Mineralogy Of Noble Metals And Invisible Speciations Of These Elements In Natural Systems

This Special Issue covers a broad range of topics related to the mineralogy of noble metals (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, and Ru) and the occurrence, formation, and distribution of these elements in natural ore-forming systems. This collection of eleven research articles discusses various problems related to these topics. I hope this Special Issue will contribute to a better understanding of the genesis of gold, silver, and other noble metal deposits as well as the behavior of these elements in endogenic and supergene environments, and suggest ways forward to solving the problem of their full extraction from ores.

This Special Issue covers a broad range of topics related to the mineralogy of noble metals (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, and Ru) and the occurrence, formation, and distribution of these elements in natural ore-forming systems. This collection of eleven research articles discusses various problems related to these topics. I hope this Special Issue will contribute to a better understanding of the genesis of gold, silver, and other noble metal deposits as well as the behavior of these elements in endogenic and supergene environments, and suggest ways forward to solving the problem of their full extraction from ores.

This Special Issue book includes one review and eleven research articles. This review presents the results of studies on the noble metal forms in pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and greenockite and summarizes the distribution and speciations of noble metals in base metal sulfides of Au and Au-bearing deposits of the Urals (Russia). Nine research articles are devoted to studying gold mineralization at different types of gold deposits and the characterization of the conditions of its formation. The typomorphism of placer gold and its distribution mechanisms in the east of the Siberian Platform were studied, and the diagnostic method and morphogenetic criteria for identifying the genesis of placers and different sources in the platform areas were proposed in other research articles. One research article presents an experimental study of Pt solubility in a CO-CO2-rich fluid. These studies contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of Au, Ag, and other noble metals; their forms in ore-forming systems; and the genesis of ore deposits. I sincerely appreciate the efforts and contributions of the Authors and Reviewers and would also like to express gratitude to the Editor-in-Chief, other Editors, and Assistant Editors of Minerals for their help.

Noble Metals and Biological Systems examines the relationship between noble metals (gold, silver, and platinum group metals) and biological systems. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 is concerned with the analytical chemistry of noble metals and includes a description of the latest methods of analysis. Part 2 describes such topics as ecology and environmental science of noble metals as they pertain to biogeochemical exploration, noble metals in hair, the environmental geochemistry of palladium, microorganisms and noble metals, animals and noble metals, and a general survey of noble metals in the environment. Coverage is comprehensive and includes information regarding the use of dogs and termites as field assistants in mineral prospecting, as well as the fascinating story of the "gold bug", a microorganism that plates itself with gold. Part 3 is devoted entirely to noble metals in the treatment of disease and includes chapters describing the use of osmium and gold for arthritis treatment, silver as a bactericide, and platinum and ruthenium as anticancer agents. Noble Metals and Biological Systems will provide fascinating reading for applied geochemists, environmentalists, public health specialists, ecologists, microbiologists, clinical biochemists, oncologists, and specialists in rheumatic diseases.

Natural nanomaterials and nanotechnologies are all around us, which inevitably leads to these questions: What are these natural nanomaterials made of? Where can we find them? What can they do? Answering these questions will facilitate new and environmentally friendly ways of creating and manipulating nanoscale materials for the next generation of new technologies. A truly multidisciplinary resource, this book brings together studies from astronomy, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, geology and geophysics, environmental science, agricultural science, entomology, molecular biology, and health and provides an invaluable resource for learning how various scientists approach similar problems.

The book (Special Issue) presents impressive new results related to a wide spectrum of occurrences of platinum-group minerals (PGM) and natural compounds enriched in platinum-group elements (PGE), which are associated with various complexes and deposits, such as Uralian-Alaskan-type complexes, layered intrusions and placers. The geographical locations of the involved deposits and complexes include, on a truly international scale, different areas of the Urals, Western and Eastern Sayans and Gornaya Shoria in Siberia, Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt in China, Northern Michigan, USA, South Africa and Zimbabwe, etc. Of particular interest is the first description of a new species of PGM, thalhammerite (approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association), which is a new species of palladium-silver sulfobismuthide discovered in the Noril’sk region of Russia. Additionally, comprehensive reviews, on compositional variations in Pt–Fe alloy minerals and processes of transformations of PGM in exogenic environments, are presented which will also attract attention from international readers.