Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of the present work is to classify co-registered pixels of stacks of polarized light images of iron ore into their respective crystalline grains or pores, thus producing grain segmented images that can be analyzed by their size, shape and orientation distributions, as well as their porosity and the size and morphology of the pores. Polished sections of samples of hematite-rich ore are digitally imaged in a rotating polarizer microscope at varying planepolarization angles. An image stack is produced for every field of view, where each image corresponds to a polarizer position. Any point in the sample is registered to the same pixel coordinates at all images in the stack. The resulting set of intensities for each pixel is directly related to the orientation of the crystal sampled at the corresponding position. Multivariate analysis of the sets of intensities leads to the classification of the pixels into their respective crystalline grains. Individual hematite grains of iron ore, as well as their pores, are segmented. The results are compared to those obtained by visual point counting methods. / O objetivo do presente trabalho é classificar pixels co-registrados de pilhas de imagens de luz polarizada de minério de ferro nos seus respectivos grãos cristalinos ou poros, produzindo assim imagens segmentadas por grãos que podem ser analisados quanto às suas distribuições de tamanho, forma e orientação, bem como sua porosidade, tamanho e forma dos poros. Seções polidas de amostras de minério de ferro rico em hematita foram imageadas difratalmente em um microscópio com polarizador giratório em ângulos variados de polarização. Uma pilha de imagens foi produzida para cada campo na qual cada imagem corresponde a uma orientação do polarizador. Cada ponto na amostra foi registrado nas mesmas coordenadas em todas as imagens da pilha. O conjunto resultante de intensidades de cada pixel está diretamente relacionado com a orientação do cristal amostrado na posição correspondente. A análise multivariada dos conjuntos de intensidades leva à classificação dos pixels nos seus respectivos grãos cristalinos. Grãos individuais de hematita do minério de ferro, bem como os seus poros foram segmentados. Os resultados foram comparados com aqueles obtidos pelo método de contagem dos pontos, ou seja, por inspeção visual.

This dissertation thesis concerns with Analysis of Influence of Collagen Organization on Mechanical Properties of Arteries and it is divided into three main parts. Motivation for this dissertation thesis was in a study reviewing effect of material model upon resulting stresses in AAA. The effect was calculated in 70 patient-specific geometries of AAA, which exceeds the number of geometries in other scientific papers by one order. Within this study, two material models were used, i.e. real one and 100× stiffer, and obtained stresses were mutually compared. It was quantified that peak stress difference can be higher than 20 % in 10% of patients and therefore the real material model should be preferred over the artificial one although operation with this model is more demanding. The second part of this thesis deals with an identification of structural parameters (orientation and dispersion of collagen fibres) of porcine aortic tissue by using adjusted Fast Fourier Transform based algorithm. The extracted structural parameters were inserted into two-layer structure-motivated constitutive model Martufi-Gasser. This model was validated and its predictive capabilities were also tested with fine results. The most important information obtained from the digital image processing of ~9000 micrographs is existence of only one family of dispersed collagen fibres which breaks the current dogma present in many scientific papers about two families of collagen fibres. The third part concerns with a proposal of an automated phase-correlation based algorithm for obtaining collagen fibre direction from polarized light microscopy images. The proposed algorithm was verified and validated and it yields histograms of collagen fibre directions with overall number of measured points larger than it would be possible to get from any manual measurement. The limitation of the original proposed algorithm is in 90° period of polarized light intensity, thus the method results in angles in the range of 0°–90. Therefore the end of the thesis is dedicated resolving this problem and obtaining real angles in a span of 0°–180°. To this end, the microscope set-up was changed and the algorithm was adjusted accordingly. The original and the adjusted algorithms are collagen-specific, fast and an operator independent. Despite all the author´s effort put into collagen fibre waviness quantification directly from the histograms, the waviness has not been quantified yet in this way and it remains at the stage of research.

Measurements on coccolith abundance and mass can be used as a signal of primary productivity and pelagic calcification in response to environmental change. The Leeuwin Current (LC) is known to transport warm and low-salinity waters from the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool (IPWP) southwards along the coast of West Australia. Along with the onset of continental aridity during late Neogene, increased strength of the LC may have played a role in reef expansion on the Northwest Shelf. In this study the morphological variation in size and mass of reticulofenestrid coccoliths was assessed in material from IODP Site U1461 in the eastern Indian Ocean spanning the past 500 ka. Both the absolute abundance of all reticulofenstrid coccoliths (Emiliania huxleyi, Reticulofenestra spp., Gephyrocapsa spp. and Pseudoemiliania spp.) was determined, as well as the relative abundance of large versus small coccoliths. Coccolith size and mass were measured quantitatively under circularly polarized light. The data was compared to variations in sea surface temperatures (SST) of the LC, and to continental aridity of Australia. SST fluctuations could influence coccolithophore productivity by affecting their metabolic rate, whereas continental aridity may influence the influx of terrestrial matter by wind. The investigated interval is dominated by small species of Gephyrocapsa. Peak values of absolute abundance and mass were observed during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11, an interglacial period of extended warmth and humidity. These results coupled with high densities of aragonite needles in the same samples indicate the sediments were diluted by material overflowing from the adjacent shallow- water carbonate platform, analogous to the whiting events observed in the modern-day Bahamas. A decrease in abundance of Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica at 240 ka can be linked to the timing of their last common occurrence (LCO), within MIS 7. The subsequent shift to Gephyrocapsa oceanica as the dominant large species may indicate an ecological replacement of G. caribbeanica, or signify warm and low-salinity waters. / Mätningar av abundans och massa hos coccoliter kan användas som en signal för primärproduktion och pelagisk förkalkning som resultat av miljöförändringar. Leeuwin Current (LC) är känd för att transportera varmt vatten och vatten med låg salthalt från Indo-Pacific Warm Pool (IPWP) söderut längs kusten i västra Australien. Tillsammans med början av kontinental torka under sen Neogen kan ökad styrka hos LC ha spelat en roll i expansionen av rev på nordvästsockeln. I denna studie bedömdes den morfologiska variationen i storlek och massa hos coccoliter i material från IODP plats U1461 i östra Indiska oceanen från de senaste 500 000 åren. Både den absoluta abundansen av alla reticulofenstridcoccoliter (Emiliania huxleyi, Reticulofenestra spp., Gephyrocapsa spp. och Pseudoemiliania spp.) bestämdes, liksom den relativa abundansen av stora jämfört med små coccoliter. Storlek och massa av coccoliter mättes kvantitativt under cirkulärt polariserat ljus. Uppgifterna jämfördes med variationer i havsytans temperatur (SST) hos LC, och med kontinental torrhet i Australien. SST-fluktuationer kan påverka produktiviteten hos coccolitoforider genom att påverka deras metabolism, medan kontinental torrhet kan påverka inflödet av markmaterial med vind. Det undersökta intervallet domineras av små arter av Gephyrocapsa. Toppvärden av absolut abundans och massa observerades under marinisotopsteget (MIS) 11, en interglacial period med förlängd värme och fuktighet. Dessa resultat kombinerat med hög densitet av aragonitnålar i samma prover indikerar att sedimenten späddes ut med material som svämmade över från den intilliggande grunda karbonatplattformen, vilket är jämförligt med de vitningshändelser som har observerats i dagens Bahamas. En minskning i abundans av Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica vid 240 ka kan kopplas till tidpunkten för deras senaste gemensamma förekomst (LCO) inom MIS 7. Den efterföljande övergången till Gephyrocapsa oceanica som den dominerande stora arten kan indikera en ekologisk ersättning av G. caribbeanica, eller indikera varmt vatten med låg salthalt.

Os bisfosfonatos representam uma classe de drogas que agem sobre o metabolismo ósseo e são amplamente utilizadas na prevenção e tratamento de estados osteopênicos e osteoporóticos. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram avaliar, in vivo, o efeito do uso sistêmico de alendronato sódico: na densidade mineral óssea de ratos, por meio da densitometria óptica radiográfica e da técnica de absortometria radiológica de dupla energia (DXA); e nas estruturas dentárias mineralizadas de incisivos murinos, por meio da espectrometria na região do infravermelho, espectroscopia de fluorescência, microdureza transversal, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia de luz polarizada. Foram utilizados 45 ratos Wistar, com 36-42 dias de idade, pesando em média 200-230g, os quais foram divididos em dois grupos: experimental (n= 25) e controle (n= 20). No grupo experimental foram administradas duas doses semanais de 1mg/Kg de alendronato de sódio quimicamente puro diluído em água destilada, via gavagem, enquanto que os animais do grupo controle receberam apenas água destilada. Decorrido o período de 60 dias, os animais foram mortos por sobredose anestésica e, em seguida, foram extraídos os incisivos superiores e removidas as tíbias. As tíbias foram submetidas à avaliação da densidade mineral óssea por meio de análise radiográfica e da técnica de absortometria radiológica de dupla energia (DXA). Os incisivos superiores foram submetidos às seguintes avaliações: análise química por espectrometria na região do infravermelho e espectroscopia de fluorescência, microdureza transversal do esmalte e da dentina; microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia de luz polarizada. Os resultados numéricos obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística por meio do teste não-paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis, utilizando o software SAS (Statistical Analysis System) for Windows versão 9.1.3. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. O grupo experimental apresentou valores de densidade mineral óssea superiores (p<0,05) em relação ao grupo controle, pelos métodos da densitometria óptica radiográfica e DXA. A análise química pelos métodos de espectrometria na região do infravermelho e espectroscopia de fluorescência permitiu detectar a presença do alendronato na estrutura dentária mineralizada do grupo experimental e que a porcentagem dessa incorporação foi de 0,0018% por elemento dental. Os resultados da microdureza transversal do esmalte e da dentina não revelaram diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos experimental e controle (p>0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças morfológicas significativas entre as amostras de ambos os grupos por meio da análise por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia de luz polarizada. Com base nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o tratamento com alendronato sódico provocou aumento na densidade mineral óssea da metáfise proximal da tíbia e que o alendronato incorporou-se nas estruturas dentárias mineralizadas, porém sem provocar efeitos significativos na microdureza e na morfologia do esmalte e da dentina de incisivos de ratos. / Bisphosphonates represent a class of drugs that act on bone metabolism and are widely used in the prevention and treatment of osteopenic and osteoporotic states. The objectives of this study were to evaluate, in vivo, the effect of the systemic use of sodium alendronate on: the mineral bone density of rats, by radiographic optical densitometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA); the mineralized dental structures of murine incisors, by analysis of infrared (IR) spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). Forty-five Wistar rats aged 36-42 days and weighing 200-230 g were assigned to two groups: experimental (n= 25) and control (n= 20). The experimental group received two weekly doses of 1 mg/kg of chemically pure sodium alendronate diluted in distilled water, via gavage, while the animals of the control group received only distilled water. After 60 days, the animals were killed by anesthetic overdose, and the maxillary incisors were extracted and the tibias were removed. The mineral bone density of the tibias was analyzed radiographically and by DXA. The maxillary incisors were subjected to the following evaluations: chemical analysis by IR spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy, enamel and dentin CSMH, SEM and PLM. The results were subjected to statistical analysis by the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test, using the SAS (Statistical Analysis System) software for Windows version 9.1.3. The significance level was set at 5%. The experimental group presented higher mineral bone density (p<0.05) than the control group, by radiographic optical densitometry and DXA. The chemical analysis by IR spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed the presence of alendronate in the mineralized dental structure of the specimens of the experimental group, with a percentage of incorporation of 0.0018% per tooth. The results of enamel and dentin CSMH did not show statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p>0.05). There were no significant morphological differences among the specimens of the groups by SEM and PLM. Based on the obtained results, it may be concluded that the treatment with sodium alendronate caused an increase in the mineral bone density of the proximal tibial metaphysis, and that alendronate was incorporated in the mineralized dental structures without causing significant effects in the enamel and dentin microhardness and morphology of rat incisors.

Os bisfosfonatos representam uma classe de drogas que agem sobre o metabolismo ósseo e são amplamente utilizadas na prevenção e tratamento de estados osteopênicos e osteoporóticos. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram avaliar, in vivo, o efeito do uso sistêmico de alendronato sódico: na densidade mineral óssea de ratos, por meio da densitometria óptica radiográfica e da técnica de absortometria radiológica de dupla energia (DXA); e nas estruturas dentárias mineralizadas de incisivos murinos, por meio da espectrometria na região do infravermelho, espectroscopia de fluorescência, microdureza transversal, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia de luz polarizada. Foram utilizados 45 ratos Wistar, com 36-42 dias de idade, pesando em média 200-230g, os quais foram divididos em dois grupos: experimental (n= 25) e controle (n= 20). No grupo experimental foram administradas duas doses semanais de 1mg/Kg de alendronato de sódio quimicamente puro diluído em água destilada, via gavagem, enquanto que os animais do grupo controle receberam apenas água destilada. Decorrido o período de 60 dias, os animais foram mortos por sobredose anestésica e, em seguida, foram extraídos os incisivos superiores e removidas as tíbias. As tíbias foram submetidas à avaliação da densidade mineral óssea por meio de análise radiográfica e da técnica de absortometria radiológica de dupla energia (DXA). Os incisivos superiores foram submetidos às seguintes avaliações: análise química por espectrometria na região do infravermelho e espectroscopia de fluorescência, microdureza transversal do esmalte e da dentina; microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia de luz polarizada. Os resultados numéricos obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística por meio do teste não-paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis, utilizando o software SAS (Statistical Analysis System) for Windows versão 9.1.3. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. O grupo experimental apresentou valores de densidade mineral óssea superiores (p<0,05) em relação ao grupo controle, pelos métodos da densitometria óptica radiográfica e DXA. A análise química pelos métodos de espectrometria na região do infravermelho e espectroscopia de fluorescência permitiu detectar a presença do alendronato na estrutura dentária mineralizada do grupo experimental e que a porcentagem dessa incorporação foi de 0,0018% por elemento dental. Os resultados da microdureza transversal do esmalte e da dentina não revelaram diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos experimental e controle (p>0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças morfológicas significativas entre as amostras de ambos os grupos por meio da análise por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia de luz polarizada. Com base nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o tratamento com alendronato sódico provocou aumento na densidade mineral óssea da metáfise proximal da tíbia e que o alendronato incorporou-se nas estruturas dentárias mineralizadas, porém sem provocar efeitos significativos na microdureza e na morfologia do esmalte e da dentina de incisivos de ratos. / Bisphosphonates represent a class of drugs that act on bone metabolism and are widely used in the prevention and treatment of osteopenic and osteoporotic states. The objectives of this study were to evaluate, in vivo, the effect of the systemic use of sodium alendronate on: the mineral bone density of rats, by radiographic optical densitometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA); the mineralized dental structures of murine incisors, by analysis of infrared (IR) spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). Forty-five Wistar rats aged 36-42 days and weighing 200-230 g were assigned to two groups: experimental (n= 25) and control (n= 20). The experimental group received two weekly doses of 1 mg/kg of chemically pure sodium alendronate diluted in distilled water, via gavage, while the animals of the control group received only distilled water. After 60 days, the animals were killed by anesthetic overdose, and the maxillary incisors were extracted and the tibias were removed. The mineral bone density of the tibias was analyzed radiographically and by DXA. The maxillary incisors were subjected to the following evaluations: chemical analysis by IR spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy, enamel and dentin CSMH, SEM and PLM. The results were subjected to statistical analysis by the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test, using the SAS (Statistical Analysis System) software for Windows version 9.1.3. The significance level was set at 5%. The experimental group presented higher mineral bone density (p<0.05) than the control group, by radiographic optical densitometry and DXA. The chemical analysis by IR spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed the presence of alendronate in the mineralized dental structure of the specimens of the experimental group, with a percentage of incorporation of 0.0018% per tooth. The results of enamel and dentin CSMH did not show statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p>0.05). There were no significant morphological differences among the specimens of the groups by SEM and PLM. Based on the obtained results, it may be concluded that the treatment with sodium alendronate caused an increase in the mineral bone density of the proximal tibial metaphysis, and that alendronate was incorporated in the mineralized dental structures without causing significant effects in the enamel and dentin microhardness and morphology of rat incisors.

Despite increasing concern about the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and other toxins in indoor environments, very little is known about the physical and chemical composition of ordinary household dust. This study represents the first systematic investigation of the mineralogical composition of indoor dust in residential housing in Canada. Specimens of dust were obtained from homes in six geographically separate cities in the Province of Ontario: two located on the metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Precambrian Canadian Shield (Thunder Bay and Sudbury), the other four located on Palaeozoic limestone and shale dominated bedrock (Barrie, Burlington, Cambridge, and Hamilton). Forty samples of household vacuum dust were obtained. The coarse fraction (80 – 300 µm) of this dust was subjected to flotation (using water) to separate the organic components (e.g. insect fragments, dander), natural and synthetic materials (e.g. fibres, plastics) from the mineral residue. The mineral fraction was then analyzed using quantitative point counting, polarizing light microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods. Despite the great distances between the sampling localities and the distinct differences in bedrock geology, the mineral fraction of dust from all six cities is remarkably similar and dominated by quartz and feldspar, followed by lithic fragments, calcite, and amphibole. Some evidence of the influence of local geology can nevertheless be found. For example, a relatively higher proportion of sulphide minerals is observed in the two cities on the Canadian Shield where these minerals are clearly more abundant in the bedrock. Specimens from Sudbury, Canada’s largest mining centre located atop a nickel-sulphide mineral deposit, showed the highest sulphide contents. Quartz is the dominant mineral in all cities. All quartz grains have internal strain features and fluid inclusions that are indicative of a metamorphic-igneous provenance. In all cities, sand is used on the streets as an abrasive for traction during the icy winter season. This sand is obtained in all cases from local glaciofluvial deposits that were ultimately derived principally from the rocks of the Canadian Shield in the last Pleistocene glaciations that affected all of Ontario. Thus, tracking in sand is the most plausible mechanism by which quartz was introduced into these homes since sampling was done, in all cases, in the winter season. The results indicate that glacial deposits dominate the mineral composition of indoor dust in Ontario cities and that nature of the bedrock immediately underlying the sampling sites is relatively of minor importance.

Despite increasing concern about the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and other toxins in indoor environments, very little is known about the physical and chemical composition of ordinary household dust. This study represents the first systematic investigation of the mineralogical composition of indoor dust in residential housing in Canada. Specimens of dust were obtained from homes in six geographically separate cities in the Province of Ontario: two located on the metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Precambrian Canadian Shield (Thunder Bay and Sudbury), the other four located on Palaeozoic limestone and shale dominated bedrock (Barrie, Burlington, Cambridge, and Hamilton). Forty samples of household vacuum dust were obtained. The coarse fraction (80 – 300 µm) of this dust was subjected to flotation (using water) to separate the organic components (e.g. insect fragments, dander), natural and synthetic materials (e.g. fibres, plastics) from the mineral residue. The mineral fraction was then analyzed using quantitative point counting, polarizing light microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods. Despite the great distances between the sampling localities and the distinct differences in bedrock geology, the mineral fraction of dust from all six cities is remarkably similar and dominated by quartz and feldspar, followed by lithic fragments, calcite, and amphibole. Some evidence of the influence of local geology can nevertheless be found. For example, a relatively higher proportion of sulphide minerals is observed in the two cities on the Canadian Shield where these minerals are clearly more abundant in the bedrock. Specimens from Sudbury, Canada’s largest mining centre located atop a nickel-sulphide mineral deposit, showed the highest sulphide contents. Quartz is the dominant mineral in all cities. All quartz grains have internal strain features and fluid inclusions that are indicative of a metamorphic-igneous provenance. In all cities, sand is used on the streets as an abrasive for traction during the icy winter season. This sand is obtained in all cases from local glaciofluvial deposits that were ultimately derived principally from the rocks of the Canadian Shield in the last Pleistocene glaciations that affected all of Ontario. Thus, tracking in sand is the most plausible mechanism by which quartz was introduced into these homes since sampling was done, in all cases, in the winter season. The results indicate that glacial deposits dominate the mineral composition of indoor dust in Ontario cities and that nature of the bedrock immediately underlying the sampling sites is relatively of minor importance.

Research on salts species formed by evaporation of aqueous solution of Na2 in the early 1930s. The thermodynamic, crystallographic and many other physical and chemical properties of most of the species formed from this solution has been known for decades. However, there was no complete information or reliable data to confirm the existence of a unique double salt that is rich in sodium carbonate, up until five years ago when a research identified the double salt (~2Na ₂ CO ₃ • Na ₂ SO ₄) from the ternary system Na₂CO ₃Na₂SO ₄ H₂O. Crystallization of this double salt so called sodium sulfate dicarbonate (~2Na ₂ CO ₃ • Na ₂ SO ₄) is known to be a primary contributor to fouling heat transfer equipment in spent-liquor concentrators used in the pulp and paper industry. Therefore, understanding the conditions leading to formation of this double salt is crucial to the elimination or reduction of an industrial scaling problem. In this work, double salts were generated in a batch crystallizer at close to industrial process conditions. X-ray diffraction, calorimetry, and microscopic observation were used to investigate the stability of the salts to in-process aging, isolation and storage, and exposure to high temperature. The results show that care must be taken during sampling on evaporative crystallization. Two apparent crystal habits were detected in the formation of sodium sulfate dicarbonate; the favored habit may be determined by calcium ion impurities in the system. The results also verify that sodium sulfate dicarbonate exists as a unique phase in this system and that remains stable at process conditions of 115-200℃

Despite increasing concern about the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and other toxins in indoor environments, very little is known about the physical and chemical composition of ordinary household dust. This study represents the first systematic investigation of the mineralogical composition of indoor dust in residential housing in Canada. Specimens of dust were obtained from homes in six geographically separate cities in the Province of Ontario: two located on the metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Precambrian Canadian Shield (Thunder Bay and Sudbury), the other four located on Palaeozoic limestone and shale dominated bedrock (Barrie, Burlington, Cambridge, and Hamilton). Forty samples of household vacuum dust were obtained. The coarse fraction (80 – 300 µm) of this dust was subjected to flotation (using water) to separate the organic components (e.g. insect fragments, dander), natural and synthetic materials (e.g. fibres, plastics) from the mineral residue. The mineral fraction was then analyzed using quantitative point counting, polarizing light microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods. Despite the great distances between the sampling localities and the distinct differences in bedrock geology, the mineral fraction of dust from all six cities is remarkably similar and dominated by quartz and feldspar, followed by lithic fragments, calcite, and amphibole. Some evidence of the influence of local geology can nevertheless be found. For example, a relatively higher proportion of sulphide minerals is observed in the two cities on the Canadian Shield where these minerals are clearly more abundant in the bedrock. Specimens from Sudbury, Canada’s largest mining centre located atop a nickel-sulphide mineral deposit, showed the highest sulphide contents. Quartz is the dominant mineral in all cities. All quartz grains have internal strain features and fluid inclusions that are indicative of a metamorphic-igneous provenance. In all cities, sand is used on the streets as an abrasive for traction during the icy winter season. This sand is obtained in all cases from local glaciofluvial deposits that were ultimately derived principally from the rocks of the Canadian Shield in the last Pleistocene glaciations that affected all of Ontario. Thus, tracking in sand is the most plausible mechanism by which quartz was introduced into these homes since sampling was done, in all cases, in the winter season. The results indicate that glacial deposits dominate the mineral composition of indoor dust in Ontario cities and that nature of the bedrock immediately underlying the sampling sites is relatively of minor importance.

No description available.