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The diversity of diatoms in the hot springs of the Comanjilla geothermal zone in northern Guanajuato, Mexico was studied. Hot springs are extreme ecosystems that, despite having high temperatures, constitute an environment for many thermophilic microorganisms (bacteria, cyanobacteria, and diatoms). The thermal water studied is classified as hyperthermal water (45°C to 100°C), of deep origin, and with low mineralization, are of type sulfuric sodium chloride, since the dissolved content of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is found in concentrations higher than 1mg/L, and its smell is similar to the one of rotten eggs, presents a pH of 7.6 to 9.1 that represents neutrophilic to alkaliphilic environments, with a variable electrical conductivity (EC) (658-698 µs / cm) and total dissolved solids (TDS) (314-24 ppm). In the same way, these hot springs present microbial mats that consist of several stratified layers of green and orange color of 100 cm2, each one, which are dominated by specific types of microorganisms such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, but mainly diatoms, the latter were studied applying the scanning electron microscope and the optical microscope. The morphological characteristics observed in the optical microscope and in the scanning electron microscopy indicate the presence of diatoms of the Bacillariophyceae class, represented by Sellaphora disjuncta (55%), Achnanthes brevipes var. intermedia (45%). This diatom present in thermophilic microbial mats in the sulphurous geothermal zone of Comanjilla represents: a) the first report of said microorganisms in the study area and Mexico; b) an ecosystem of great interest from the biotechnological and industrial point of view; c) an important taxon in terms of diversity and technology; d) an applications in biofuels, environmental monitoring, wastewater treatment, manufacture of fertilizers, production of secondary metabolites, medical compounds, energy sources and food industry and within nanotechnology. It is important to mention that the physical and chemical characteristics of thermal water such as temperature, pH, dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, hardness, alkalinity and silica concentrations, were the major environmental factors influencing the distribution of diatoms in sulphurous hot springs.

We present a geological map that shows the distribution of Cenozoic igneous rocks in the central portion of the Tampico-Misantla Basin in eastern Mexico at 1:500,000 scale. This map covers an area of ~25000 km2, including part of the States of Veracruz, Hidalgo, and Puebla. It was made as background information for the geophysical exploration of the CONACYT Fronteras de la Ciencia project 1787 “Un acercamiento a los Yacimientos no Convencionales a partir de Métodos Electromagnéticos de exploración”. This map resulted from the compilation of cartographic and geochronological (28 K-Ar isotopic ages) information from available literature, complemented and improved with photogeology and regional reconnaissance tours along several roads that cross the region. Main Cenozoic units were recognized during fieldwork. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying igneous rocks, especially intrusive bodies, as this was one of the main goals of the CONACYT Project, by using geophysical methods, and characterizing the geometry of the basin. The map is now available to the community interested in the Cenozoic evolution of east-central Mexico. Besides that, it will be the basis of the research that the group is carrying out in the Eastern Mexican Alkaline Province and the eastern Sierra Madre Oriental Cenozoic magmatism.

Four different consolidants for adobe buildings conservation were synthetized and evaluated. Adobe bricks materials tested from several Mining Haciendas of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries located in Guanajuato, Mexico; these materials were characterized using XRD analysis, granulometry, porosity, moisture content, and mechanical resistance. The four consolidants synthetized are formulations based on TEOS (F1); TEOS with silica nanoparticles (F2); TEOS with PDMS-OH (F3) and hybrid consolidant formed by TEOS, PDMS, and nanoparticle silica (F4). The consolidants were tested and evaluated by porosity changes, absorption, and durability. The results show that colloidal silica improves the fulfill porosity by TEOS gels and the PDMS improves the flexibility on TEOS gel avoiding the crack. Thus, the addition of both components to TEOS gel results as an excellent consolidant treatment to adobe materials.

The characterization of the pre-Hispanic and colonial adobes used in the construction of buildings in Mexico was carried out to know the differences between their processes and manufactures. The eight samples obtained correspond to adobe blocks 0.45 m long x 0.35 m wide and 0.12 m thick, which were part of the interiors of houses, the structure of fences, and hacienda galleys. These samples were investigated using X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Fluorescence, and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques to determine the morphometry of the material and its chemical and mineralogical composition. Likewise, some analyzes were performed to determine their mechanical properties (simple compressive strength), physical properties (granulometry, solid density, cohesion, plasticity index, porosity, and moisture content), and biological (organic matter content). The results obtained in terms of the granulometric distribution indicate that pre-Hispanic adobe has a higher content of sand than silt-clay and gravel, while the colonial adobes present a low or null content of gravel with a higher content of silt-clays. Regarding the organic matter content, the colonial adobe presents the highest percentages compared to those of the pre-Hispanic adobes. Taking into account the above the pre-Hispanic adobes have better resistance and durability than colonial adobes due to their granulometric distribution, low organic matter content, good cohesion, high plasticity index, and the use of materials found in their natural environment, while the colonial used recycled materials, coming from the economic activity to which the hacienda was dedicated, for example, agriculture, mining, livestock, this has given rise to different manufacturing techniques and construction styles that reflect the state of conservation of buildings throughout the pre-Hispanic and colonial times. The granulometric distribution that pre-Hispanic adobe provides favorable physical and mechanical qualities for any construction technique, so it is recommended to use this formula to manufacture resistant and durable adobe.

This study describes monument-mapping method for detected damages, and verify in qualitative and quantitative way the decay of stone on historical building. Proposes a methodology that woul...

In the present study, the hydrochemical dynamic and the water quality of La Purísima reservoir, Central Mexico, have been determined. The reservoir presents total dissolved solids (TDSs) between 146 and 328 mg L

DBTL as neutral polycondensation catalyst was employed to obtain organic modified silanes (ORMOSILs), which were studied as anticorrosive films for aluminum at saline corrosion. The ORMOSILs were synthesized using TEOS as silica precursor, different alkylalkoxysilanes (trimethoxy(methyl)silane, triethoxy(octyl)silane, 3-aminopropyl(triethoxy)silane and DBTL-catalyst were employed under the free solvent sol–gel process. Results of chemical characterization of ORMOSILs coatings show that under SEM technique coatings have homogenous films, and there are a crosslinking between silica and organic modified under the Infrared spectroscopy and 29Si CPMAS-NMR techniques. On the other hand, Brinell hardness and Pull-Off adhesion tests show that all ORMOSILs increase the aluminum surface hardness between 1 and 10%, and the ORMOSILs critical forces for adhesion are in the range of 106–132 N; therefore, the ORMOSILs coatings have an excellent adhesion to aluminum surface, furthermore, the saline corrosion test shows that organic modified silica avoid the pitting aluminum corrosion; corrosion rate decreases about 60–85%; the anticorrosive behavior according to modified-silica was determined as: SiO2–NH2 > SiO2–Me ∼ SiO2–Octyl.

espanolLa arquitectura estratigrafica fluvial del Conglomerado Guanajuato en la Sierra de Guanajuato, registra parte del relleno de las cuencas extensionales continentales, formadas durante el Cenozoico, despues de la Orogenia Laramide en la Mesa Central de Mexico. Los estratos de grano grueso del Conglomerado Guanajuato representan el deposito de un canal mayor de 1 a 2 km de ancho por mas de 100 km de largo. Estos depositos comprenden un intervalo conglomeratico de 2000 m de espesor intercalado con depositos de areniscas y lutitas. El analisis de facies indica que el conglomerado Guanajuato se deposito en abanicos aluviales y ambientes fluviales. Las facies del Conglomerado Guanajuato incluyen un conglomerado de matriz arenosa que muestra evidencia de deposicion dominada por la traccion, depositos de flujo de escombros y depositos de flujo hiperconcentrado, interpretados como flujos de gravedad turbulenta, dichos depositos se encuentran intercalados por areniscas con estratificacion horizontal, estratificacion cruzada, ondulitas, marcas de lluvia, flautas, marcas de ranuras, lutitas masivas, lutitas con laminacion paralela y grietas de desecacion. Con base en la asociacion de facies, se determinaron cinco elementos arquitecturales y 14 facies en nueve localidades estudiadas, esto, como resultado de la sedimentacion del Eocene post-Laramide en el sur de la Mesa Central. El Conglomerado Guanajuato se divide en dos miembros: miembro inferior y miembro superior. El miembro inferior sobreyace al conjunto Mesozoico (complejo intrusivo y secuencia eruptiva del arco de Guanajuato) presentando un espesor de entre 700 y 1300 m. El miembro inferior se compone de dos partes: 1) La parte basal incluye capas de conglomerado intercaladas con areniscas y flujos de lava. 2) La parte superior constituida por depositos de flujo de escombros y flujo hiperconcentrado, areniscas y lutitas. El miembro superior se caracteriza por un conglomerado de matriz de clastos soportados intercalados con depositos de areniscas y lutitas. La estratificacion cruzada, imbricacion, clastos aislados, areniscas de grano grueso, indican depositos de un sistema fluvial. La arenisca de grano fino, las marcas de lluvia, la laminacion paralela, las grietas de desecacion, pueden interpretarse como sedimentos de barras laterales depositados por canales de desplazamiento durante las condiciones de flujo bajo. Los patrones de distribucion de los sedimentos y la arquitectura estratigrafica sugieren que el sistema deposicional del Conglomerado Guanajuato corresponde a un ambiente fluvial trenzado para el miembro inferior, mientras que el miembro superior corresponde a un ambiente de abanico aluvial. EnglishThe fluvial stratigraphic architecture of the Cenozoic Guanajuato Conglomerate in the Sierra de Guanajuato records part of the infill of continental extensional basins formed after the Laramide Orogeny in the Mesa Central, Mexico. Coarse-grained strata of the Guanajuato Conglomerate represent the deposit of a major channel belt (1 to 2 km wide by >100 km long). This channel belt deposits comprises a 2000 m-thick conglomeratic interval interbedded with deposits of matrix-supported gravel, sandstones and mudstones. Facies analysis indicates that Guanajuato Conglomerate were deposited in alluvial fans and fluvial environments. Facies of the Guanajuato Conglomerate include sandy matrix conglomerate (that shows evidence of traction-dominated deposition), debris-flow (Gms) and hyperconcentrated-flow deposits (Sgpc) (interpreted as turbulent gravity flows), and sandstones with plane to horizontal stratification and planar and through cross-stratification, ripples, rain mark, flutes, groove marks, and massive mudstones, mudstones with fine lamination and with desiccation cracks. Based on established facies associations, five architectural elements and 14 facies were determined from nine locations as a result of Eocene post-Laramide sedimentation in the southern Mesa Central. The Guanajuato Conglomerate was divided in two members: Lower and Upper members. The Lower Member unconformably overlies a Mesozoic assemblage (intrusive complex and eruptive sequence assemblage and Guanajuato arc assemblage) and has a thickness between 700 and 1300 m. The Lower Member is composed of two parts: 1) The basal portion includes conglomerate layers interbedded with sandstones and lava flows. The upper part of the Lower Member conglomerate is caused by debris-flow and hyperconcentrated-flow, major tabular and lenticular sandstone, and siltstone. The Upper Member is characterized by clast-supported conglomerate interbedded with sandstone-mudstone beds. The crudely stratified, imbrications, pebble clusters, coarse to pebbly sandstone, indicate channel lag deposits within a heavy loaded fluvial system. The finegrained sandstone, rain mark, parallel lamination, desiccation cracks, may be interpreted as side bar sediments deposited by shift channels during lower flow conditions. Sediment distribution patterns and stratigraphic architecture, suggest that the depositional system is a braided fluvial for the Lower Member, while the Upper Member corresponds to alluvial fan environment.

Green volcanic tuff has been used in the construction of very important historic buildings in the city of Guanajuato, Mexico, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage city since 1988. The chemical and mineralogical composition as well as the physical properties observed in the stone (Loseros tuff) presently used to restore such buildings suggests the need for preventive treatment to delay the decay process. A hybrid formulation based on tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), colloidal silica, and hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OH) has been used to treat the volcanic tuff. Several studies were performed in order to evaluate the properties of the stone after treatment; such as determination of the percentage of formulation deposited, as well as variations in porosity, hardness, and salt crystallization resistance.

In many mining districts, metal pollutants from mine tailings have historically been dumped into local streams. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, Mo, Sb, Cs, Cr, Sc, Co, Ni, and Li in eight overbank-sediment profiles from the Guanajuato River, in the Guanajuato mining district and to establish geochemical background values using direct and indirect methods. The background levels calculated using the direct method in pristine overbank deposits were similar to or slightly higher than the upper crustal values for Sc, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, and Mo (17.3, 108.7, 18.7, 44.4, 97.2, and 1.1 mg/kg, respectively). In contrast, levels of Cu, Cs, and Pb were up to two times higher than crustal values (93.1, 11.2, and 37.5 mg/kg, respectively), and the median concentration of Sb was 8.2 mg/kg, up to 20 times the crustal level. These natural anomalies can be explained by the presence of mineral deposits in the Guanajuato mining district. Ni and Cr were provided by the ultramafic rock...

Este artículo presenta los resultados del estudio sobre la sedimentación, los ambientes sedimentarios, la evolución tectono-sedimentaria y paleogeográfica de los depósitos clásticos pos-Laramide y pre-vulcanismo de la Sierra Madre Occidental en la Sierra de Guanajuato. Los depósitos clásticos rojos analizados corresponden al Conglomerado Guanajuato y al Conglomerado Duarte del Eoceno que fueron depositados en la parte media y distal de abanicos aluviales. Los depósitos estudiados están constituidos de clastos de calizas, granito, andesita, rocas sedimentarias, diorita y piroxenita, que indican la erosión de bloques levantados del complejo basal de la Sierra de Guanajuato (Terreno Guerrero). El análisis composicional y petrográfico de clastos de calizas permitió reconocer calizas de cuenca y calizas de plataforma somera provenientes del complejo basal de la Sierra de Guanajuato (Cuenca Arperos). Las calizas de plataforma somera presentan fragmentos esqueletales de bivalvos, braquiópodos, gasterópodos, equinodermos y foraminíferos bentónicos del Berriasiano-Valanginiano. Los clastos de caliza de plataforma se interpreta que podrían proceder de facies someras limítrofes de la cuenca Arperos, cuyos afloramientos originales actualmente no afloran en la Sierra de Guanajuato.

En este trabajo se presenta un método alterno al análisis geoquímico para identificar la existencia de jales mineros en sedimentos y/o suelos por medio del análisis digital de imagen y parámetros de forma de cristales de cuarzo. El método se aplicó a jales mineros, sedimentos naturales y antropogénicos del Distrito Minero de Guanajuato. El parámetro que mejor discriminó los 3 grupos de granos de cuarzo (jales, antropogénico y natural) es la circularidad (C). La (C) promedio de cuarzo natural es 0.73, mientras que los cuarzos de jales presentan un promedio de 0.64 y los cuarzos de origen antropogénico presentan una (C) entre 0.66 a 0.67. La metodología empleada puede aplicarse en la identificación de antiguos depósitos de jales mineros que actualmente estén mezclados y/o cubiertos por la mancha urbana en antiguos distritos mineros, donde no se cuenta con referencias de su distribución. También en zonas de cultivo que contengan jales mezclados y que potencialmente aporten metales. Otra aplicación potencial puede ser en sondeos de suelos como complemento a la geoquímica, permitiendo la identificación de jales e interpolación en horizontes donde solo se cuente con pocas muestras geoquímicas.