MINERALS

Painite: The most unique gemstone in the world

Introduction Gemstones have captivated humans for millennia with their beauty, rarity, and unique qualities. While there are countless gemstones known to us today, one gemstone...

Subsurface microbes capture toxic uranium and remediate groundwater

A new research study describes a previously unknown chemical process for removal of uranium from groundwater. Deep down in the bedrock, in an oxygen-free...

Scientists make ‘disturbing’ find on remote island: plastic rocks

There are few places on Earth as isolated as Trindade island, a volcanic outcrop a three- to four-day boat trip off the coast of...

Gold mining is one of the world’s most destructive and unnecessary industries—here’s how to end it

The 16th-century King Ferdinand of Spain sent his subjects abroad with the command: "Get gold, humanely if possible, but at all hazards, get gold."...

Moving house: Arctic mining town’s move divides residents

Each time he boasts about the colossal relocation of his town center in the Swedish Arctic, Kiruna mayor Gunnar Selberg gets a dressing-down from...

Turning coal mine drainage into source of rare minerals

A new study investigates a novel process for lessening the negative environmental impact of coal mine drainage and extracting rare-earth elements from it, precious...

About 50% of soil-available phosphorus comes from mineral fertilizers in agricultural systems worldwide

Plants need phosphorus to grow. Farmers' use of mineral phosphorus fertilizers has greatly increased soil phosphorus fertility and, consequently, crop yields. However, these fertilizers...

Cumbria coal mine: Empty promises of carbon capture tech have excused digging up more fossil fuel for decades

The idea that a technology called carbon capture and storage (CCS) could catch molecules of CO₂ as they emerge from the chimneys of power...

Calcium content determines the peak intensity ratio due to iron ions at Mössbauer spectra in pyroxene

Pyroxenes are a major group of rock-forming silicate minerals that generally contain calcium, magnesium, and iron. Given their abundance, elucidating the physical properties of...

Researchers discover previously unknown mineralogy of the deep Earth

What is the structure of the Earth? For starters, it consists of several layers: the crust, the upper and lower mantle, and the core....

Can critical metals for renewable energy products be found in existing mines?

Ramping up renewable energy products will require a range of critical metals. One of these elements, tellurium, is gaining in popularity for use in...

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