Cloud-to-ground lightning strikes produce natural glasses on the surface of the Earth, called fulgurites. These natural glasses are tubular in shape with a central void surrounded by an inner glass, and the inner glass is surrounded by an outer crust or toasted region. Previous studies report different kinds of melts existing in several different types of fulgurites; however, little to no chemical data has been collected that tracks chemical variations from the inner glass to the outer crust of a fulgurite. This study uses microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer analytical techniques to collect transects of chemical composition from the inner glass to the outer crust of eleven fulgurites. Five of the eleven fulgurite samples show a well-mixed, volatile-depleted inner glass, enclosed in a poorly mixed volatile enriched outer melt, suggesting that these fulgurites formed from the vaporization and condensation of materials on the inner fulgurite wall. The remaining six fulgurites show poorly mixed melts in both the inner glass and outer crust regions, and most likely originated as lightning-produced melting phenomena. These data suggest that certain enigmatic natural glasses, such as Edeowie, Dakhleh and other unknown desert glasses, may be lightning-produced, in contrast to the meteorite burst or impact related origins that have commonly been propounded.

No description available.

Revestimentos de zinco obtidos por imersão a quente têm sido amplamente utilizados em estruturas expostas em solos, águas naturais e atmosfericamente, devido a excelente resistência em meios de baixa agressividade. Nessas aplicações, as arestas de corte ficam expostas e estão mais susceptíveis à corrosão. Objetivando relacionar a microestrutura dos revestimentos com técnicas de microssondas eletroquímicas, para melhor entender os processos corrosivos de aços galvanizados, buscou-se uma nova metodologia para ampliar as fases e obter uma estrutura em camadas. Para a caracterização da morfologia dos revestimentos obtidos pelo processo de galvanização por imersão a quente (galvanized, galvannealed e galvalume) utilizou-se microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura com microanálise. Para verificar e analisar os mecanismos de corrosão das fases presentes nos revestimentos de zinco de forma localizada empregou-se a técnica de varredura por eletrodo vibratório (SVET) e microcélula capilar (MEC), e de forma complementar, para identificar os produtos de corrosão formados utilizou-se micro difração de raios X (μ-DRX). Os resultados demonstraram que a metodologia empregada neste estudo é adequada para avaliar as fases de forma individual ou conectadas galvanicamente, e assim identificar as fases mais ativas durante os processos corrosivos. Os resultados obtidos por microcélula complementam os mapeamentos de densidade de corrente obtidos por eletrodo vibratório, mostrando que os intermetálicos permanecem estáveis após os ensaios e a região mais ativa é o revestimento não intemperizado (polido) próximo à interface aço/revestimento. O revestimento que apresentou melhor resistência à corrosão em soluções contendo cloreto foi o Zn55Al. O espectro μ-XRD para o revestimento galvanized, indica a presença das fases zincita e Fe-α sobre o aço IF (interstitial free), mostrando que sob condições de OCP a superfície de aço IF foi protegida pelo revestimento apesar da sua grande área. Esta precipitação pode ainda proteger áreas de aço expostas aonde o revestimento foi danificado por arranhões ou na aresta de corte. / Hot-dip zinc coatings have been widely used in structures exposed to soils, natural water and atmosphere due to their excellent resistance in low aggressive media. In such applications, the cutting edges are exposed and more susceptible to corrosion. In order to correlate the microstructure of the coating with electrochemical microprobe techniques, a new methodology was developed to amplify the size of the phases and to obtain a layered structure. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the morphology of the coatings obtained by the hot dip galvanization process (galvanized, galvannealed e galvalume). Scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and capillary microcell (MEC) were used to identify and study the corrosion mechanisms of the phases present in zinc coatings. The corrosion products were identified by X-ray micro-diffraction (μ-XRD). The results demonstrated that the methodology employed in this study is adequate to evaluate the phases individually or galvanically connected, thus identifying the most active phases during the corrosive processes. The results obtained by microcell complement the current density mappings obtained by vibrating electrode, showing that the intermetallics remain stable after the analysis and the most active region is the not wedered coating near the steel/coating interface. The coating that showed the best corrosion resistance in solutions containing chloride was the Zn55Al. The μ-XRD spectrum for the galvanized coating indicates the presence of zincite and Fe-α on the IF steel (interstitial free), showing that under OCP conditions the IF steel surface was protected by the coating despite its large area. This precipitation can further protect exposed steel areas where the coating has been damaged by scratches or at the cutting edge.

Revestimentos de zinco obtidos por imersão a quente têm sido amplamente utilizados em estruturas expostas em solos, águas naturais e atmosfericamente, devido a excelente resistência em meios de baixa agressividade. Nessas aplicações, as arestas de corte ficam expostas e estão mais susceptíveis à corrosão. Objetivando relacionar a microestrutura dos revestimentos com técnicas de microssondas eletroquímicas, para melhor entender os processos corrosivos de aços galvanizados, buscou-se uma nova metodologia para ampliar as fases e obter uma estrutura em camadas. Para a caracterização da morfologia dos revestimentos obtidos pelo processo de galvanização por imersão a quente (galvanized, galvannealed e galvalume) utilizou-se microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura com microanálise. Para verificar e analisar os mecanismos de corrosão das fases presentes nos revestimentos de zinco de forma localizada empregou-se a técnica de varredura por eletrodo vibratório (SVET) e microcélula capilar (MEC), e de forma complementar, para identificar os produtos de corrosão formados utilizou-se micro difração de raios X (μ-DRX). Os resultados demonstraram que a metodologia empregada neste estudo é adequada para avaliar as fases de forma individual ou conectadas galvanicamente, e assim identificar as fases mais ativas durante os processos corrosivos. Os resultados obtidos por microcélula complementam os mapeamentos de densidade de corrente obtidos por eletrodo vibratório, mostrando que os intermetálicos permanecem estáveis após os ensaios e a região mais ativa é o revestimento não intemperizado (polido) próximo à interface aço/revestimento. O revestimento que apresentou melhor resistência à corrosão em soluções contendo cloreto foi o Zn55Al. O espectro μ-XRD para o revestimento galvanized, indica a presença das fases zincita e Fe-α sobre o aço IF (interstitial free), mostrando que sob condições de OCP a superfície de aço IF foi protegida pelo revestimento apesar da sua grande área. Esta precipitação pode ainda proteger áreas de aço expostas aonde o revestimento foi danificado por arranhões ou na aresta de corte. / Hot-dip zinc coatings have been widely used in structures exposed to soils, natural water and atmosphere due to their excellent resistance in low aggressive media. In such applications, the cutting edges are exposed and more susceptible to corrosion. In order to correlate the microstructure of the coating with electrochemical microprobe techniques, a new methodology was developed to amplify the size of the phases and to obtain a layered structure. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the morphology of the coatings obtained by the hot dip galvanization process (galvanized, galvannealed e galvalume). Scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and capillary microcell (MEC) were used to identify and study the corrosion mechanisms of the phases present in zinc coatings. The corrosion products were identified by X-ray micro-diffraction (μ-XRD). The results demonstrated that the methodology employed in this study is adequate to evaluate the phases individually or galvanically connected, thus identifying the most active phases during the corrosive processes. The results obtained by microcell complement the current density mappings obtained by vibrating electrode, showing that the intermetallics remain stable after the analysis and the most active region is the not wedered coating near the steel/coating interface. The coating that showed the best corrosion resistance in solutions containing chloride was the Zn55Al. The μ-XRD spectrum for the galvanized coating indicates the presence of zincite and Fe-α on the IF steel (interstitial free), showing that under OCP conditions the IF steel surface was protected by the coating despite its large area. This precipitation can further protect exposed steel areas where the coating has been damaged by scratches or at the cutting edge.

The Kiirunavaara mine hosts one of the world’s largest apatite-iron ore mineralisations. This ore body has been subject to large amounts of research as well as extensive mining. The ore body is situated between the syenitic foot wall and the rhyodacitic hanging wall, of which consists of differing mineralogy and characteristics. Both these rock masses contain intrusive porphyry dykes, with distinct characteristics of it own. The aim of this study was to analyse 31 samples, mainly in the form of thin sections, and determine the mineralogy and identify eventual microstructures. This was done through the use of optical mineralogy as well as EDS/WDS analysis at the National Microprobe Lab at Uppsala University. The foot wall consists of syenite-porphyry and is dominated by feldspar in both groundmass as well as phenocrysts. Characteristic for the syenite-porphyry is the rounded nodules containing actinolite, titanite, magnetite and chlorite. The hanging wall is defined as quartz-bearing porphyry. It is a rhyodacitic rock with large amounts of feldspar along with green silicates, quartz, titanite and calcite. The intrusive porphyry dyke-rocks share many similarities with the quartz-bearing porphyry, but contain a finer groundmass with larger amounts of clinopyroxene, as well as lower amounts of quartz, magnetite and titanite. Hydrothermal alteration is prevalent in all the types of rock. Alteration minerals such as actinolite, biotite and chlorite are very common within the Kiirunavaara-rocks. The quartz-bearing porphyry displays the most extensive exposure to hydrothermal fluids. The hydrothermal fluids have penetrated several samples, replacing minerals and leaving very few remnant, older minerals. The quartz-bearing porphyry contains the most prominent deformation structures, of varying extent and magnitude. Magmatic flow structures can be seen in the groundmass, as parallel alignment of feldspar and silicate grains. Evidence of solid-state deformation most commonly occurs as pressure shadows around feldspar phenocrysts. / Kiirunavaara-gruvan är belägen vid en av världens största mineraliseringar av apatit-järnmalm. Denna malmkropp har stått i fokus för både omfattande gruvdrift samt genomgripande forskning. Malmkroppen är belägen mellan den syenitiska liggväggen och den ryodacitiska hängväggen, som består av varierande mineralogi och karaktär. Båda av dessa bergmassor innehåller intrusiv gångporfyr med distinkt karaktär. Målet med denna studie var att analysera 31 prover, främst i form av tunnsliper, och bestämma dess mineralogi samt att identifiera eventuella mikrostrukturer. Detta genomfördes genom användning av optisk mineralogi och EDS/WDS-analys vid det nationella mikrosondslaboratioriet vid Uppsala Universitet. Liggväggen består av syenitporfyr och domineras av fältspat i både mellanmassa och som fenokrister. Karaktäristiskt för syenitporfyren är de rundade nodulerna, innehållandes aktinolit, titanit, magnetit och klorit. Hängväggen definieras som kvartsförande porfyr. Det är en ryodacitisk bergart med stora mängder fältspat, gröna silikater, kvarts, titanit och kalcit. Gångporfyren delar många likheter med den kvartsförande porfyren, men består av en finare mellanmassa med större mängd klinopyroxen, samt innehåller mindre mängder kvarts, magnetit och titanit. Hydrotermal omvandling är allmänt förekommande i alla bergarter i Kiirunavaara. Omvandlingsmineral så som aktinolit, biotit och klorit är väldigt vanliga hos Kiirunavaara-bergarterna. Den kvartsförande porfyren uppvisar den mest omfattande exponeringen av hydrotermala vätskor. De hydrotermala vätskorna har penetrerat ett antal prover och därigenom omvandlat mineral, med liten mängd äldre mineral kvar. Den kvartsförande porfyren innehåller de mest prominenta deformationsstrukturer, av olika omfattning och magnitud. Magmatiska flytstrukturer kan observeras i mellanmassan som parallell orientering av fältspat- och silikatkorn. Tecken av fastfasdeformation förekommer främst i form av tryckskuggor runt fältspatsfenokrister.

Hemihedrite from the Florence Lead-Silver mine in Pinal County, Arizona, USA was first described and assigned the ideal chemical formula Pb10Zn(CrO4)(6)(SiO4)(2)F-2, based upon a variety of chemical and crystal-structure analyses. The primary methods used to determine the fluorine content for hemihedrite were colorimetry, which resulted in values of F that were too high and inconsistent with the structural data, and infrared (IR) spectroscopic analysis that failed to detect OH or H2O. Our reinvestigation using electron microprobe analysis of the type material, and additional samples from the type locality, the Rat Tail claim, Arizona, and Nevada, reveals the absence of fluorine, while the presence of OH is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. These findings suggest that the colorimetric determination of fluorine in the original description of hemihedrite probably misidentified F due to the interferences from PO4 and SO4, both found in our chemical analyses. As a consequence of these results, the study presented here proposes a redefinition of the chemical composition of hemihedrite to the ideal chemical formula Pb10Zn(CrO4)(6)(SiO4)(2)(OH)(2). Hemihedrite is isotypic with iranite with substitution of Zn for Cu, and raygrantite with substitution of Cr for S. Structural data from a sample from the Rat Tail claim, Arizona, indicate that hemihedrite is triclinic in space group P (1) over bar, a = 9.4891(7), b = 11.4242(8), c = 10.8155(7) angstrom, alpha = 120.368(2)degrees, ss = 92.017(3)degrees, gamma = 55.857(2)degrees, V = 784.88(9) angstrom(3), Z = 1, consistent with previous investigations. The structure was refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R-1 = 0.022 for 5705 unique observed reflections, and the ideal chemical formula Pb10Zn(CrO4)(6)(SiO4)(2)(OH)(2) was assumed during the refinement. Electron microprobe analyses of this sample yielded the empirical chemical formula Pb-10.05(Zn0.91Mg0.02)(Sigma) (= 0.93) (Cr5.98S0.01P0.01)(Sigma = 6.00) Si1.97O34 H-2.16 based on 34 O atoms and six (Cr + S + P) per unit cell.

Previous research indicates compositional variation of pentlandite [(Fe,Ni)9S8] and the effect this variation may have on the electrochemical behaviour of pentlandite is poorly understood. Pentlandite is the primary source of nickel and an important base metal sulfide (BMS) in the platinum industry. It hosts significant amounts of PGEs especially palladium and rhodium when compared to chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite. The aim of the project was to investigate the possible compositional variations of natural pentlandite and the effect of these variations on the electrochemical behavior thereof. To study possible compositional variations, single pentlandite particles - in the order of 100μm in size from flotation concentrates (PGM deposits) and massive samples (massive ore bodies) - from various sources were employed. Electron microprobe analysis indicated a compositional variation of the pentlandite particles hand-picked from the flotation concentrate samples. Variation was observed in the cobalt, iron and nickel content and this was independent of the deposit. A slight compositional variation was observed from the massive pentlandite samples. The effect the compositional variation may have on the electrochemical reactivity of pentlandite was investigated using electrochemical techniques, i.e. measurement of the polarisation resistance and mixed potential as well as performing linear anodic voltammetry, current density–transients and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (i.e. capacitance). Poor electrochemical response of the pentlandite microelectrodes was observed. Pre–existing pores, deep pores, cracks and the brittle nature of pentlandite microelectrodes may have contributed to the poor electrochemical response of natural pentlandite particles hand-picked from the flotation concentrate. Slight compositional variations of the massive pentlandite sample influenced the electrochemical behaviour. In aerated solutions, iron enriched pentlandites were less reactive after progressive oxidation. The lower reactivity of the electrodes was a result of thick oxide films formed. This was illustrated by polarisation resistance and capacitance measurements. The lower reactivity of the electrodes was also related to the mechanism of the reduction of oxygen at oxidised passive electrode surfaces. It is however difficult to distinguish if the differences in the reactivity was a result of the Fe/Ni ratio or the influence of cobalt. Current density transients confirmed that the reactivity of a pentlandite electrode to be time dependent. The reactivity of the electrode decreased during oxidation. A variation in the electronic properties of the formed oxide film was observed. Slight compositional variation of pentlandite did not have a significant effect on the rest potential values as do changes in the type of sulfides (e.g. pyrite vs. pentlandite). This was confirmed by similar rest potential values of various pentlandite electrodes. The oxidation of synthetic pentlandite may be influenced by the chemical composition. In de-aerated solutions, anodic oxidation (as indicated by the linear anodic voltammogram) of synthetic pentlandite started at a potential lower than of the natural electrodes. In aerated solutions, the synthetic pentlandite was less reactive and formed thicker oxide films. Copyright / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering / unrestricted

This work presents the development of a sub-micron nuclear microprobe for applications in the life sciences. It includes quantitative trace element analysis with sub-micron spatial resolution, 2D- and 3D-microscopy of density distributions and the targeted irradiation of living cells with counted single ions. The analytical methods base on particle induced X-ray emission spectrometry (PIXE), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), scanning transmission ion microscopy (STIM) and STIM-tomography. The specific development of the existing nuclear microprobe LIPSION led to an improved performance of the capabilities for trace element analysis. For sub-micron analysis the spatial resolution could be improved to 300 nm at a sensitivity of about 1 µg/g for metal ions in biological matrices; for a resolution of 1 µm the sensitivity was improved to 200 ng/g (3 µmol/l). This habilitation thesis comprises a short general introduction including the motivation to utilize focussed high energy ion beams, an overview on the applications and actual research fields. The introduction is followed by the basic principles of the equipments and analytical methods. An estimation of the limits of resolution for element analytical and single ion techniques is given for the Leipzig system. Thereafter, selected studies from different research areas are presented. The first presented application is a study from environmental air pollution research. It is demonstrated that the microscopic elemental analysis of single aerosol particles can be used to assess the contributions from different sources. A further example is the analysis of the distribution of nanoparticles in skin cross-sections for a risk assessment of the applications of nanosized physical UV-filters in cosmetic products. The risk assessment is followed by the micro-analysis of trace elements, especially of bound metal ions, in brain sections on the cellular and sub-cellular level. After this the application of focussed MeV ion beams in low dose radiobiological research is presented. Finally, the analysis of 3D-density distributions by proton micro-tomography is demonstrated. A summary concludes on the applications and gives an outlook to further applications and methodological developments. The appendix comprises the relevant publications of the author. / Die vorliegende Arbeit etabliert für Anwendungen in den Lebenswissenschaften den Einsatz hochfokussierter MeV-Ionenstrahlen für nuklear-mikroskopische Methoden der quantitativen Spurenelementanalyse, der 2D- und 3D-Dichtemikroskopie sowie für die gezielte Bestrahlung einzelner lebender Zellen für radiobiologische Experimente. Zur Anwendung kamen die Methoden ortsaufgelöste Protonen induzierte Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse (particle induced X-ray emission - PIXE), Spektrometrie rückgestreuter Ionen (Rutherford backscattering spectrometry - RBS) und Rastertransmissionsionenmikroskopie (scanning transmission ion microscopy - STIM). Durch eine gezielte Weiterentwicklung des bestehenden Ionenstrahlmikroskops, der Hochenergie Ionennanosonde LIPSION, konnte die Ortsauflösung für Spurenelementanalyse auf unter 300 nm verbessert werden, beziehungsweise die Sensitivität für Metallionen in biologischen Proben auf unter 200 ng/g (3 µmol/l) bei einer Ortsauflösung von 1 µm verbessert werden. Die Habilitationsschrift umfasst eine kurze allgemeine Einleitung einschließlich der Motivation für den Einsatz fokussierter MeV-Ionenstrahlen sowie einen Überblick über die Anwendungsgebiete und aktuellen Forschungsschwerpunkte. Danach werden kurz die Grundlagen der Technik und Methoden vorgestellt, gefolgt von einer Abschätzung der Auflösungsgrenzen für Elementanalysen und Einzelionentechniken. Danach werden ausgewählte Anwendungen aus verschiedenen Forschungsgebieten vorgestellt. Das erstes Beispiel ist aus der Umweltforschung. Es wird dargestellt, wie mittels ortsaufgelöster Elementspektroskopie eine Abschätzung der Feinstaubbelastung nach Beiträgen einzelner Verursacherquellen erfolgen kann. Dann folgt als Beispiel eine ortsaufgelöste Analyse der Verteilung von Nanopartikeln aus Sonnencremes in Hautquerschnitten zur Risikoabschätzung der Anwendungen von Nanotechnologie in kosmetischen Produkten. Desweiteren werden Studien der Spurenelementverteilung, speziell der von gebundenen Metallionen, in Hirnschnitten auf zellulärer und subzellulärer Ebene erläutert. Das anschließende Beispiel erläutert die Anwendung niedriger Energiedosen in der Radiobiologie anhand des Beschusses einzelner lebender Zellen mit abgezählten einzelnen Ionen. Als letztes Beispiel wird die Anwendung hochfokussierter Ionenstrahlen für die Mikrotomographie gezeigt. Abschließend folgt eine zusammenfassende Bewertung der vorgestellten Anwendungen mit einem Ausblick auf weitere Anwendungen und methodische Entwicklungen. Der Arbeit sind die relevanten Veröffentlichungen mit Beteiligung des Autors als Anhang beigefügt.

Substance P (SP) is released from the feline nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in response to activation of skeletal muscle afferent input. However, there are differing results about SP release from the rostral NTS in response to baroreceptor afferent input. An anti-sense oligonucleotide to feline SP (SP-asODN) was injected directly into the rostral NTS of chloralose-anesthetized cats to determine whether blood pressure or heart rate responses to ergoreceptor activation (muscle contraction) or baroreceptor unloading (carotid artery occlusion) were sensitive to SP knockdown. Control injections included either buffer alone or a scrambled-sequenced oligonucleotide (SP-sODN). Both muscle contractions and carotid occlusions were performed 3, 6 and 12 h after the completion of the oligonucleotide injections. The cardiovascular responses to contractions were significantly attenuated 3 and 6 h after SP-asODN, but not by the injection of the SP-sODN. The cardiovascular responses to contractions returned to control levels 12 h post anti-sense injection. No detectable release of SP (using antibody-coated microprobes) was measured 3 and 6 h after SP-asODN injections and the expression of SP-immunoreactivity (SP-IR) in the NTS was significantly attenuated, as determined by immunohistochemistry procedures. In contrast, neither the injection of SP-asODN nor the s-ODN attenuated the cardiovascular responses to carotid occlusions, or altered the pattern of release of SP from the brainstem. Injection of the SP-sODN did not affect the expression of SP-IR. These results suggest that the SP involved with mediating the peripheral somatomotor signal input to the rostral NTS comes from SP-containing neurons within the NTS. Our results also suggest that SP in the rostral NTS does not play a direct role in mediating the cardiovascular responses to unloading the carotid baroreceptors. We suggest that the SP released during isometric contractions excites an inhibitory pathway modulating baroreceptor input, thus contributing to the increase in mean blood pressure.

Substance P (SP) is associated with metabo- and mechanoreceptor afferent fibers ('ergoreceptors') in skeletal muscle as well as the afferent fibers from carotid sinus baroreceptors. Afferent activity from each of these are at least partially integrated in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether SP was released from the NTS during acute reflex-induced changes in blood pressure caused by stimulating these receptors. Both the muscle pressor response and the baroreflex were studied in adult cats anaesthetized with α-chloralose. SP antibody-coated microprobes were used to measure the possible release of SP from the NTS. The muscle pressor response caused a release of immunoreactive SP-like substances (irSP) from the rostral medial NTS, as well as the dorsal motor nucleus (DMV) and lateral tegmental field (FTL). This release was not dependent on intact afferent input from the carotid sinus nerve, but was a function of activation of muscle ergoreceptors, since no irSP was released in response to stimulation of the motor nerves after the muscle was paralyzed. There was no detectable release of irSP from the mNTS during carotid artery occlusions (baroreceptor unloading). Baroreceptor activation, induced by the i.v. injection of the vasoconstrictor, phenylephrine, did not cause the release of irSP from the mNTS above resting baseline levels. These data suggest that SP is involved with the mediation of the afferent signal from muscle ergoreceptor fibers in the medial NTS. SP is not involved with the mediation of baroreceptor afferent signaling in the medial NTS. The release of SP in response to ergoreceptors activation may function to excite an inhibitory pathway which inhibits baroreflex signals that would tend to reduce the blood pressure and heart rate during the muscle pressor response.