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El patrimonio arqueológico, lejos de ser estable o permanente, es susceptible de cambios y modificaciones por agresión, incuria o desidia, lo que desgraciadamente no es infrecuente; aunque otras veces se incremente por la aparición o recuperación de piezas desconocidas o que se daban por desaparecidas y que afortunadamente han pasado a ver nuevamente la luz, a engrosar los correspondientes inventarios. Tal es el caso de las esculturas zoomorfas célticas conocidas como verracos, cuyo catálogo pretende actualizarse con el presente trabajo habida cuenta del aumento de su cantidad y de la diversificación de su procedencia. Las grandes áreas de distribución de estas esculturas comprenden una serie de provincias entre las que destacamos aquellas que, en su ámbito, han venido a arrojar los siguientes nuevos ejemplares: Ávila 20, Cáceres 6, Salamanca 3 y Toledo 1. La mayoría son toros situados en el Valle Amblés, centro de la cultura que los produjo, mientras que el resto, cerdos o jabalíes, se localizan principalmente en la cuenca del río Tajo. También se incluyen otros ejemplares rechazados o todavía sin confirmar.

This article examines the presence of urban soil buried under anthropogenic debris in an air-museum park in the Madrid city center (Spain), and highlights the particularities of this singular urbanized setting to indicate ecological evaluation options for soils. The study of a soil profile (with a thickness of about 2.30 m), classified as Urbic Technosols, allowed us to devise that it is formed by a series of filled-in amounts of artifacts (construction debris and other anthropogenic waste) of about 10–30%, plus organic and mineral materials. These soils’ composition and morphology depend on the natural conditions of the territory and also on anthropogenic activities. The soil properties (analyzed by conventional techniques) are moderate in acidity reaction and have relatively higher organic matter content. The Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations in anthropogenic horizons do not exceed the approximate permissible concentrations by 1.5–10-fold. Over the course of time, the soil profile has been transformed as a result of the impact of pedogenetic processes developing under the Mediterranean climate and man’s hand. Although urban environments present a certain complexity, at least the role of soil should be recognized regarding flood mitigation, recycling of wastes and toxins, filtering of nutrients or carbon storage and GHG regulation. The analysis of our results concludes the need to better perceive this soil profile and its green space to improve the urban ecosystem and to ensure better citizen well-being.

The Roca San Miguel (RSM) archaeological site was occupied during Mousterian times. Here we present a geoarchaeological and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the site. Five stratigraphic units (A to E) formed by different archaeological levels are identified. Three optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages show that Unit A dates to between 169.6 ± 9.1 and 151.9 ± 11.1 ka, during the penultimate glacial period (PGP), and contains numerous signs of recurring hearths. Unit B is unexcavated. Unit C dates to between 118.9 ± 11.5 and 103.4 ± 6.9 ka (late Eemian–marine isotope stage (MIS) 5d) and shows an abundance of lithic remains as well as some faunal elements. Unit C is covered by Unit D, which incorporates materials moved downslope, and is dated at 81.2 ± 4.7 ka. These OSL ages concur with U/Th ages (129.3 ± 1.5 and 123.6 ± 0.6 ka) derived from a flowstone covered by both -C and Dpost-flowstone units. Finally, Unit E covers the archaeological site, which was partially eroded during MIS2. The robust and well-constrained chronology of the RSM site and surroundings enables the establishment of its evolutionary model from the PGP to the last glacial cycle. The RSM site is the oldest Neanderthal occupation accurately dated in the Pre-Pyrenean region., This research was supported by the Gaps and Sites (HAR2017-85023-P) and Gaps and Dates (PID2020-116598GB-I00) projects, funded by the MINECO/MICIN-AEI/FEDER, Spain/EU; and by the Research Group P3A from the Aragón Government (H14_20R).

14 pags., 7 figs., 10 tabs. -- This article belongs to the Section Construction and Building Materials, The study described sought further understanding of the synergies in a mix of CDW pozzolans, containing (calcareous and siliceous) concrete and glass waste, used to prepare ternary eco-cement paste bearing 7% of the binary blend at concrete/glass ratios of 2:1 and 1:2. The mineralogical phases in the 2-day, 28-day and 90-day cement matrices were identified and monitoret using XRF, XRD-Rietveld, SEM-EDX, FT-IR, and NMR. The findings showed that changes in the reaction kinetics in the ternary blended pastes relative to OPC pastes depended on the nature of the recycled copncrete and the glass content. Adding the binary mix bearing clacareous concrete ( at a ratio of 2:1) favoured ettringite, portlandite, and amorfous phase formation, whilst the blends with siliceous concrete favoured CSH gel formation. Monocarboaluminate was detected in the 90-day siliceous concrete anbd glass pastes in amounts similar to those found in the reference OPC paste., This research was conducted under a national project (grant number RTI2018-097074- B-C21 and C-22) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (MICIU), the Spanish National Research Agency (AEI), and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

The Remance gold mine, in Veraguas (central Panama), had its last mining operation in 1999, using the cyanidation process for Au separation. As a result of this activity, three waste tailings were exposed to the weather, in addition to mine dumps and the open pit mining areas. Currently the area is inhabited by peasants who develop subsistence agriculture and livestock. Therefore, the objective of this study has been to evaluate the environmental and human health risks that this area represents. The total concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as As, Cu, Zn, Ba, Sb and Hg were determined in mining process areas, surrounding soils and edible and inedible plants in the area; in addition to the cyanide species and the enzymatic activity by dehydrogenase (DHA) in soils. The accumulated contamination index (PLI) and potential ecological risk (RI) were calculated, the carcinogenic (CR) and non-carcinogenic (HQ) risk to human health represented by soils and edible plants was estimated.Regarding the degree of contamination, it is observed that the contamination is considerable in the tailings and the sediments of the pithead, and it spreads to the surroundings mainly in the sediments of the streams and their terraces, and, to a lesser degree, to the soils around it, showing that the main route of dissemination is through runoff; the same trend is followed by the potential ecological risk, being extreme in the sediments of the pithead, serious in the tailings and terrace sediments, high in the stream sediments and medium in the surrounding soils. The enzymatic activity by DHA tells us that the health of the surrounding soils is better than that of the stream sediments and terrace sediments, but less than in other sites affected by mining activity in Spain. Cyanide species are linked to DHA and this in turn is favoured by organic matter (OM). On the other hand, it was observed that cyanide elutes from the tailing’s piles in a complex cyanide way, favouring the transport of PTEs associated with it to the stream sediments.Regarding the risks to human health in soils, As and Cu concentrations exceed the limits for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk in both children and adults, with the residential scenario being the worst scenario, and for adults also the agricultural scenario. In edible plants such as rice, corn, cassava and tea leaves, Sb exceeds the limit for non-carcinogenic risk, and Cu and As for carcinogenic risk. Due to the potential ecological and human health risks that the area represents, actions must be taken to reduce them.Keywords: potentially toxic elements (PTEs), gold mine, risk assessment, edible plants, human health.

The Monforte de Moyuela dam, also known as Ermita de la Virgen del Pilar dam, is a Roman reservoir built on a tributary of the Aguasvivas River (Ebro basin, Spain). A multidisciplinary study has been carried out to investigate this kind of Roman water infrastructure. It is the fifth‐highest dam (16.8 m) in the Iberian Peninsula and the seventh in the Roman Empire. The initial dam was built ca. 100 B.C.–10 A.D., probably in the period of Augustus, like other nearby Roman dams. It was quickly filled due to the extreme and generalized anthropic degradation in the basin during the Roman period. During the mid‐2nd century, the wall was increased in height and its final silting was dated to the early 7th century. The study of the opus caementicium mortars shows constructive differences between the initial and subsequent phases of the wall. These mortars provided charcoal for dating the two phases. In addition, the stratigraphic and edaphological study of the reservoir's sedimentary fill, together with the 14C ages, allowed us to reconstruct the two main activity cycles and the final siltation of the dam. Subsequently, the dam broke in two phases, which created the two stepped sections located on the current valley bottom. The data obtained allowed the creation of a geomorphological map and an evolutionary model of the valley showing the main differentiated stages, from the initial construction of the dam to its final opening. Although some remains of canals downstream of the dam have been identified, the use of this dam, which remained active for several centuries, still needs to be investigated in greater detail.

8 pags., 8 figs., 6 tabs., This article reports new scientific evidence on the hydrated phases present in blended cement pastes formulated with 10%, 20% or 25% metakaolin (MK) and stored at 60 °C for 15 years. XRD-Rietveld, SEM/EDX, NMR, FT-IR and TG/DTG findings attested to substantial difference in the mineralogy and morphology of the phases present (CASH, CAH and hydrogarnet) between long-term and short-term curing. The predominant crystalline phases in OPC and 10% MK-blended pastes, portlandite, calcite and γ-CS, were characterised by small, laminar crystals. Stable katoite and hydrogrossular were observed in the pastes with MK content ≥20%, although the cubic phase of the latter (tricalcium aluminate hydrate, CaAl(OH)) was found only in pastes with an MK content of 25%., This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Spanish National Research Agency (AEI) under project RTI2018-097074-B-C21/C22.

Calcareous and siliceous CDW wastes from concrete and glass wastes when mixed in binary mixtures has been analyzed in this study. Fine CDW fractions (&lt, 5 mm) of different sorts are selected: siliceous waste (HsT), calcareous waste (HcG) and laminated glass waste. The binary mixtures HsT/glass and HcG/glass at mix-proportions of 1:1, 2:1 and 1:2, respectively, are analyzed with a range of characterization techniques (XRD, TG/DTA, SEM-EDX, NMR, FT-IR) in the pure pozzolan/lime system over a reaction time of 90 days. The results showed that the incorporation of highly reactive recycled glass modified the pozzolanic reaction of the binary mixtures with respect to each particular concrete waste (of low activity). The principal mineralogical phases of the reaction were calcite and C–S–H gel, the latter modifying the C/S and A/S ratios as a function of either the silica or the lime-based concrete waste and the glass content of the mixtures. A higher degree of polymerization, morphology, and sodium content of C-H-S gel formed when glass was added.

The derelict Remance gold mine is a possible source of pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In the study area, diverse mine waste has been left behind and exposed to weather conditions, and poses risks for soil, plants and water bodies, and also for the health of local inhabitants. This study sought to perform an ecological and health risk assessment of derelict gold mining areas with incomplete remediation, including: (i) characterizing the geochemical distribution of PTEs, (ii) assessing ecological risk by estimating the pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (RI), (iii) assessing soil health by dehydrogenase activity, and iv) establishing non-carcinogenic (HI) and carcinogenic risks (CR) for local inhabitants. Soil health seems to depend on not only PTE concentrations, but also on organic matter (OM). Both indexes (PLI and RI) ranged from high to extreme near mining and waste accumulation sites. As indicated by both the HI and CR results, the mining area poses a health risk for local inhabitants and particularly for children. For this reason, it will be necessary to set up environmental management programs in the areas that are most affected (tailings and surrounding areas) and accordingly establish the best remediation strategies to minimize risks for the local population.

From the archaeological excavations carried out during 2019/2020 in the walled Ávila city (Spain), numerous ceramic fragments of different chronologies have appeared that have allowed us to find settlement sequences in this city that place its beginnings before Romanization. The latest interventions allow us to know that the wall of Ávila has a Roman origin, and it was developed on an indigenous nucleus from the 1st century BC that received the Romanizing influence during the 1st century AD. In addition, it was possible to establish that the materials used for their preparation are consistent with the materials of the geological environment, which suggests a local origin. This paper presents the study of a set of ceramic samples using XRD, ICP/MS, SEM/EDX, and linescan analysis. A statistical analysis of the samples using the minor elements concentrations has suggested that even though the local origin, there were several production centers within painted ceramics that until now were always included as a single set. Finally, due to the importance of the “late-Vetton” or “late Iberic” ceramics (mid-1st century BC—middle of the 1st century AC) from the archaeological aspect, for the first time, these ceramics are studied in detail from chemical and mineralogical tests. It was discovered that these samples had been made in an oven that had not exceeded 800 °C due to the persistence of different phases after cooking.

The mineralogical and geochemical patterns of calcareous vineyard soils located in Alcubillas (La Mancha, Central Spain) have been evaluated, also their variability has been studied. The information provided by this study supports the assessment of geochemical spatial variability, the origin of these soils, their elements and the factors that control their distribution. The presence of quartz, calcite, feldspar and, in particular, illite and kaolinite is due to their inheritance from surrounding lithologies (and pedological processes), which mostly include limestones, marls and other sedimentary rocks, as well as metasedimentary rocks of Hercynian origin. Furthermore, since the presence and accumulation of certain trace elements in vineyard soils is a relevant global hazard (in particular with respect to wine production quality), the spatial distributions of Ba, Cr, Cu, Pb, Rb, Sr, V and Zr (carried out using geostatistical techniques and geometry-based interpolation methods) were investigated in order to determine the origin of these trace elements. The presence of these elements can be interpreted as being due to geogenic, pedogenic and, in certain cases, anthropic influences. The nature of certain agricultural practices, including the use of fertilizers, phytosanitary products and machinery, could explain the local increases in some trace element contents.

Monazite ((Ce, La, Nd, Th) PO4) is a rare and strategic mineral that occurs naturally as an accessory and minor mineral in diverse igneous and metamorphic rocks. This mineral does not frequently form mineable ore deposits and it has different typologies, including those formed by endogenous processes (generally “yellow monazite” mineralizations) and those formed by exogenous processes (“gray monazite” mineralizations). The mineral is an important ore of Rare Earth Elements (REEs), which have been identified by the European Union as critical raw materials. Monazite can be considered a weathering-resistant mineral, and the mobility of the REE and associated elements is low. The study reported here concerns a mineralogical and geochemical assessment of the occurrence and risks associated with the presence of concentrations of monazite in a typical, well-developed, and representative red Mediterranean soil, in order to establish the associated risk with their future mining. The results confirmed that monazite ore is particularly poor in radioactive elements, and it is concentrated in the most surficial soil horizons. The chemical mobility of REEs present in the soil, as assessed by selective extraction with ammonium acetate in acidic media, follows the order Y > Dy > U > Tb > Gd > Eu > Sm > La > Th > Ce. The mobility of REEs contained in monazite proved to be higher than that of the REE compounds in the upper horizons of the soil profile suggesting the immobilization in other REE-containing minerals, while light REEs show lower mobility rates than heavy REEs, due to an immobilization of LREE by sorption with iron oxy-hydroxides. Further studies are required in order to obtain better speciation data for REEs in soils aimed to identify soluble and insoluble compounds.

The most distinctive productions from Iron Age archaeology in the western part of the Central Iberian Peninsula are large ramparts, and big animal sculptures, both of which were usually made in granite. The latter, known as ‘verracos’, are representations of male boars and bulls. A characteristic of these ‘verracos’ is their lack of original context, thus leading to mere speculation regarding their dates and functions. The aim of this paper is to find an answer to this dilemma using archaeometric methods. This document proposes an approach through geochemical and petrological analyses, as well as statistical analyses using variables. Our target tries to recognize any differences in the making of these sculptures that might help explain functional and symbolic changes to help in understanding their unknown original contexts. For this purpose we arranged 84 sculptures by sizes, technical features and anatomical detail using a Correspondence multivariate analysis and, with the results by series, observed their spatial relationship with 34 quarries too, through kernel density applications. In order to know the origins of the stones of each sculpture, we have made geochemical characterization by mineral and chemical analyses of mayor and minor elements. Therefore, we looked for quarries around the finding place of the verracos. When the possible places were found by lithological affinities, we took samples from those, mostly granite rocks. These geochemical and petrological analyses of the sculptures have contributed towards identifying the potential locations of the quarries of origin, which coincide with the analyses of ‘verracos’ found far away from those quarries and that are completely decontextualized. Therefore, we could obtain least-cost paths distances between quarries and matched sculptures by GIS software (over a digital elevation map) and, then, calculate averages distances per series and quarries. Sizes, shapes and spatial relationships with quarries and nearby oppida , big fortified settlements of Iron Age, allow us to identify oldest verracos as symbols of the emergence of ethnical and communal values, as a result of the impact of the first Mediterranean people arriving to the Spanish plateau, such as the Punic and Roman armies. In this way, big verracos were transported 'till 20 and 30 km away from the quarries. However, with the Roman rule over this region, verracos became smaller and simpler, and displacements were outstandingly smaller. This is related with a change of functions, from protection symbols of the communities to funerary stelae of individual graves.

The phenomenon of Iron Age vitrified ramparts has become increasingly recognisable in the last twenty years in the Iberian Peninsula. After the first walls with vitrified stones were discovered in southern Portugal, there have been several findings scattered throughout western Iberia. A chronological sequence from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age can be established on the basis of the archaeological remains, with reference to different historical and functional conditions. This article reviews the data obtained from the various sites, in order to understand the context in which the stone structures became vitrified. Furthermore, we have analysed samples of stones and mud bricks that have been altered by fire from these sites, which has allowed us to explain the variability in the archaeological record in relation to different historical processes. With all these data, we aim to contribute to our knowledge of a phenomenon that is widespread in Iron Age Europe.

One inconvenience presented by the thermal activation of kaolinite-based wastes is their low content of metakaolinite, a highly pozzolanic product listed in current standards for the manufacture of commercial cements. The addition of a chemical activator during the thermal activation process is a priority line of research to increase the reactivity of the recycled metakaolinite. In this paper, an additional chemical activator, ZnO, is studied and its effect on both pozzolanic properties and the evolution of mineralogical phases in the thermal activation of coal waste with a reaction time of up to 90 days in the pozzolan/lime system. To do so, activation temperatures of between 550 °C/650 °C were selected and additions of chemical activator (ZnO) in percentages of between 0.0% and 3.0% by weight of coal waste, because it is an activator with a positive effect on a 100% natural kaolinite. The results showed that the incorporation of ZnO inhibited the reactivity of the recycled metakaolinite and in consequence, the capacity of the metakaolinite to react with the surrounding lime; even more so when the content of added chemical activator was raised, albeit with some exceptions, in the samples activated at 550 °C and 650 °C with 0.5% of chemical activator. In none of the cases under analysis was the chemical activator able to improve the properties of the metakaolinite in comparison with the properties of the reference sample activated only with temperature. The hydrated phases that appeared in the pozzolanic reaction were tetracalcium aluminate hydrate, stratlingite, monosulfoaluminate hydrate and LDH (phyllosilicate/carbonate), The authors wish to express their gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Spanish Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness under coordinated projects MAT2012-37005-CO3-01, BIA2015-65558-C3-1-2-3R (MINECO/FEDER) for financing this research work and grateful to the Sociedad Anónima Hullera Vasco-Leonesa (Spain) and to the Spanish Cement Institute (IECA) for their assistance with this research.

In the present paper, we study the combined effect of thermal activation (600 &deg, C/2 h and 750 &deg, C/2 h) and chemical activation with 1% ZnO on the reactivity of metakaolinite (MK) obtained from natural kaolin. The phases are identified by chemical (ICP/MS), mineralogical (XRD), and morphological (SEM/EDX) characterization of all products, as well as the evolution and stability over time of the hydrated phases generated during the reaction, to determine their use as pozzolan in the manufacture of cements. The stability analysis for the kaolin/lime system activated chemically and thermally at 600 &deg, C/2 h shows that the C-S-H gels are thermodynamically stable after one day of reaction, evolving the system to the stability field of stratlingite for the other analyzed times. At 750 &deg, C/2 h, the thermodynamically stable reaction phases are C-S-H gels. Calcination at 600 &deg, C/2 h and the addition of 1% ZnO are the optimal conditions for thermal and chemical activation, to improve the pozzolanic reaction and promote the replacing part of the cement for developing secondary reaction products.

Relict talus are of great interest for the reconstruction of Quaternary paleoenvironments. In this study, a special type of talus developed in the central zone of the Iberian Peninsula is analyzed, which we will refer to as talus-palaeovalley alignments. They constitute talus sequences that conserve the intermediate paleovalleys, arranged in parallel alignments, and separated by the tributary streams of the Henares River. This special arrangement could explain the accelerated transformation of the Pleistocene talus, with very much higher scarp retreat rates than those recorded in the bibliography. The chronologies obtained through OSL in some of the six differentiated stages (S1-S6) are placed in relation with various climatic reconstructions of the Pleistocene and, especially with the glacial phases of the Pyrenees, with which they show good temporal correlations. A further two stages of talus flatirons (S7 and S8) were recorded, which developed during the Holocene, both at the foot of older talus. Independent accumulations also formed at the foot of the main scarps (Muela de Alarilla and Valdenoches). The chronology provided by archaeological remains and radiocarbon dating placed their formation in the Iron Age Cold Epoch and the Little Ice Age (LIA), respectively. Fil: Peña Monné, Jose Luis. Universidad de Zaragoza. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras; España Fil: Rubio Fernández, V.. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; España Fil: Sampietro Vattuone, Maria Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Laboratorio de Geoarqueología; Argentina Fil: Garcíav Giménez, R.. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; España

This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrography of Construction Materials: Compositional, Mineralogical and Textural Features., The present article evaluated the mineralogical composition of 85 mortar samples from some emblematic monuments of Ávila city (Spain), which were collected during the restoration of the monuments. The aim of this article is to try to extract the relationship between the composition and the origin of the raw materials, as well as to identify possible alterations in the samples. The study of the samples was carried out using visual and petrographic techniques such as stereoscopic microscope, XRD, and SEM/EDX analysis. The main components of the mortars were calcite, feldspar and quartz, although small amounts of phyllosilicates were also identified. The minerals of the mortars came from the surroundings of the city, and some of the samples presented evident alteration of the original materials due to humidity, salt concentration, and biological weathering, possibly inducted by unfortunate effects of the restoration. Finally, a study of the salts present in some mortars showed that most samples display contamination of soluble salts such as halite, thenardite, hexaedrite, and carnalite. This investigation offers fresh insight into historic building activity and related techniques, and should provide knowledge useful for restoration and conservation processes.

This article is part of the special issue “European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2018, EGU Division Energy, Resources & Environment (ERE)”. It is a result of the EGU General Assembly 2018, Vienna, Austria, 8–13 April 2018., The cement industry involves high-energy consumption that generates high CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Environmental concerns can be addressed by replacing parts of Portland cement clinkers with pozzolanic materials in mortars and concrete. Slag, fly ash and silica fume are materials considered for the planned replacement. Research studies on clay minerals, such as kaolinite, are being followed with special attention by the scientific community and the cement industry. It is well known that these minerals require an activation process to transform kaolinite (K) into metakaolinite (MK). MK is an amorphous material from the transformation of K with high pozzolanic activity, which is its capacity to react with the portlandite released during the hydration of Portland cement, generating compounds such as C–S–H gels and some aluminum-phase hydrates. One of the MK production methods is heat treatment controlled by kaolinite at temperatures in the range of 600–900 ∘C. Different residues have been used (coal mining, paper sludge and waste from a drinking water treatment plant) activated at 600 ∘C for 2 h to elaborate blended cements. Due to their good behaviour as future eco-efficient additions, this research is a study by x-ray fluorescence (XRF), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of their influence on the performances of blended cement mixtures (binary and ternary one), with substitutions of pozzolan ratio at 28 days of hydration. The porosity of pozzolanic cements decreases because of the formation of hydrated phases during pozzolanic reaction., The authors wish to express their gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Spanish Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness under coordinated projects BIA2015-65558-C3-1-2-3R (MINECO/FEDER) for financing this research work. We are grateful to the Sociedad Anónima Hullera Vasco-Leonesa (Spain) and to the Spanish Cement Institute (IECA) for their assistance with this research.

The Cafayate depression is a dry valley located in the Pre-Andean region of northwest Argentina. The area shows the development of a large dune field. Its significance has been established from geomorphological and mineralogical evidence, grain shape characteristics and chronological data (OSL dating, archaeological remains, and historical data). The dating results were between 1000–1100 AD to1740–1830 AD showing that the aeolian dynamics remained active during the last millennium. It was not possible to identify stabilised phases marked by ruptures or paleosol development. Nevertheless, other regional and local proxies from Northwest Argentina (archaeological, documentary, etc.) were used to complete the interpretative framework to propose the paleoenvironmental evolution of the area. In addition, human activity and land use must be considered as a complementary factor affecting aeolian dynamics during the most recent stage. Fil: Peña Monné, José Luis. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Sancho Marcén, Carlos. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Sampietro Vattuone, Maria Marta. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Laboratorio de Geoarqueologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Rivelli, Felipe. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina Fil: Rhodes, Edwards J.. University of California at Los Angeles; Estados Unidos. University Of Manchester; Reino Unido Fil: Osácar Soriano, María Cinta. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Rubio Fernández, Virginia. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; España Fil: García Giménez, Rosario. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; España

The generation of enormous volumes of mine-tailing waste is standard practice in the mining industry. Large quantities of these tailings are also sources of kaolinite-rich materials that accumulate in slag heaps, causing significant environmental degradation and visual impacts on the landscape. The consequences of coal refuse dumped in slagheaps calls for the study of eco-innovative solutions and the assessment of waste types. Moreover, the environmental benefits of reusing large amounts of contaminated waste are also evident. Hence, the objective of this investigation is to expand current knowledge of new siliceous-aluminium minerals and their pozzolanic activity. Four raw tailing samples are characterized to determine their chemical (by ICP/MS analysis), morphological (by SEM/EDX analysis), and mineralogical (by XRD analysis) compositions prior to their thermal activation that transforms the inert wastes at various temperatures into materials with cementitious properties. The results of XRD analysis following activation confirmed that the kaolinite content is fully transformed into metakaolinite. The coal refuse samples presented sufficiently reliable levels of pozzolanic activity for use as additives in industrial cements., This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project Ref BIA2015-65558-C3-1-2-3R (MINECO/FEDER))

Kaolinite-based wastes are researched as an alternative means of extracting metakaolinite, a pozzolanic product for the manufacture of eco-efficient cements. However, both crystallinity and the content of this crystalline phase play important roles during their thermal activation and, therefore, in their subsequent behavior in the matrix with cementitious properties. In this study, the initial compositions of two thermally activated products (paper sludge and coal waste) are studied for both the mineralogy and the mechanical properties of binary cements. The elemental composition of the materials was analyzed with X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). The mineralogy of the crystalline materials was determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The sample morphology was determined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pozzolanic activity is measured by accelerated methods and the preparation of the specimens of blended cement is prepared following the procedure described by Kock-Steinegger. The results showed that the pozzolanic activity of the waste (in terms of fixed lime) was similar at 90 days but that its reaction rate was different. The pozzolanic reaction of both wastes produced stratlingite and C-S-H gels, with the presence of C4AH13. The C-S-H gel generated with coal waste had very short chains, was poorer in Ca and was rich in Al. The addition of both wastes to the cement modified its mineralogical composition in comparison with a conventional cement, favoring the formation of C4AH13 over the formation of ettringite., The authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness (MINECO/FEDER) by the financial support (BIA2015-65558-C3-1/2/3-R) y a la Sociedad Anónima Hullera Vasco-Leonesa (León, Spain) and the Spanish Cement Institute (IECA, Madrid, Spain) for their support in this research.

The present work contains an approach to the evaluation of binary cements prepared with a 20% substi-tution of coal-mining waste and their behaviour under a maximum of 300 freeze/thaw cycles.Mineralogical studies are conducted, as well as tests on mass variations, compressive strength, microp-orosity, the dynamic modulus of elasticity, and SEM morphologies. It is important to highlight that thepartial replacement of cement by 20% of activated coal waste, does not affect the durability against freeze/thaw cycles, since they show a fairly similar tendency to the reference mortar under extreme tempera-ture changes, This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BIA2015-65558-C3-1-2-3R) (MINECO/FEDER)).

In this study an analysis was made of 37 samples of tesserae of different shades and colours from Roman archaeological sites in the province of Salamanca (Spain), where pavements of opus tessellatum have been located. The tesserae were characterized by Mass Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Spectrometry, in order to determine their origin, composition and technique of manufacture. Results could reveal to us the local production of certain tesserae and the existence of a commercial network through the Via de la Plata and its main roads in the Iberian Peninsula., We would like to thank to the Junta de Castilla y León for the economic support for the archaeological excavation in Los Villares (Salamanca).

One source of kaolinite-rich wastes is from mine tailings and the generation of enormous volumes of mine tailings waste is standard practice in this industry. These volumes of waste are, at present, dumped, provoking significant environmental impact and transforming the environment. The impact of storing coal waste requires the study of eco-innovative solutions for the assessment of waste types. The present investigation has the objective of expanding the knowledge on the behavior of new siliceous-aluminum minerals with pozzolanic activity, of added value in the manufacture of similar cements. Four samples were characterized to determine their chemical, morphological and mineralogical composition. The samples were subjected to different thermal activation conditions for the transformation of an inert waste into a material with cementitious properties. XRD analysis have confirmed the total transformation of kaolinite into metakaolinite. The results have shown that after the activation process, the coal refuse presented good pozzolanic activity, meaning that it may be used as a pozzolanic addition in industrial cements, thereby removing high levels of contaminated waste from the environment. In subsequent investigations, research work will continue with the replication of cements with this pozzolanic addition for use in the manufacture of sleepers and slab track railway system.

A range of industrial wastes (recycled glass, silica fume, siliceous concrete waste aggregates, sterile coal and foundry sand from the steel industry) are employed in the formation of secondary raw materials following their hydrothermal treatment. Composed mainly of zeolites, these secondary materials, in almost all cases, formed analcime. The sterile coal yielded the best defined analcime crystals. In addition, the secondary raw materials are incorporated as an addition in cement paste formulations, to evaluate their effect at early stages of the hydration process. The secondary materials from the siliceous concrete waste aggregates and recycled glass produced a 23% increase in the compressive strength of the paste after 1 day of curing (in comparison with the cement paste reference).

Concentrations of certain heavy metals are analyzed in sediments from the Jarama River, in the autonomous region of Madrid (Spain) as well as their variation along the river course. In addition, the distribution of heavy metals among the solid phases present in the samples is studied in accordance with the sequential extraction procedure of the European Union described in the Standard Material and Testing (SMT the second in the middle course of the river; and the third group, containing the most contaminated sediments, were samples from the lower course of the river.

To evaluate trace element soil contamination, geochemical baseline contents and reference values need to be established. Pedo-geochemical baseline levels of trace elements in 72 soil samples of 24 soil profiles from the Mediterranean, Castilla La Mancha, are assessed and soil quality reference values are calculated. Reference value contents (in mg kg−1) were: Sc 50.8; V 123.2; Cr 113.4; Co 20.8; Ni 42.6; Cu 27.0; Zn 86.5; Ga 26.7; Ge 1.3; As 16.7; Se 1.4; Br 20.1; Rb 234.7; Sr 1868.4; Y 38.3; Zr 413.1; Nb 18.7; Mo 2.0; Ag 7.8; Cd 4.4; Sn 8.7; Sb 5.7; I 25.4; Cs 14.2; Ba 1049.3; La 348.4; Ce 97.9; Nd 40.1; Sm 10.7; Yb 4.2; Hf 10.0; Ta 4.0; W 5.5; Tl 2.3; Pb 44.2; Bi 2.2; Th 21.6; U 10.3. The contents obtained for some elements are below or close to the detection limit: Co, Ge, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Tl and Bi. The element content ranges (the maximum value minus the minimum value) are: Sc 55.0, V 196.0, Cr 346.0, Co 64.4, Ni 188.7, Cu 49.5, Zn 102.3, Ga 28.7, Ge 1.5, As 26.4, Se 0.9, Br 33.0 Rb 432.7, Sr 3372.6, Y 39.8, Zr 523.2, Nb 59.7, Mo 3.9, Ag 10.1, Cd 1.8, Sn 75.2, Sb 9.9, I 68.0, Cs 17.6, Ba 1394.9, La 51.3, Ce 93.5, Nd 52.5, Sm 11.2, Yb 4.2, Hf 11.3, Ta 6.3, W 5.2, Tl 2.1, Pb 96.4, Bi 3.0, Th 24.4, U 16.4 (in mg kg−1). The spatial distribution of the elements was affected mainly by the nature of the bedrock and by pedological processes. The upper limit of expected background variation for each trace element in the soil is documented, as is its range as a criterion for evaluating which sites may require decontamination.

Using wastewaters from wine production that are often discharged directly into soil, with previous treatment, we carried out an experiment to identify the impact over time, specifically to identify the benefits and risks of its application. Experiments were carried out using approximately 200 g of samples of agricultural soils which were amended with increased amounts of vinasse: 1–5–10–20–40–70 ml. The doses used were not arbitrary but similar to the usual one amended. Soil electric conductivity was determined in distilled water with a glass electrode (soil to H2O ratio 1:5). Clay identification of soil samples are by X-ray diffraction. The pH decreased slightly and salinity increased, possibly leading to changes in crop productivity. The increase in salinity reflects the concentration of dissolved salts in the vinasse. Significant changes were observed in the clay minerals after amendment with the vinasse. Our study indicates that, under experimental incubation, the application of increasing doses of wine vinasse for increasingly long periods can affect certain chemical properties. The results show that application of winery wastewaters to soil results in significant increases of electrical conductivity, reaching levels that can be detrimental to crop growth. The decrease in pH values is somehow beneficial, and finally there is a small increase in the chemical weathering of clay minerals

Due to the high number of variables involved in mine profitability studies, it is often very difficult to establish connections among them in order to provide a blend of market saleable quality products. In this sense, analytical chemistry together with chemometry are essential and indispensable disciplines to tackle these studies. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the utility of these disciplines to carry out optimization studies of iron mines. For this purpose, one of the most important iron mines of the Iberian Peninsula was chosen, sited in the mountain range of Sierra Menera, near the location of Ojos Negros (Teruel, Spain). Geological, mineralogical and chemical composition of 148 samples was analyzed, corresponding to different depths of three drill holes (named TE1, TE2 and TE3). In particular, aspects concerning to chemical composition are very important, since the mean contents of certain elements, such as phosphorus, sodium and potassium, should be restricted to the established limits to prevent that companies can drive back the raw material if they do not fulfil the necessary requirements. On the other hand, the large number of analysed samples drove us to use a statistical processing of the data. Among other aspects, it provides a way to find possible connections among a high number of variables and classify samples into compositional groups sharing similar composition, in order to limit the mineralised area and to obtain enough information about the amount of those chemical elements associated to iron ores. Data obtained from all these analytical techniques were in good agreement and provide a methodology that can be of wide interest applied to different geological studies.

Roman culture employed architectural terracotta made from baked clay as original material to manufacture ceramic pieces. It was often used as a basis for construction of functional and/or decorative elements in roofs, such as plane and curve tiles as well as antefixes with their corresponding "imbrexes". Some of them are conserved nowadays. They were collected in Roman quarries discovered in old cities and villages sited in the Hispania Citerior (northeast of Spain in Roman age). A study of the origin and manufacturing process (moulding, baking, touching up and painting) of these terracotta pieces has been made on the basis of the data obtained from a physicochemical characterization of samples. The used techniques were mainly flame absorption and emission spectrometry for the elemental analysis (major and minor elements), dilatometry for the study of thermal behaviour, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for observation of thin layers and X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD) for mineralogical composition. In addition, a supervised pattern recognition programme was applied to the results for a selected group of 85 samples and five variables (chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc contents). Dilatometry and SEM results showed baking temperatures of these materials below 900 degrees C and the existence of zones with very different porosity in the same ceramic piece. Results obtained from multielemental analysis and multivariate statistical study by linear discriminant analysis lead us to the following conclusions: (i) the high content of lead found in a large number of antefixes demonstrates the use of lead oxide as an additive in the lime grout treatment, (ii) different contents of Cu, Zn, Cr, and Ni were indicative of the use of varied clay types in the manufacture process (even in the same production centre) as well as of the existence of a pigmentation process, although this last affirmation is not corroborated by the presence of remains of evident painting in the ceramic pieces, (iii) samples can be classified according to the places where these pieces came from and (iv) more variety in their composition was found in Roman age terracotta production centres.

¶A physicochemical characterisation of a selected group of late Roman amphorae was carried out using x-ray diffraction spectrometry, flame atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy as well as petrographic polarisation microscopy. Most of these amphorae were found in underwater environments on both coasts of the Straits of Gibraltar: Ceuta and Cadiz (Spain). A multivariate statistical study of the obtained data for 99 samples and 21 variables (Si, Al, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Ti, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, calcite, quartz, dolomite, orthoclase, plagioclase, phyllosilicates and gypsum) was performed. Relations among amphorae that shared a similar composition were established by factor analysis. As a result, amphorae coming from Cadiz showed a different composition than those coming from Ceuta. This is demonstrated by the increase in concentration of certain chemical elements, such as Cu, Cr and Ca. This fact supports the archaeological hypothesis that some amphorae of South-Hispanic typology found in Ceuta were produced locally, although there is no proof of the existence of kilns in this area. On the other hand, neither the different typologies nor the food stored or transported in these amphorae seem to affect the mineralogical and chemical composition of the ceramic pastes. However, their porosity contributes to the enrichment in trace elements and salt contents in those samples that had been in marine underwater contexts for a large period of time.

A chemical characterization of samples corresponding to three amphorae, dated from the 5th century BC, and a fourth amphora dated prior to the 5th century BC, has been made by X-ray diffraction spectrometry analysis. Major mineral constituents of the ceramic samples provided useful information about the origin area and the nature of the raw materials, as well as technological aspects related to amphora manufacture. Several conclusions have been drawn: three of the pieces analysed were probably made of raw materials from the surrounding areas of the archaeological site, while the other one was probably imported. A second conclusion was that all of them were baked below 700 °C. In order to find out the substances transported or stored in the amphorae, chemical analyses of the organic residues possibly absorbed or retained in the ceramic paste were carried out. The modified Folin-Denis method was used for the determination of tannins. As a result, their presence was only detected in one of the pieces. This evidence is indicative of the fact that these compounds, probably coming from wine, have withstood the passing of time protected into the amphora from the external degradation conditions. These analytical results lead to establish the nature and origin of raw materials, as well as to demonstrate or corroborate early technological practices of the ancient Iberians in Spain and to contribute to know better Iberian habits and economy.

Natural pozzolans are defined as either raw (volcanic material, limestone) or calcined natural materials (burnt shale, calcined kaolinite) with pozzolanic properties. Historically, they are among the oldest materials that have been used in combination with lime for construction purposes. For example, Santorin earth is a natural pozzolan from a volcanic eruption around 1500 BCE on an island of the same name in Greece. Over the last decades, research into cement matrices has been changing direction, owing to deeper environmental concerns over the impact of the cement industry and its consequences for climate change. Global environmental policies are increasingly strict, prioritizing the re-use rather than the disposal of industrial wastes. In this context, one of the biggest challenges is the search for strategies that promote the industrial rotation of high volumes of wastes in their productive cycles. The main purpose of this research is to widen the existing knowledge base on the behavior of new mineral pozzolans of high added value in the cement sector, lending special attention to paper sludge wastes generated in the process of paper manufacture, in which recycled paper is used as a raw material. The results to date show that, once thermally activated (in the range of 650–700°C), paper sludge turns out to be an alternative source of recycled metakaolin. This product is characterized by its high pozzolanic activity and improved performance with regard to the benefits of certain binary cements. The possibility of incorporating this industrial waste in cements along with other already standard pozzolans focuses, as mentioned, on the notable increase in the production of these types of cements. This is due, at present, to the extensive constructive applications for type-II cements (single additive) and to their lower economic and energetic costs that also makes them more suitable in times of economic crisis. In the present paper, the influence that pozzolan blends (activated paper sludge and fly ash) have on the reaction kinetics of ternary blended cements (6 and 21% of replacement) is evaluated, paying special attention to the identification and evolution of hydrated phases with increasing reaction times. The results obtained represent a pioneering research line at a global level and represent a starting point for future investigations because in the case of using paper sludge, release of CO2 from organic matter is very low and is listed as zero release

Three soil profiles were characterized from a sandy area situated in a transitional zone in the “Tablas de Daimiel” UNESCO wetland biosphere reserve (TDNP) in the Mancha Plain (Central Spain). The original thickness of the soil layer in this area was as much as 100 cm, but the combined effect of unbalanced cultivation (including irrigation) and an increasingly dry climate has partially eroded their natural properties, almost leading to a desertification process. The main properties of these soils, classified as Xeropsamments (Soil Survey Staff 2006) or Arenosols (IUSS Working Group WRB 2006), are the dominance of sand in the soil matrix, its basic character, and low soil organic matter and carbonate contents. Scanning electron microscopy of the quartz grain surfaces indicated that the superficial textures were commonly well preserved and characteristic of specific conditions of Aeolian formation. Exoscopy revealed a mixture of sub-angular and rounded quartz morphotypes with wellpreserved mechanical impacts on the grain surfaces. These percussion effects are characteristic of aeolian processes and confirmed that mechanical actions were more significant than chemical processes in their pedogenesis. This micromorphological study of the textural sands in the transitional zone of the TDNP revealed that the (red) sands were transported to this area by wind, probably from material of degraded red soils, and deposited on soil horizons previously developed over marls and limestones. The relict character of these materials and specially their susceptibility to degradation should be considered as a priority argument to preserve this area and introduce management measurements to avoid soil erosion © 2015, Universia. All rights reserved.

The mineralogical content of coal minewaste consists primarily of inorganic compoundswhich can be converted into a metakaolin-based product under controlled activation conditions that is also a highly pozzolanic material. Activation temperatures ranging from 500 to 900 °C over 2 h retention time affect the mineralogy of coal mine waste, as well as the formation and evolution of the hydrated phases that form during the pozzolanic reaction. The hydrated phases formed during the pozzolanic reaction in the activated coal mine waste (ACMW)/ Ca(OH)2 system were C–S–H gels, stratlingite, tetracalcium aluminate hydrate, LDH compounds (phyllosilicate/carbonate) and monosulfoaluminate. Low temperatures (600 °C) favored the formation of LDH compounds and stratlingite;whereas monosulfoaluminate formed during the hydrated phase at higher temperatures (900 °C) during the first day of the pozzolanic reaction, and tetracalcium aluminate hydrate appeared as the dominant crystalline phase at 7 and 28 days.

Slope deposits in semiarid regions are known to be very sensitive environments, especially those that occurred during the minor fluctuations of the late Holocene. In this paper we analyse Holocene colluvium genesis, composition, and paleoenvironmental meaning through the study of slope deposits in NE Spain. Two cumulative slope stages are described during this period. In the study area, both slope accumulations are superimposed and this has enabled an excellent preservation of the aggregative sequence and the paleosols corresponding to stabilisation stages. 14C and TL dating, as well as archaeological remains, provide considerable chronological precision for this sequence. The origin of the accumulation of the lower unit is placed around 4295–4083 cal yr BP/2346–2134 cal yr BC (late Chalcolithic) and it developed until the Iron Age in a cooler and wetter climate (Cold Iron Age). Under favourable conditions, a soil A-horizon was formed on top of this unit. A new slope accumulation was formed during the Little Ice Age. Within the slope two morphogenetic periods ending with A-horizons are distinguished and related with two main cold–wet climatic events. The study of these slopes provides a great amount of data for the paleoenvironmental and geoarchaeological reconstruction of the late Holocene in NE Spain. Fil: Pérez Lambán, Fernando. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Peña Monné, José Luis. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Fanlo Loras, Javier. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Picazo Millán, Jesús V.. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Badía Villas, David. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Rubio Fernández, Virginia. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; España Fil: García Giménez, Rosario . Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; España Fil: Sampietro Vattuone, Maria Marta. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Laboratorio de Geoarqueologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Se han estudiado diversas muestras de Opus tesselatum procedentes de excavaciones arqueológicas de urgencia en Ávila (España) para determinar su origen y las tecnologías de producción utilizadas en su fabricación. Las teselas se han caracterizado por Espectrometría de Masas con fuente de Plasma de Acoplamiento Inductivo (ICP-MS), Difracción de Rayos X (XRD) y Espectrofotometría. Las muestras se corresponden con diferentes materiales con orígenes dispares (vidrios y rocas de varias áreas de aprovisionamiento). El color rojo en algunas teselas se debe principalmente a la presencia de cinabrio en su composición, lo que indica un movimiento comercial de materiales desde otras zonas de España ya que este mineral no está presente en las rocas de la provincia de Ávila, Several Opus tesselatum samples from an emergency archaeological excavation in Ávila (Spain) have been studied in order to gather their origin and the production technologies used in their manufacture. Inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectrophotometry were used to characterize the samples. The samples were made with different materials of different origin (glasses and rocks from different Spain areas). Red color in some Opus tesselatum samples is mainly due to cinnabar presence in their composition. It could be indicative of commercial movements between different Spanish sites, since this mineral is not present in rocks from Ávila

Resultados de la tercera campaña de excavación en el yacimiento medieval de Albalat (T.M. Romangordo, Cáceres), Résultats de la 3ème campagne de fouille sur le site médiéval d'Albalat (Romangordo, province de Cáceres, Espagne).

This study examines the composition of certain hydrates (calcium silicate, aluminum silicate, and related phases) produced by the pozzolanic reaction of waste-paper sludge that had previously been activated at different temperatures. It summarizes and compares the evolution of the oxide compounds, and records their stability intervals. Changes to their mineralogical composition were analyzed using X-Ray Diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The hydration products from 1 to 360 days of curing time were CSH gels, hydrotalcite-type compounds (LDH), and stratlingite (C2ASH8). CSH gels were employed as substrates for growing other materials and their morphologies were modified from fibrous to hexagonal layers. The composition of the LDH-type compounds observed in the carbonate group varied with changes in curing time. Two LDH-type compound types were identified: (a) with and (b) without magnesium. Stratlingite was the only stable material after long-curing times.

The pulp and paper industry, in Europe, generates 11 million tons of solid waste each year (Monte et al., 2009). Paper waste covers a diverse range of non-hazardous waste streams, prominent among which are different types of sludge, boiler ash, combustion furnace ash and organic and inorganic rejects. Manufacturing processes to produce new paper from the deinking of recycled paper account for 70% of these waste products. Following its reception, sorting and storage, the recycled paper is transformed into an aqueous suspension of fibers, while inappropriate materials are eliminated in different cleaning processes. Following this initial treatment, the resultant paper sludge is subjected to deinking in a froth flotation process, which produces waste known as de-inked sludge. This waste sludge is fundamentally composed of water, fiber, ink and a mineral load. In addition, various paper manufacturing processes have water treatment plants that generate sludges with high humidity contents. The deinked paper sludge and the sludge from the water treatment process have a high humidity content (≈ 50%), and are roughly composed of organic material with their origin in paper fibers (≈ 25%) and mineral loads such as calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc and titanium oxide (≈ 25%). A similar composition highlights the wealth of energetic and mineral resources saturating the paper sludge. Thus, the most advanced techniques for the use of paper sludge are intended to take full advantage of the saturated biomass and the recovery of the mineral constituents in the inorganic fraction. The most common options for the processing of paper industry sludge range from their exploitation for agricultural purposes, composting, or use as a primary material in the manufacture of ceramics and cement (Moo-Young & Zimmie, 1997; Ahmadi & Al-Khaja, 2001; Lima & Dal Molin, 2005; Conesa et al., 2008), to energy recovery in biomass boilers or fluidized bed systems. Thus, the Dutch CDEM process (International Patent, 2006) represents a pioneering recovery system, where the paper sludge is treated at temperatures of around 730oC, in a fluidized bed combustion system, so as to activate the latent