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Mercury in wood is an important pool of this heavy metal in forest ecosystems because of its relatively high proportion in the biomass compared to other pools. This paper describes the successful application of a modified methodology for stem disk sampling based on wood particles from stem disks from Donawitz (Styria, Austria; pig iron production), from Brixlegg (Tyrol; former copper and silver mining, copper ore processing and copper recycling), and from Gmunden (Upper Austria; cement production). The maximum mercury concentration in the stem disks from Donawitz (Hinterberg: 20.5 ppb, St. Peter: 9.3 ppb) was recorded in the early 1970s. Several maxima were obtained from the stem disks from Brixlegg: the first was in 1813 (149.9 ppb), potentially even earlier, a second (37.6 ppb) in the late nineteenth century until the late 1920s, and a third local maximum in the 1970s (9.1 ppb), followed by a tendency to decline until the present. A stem disk from Gmunden in Upper Austria showed values of mercury concentrations indicating no increases compared to literature about background sites (≤ 3.2 ppb). This method revealed trends in mercury concentrations in tree rings originating from several different mercury emission sources in Austria coinciding with information about industrial history (where available) together with a justifiable effort. We therefore recommend it for further investigations on mercury concentrations in tree rings and their changes over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemistry and the crystal structure of the recently described mineral argentopolybasite are critically discussed based on the study of two new occurrences of the mineral: Gowganda, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada and IXL Mine, Silver Mountain mining district, Alpine County, California. The crystal structure of argentopolybasite can be described as the sequence, along the c axis, of two alternating layers: a [Ag6Sb2S7]2– A layer and a [Ag10S4]2+ B layer. In the B layer there are linearly-coordinated metal positions (B sites), which are usually occupied by copper in all members of the pearceite–polybasite group, resulting in a B -layer composition [Ag9CuS4]2+. In argentopolybasite, however, Ag fills all the metal sites in both A and B layers. By means of a multi-regression analysis on 67 samples of the pearceite–polybasite group, which were studied by electron microprobe and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, the effect of Ag, Sb and Se on the B sites of the B layer was modelled. Although the nomenclature rules for these minerals are based on chemical data only, we think this approach is useful to evaluate the goodness of the refinement of the structure (Ag/Cu disorder) and thus fundamental to discriminate different members of the pearceite–polybasite group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Likewise, Contreras presents a long-term vision of the impact of relations between the state and the private sector on the Peruvian economy. As explained by Contreras, the colonial state organised the economy around silver mining, making even the development of activities for the domestic market dependent on this extractive activity. Carlos Contreras Carranza, Instituto de Estudios Peruanos, 2022, pp. 479 In his book I Historia económica del Perú: Desde la conquista española hasta el presente i , Carlos Contreras Carranza seeks to paint a comprehensive picture of Peru's economic history by addressing two questions that are frequently asked in Latin American studies. [Extracted from the article]

By contrast, wulfenite, mimetite, vanadinite, and mottramite are relatively common at the Red Cloud Copper mine, and several other supergene minerals (brochantite, linarite, arsentsumebite, and so on) are present in small amounts at both mines. Those found at both the Red Cloud Copper mine and the Red Cloud Fluorite mine are so designated. Similarly, scrutiny of vuggy fluorite at the Red Cloud Fluorite mine may lead to the recognition of additional rare-earth minerals. In about 1943, the U.S. Bureau of Mines did exploratory work in the area of the Red Cloud Copper mine and established the Red Cloud Fluorite (or Conqueror No. 9) mine about 100 meters northeast of the Red Cloud Copper mine. [Extracted from the article]

In many ways, vanadium is what makes volborthite interesting, appropriately so for this contribution because vanadium's history is deeply rooted in Mexico. Vanadium is much more reactive in the presence of oxygen with no fewer than 264 described oxide species; 37 of these contain copper and 21 include uranium, the elements with which vanadium species are most commonly found - notably sengerite [Cu SB 2 sb (UO SB 2 sb ) SB 2 sb (VO SB 4 sb ) SB 2 sb -6H SB 2 sb O] is the only species that includes all three. Volborthite dominantly occurs in sediment-hosted vanadium-uranium oxide deposits, exemplified by the "roll-front" deposits of the Four Corners region in the American Southwest. These include native vanadium, simple vanadium sulfides, vanadium-copper sulfides, and complex vanadium-copper (plus As, Ge, Mo, Pb, Mo) sulfosalts. [Extracted from the article]

In this article we deal with the output of small and medium-sized silver mines located throughout northwest Mexico's great mountain range known as the Western Sierra Madre. We approach these diversely organized economic units, lying within a sundry political and commercial network, during a fifty years' period. We stress the fact that its productive lifespan favored private profitability, and became a source of tax revenues, and economic dynamism in that Mexican region between 1822 and 1872. This early mining activity influenced the entire economy by means of the operation of the Guadalajara, Culiacan, Hermosillo and Alamos mints, as well as with the exportation of silver from the ports of San Blas, Mazatlán and Guaymas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous silver mines in the southwestern borderlands of Ming and Qing China (present-day Yunnan Province, Myanmar, and Vietnam) are known from occasional historical mention. Despite some regional attention, they were regarded as a marginal source of silver for the Chinese monetary system. This article presents a new research approach that overcomes the scarcity of written sources by tapping mineralogical material remains on historic mining sites. We present case studies of three well-documented sites and discuss our comparative assessment of forty-seven identified mines of importance. Our reconstruction of total silver outputs based on slag dumps permits quantification based on material evidence. We estimate southwestern mines’ outputs at 20,000 to 50,000 tons of monetary-grade silver for the period 1400–1850. Domestic silver flows on this order revise the current view that the monetary system of early modern China depended on overseas silver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides a narrative representation of the experience of Indigenous workers who were drafted into the mines of the cerro rico (rich peak) in Spanish colonial Peru (now Bolivia) during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. It explores the hardships and challenges faced by these Indigenous workers as they were forced to toil in the dangerous silver mines of Potosí. It highlights the physical and emotional toll of their labor and the harsh conditions they endured.

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El artículo discute la historia de los depósitos mineros de plata encontrados en un pequeño pueblo minero de Real del Monte, en Hidalgo, México, con un enfoque en la historia de la explotación mineral por parte de empresas inglesas en el siglo XIX.

Indeed, Gálvez functions in Albi's account as a foil for Gamboa, particularly regarding their views on the I audiencias i , a pillar of the Spanish American judicial system whose authority Gálvez hoped to weaken. Albi discusses in detail Gamboa's most notable cases and concludes, "No other audiencia magistrate of the late eighteenth century knew New Spain as well, both practically and legally, as Gamboa" (44). [Extracted from the article]

This article, which focuses on silver mining in the colonial Andes, attempts to bring silo-ed conversations in the history of science and labor history into a shared dialogue. In so doing, it offers a way to reassess the traditional historiographic consensus that independent wage laborers were "high skilled" and forced laborers were "low skilled." Through linguistic analysis and legal case studies, it shows that miners often crossed back and forth between labor categories and positions, and that frameworks like skills and wages are inadequate to understand workers' experiences and expertise in highly coercive extractive industries like mining in the colonial period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Historia (07169108) is the property of Universidad de Concepcion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Labor & Engenho is the property of Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Portal de Periodicos Eletronicos Cientificos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The mass movement of raw material in the eighteenth century determined industrial, agricultural, social, and visual environments. Using the global supply chain as an organizing principle, this essay examines how four raw materials shaped and were shaped by politics and society. Each of the four elements—silver, seeds, mother-of-pearl, and sugar—is addressed at one stage of its international circulation. Brittany Luberda begins by analyzing labor practices in the extraction of silver from the mines of Potosí during the Spanish colonization of present-day Bolivia. Sophie Tunney traces a material's journey across the sea, revealing the complexities of transporting living plants and the politics of French colonies. Cynthia Kok shows how mother-of-pearl shells, by-products of the pearl trade, were transformed by Netherlandish craftspeople into objects of value by adapting their existing expertise. Sarah Cohen then examines how two silver sugar casters made in the form of enslaved people were used to visualize the coerced labor that produced a sweet commodity for the global economy. Presented in a format that reflects the movement of a material from its excavation and transportation through to its manipulation and reception, we offer a model for investigating the life cycle of eighteenth-century material culture, which was itself multi-layered, interactive, and entangled with colonialist ambition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the translocation of a statue depicting the goddess Chalchiuhtlicue from Mexico to the British Museum in London. The article provides a detailed description of the statue and its significance in Mexica culture. It also explores the journey of the statue from Mexico to London and its display in the British Museum. The article raises questions about the ethical implications of collecting and appropriating cultural artifacts from other countries and highlights the importance of the statue in expanding the awareness and appreciation of Mesoamerican heritage. [Extracted from the article]

The article delves into the history of Arkansas's Mercury Mining District, which operated from 1931 to 1946. The discovery of cinnabar in the region attracted prospectors seeking fortune during the Great Depression, but the industry struggled due to the small and unpredictable nature of cinnabar deposits. Major mining companies faced challenges, leading to closures and minimal profits. Despite a brief resurgence during World War II, the industry ultimately collapsed, leaving little lasting impact on the region. Health issues, lack of reporting mechanisms for mercury exposure, and environmental concerns were also highlighted. [Extracted from the article]

In Sweden, mining of metallic mineral resources goes back at least 1000 years, possibly much longer. This paper reviews the development of exploration over the past 500 years and discusses exploration based on 1) demand and price, 2) technical development, and 3) legislation. Without doubt, exploration efforts have been driven by an early demand, especially from the Swedish crown and well-known mines such as Falun copper mine and Sala silver mine sustained the Swedish crown and financed several wars during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries for several centuries. The fluctuation in metal prices, basically a function of demand, due to technical development and industrialization, has been an important driver for the focus of exploration over the last 100 years, and even more so during the last 50 years when exploration, besides base metals and iron, has focussed on more critical raw materials for the energy transition and green technology. The technical development has also meant that new methods have become available for exploration, not the least deep exploration methods and Swedish innovations have played a major role in drilling technology, geophysical instrument development and other areas. This is discussed based on development in drilling technology, geological, geophysical and geochemical methods. Finally, a review of the how the mining legislation has changed over the last 500 years is provided where this is placed in the context of how it has influenced private investment in exploration and what role the Swedish state has played. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • This research resolves a historical debate, revealing that silver in the Litija mine is hosted in tetrahedrite-(Hg) inclusions, not galena. • Sulfide precipitation caused pH shifts, reducing Sb3+ mobility, promoting As3+ incorporation, and raising Zn levels in As-rich tetrahedrite. • The Hg2+ ↔ Zn2+ substitution mechanism in the investigated tetrahedrite is linked to pH fluctuations and fluid mixing processes. For over a century, the main carrier of Silver in the Litija mineralisation has been debated, with fine-grained galena often identified as the primary host. The in-situ quantitative microanalysis of a silver-bearing ore from the Alma orebody reveals that silver is not hosted within the galena but occurs instead as inclusions within tetrahedrite-(Hg). The mechanism of silver incorporation in tetrahedrite is complex and may occur through atom-to-atom substitution, where monovalent silver replaces monovalent copper (Ag+ ↔ Cu+). Additionally, silver can be present as a separate phase, either as nanoscale inclusions of acanthite or through the replacement of pre-existing silver-rich chalcopyrite. Elemental correlations and minor variations in the element distribution within the studied tetrahedrite provide insights into the chemistry of the mineralizing fluid. These findings suggest an initial reducing, near-neutral, low-chlorinity fluid promoting incorporation of Sb3+ and Hg2+ into tetrahedrite. This fluid subsequently mixed with high-salinity, Cl-rich, near-neutral fluid transporting Zn2+. Sulfide precipitation introduced additional acidity in the mixed fluids, altering the pH and promoting As3+ and Zn2+ incorporation into tetrahedrite. We suggest that Hg2+ ↔ Zn2+ substitution in tetrahedrite is influenced by pH fluctuations and fluid mixing. These findings provide new insights into the geochemical processes governing trace element incorporation in sulfosalt minerals and offer valuable framework for understanding mineralization in similar hydrothermal systems worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a brief overview of the artist Saul Krotki. Krotki, who describes himself as an "old-world naturalist," was initially a scientist with a passion for mineralogy. However, during his time at the Smithsonian, he became interested in art and went on to earn an MFA in painting. Krotki has also been a member of the New York Mineralogical Club since 1956 and continues to pursue his artistic endeavors, including exploring the relationship between crystallography and botanicals. At 82 years old, he remains dedicated to his artistic statement and continues to experiment with different mediums. [Extracted from the article]

Eldon Ray Smith, the owner of THE ROCKSMITHS INC., a mineral business, passed away at the age of ninety-three. Born in Denver in 1931, Eldon served as a medic in the Korean War before obtaining a master's degree in business administration from Denver University. He later became vice-president of an international marketing firm before making a complete turnaround and moving to Bisbee, Arizona, where he established a new home base for his business. Eldon and his family were known for attending numerous mineral shows across the United States and even ventured into China to bring Chinese minerals to collectors' attention. After retiring in 2003, Eldon enjoyed his desert surroundings and pursued his passion for stock trading. He was also known for his love of good bread. Eldon's ashes were placed on the land he cherished behind his home. [Extracted from the article]

The Smartt mine todorokite was first (erroneously) described by Frankel ([7]) as cryptomelane and later verified as todorokite (de Villiers [5]). Gutzmer and Beukes ([9]) have described and analyzed todorokite from the Smartt mine and established that the todorokite is intimately associated with manjiroite [Na(Graph HT ht Mn SP 3+ sp )O SB 16 sb ], another fibrous Na-Mn oxide. Characterization of fibrous cryptomelane from the todorokite-cryptomelane mineral assemblage at the Sebilo mine, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. When it comes to aesthetic specimens, todorokite does not readily spring to mind. [Extracted from the article]

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The article informs that Cadavals, a branch of the Braganza royal family, needed the young duchesse Henriette Julie Gabrielle de Lorraine, daughter of Louis de Lorraine, prince de Lambesc to bear children and continue the family line. It mentions the duchesse brought with her to Portugal a silver toilette set as part of her trousseau, given to her as a wedding gift by the patriarch of her family, Charles, prince de Lambesc and comte d'Armagnac, who commissioned the set from Etienne Pollet.

The article presents an interpretation of the text BN 40757, which documents a ritual for the New Year Festival (NYF) or Akitu of Marduk in Babylon, particularly on the river procession to the Akitu temple. Also cited are how the text illustrates aspects of the urban cultic topography and the features of the Akitu temple, and the festival's setting, organization, and structure.