SUMMARY: New U-Pb geochronological data (SHRIMP/LA-ICP-MS) is presented for zircons of volcanic rocks and dark shales of the Salgadinho deposit, located in Cercal, Iberian Pyrite Belt. Results show that the main magmatic event was placed between 387-392 Ma, indicating the oldest volcanism in the Iberian Pyrite Belt so far. Inherited and detrital zircon ages suggest affinity to Laurussian and Avalonia (s.l.) peri-Gondwanan sources, which provides additional constraints on the paleogeographic positioning of the Iberian Pyrite Belt during the Variscan Cycle.

RESUMO: Na construção civil, é comum a utilização de materiais geológicos, seja diretamente ou incorporados nos materiais de construção. A presença de radionuclídeos naturais nesses materiais pode resultar em exposição à radiação ionizante, seja por meio da exposição externa à radiação gama ou pela inalação do gás radão. A Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente estabelece medidas adequadas para controlar os materiais de construção, visando proteger a população contra radiações ionizantes no interior dos edifícios. Um estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de identificar os materiais de construção produzidos e utilizados em Portugal que possam gerar preocupações radiológicas, com especial ênfase na radiação gama. Neste trabalho, apresentam-se os resultados relativos ao índice de concentração de atividade (I), relacionado com a dose de radiação gama proveniente dos materiais de construção, permitindo rastrear os materiais que podem fazer com que o nível de referência de dose seja excedido. O estudo destaca maior preocupação radiológica em relação aos granitos e pozolana natural, bem como alguns subprodutos e produtos industriais, como cinzas volantes, argila expandida, betão com agregado granítico e determinados pavimentos e revestimentos cerâmicos.

Spent Ni-MH batteries are not considered too dangerous for the environment, but they have a considerable economical value due to the chemical composition of electrodes which are highly concentrated in metals. The present work aimed at the physical and chemical characterisation of spent cylindrical and thin prismatic Ni-MH batteries, contributing for a better definition of the recycling process of these spent products. The electrode materials correspond to more than 50% of the batteries weight and contain essentially nickel and rare earths (RE), and other secondary elements (Co, Mn, Al). The remaining components are the steel parts from the external case and supporting grids (near 30%) containing Fe and Ni, and the plastic components (<10%). Elemental quantitative analysis showed that the electrodes are highly concentrated in metals. Phase identification by X-ray powder diffraction combined with chemical analysis and leaching experiments allowed advancing the electrode materials composition. The cathode is essentially constituted by 6% metallic Ni, 66% Ni(OH)2, 4.3% Co(OH)2 and the anode consists mainly in 62% RENi5 and 17% of substitutes and/or additives such as Co, Mn and Al.

ABSTRACT: The distribution of the high concentrations of arsenic (As) and fluoride (F-) in groundwater on a Pan-European scale could be explained by the geological European context (lithology and structural faults). To test this hypothesis, seventeen countries and eighteen geological survey organizations (GSOs) have participated in the dataset. The methodology has used the HydroGeoToxicity (HGT) and the Baseline Concentration (BLC) index. The results prove that most of the waters considered in this study are in good conditions for drinking water consumption, in terms of As and/or F- content. A low proportion of the analysed samples present HGT≥ 1 levels (4% and 7% for As and F-, respectively). The spatial distribution of the highest As and/or F- concentrations (via BLC values) has been analysed using GIS tools. The highest values are identified associated with fissured hard rock outcrops (crystalline rocks) or Cenozoic sedimentary zones, where basement fractures seems to have an obvious control on the distribution of maximum concentrations of these elements in groundwaters.

Ionic liquid (IL) functionalized carbon supported nanocatalysts, including platinum-ruthenium catalysts, have been under investigation to achieve better catalytic performance on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Ionic liquids have particular physical properties, which usually improve the stabillity and dispersion of metal nanosized particles, providing an increase of the electrochemical active surface area. In this work, the synthesis and the electrochemical behaviour of two new ionic liquid functionalizated carbon supported Pt-Ru nanocatalysts is investigated regarding the methanol oxidation reaction. Preliminary obtained results show that IL functionalization of carbon can produce supported catalysts with improved performances depending on the ionic liquid and on the reduction process used to produce the catalyst nanosized particles.

The electrical properties of natural cork, commercial cork agglomerates (for floor and wall covering) and a composite of cork/TetraPak® were studied. The composite was developed at LNEG/Portugal and is made of recycled cork and TetraPak® containers. Measurements of isothermal charge and discharge currents (ICC/IDC) and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) were made. The isothermal currents characteristics and the samples electrical conductivity were investigated under different conditions (electric field, temperature and measuring atmosphere). Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy was used to quantify the changes in the permittivity with the samples conditioning. Both experimental techniques showed the strong influence of water content on the electrical properties of cork and its derivatives.

ABSTRACT: Lithium extraction from hard-rock ores has regained importance due to the increased demand for this metal to supply the growing battery market. Therefore, several studies have been focused on the lithium extraction from ores, however, leaching and purification steps are sparsely studied. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the main factors affecting the water leaching step and the subsequent purification operations for lithium recovery from a lepidolite concentrate, which was processed by mechanical activation and sulphuric acid digestion. In the leaching step, among the variables studied, only one, the leaching temperature, showed a significant effect on the lithium extraction, taking into account the range of values tested. Thus, the recommended operating value for the leaching time and the L/S ratio is the minimum, while for the leaching temperature is 50°C. After optimizing the leaching operation, the purification of the leachate, by neutralization, was thoroughly performed by efficient removal of impurities (Fe, Al, Mn and Ca), allowing to obtain lithium carbonate as final product, as well as other relevant by-products, such as rubidium and potassium alums.

ABSTRACT: Chinese blue-and-white porcelain is found in archaeological excavations worldwide, being significant evidence of global trade routes and cultural exchange. Synchrotron radiation-based techniques have been applied for studying cobalt speciation to establish a correlation between the cobalt and iron oxidation state and local coordination environment in the rich blue shades of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. However, the relationship between the firing atmosphere conditions and the speciation of cobalt has not been established yet. In this study, underglaze blue models were produced and fired in air or under reducing atmospheres to ascertain the effect of the firing atmosphere in cobalt and iron speciation. The experimental results were compared with data obtained on historical samples of ancient porcelain shards. The microstructure and colour of the produced underglaze blue models were investigated by variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VP-SEM-EDS), using a hyperspectral imaging camera (Vis-SWIR reflectance spectroscopy) and colorimetry. The formal valence and coordination of cobalt and iron ions of the glaze were determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), particularly X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), using synchrotron radiation. Spectral features demonstrated that both cobalt and iron speciation were affected by the firing atmosphere and therefore could be used to ascertain the firing atmosphere.