to aqueous solution and polynuclear high-valent iron chemistry that remains underexplored and presents an important challenge. PMID:28102364

Lithium-aluminum-iron electrode composition

DOEpatents

Kaun, Thomas D.

1979-01-01

A negative electrode composition is presented for use in a secondary electrochemical cell. The cell also includes an electrolyte with lithium ions such as a molten salt of alkali metal halides or alkaline earth metal halides that can be used in high-temperature cells. The cell's positive electrode contains a a chalcogen or a metal chalcogenide as the active electrode material. The negative electrode composition includes up to 50 atom percent lithium as the active electrode constituent in an alloy of aluminum-iron. Various binary and ternary intermetallic phases of lithium, aluminum and iron are formed. The lithium within the intermetallic phase of Al.sub.5 Fe.sub.2 exhibits increased activity over that of lithium within a lithium-aluminum alloy to provide an increased cell potential of up to about 0.25 volt.

Obesity alters adipose tissue macrophage iron content and tissue iron distribution.

PubMed

Orr, Jeb S; Kennedy, Arion; Anderson-Baucum, Emily K; Webb, Corey D; Fordahl, Steve C; Erikson, Keith M; Zhang, Yaofang; Etzerodt, Anders; Moestrup, Søren K; Hasty, Alyssa H

2014-02-01

Adipose tissue (AT) expansion is accompanied by the infiltration and accumulation of AT macrophages (ATMs), as well as a shift in ATM polarization. Several studies have implicated recruited M1 ATMs in the metabolic consequences of obesity; however, little is known regarding the role of alternatively activated resident M2 ATMs in AT homeostasis or how their function is altered in obesity. Herein, we report the discovery of a population of alternatively activated ATMs with elevated cellular iron content and an iron-recycling gene expression profile. These iron-rich ATMs are referred to as MFe(hi), and the remaining ATMs are referred to as MFe(lo). In lean mice, ~25% of the ATMs are MFe(hi); this percentage decreases in obesity owing to the recruitment of MFe(lo) macrophages. Similar to MFe(lo) cells, MFe(hi) ATMs undergo an inflammatory shift in obesity. In vivo, obesity reduces the iron content of MFe(hi) ATMs and the gene expression of iron importers as well as the iron exporter, ferroportin, suggesting an impaired ability to handle iron. In vitro, exposure of primary peritoneal macrophages to saturated fatty acids also alters iron metabolism gene expression. Finally, the impaired MFe(hi) iron handling coincides with adipocyte iron overload in obese mice. In conclusion, in obesity, iron distribution is altered both at the cellular and tissue levels, with AT playing a predominant role in this change. An increased availability of fatty acids during obesity may contribute to the observed changes in MFe(hi) ATM phenotype and their reduced capacity to handle iron.

A IAB-Complex Iron Meteorite Containing Low-Ca Clinopyroxene: Northwest Africa 468 and its Relationship to Iodranites and Formation by Impact Melting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rubin, Alan E.; Kallemeyn, Gregory W.; Wasson, John T.

2002-01-01

Northwest Africa 468 (NWA 468) is a new ungrouped, silicate-rich member of the IAB complex of nonmagmatic iron meteorites. The silicates contain relatively coarse (approximately 300 micron-size) grains of low-Ca clinopyroxene with polysynthetic twinning and inclined extinction. Low-Ca clinopyroxene is indicative of quenching from high temperatures (either from protoenstatite in a few seconds or high-temperature clinoenstatite in a few hours). It seems likely that NWA 468 formed by impact melting followed by rapid cooling to less than or equal to 660 C. After the loss of a metal-sulfide melt from the silicates, sulfide was reintroduced, either from impact-mobilized FeS or as an S2 vapor that combined with metallic Fe to produce FeS. The O-isotopic composition (delta O-17 = -1.39 %) indicates that the precursor material of NWA 468 was a metal-rich (e.g., CR) carbonaceous chondrite. Lodranites are similar in bulk chemical and O-isotopic composition to the silicates in NWA 468; the MAC 88177 lodranite (which also contains low-Ca clinopyroxene) is close in bulk chemical composition. Both NWA 468 and MAC 88177 have relatively low abundances of REE (rare earth elements) and plagiophile elements. Siderophiles in the metal-rich areas of NWA 468 are similar to those in the MAC 88177 whole rock; both samples contain low Ir and relatively high Fe, Cu and Se. Most unweathered lodranites contain approximately 20 - 38 wt. % metallic Fe-Ni. These rocks may have formed in an analogous manner to NWA 468 (i.e., by impact melting of metal-rich carbonaceous-chondrite precursors) but with less separation of metal-rich melts from silicates.

A Search for Water in a Super-Earth Atmosphere: High-resolution Optical Spectroscopy of 55Cancri e

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Esteves, Lisa J.; De Mooij, Ernst J. W.; Watson, Chris

We present the analysis of high-resolution optical spectra of four transits of 55Cnc e, a low-density super-Earth that orbits a nearby Sun-like star in under 18 hr. The inferred bulk density of the planet implies a substantial envelope, which, according to mass–radius relationships, could be either a low-mass extended or a high-mass compact atmosphere. Our observations investigate the latter scenario, with water as the dominant species. We take advantage of the Doppler cross-correlation technique, high-spectral resolution, and the large wavelength coverage of our observations to search for the signature of thousands of optical water absorption lines. Using our observations with HDSmore » on the Subaru telescope and ESPaDOnS on the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope, we are able to place a 3 σ lower limit of 10 g mol{sup −1} on the mean-molecular weight of 55Cnc e’s water-rich (volume mixing ratio >10%), optically thin atmosphere, which corresponds to an atmospheric scale-height of ∼80 km. Our study marks the first high-spectral resolution search for water in a super-Earth atmosphere, and demonstrates that it is possible to recover known water-vapor absorption signals in a nearby super-Earth atmosphere, using high-resolution transit spectroscopy with current ground-based instruments.« less

The Bayan Obo iron-rare-earth-niobium deposits, Inner Mongolia, China

USGS Publications Warehouse

Drew, Lawrence J.; Qingrun, Meng; Weijun, Sun

1990-01-01

The plate tectonic setting, regional geology and certain aspects of the economic geology of the iron-rare-earth-niobium ore bodies at Bayan Obo, Inner Mongolia, China, were studied by a team of geologists from the Tianjin Geologic Research Academy and the U.S. Geological Survey between 1987 and 1989. These ore bodies were formed by hydrothermal replacement of Middle Proterozoic dolomite in an intra-continental rift setting. A variety of veins and/or dikes that have a carbonatitelike mineralogy cut the footwall clastic rocks and migmatites. A stockwork of veins occurs at several locations in the footwall. The hanging wall is a shale that has been converted to a K-metasomatite and has microcrystalline potassium feldspar as its principal constituent. This shale served as a sealing caprock that contained the chemical solutions that reacted with the dolomite and created the enormous concentration of mineralized rock in an 18-kilometer-long syncline. The rocks that host these ore bodies and the associated mineralized areas occur today as roof pendants in granitoid rocks of Permian age that were emplaced during a continent-to-continent collision during that period.

Rusty Old Stars: A Source of the Missing Interstellar Iron

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-18

et al. 2008). Iron is also de- pleted by >90% in the gas phase of planetary nebulae (Delgado Inglada et al. 2009). Direct evidence for iron...planetary nebulae ; as well as isotopic ratios in FeO grains in meteorites. While iron increases opacity in oxygen-rich winds, it remains unclear

Silicate Inclusions in the Kodaikanal IIE Iron Meteorite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kurat, G.; Varela, M. E.; Zinner, E.

2005-01-01

Silicate inclusions in iron meteorites display an astonishing chemical and mineralogical variety, ranging from chondritic to highly fractionated, silica- and alkali-rich assemblages. In spite of this, their origin is commonly considered to be a simple one: mixing of silicates, fractionated or unfractionated, with metal. The latter had to be liquid in order to accommodate the former in a pore-free way which all models accomplish by assuming shock melting. II-E iron meteorites are particularly interesting because they contain an exotic zoo of silicate inclusions, including some chemically strongly fractionated ones. They also pose a formidable conundrum: young silicates are enclosed by very old metal. This and many other incompatibilities between models and reality forced the formulation of an alternative genetic model for irons. Here we present preliminary findings in our study of Kodaikanal silicate inclusions.

Effects of Na2SO4 on iron and nickel reduction in a high-iron and low-nickel laterite ore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiao-ping; Sun, Ti-chang; Chen, Chao; Kou, Jue

2018-04-01

This study investigates the reactions of Na2SO4 and its effects on iron and nickel reduction in the roasting of a high-iron and low-nickel laterite ore through gas composition, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope analyses. Results showed that a reduction reaction of Na2SO4 to SO2 was performed with roasting up to 600°C. However, no clear influence on iron and nickel reductions appeared, because only a small amount of Na2SO4 reacted to produce SO2. Na2SO4 reacted completely at 1000°C, mainly producing troilite and nepheline, which remarkably improves selective reduction of nickel. Furthermore, the production of low-melting-point minerals, including troilite and nepheline, accelerated nickel reduction and delayed iron reduction, which is attributed to the concurrent production of magnesium magnetite, whose structure is more stable than the structure of magnetite. Reduction reactions of Na2SO4 resulted in weakening of the reduction atmosphere, and the main product of Na2SO4 changed and delayed the reduction of iron. Eventually, iron metallization was effectively controlled during laterite ore reduction roasting, leading to iron mainly being found in wustite and high iron-containing olivine.

Maize porridge enriched with a micronutrient powder containing low-dose iron as NaFeEDTA but not amaranth grain flour reduces anemia and iron deficiency in Kenyan preschool children.

PubMed

Macharia-Mutie, Catherine W; Moretti, Diego; Van den Briel, Natalie; Omusundi, Agnes M; Mwangi, Alice M; Kok, Frans J; Zimmermann, Michael B; Brouwer, Inge D

2012-09-01

Few studies have evaluated the impact of fortification with iron-rich foods such as amaranth grain and multi-micronutrient powder (MNP) containing low doses of highly bioavailable iron to control iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children. We assessed the efficacy of maize porridge enriched with amaranth grain or MNP to reduce IDA in Kenyan preschool children. In a 16-wk intervention trial, children (n = 279; 12-59 mo) were randomly assigned to: unrefined maize porridge (control; 4.1 mg of iron/meal; phytate:iron molar ratio 5:1); unrefined maize (30%) and amaranth grain (70%) porridge (amaranth group; 23 mg of iron/meal; phytate:iron molar ratio 3:1); or unrefined maize porridge with MNP (MNP group; 6.6 mg iron/meal; phytate:iron molar ratio 2.6:1; 2.5 mg iron as NaFeEDTA). Primary outcomes were anemia and iron status with treatment effects estimated relative to control. At baseline, 38% were anemic and 30% iron deficient. Consumption of MNP reduced the prevalence of anemia [-46% (95% CI: -67, -12)], iron deficiency [-70% (95% CI: -89, -16)], and IDA [-75% (95% CI: -92, -20)]. The soluble transferrin receptor [-10% (95% CI: -16, -4)] concentration was lower, whereas the hemoglobin (Hb) [2.7 g/L (95% CI: 0.4, 5.1)] and plasma ferritin [40% (95% CI: 10, 95)] concentrations increased in the MNP group. There was no significant change in Hb or iron status in the amaranth group. Consumption of maize porridge fortified with low-dose, highly bioavailable iron MNP can reduce the prevalence of IDA in preschool children. In contrast, fortification with amaranth grain did not improve iron status despite a large increase in iron intake, likely due to high ratio of phytic acid:iron in the meal.

Heterogeneity in horse ferritins. A comparative study of surface charge, iron content and kinetics of iron uptake.

PubMed Central

Russell, S M; Harrison, P M

1978-01-01

Horse ferritins from different organs show heterogeneity on electrofocusing in Ampholine gradients. Both ferritin and apoferritin from liver and spleen could be fractionated with respect to surface charge by serial precipitation with (NH4)2SO4. In the ferritin fractions, increasing iron content parallels increasing isoelectric point. After removal of their iron, those fractions which originally contained most iron accumulated added iron at the fastest rates. When unfractionated ferritins from different organs were compared the average isoelectric point increased in order spleen less than liver less than kidney less than heart. The order of initial rates of iron uptake by the apoferritins was spleen greater than kidney greater than heart and initial average iron contents also followed this order. The relatively low rates of iron accumulation by iron-poor molecules may have been due to structural alteration, to degradation, to activation of the iron-rich molecules or to other factors. Images Fig. 1. Fig. 2. PMID:736908

Microstructure and properties of pure iron/copper composite cladding layers on carbon steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Long; Huang, Yong-xian; Lü, Shi-xiong; Huang, Ti-fang; Lü, Zong-liang

2016-08-01

In the present study, pure iron/copper composite metal cladding was deposited onto carbon steel by tungsten inert gas welding. The study focused on interfacial morphological, microstructural, and mechanical analyses of the composite cladding layers. Iron liquid-solid-phase zones were formed at copper/steel and iron interfaces because of the melting of the steel substrate and iron. Iron concentrated in the copper cladding layer was observed to exhibit belt, globule, and dendrite morphologies. The appearance of iron-rich globules indicated the occurrence of liquid phase separation (LPS) prior to solidification, and iron-rich dendrites crystallized without the occurrence of LPS. The maximum microhardness of the iron/steel interface was lower than that of the copper/steel interface because of the diffusion of elemental carbon. All samples fractured in the cladding layers. Because of a relatively lower strength of the copper layer, a short plateau region appeared when shear movement was from copper to iron.

The Phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 Has Three High-Affinity Iron-Scavenging Systems Functional under Iron Limitation Conditions but Dispensable for Pathogenesis▿¶

PubMed Central

Jones, Alexander M.; Wildermuth, Mary C.

2011-01-01

High-affinity iron scavenging through the use of siderophores is a well-established virulence determinant in mammalian pathogenesis. However, few examples have been reported for plant pathogens. Here, we use a genetic approach to investigate the role of siderophores in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (DC3000) virulence in tomato. DC3000, an agronomically important pathogen, has two known siderophores for high-affinity iron scavenging, yersiniabactin and pyoverdin, and we uncover a third siderophore, citrate, required for growth when iron is limiting. Though growth of a DC3000 triple mutant unable to either synthesize or import these siderophores is severely restricted in iron-limited culture, it is fully pathogenic. One explanation for this phenotype is that the DC3000 triple mutant is able to directly pirate plant iron compounds such as heme/hemin or iron-nicotianamine, and our data indicate that DC3000 can import iron-nicotianamine with high affinity. However, an alternative explanation, supported by data from others, is that the pathogenic environment of DC3000 (i.e., leaf apoplast) is not iron limited but is iron replete, with available iron of >1 μM. Growth of the triple mutant in culture is restored to wild-type levels by supplementation with a variety of iron chelates at >1 μM, including iron(III) dicitrate, a dominant chelate of the leaf apoplast. This suggests that lower-affinity iron import would be sufficient for DC3000 iron nutrition in planta and is in sharp contrast to the high-affinity iron-scavenging mechanisms required in mammalian pathogenesis. PMID:21441525

Genomic insights into microbial iron oxidation and iron uptake strategies in extremely acidic environments.

PubMed

Bonnefoy, Violaine; Holmes, David S

2012-07-01

This minireview presents recent advances in our understanding of iron oxidation and homeostasis in acidophilic Bacteria and Archaea. These processes influence the flux of metals and nutrients in pristine and man-made acidic environments such as acid mine drainage and industrial bioleaching operations. Acidophiles are also being studied to understand life in extreme conditions and their role in the generation of biomarkers used in the search for evidence of existing or past extra-terrestrial life. Iron oxidation in acidophiles is best understood in the model organism Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. However, recent functional genomic analysis of acidophiles is leading to a deeper appreciation of the diversity of acidophilic iron-oxidizing pathways. Although it is too early to paint a detailed picture of the role played by lateral gene transfer in the evolution of iron oxidation, emerging evidence tends to support the view that iron oxidation arose independently more than once in evolution. Acidic environments are generally rich in soluble iron and extreme acidophiles (e.g. the Leptospirillum genus) have considerably fewer iron uptake systems compared with neutrophiles. However, some acidophiles have been shown to grow as high as pH 6 and, in the case of the Acidithiobacillus genus, to have multiple iron uptake systems. This could be an adaption allowing them to respond to different iron concentrations via the use of a multiplicity of different siderophores. Both Leptospirillum spp. and Acidithiobacillus spp. are predicted to synthesize the acid stable citrate siderophore for Fe(III) uptake. In addition, both groups have predicted receptors for siderophores produced by other microorganisms, suggesting that competition for iron occurs influencing the ecophysiology of acidic environments. Little is known about the genetic regulation of iron oxidation and iron uptake in acidophiles, especially how the use of iron as an energy source is balanced with its need to take up

Electrical resistivity of liquid iron with high concentration of light element impurities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagle, F.; Steinle-Neumann, G.

2017-12-01

The Earth's outer core mainly consists of liquid iron, enriched with several weight percent of lighter elements, such as silicon, oxygen, sulfur or carbon. Electrical resistivities of alloys of this type determine the stability of the geodynamo. Both computational and experimental results show that resistivites of Fe-based alloys deviate significantly from values of pure Fe. Using optical conductivity values computed with the Kubo-Greenwood formalism for DFT-based molecular dynamics results, we analyze the high-P and T behavior of resitivities for Fe-alloys containing various concentrations of sulfur, oxygen and silicon. As the electron mean free path length in amorphous and liquid material becomes comparable to interatomic distances at high P and T, electron scattering is expected to be dominated by the short-range order, rather than T-dependent vibrational contributions, and we describe such correlations in our results. In analogy to macroscopic porous media, we further show that resistivity of a liquid metal-nonmetal alloy is determined to first order by the resistivity of the metallic matrix and the volume fraction of non-metallic impurities.

Binding of dinitrogen to an iron-sulfur-carbon site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Čorić, Ilija; Mercado, Brandon Q.; Bill, Eckhard; Vinyard, David J.; Holland, Patrick L.

2015-10-01

Nitrogenases are the enzymes by which certain microorganisms convert atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) to ammonia, thereby providing essential nitrogen atoms for higher organisms. The most common nitrogenases reduce atmospheric N2 at the FeMo cofactor, a sulfur-rich iron-molybdenum cluster (FeMoco). The central iron sites that are coordinated to sulfur and carbon atoms in FeMoco have been proposed to be the substrate binding sites, on the basis of kinetic and spectroscopic studies. In the resting state, the central iron sites each have bonds to three sulfur atoms and one carbon atom. Addition of electrons to the resting state causes the FeMoco to react with N2, but the geometry and bonding environment of N2-bound species remain unknown. Here we describe a synthetic complex with a sulfur-rich coordination sphere that, upon reduction, breaks an Fe-S bond and binds N2. The product is the first synthetic Fe-N2 complex in which iron has bonds to sulfur and carbon atoms, providing a model for N2 coordination in the FeMoco. Our results demonstrate that breaking an Fe-S bond is a chemically reasonable route to N2 binding in the FeMoco, and show structural and spectroscopic details for weakened N2 on a sulfur-rich iron site.

Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in the first two years of life: strategies to prevent loss of developmental potential.

PubMed

Black, Maureen M; Quigg, Anna M; Hurley, Kristen M; Pepper, Margery Reese

2011-11-01

This article examines the association of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) with children's development and behavior, with the goal of providing recommendations to prevent the developmental loss associated with these conditions. Children's risk for ID and IDA is particularly high during the second 6 months of life when prenatal stores are depleted. Longitudinal studies from infancy through adolescence and early adulthood suggest that socioemotional development is uniquely vulnerable to ID and IDA, perhaps being associated with shared neural pathways, and the effects of early iron deficiencies may be irreversible. In addition to direct effects on brain function, ID and IDA may also affect child development indirectly through non-responsive mother-child interactions. Maternal ID is a global problem that may contribute to high rates of maternal depression and non-responsive caregiving. Intervention trials illustrate that children benefit from both nutritional intervention and early learning interventions that promote responsive mother-child interactions. Recommendations to reduce the developmental loss associated with ID and IDA are to reduce the incidence of these conditions by efforts to prevent premature birth, delay cord clamping, ensure adequate maternal iron status, provide iron-rich complementary foods, and ensure access to postnatal interventions that promote responsive mother-infant interaction patterns and early learning opportunities for infants. © 2011 International Life Sciences Institute.

MOST Detects Transits of HD 97658b, a Warm, Likely Volatile-rich Super-Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dragomir, Diana; Matthews, Jaymie M.; Eastman, Jason D.; Cameron, Chris; Howard, Andrew W.; Guenther, David B.; Kuschnig, Rainer; Moffat, Anthony F. J.; Rowe, Jason F.; Rucinski, Slavek M.; Sasselov, Dimitar; Weiss, Werner W.

2013-07-01

Through photometric monitoring of the extended transit window of HD 97658b with the MOST space telescope, we have found that this exoplanet transits with an ephemeris consistent with that predicted from radial velocity measurements. The mid-transit times are 5.6σ earlier than those of the unverified transit-like signals reported in 2011, and we find no connection between the two sets of events. The transit depth together with our determined stellar radius (R_\\star = 0.703^{+0.039}_{-0.034}\\ R_\\odot) indicates a 2.34^{+0.18}_{-0.15} R ⊕ super-Earth. When combined with the radial velocity determined mass of 7.86 ± 0.73 M ⊕, our radius measure allows us to derive a planet density of 3.44^{+0.91}_{-0.82} g cm-3. Models suggest that a planet with our measured density has a rocky core that is enveloped in an atmosphere composed of lighter elements. The star of the HD 97658 system is the second brightest known to host a transiting super-Earth, facilitating follow-up studies of this not easily daunted, warm and likely volatile-rich exoplanet. Based on data from the MOST satellite, a Canadian Space Agency mission operated by Microsatellite Systems Canada Inc. (MSCI; former Dynacon Inc.) and the Universities of Toronto and British Columbia, with the assistance of the University of Vienna.

Role of oxate, phytate, tannins and cooking on iron bioavailability from foods commonly consumed in Mexico.

PubMed

Sotelo, Angela; González-Osnaya, Liliana; Sánchez-Chinchillas, Argelia; Trejo, Alberto

2010-02-01

The objectives of this research were to assess the bioavailability of iron in foodstuffs found in the Mexican diet, to provide data on the content of iron absorption inhibitors present in plant origin products and to assess the inhibitory effect of these compounds and of cooking on iron bioavailability; therefore, total content and bioavailable iron, tannins, phytic and oxalic acid were determined in vegetables, cereals, legumes and animal products, before and after cooking. Vegetables, although rich in iron, have poor iron bioavailability and a high content of inhibitory factors; cooking reduced the content of iron and inhibitory factors, whereas in animal products the treatment of cooking did not significantly reduce it. Iron bioavailability, phytate content and the phytate to iron molar ratio predicted poor iron bioavailability and, therefore, a negative impact on the nutritional status of people who rely on them as staple foods could be expected.

Iron isotope evidence for the origin of the Moon through partial vaporisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poitrasson, F.; Halliday, A. N.; Lee, D. C.; Levasseur, S.; Teutsch, N.

2003-04-01

The currently favoured scenario of the origin of the Moon through a Giant Impact, in which a body approaching the size of Mars hit the proto-Earth and yielded ejecta leading to the Moon remains hypothetical. This theory predicts extremely high temperatures, sufficient to induce planetary-scale vaporisation. We have thus measured the Fe isotope composition of the Earth, Moon and meteorites thought to come from Mars and asteroid Vesta to see if this highly energetic process left an imprint. Our analytical method involves Fe purification through anionic exchange chromatography and iron isotope measurement by MC-ICP-MS. Repeat analyses of standards define 57Fe/54Fe reproducibility of 0.09 per mil (2SD). Meteorites from Mars and Vesta, give δ57Fe/54Fe values indistinguishable to the international IRMM-14 Fe isotopic standard. In contrast, ten lunar samples, spanning a large range in composition give a mean 0.2 per mil heavier than IRMM-14. Mantle-derived terrestrial samples yield a mean δ57Fe/54Fe intermediate between the Moon and Mars. Student's t-tests show that the terrestrial mean is significantly different from the averages of Mars, Vesta and the Moon at a confidence level of more than 99%. These new Fe isotope measurements, combined with previous oxygen isotope data rule out alternative theories of the origin of the Moon through co-accretion, capture or fission from the proto-Earth. In contrast, vaporisation of bodies in space can generate kinetic isotope fractionation, leaving residues with a relatively heavier isotope signature. Hence, the Earth, and especially the Moon, can represent such heavy residues having lost part of their light iron through vaporisation. Only the Giant Impact can account for the energy required to partially melt and vaporise major portion of the Earth and the impactor. Rayleigh kinetic isotope calculations suggest that the Moon lost up to 1% of its iron, whereas the Earth lost up to 0.5% during partial vaporisation.

Can Suspended Iron-Alloy Droplets Explain the Origin, Composition and Properties of Large Low Shear Velocity Provinces?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Z.; Dorfman, S. M.; Labidi, J.; Zhang, S.; Manga, M.; Stixrude, L. P.; McDonough, W. F.; Williams, Q. C.

2014-12-01

The enigmatic large low shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) identified by seismic tomography at the base of the Earth's mantle have been proposed to be reservoirs of primordial mantle composition tapped by hot spot volcanism. The LLSVPs are characterized by anomalously low shear wave speed, VS, slightly elevated bulk sound speed, VB, and high density, ρ, in piles as thick as 1000 km above the core-mantle boundary. This combination of properties could be explained by a few percent dense melt, but the solidus of the lower mantle silicate and oxide assemblage may be too high to produce melt over the large extent of these regions. Iron-rich sulfur-bearing alloy may be molten at the conditions of the LLSVPs and ~1-2% of this component could satisfy both constraints on VS and ρ. An Fe alloy phase in the LLSVPs also has the potential to explain geochemical anomalies associated with hot spot volcanism, and its existence can be constrained by geochemical mass balance. Primordial noble gases such as 3He would be preferentially dissolved in Fe-rich melt rather than crystalline silicates. The reconstructed abundances of the moderately siderophile/chalcophile elements S, Cu and Pb in iron-alloy-bearing LLSVPs do not exceed predicted losses from volatilization, though this depends on the S-content of the alloy. The alloy phase would also be expected to incorporate W, and W isotope anomalies associated with hot spots are thus expected to have important implications for the timing of LLSVP formation. We have developed a model, via CIDER-2014, for the origin and properties of LLSVPs incorporating geochemistry, mineral physics, and fluid dynamic constraints on the generation, capture, and thermoelastic properties of Fe-rich melt droplets. The solidification of a basal magma ocean would produce both solid silicates and metallic melt. The bulk of the alloy generated by this process would sink to merge with the core. However, once the density of the remnant liquid exceeds that of the

Electrical Conductivity of ɛ-Iron under Shock Compression up to 208G Pa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, Yan; Tan, Hua; Jing, Fu-Qian

2002-02-01

The electrical conductivity of shock-compressed iron was measured up to 208 GPa by using an improved design in experiment assembly in which the iron sample was encapsulated in a single-crystal sapphire cell. High-pressure shock compressions were generated by the plate impact technique with the two-stage light-gas gun. The measured conductivity of iron varies from 1.45×104 Ω-1 cm-1 at 101 GPa and 2010 K to 7.65×103 Ω-1 cm-1 at 208 GPa and 5220 K. After examining these data together with those reported, we found that the Bloch-Grüneisen expression is still valid at high pressures and temperatures, even up to 208 GPa and 5220 K, at least for ɛ-iron, which is significant in the field of condensed matter physics and deep interior earth science.

Pre-Melting in Iron and Iron Alloys at Earth's Core Conditions: Results from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vocadlo, L.; Martorell, B.; Brodholt, J. P.; Wood, I. G.

2014-12-01

Seismically determined S-wave velocities in the Earth's inner core are observed to be much lower (10-30%) than those generally inferred from mineral physics. This is a remarkably large discrepancy - mineralogical models for the mantle and the outer core match the observed velocities to around 1%. In no other large volume of the Earth does such a difference exist. There have been a number of arguments put forward over the years to account for the difference, but none have been universally accepted and our inability to explain the seismic velocities of the inner core remains an uncomfortable truth. Here, we present results from ab initio molecular dynamics calculations performed at 360 GPa and core temperatures on hcp and fcc iron, and on fcc-Fe alloyed with nickel and hcp-Fe alloyed with silicon. The calculated shear modulus, and therefore seismic velocities, of pure hcp-Fe reduces dramatically just prior to melting, providing an elegant explanation for the observed velocities. Calculations on fcc-Fe show no such strong reduction in VS, with a transformation to an hcp-type structure prior to melting; addition of 6.5 atm% and 13 atm% Ni to fcc-Fe raises the temperature of this transition. When silicon is added to hcp-Fe, the pre-melting behaviour is found to be very similar to that of pure hcp-Fe with a strong nonlinear shear weakening just before melting and a corresponding reduction in VS. Because temperatures range from T/Tm = 1 at the inner-outer core boundary to T/Tm ≈ 0.99 at the centre, this strong nonlinear effect on VS should occur in the inner core, providing a compelling explanation for the low VS observed.

Iron aluminide useful as electrical resistance heating elements

DOEpatents

Sikka, V.K.; Deevi, S.C.; Fleischhauer, G.S.; Hajaligol, M.R.; Lilly, A.C. Jr.

1997-04-15

The invention relates generally to aluminum containing iron-base alloys useful as electrical resistance heating elements. The aluminum containing iron-base alloys have improved room temperature ductility, electrical resistivity, cyclic fatigue resistance, high temperature oxidation resistance, low and high temperature strength, and/or resistance to high temperature sagging. The alloy has an entirely ferritic microstructure which is free of austenite and includes, in weight %, over 4% Al, {<=}1% Cr and either {>=}0.05% Zr or ZrO{sub 2} stringers extending perpendicular to an exposed surface of the heating element or {>=}0.1% oxide dispersoid particles. The alloy can contain 14-32% Al, {<=}2% Ti, {<=}2% Mo, {<=}1% Zr, {<=}1% C, {<=}0.1% B, {<=}30% oxide dispersoid and/or electrically insulating or electrically conductive covalent ceramic particles, {<=}1% rare earth metal, {<=}1% oxygen, {<=}3% Cu, balance Fe. 64 figs.

Recovery of rare earths from spent NdFeB magnets of wind turbine: Leaching and kinetic aspects.

PubMed

Kumari, Aarti; Sinha, Manish Kumar; Pramanik, Swati; Sahu, Sushanta Kumar

2018-05-01

Increasing demands of rare earth (RE) metals for advanced technological applications coupled with the scarcity of primary resources have led to the development of processes to treat secondary resources like scraps or end of life products that are often rich in such metals. Spent NdFeB magnet may serve as a potential source of rare earths containing around ∼30% of neodymium and other rare earths. In the present investigation, a pyro-hydrometallurgical process has been developed to recover rare earth elements (Nd, Pr and Dy) from the spent wind turbine magnet. The spent magnet is demagnetized and roasted at 1123 K to convert rare earths and iron to their respective oxides. Roasting of the magnet not only provides selectivity, but enhances the leaching efficiency also. The leaching of the roasted sample with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid at 368 K, 100 g/L pulp density and 500 rpm for 300 min selectively recovers the rare earth elements almost quantitatively leaving iron oxide in the residue. Leaching of rare earth elements with hydrochloric acid follows the mixed controlled kinetic model with activation energy (E a ) of 30.1 kJ/mol in the temperature range 348-368 K. The leaching mechanism is further established by characterizing the leach residues obtained at different time intervals by scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Individual rare earth elements from the leach solution containing 16.8 g/L of Nd, 3.8 g/L Pr, 0.28 g/L of Dy and other minor impurity elements could be separated by solvent extraction. However, mixed rare earth oxide of 99% purity was produced by oxalate precipitation followed by roasting. The leach residue comprising of pure hematite has a potential to be used as pigment or can find other applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Fur-Iron Complex Modulates Expression of the Quorum-Sensing Master Regulator, SmcR, To Control Expression of Virulence Factors in Vibrio vulnificus

PubMed Central

Kim, In Hwang; Wen, Yancheng; Son, Jee-Soo; Lee, Kyu-Ho

2013-01-01

The gene vvpE, encoding the virulence factor elastase, is a member of the quorum-sensing regulon in Vibrio vulnificus and displays enhanced expression at high cell density. We observed that this gene was repressed under iron-rich conditions and that the repression was due to a Fur (ferric uptake regulator)-dependent repression of smcR, a gene encoding a quorum-sensing master regulator with similarity to luxR in Vibrio harveyi. A gel mobility shift assay and a footprinting experiment demonstrated that the Fur-iron complex binds directly to two regions upstream of smcR (−82 to −36 and −2 to +27, with respect to the transcription start site) with differing affinities. However, binding of the Fur-iron complex is reversible enough to allow expression of smcR to be induced by quorum sensing at high cell density under iron-rich conditions. Under iron-limiting conditions, Fur fails to bind either region and the expression of smcR is regulated solely by quorum sensing. These results suggest that two biologically important environmental signals, iron and quorum sensing, converge to direct the expression of smcR, which then coordinates the expression of virulence factors. PMID:23716618

Considerations on Terrestrial Iron Depositing Analogs to Earliest Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Igor I.; Allen, Carlton C.; Sarkisova, S. A.; Garrison, D. H.; McKay, D. S.

2007-01-01

Iron oxide and hydroxide minerals, including hematite, can mineralize and preservemicrofossils and physical biomarkers (Allen at al., 2004). Preserved remnants of phototrophic microorganisms are recognized as biosignatures of past life on Earth (Schopf, 2006). To date, two types of surface iron depositing environments have been studied as analogs to possible habitable environments on earliest Mars: the highly acidified Rio Tinto River (Iberian Belt, Spain) [Gomez Ortis et al., 2007], and the nearneutral iron depositing Chocolate Pots Hot Spring (Yellowstone National Park, US) [Parenteau at al., 2005]. While phototrophs in the Rio Tinto are only represented by eukaryotic algae (Amaral Zettler et all., 2002), Chocolate Pots is mainly populated with cyanobacteria (Pierson et all., 2000; Brown et all., 2007). Which of these environments is the closer analog to a potentially habitable early Mars? Paleobiological data, combined with recent "tree of life" interpretations, suggest that phototrophic eukaryotes evolved not earlier than 2.5 - 2.8 b.y. after Earth s accretion (4.6 b.y.), while cyanobacteria and /or their iron-tolerant predecessors evolved between 1 - 1.5 b.y. after accretion (Brown et al., 2007). Lindsay and Brasier (2002) postulated that microbial life on Mars surface could have lasted no more than 1-1.5 b.y. after Mars accretion (also 4.6 b.y.). Recent multispectral mapping of Mars suggests that near-neutral wet environments prevailed at approximately this time (Bibring, et al., 2006). Thus, near-neutral iron depositing hot springs such as Chocolate Pots Hot Spring seem to be the more likely habitable analogs for earliest Mars.