Micro-structural characterization of black crust and laser cleaning of building stones by micro-Raman and SEM techniques

Research concerning the formation and removal of black crusts on various historical objects is approached from many different angles. The so-called "yellowing effect", observed after laser treatment for cleaning purposes, has also received a lot of attention. Evidence regarding this phenomenon differs considerably and the actual mechanisms are still speculated on by researchers. In an attempt to elucidate the processes involved in the yellowing effect associated with laser cleaning, a new analytical technique has been used to investigate the black crust, a region of the sample cleaned by laser irradiation at 1064 nm and another region of the same sample subjected to further laser irradiation at 355 nm, on a limestone sample from the cathedral of Seville in Spain. Micro-Raman spectrometry offers the advantage of spatial chemical characterization of the stone, based upon its molecular makeup and was performed on the bulk body of the stone. Raman and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDXS) results indicate that the surfaces cleaned by irradiation at 1064 nm and by double irradiation at 1064 and 355 nm differed in terms of their calcium sulphate, calcium oxalate and iron oxide content, and that this could contribute to the difference in colour observed.     

Nutrient cycling responses to fire frequency in the Kruger National Park (South Africa) as indicated by stable isotope analysis

Fires, which are an intrinsic feature of southern African ecosystems, produce biogenic and pyrogenic losses of nitrogen (N) from plants and soils. Because of the long history of fires in these savannas, it was hypothesized that N2 fixation by legumes balances the N losses caused by fires. In this study, the N2 fixation activity of woody legumes was estimated by analyzing foliar delta15N and proportional basal area of N2 fixing species along experimental fire gradients in the Kruger National Park (South Africa). In addition, soil carbon (C) and N pools, foliar phosphorus (P) and gross N mineralization and nitrification rates were measured, to indicate the effects of fires on nutrient stocks and the possible N cycling processes modified by fires. Although observations of increased soil C/N and mineralization rates in frequently burned plots support previous reports of N losses caused by fires, soil %N did not decrease with increasing fire frequency (except in 1 plot), suggesting that N losses are replenished in burned areas. However, relative abundance and N2 fixation of woody legumes decreased with fire frequency in two of the three fire gradients analyzed, suggesting that woody legume N2 fixation is not the mechanism that balances N losses. The relatively constant %N along fire gradients suggests that these ecosystems have other mechanisms to balance the N lost by fires, which could include inputs by atmospheric deposition and N2 fixation by forbs, grasses and soil cyanobacteria. Soil isotopic signatures have been previously used to infer patterns of fire history. However, the lack of a relationship between soil delta15N and fire frequency found in this study indicates that the effects of fires on ecosystem delta15N are unpredictable. Similar soil delta15N along fire gradients may reflect the contrasting effects of increased N gaseous emissions (which increases delta15N) and N2 fixation other than that associated with woody legumes (which lowers delta15N) on isotopic signatures.     

Algorithmically random series and Brownian motion

We consider some random series parametrised by Martin-Löf random sequences. The simplest case is that of Rademacher series, independent of a time parameter. This is then extended to the case of Fourier series on the circle with Rademacher coefficients. Finally, a specific Fourier series which has coefficients determined by a computable function is shown to converge to an algorithmically random Brownian motion.     

Damage and molecular changes under a laser beam in SEM‐EDX/MRS interface: a case study on iron‐rich particles

The control of damage to individual environmental particles by a laser beam during Raman spectroscopy carried out in ambient air is generally well understood. The nature and control of damage under vacuum conditions (e.g. in the scanning electron microscopy with energy X‐ray detection combined with micro‐Raman spectroscopy—interfaced SEM‐EDX/MRS) are more complex and less well comprehended. The physical and chemical processes that affect the damage caused to small particles by lasers still remain somewhat unclear, but certainly the atmosphere (vacuum/air) and the beam intensity have very significant influences. Furthermore, it has been determined that some particles (e.g. haematite), although stable under an electron beam, are damaged by the laser beam, hampering their analysis. Additionally, when simultaneous analyses by SEM/EDX and MRS are considered, the correct choice of the collection surface plays a crucial role. As a result, the following collection substrates were tested to determine their influence on the laser beam damage process to the particle: silver and aluminium foils and silicon wafers. A test study was performed using artificial examples of haematite (Fe₂O₃) particles. Exposure of Fe₂O₃ particles in vacuum to 514‐ and 785‐nm laser radiation often leads to their melting, transformation and evaporation. The dependence of the damage caused by the laser beam on the particle structure is reported here. Molecular and crystallographic changes have also been revealed. Formation of magnetite (as an effect of re‐crystallisation) and Raman inactive structures was detected. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Observedtrans influence of donor atoms in monocharged bidentate ligands: Crystal structure of the acetone solvate of 2-carboxyquinolinatocarbonyltriphenylphosphinerhodium(I)

Summary 2-Carboxyquinolinatocarbonyltriphenylphosphinerhodium(I), [Rh(Quin)(CO)(PPh₃)], was prepared by replacement of CO by PPh₃ in the corresponding dicarbonyl. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group Åb=17.168(6) Å,c=9.254(5) Å, =101.49(5)°, =95.74(4)°, =98.41(4)°, d_cxp=1.45g cm^–3 and Z=2. The crystal structure was dermined from 3496 observed reflections. The final R value was 0.061. This structure determination indicates that the nitrogen atom of the chelate ring has the largesttrans influence since the carbonyl grouptrans to this atom was substituted by the PPh₃ ligand. The effects of different donor atoms in bidentate ligands, as well as the ring size of the chelate ring, on the relativetrans influence of the donor atoms are discussed.     

Kinetic study of the reaction betweentrans-tetracyanodioxomolybdate(IV) and fluoride ions

Summary The kinetics of the reaction between [MoO₂(CN)₄]^4– and F^– have been studied in the pH range 8 to 11. The results indicated that the diprotonated form, [MoO(OH₂)(CN)₄]^2–, is the only reactive species and that the aqua-ligand is substituted by the F^– ion according to the following reaction. The k₁ and k_–1 values are 8.8(2) M^–1 s^–1 and 0.6(1)s^–1, respectively, at 15°C. A dissociative substitution process is proposed.     

Thermogravimetric studies of the synthesis of cas from gypsum, CaSo4·2H2O and phosphogypsum

Using a heating rate of 2°C min^–1, CaS reacts with oxygen in air from 700°C to form CaSO₄, with a complete conversion at 1100°C. Synthesis of CaS from the reaction between CaSO₄ containing compounds and carbon compounds in air would not be possible, as the carbon reacts from 600°C with oxygen in the air to give CO₂. Heating stoichiometric amounts of carbon and pure CaSO₄, synthetic gypsum or phosphogypsum in a nitrogen atmosphere, results in the formation of CaS from 850°C. Using a heating rate of 10°C min^–1, the formation of CaS is completed at 1080°C. Addition of 5% Fe₂O₃ as a catalyst lowers the starting temperature of the reaction to 750°C. Activation energy values at different fraction reaction values () differ between 340 and 400 kJ mol^–1. The relationship between the activation energy values and conversion () indicates that the reaction proceeds via multiple steps.