Human activities that affect the environment are becoming more widespread and threaten the ability of natural systems to maintain their balance. The flat lands of southern Western Siberia act as natural plates, accumulating and reflecting the geochemical composition of the entire demolition area. This paper examines the ecogeochemical composition of bottom sediments from five small lakes near regional industrial centers in the Baraba Lowland, southern Western Siberia. The results will help us understand future processes and predict possible scenarios for natural ecosystem development in the present, in the context of the powerful geological force of technogenesis. In the components of lake ecosystems (sediments, water, soil, rocks, and biota), there is a simultaneous distribution of elements related to sidero-, chalco-, litho-, atmo-, and biophilic elements (Si, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Sb, Sr, Cd, Zn, Pb, Hg, P, etc.), as a reflection of biosphere evolution under conditions of human influence. For the first time, an assessment of the average background concentration of major and trace elements in the bottom sediment of small lakes in the Baraba Lowland was conducted. The study of the chemical composition of lake system components was carried out using a range of modern analytical techniques, including atomic absorption analysis (AAA), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XFA), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In total, more than 6,000 determinations of individual measured elements were made, ensuring the statistical significance of the obtained data. GIS mapping of the catchment areas of lake systems has been conducted to identify the sources of potential pollutants. Abnormal concentrations of major and trace elements have been identified based on the data collected.

Dust generation in the mining industry represents a persistent environmental and occupational health challenge, contributing to air pollution, visibility reduction, and respiratory illnesses among workers and nearby communities. This study focuses on developing an innovative and eco-friendly dust suppressant derived from Sargassum crassifolium seaweed and glycerine, aiming to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical-based agents. The experimental investigation was conducted on limestone samples, a material commonly associated with mining operations and known for its high potential for dust emission. The results revealed that the inclusion of glycerine enhanced the viscosity and adhesion properties of the seaweed extract, improving its ability to bind fine particles and prevent airborne dispersion. Among the various formulations tested, the 58% Sargassum–glycerine mixture demonstrated the most effective performance, achieving a balance between fluidity, moisture retention, and biodegradability. This concentration allowed sufficient water infiltration to maintain soil and material moisture, which is critical for reducing dust release and improving resistance to wind erosion. Laboratory evaluations confirmed that the treated samples exhibited a substantial reduction in dust formation compared to untreated controls. Overall, this seaweed-based dust suppressant offers a promising, sustainable solution for mitigating dust pollution in the mining sector, improving air quality, safeguarding human health, and minimizing environmental impact.

Airborne dust poses significant challenges in limestone mining operations, affecting environmental quality, health, and operational efficiency. This study focuses on assessing the moisture retention capacity of saline water, specifically seawater, as a watering material for limestone haulage roads by conducting tests to evaluate its moisture retention capacity. Moisture retention capacity is determined by using two (2) tests: wind tunnel test and heat test (oven test). Wind tunnel test assesses the effectiveness of seawater in retaining moisture under specific wind speed, time, and mix ratios. While the oven test analyzes weight reduction in limestone–water samples subjected to temperature, time, and mix ratios. These experiments provide quantitative data on moisture retention capabilities of different watering materials: seawater, groundwater, and deionized water. The results of the two tests show that limestone samples treated with seawater exhibit higher moisture retention compared to those treated with groundwater and deionized water, indicating the superior effectiveness of saline water as a spraying material. By adopting seawater as a watering material, mining companies can reduce their fresh water usage and enhance their dust control efforts, resulting in improved environmental conditions and worker health. In summary, this thesis presents laboratory experiments, including wind tunnel tests and oven tests, to assess the moisture retention capacity of seawater as a watering material for dust suppression on limestone haulage roads. The findings contribute to the understanding of effective dust control strategies in the mining industry and provide practical recommendations for implementing saline water-based dust suppression methods in limestone mining operations.

Mine dust is a significant issue in surface mining operations, particularly on haul roads. This study investigates the potential of xanthan gum as an eco-friendly dust suppressant in nickel mines. The objectives are to assess its effectiveness in terms of infiltration depth capacity and wind erosion resistance, and determine the terms of concentration for desired performance on a lab scale level. Samples of nickel laterite soil were collected from CTP Construction and Mining Corporation, Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Xanthan gum solutions at concentrations of 1g/L, 2gL, and 4g/L, along with water (mine water and deionized water) were tested. Infiltration depth and wind tunnel experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of xanthan gum. Results were analyzed through P-test, ANOVA, and Multiple Comparison test. The results showed that xanthan gum solutions achieved infiltration depths within the recommended range of 10-20 mm, outperforming both mine and deionized water. The concentration of 4g/L exhibited the lowest weight loss in the wind tunnel test, indicating superior wind erosion resistance compared to lower concentration and water. The concentration of 1g/L was found to be sufficient for desired outcomes. The use of xanthan gum presents an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods, reducing dust emissions and minimizing the use of hazardous chemicals in the mining industry. These findings provide valuable insights for dust control measures and lay the foundation for future research on xanthan gum as a dust suppressant.

The reactivity of basaltic minerals toward CO₂ mineralization remains debated: laboratory studies at low temperatures identify plagioclase as the most reactive, while reservoir-scale experiments emphasize olivine. This study reconciles the apparent contradiction by establishing that mineral reactivity is not an intrinsic property but a condition-dependent outcome governed by temperature, pressure, pCO₂, and fluid chemistry. Through a synthesis of experimental and modelling evidence, we construct a unified framework incorporating five key controls: dissolution kinetics, surface accessibility, geochemical environment, cation stoichiometry, and reaction timescale. Under near-surface laboratory conditions (25–50 °C, acidic pH), plagioclase dissolves rapidly via proton-promoted hydrolysis, releasing Ca for early carbonate formation. At reservoir conditions (100–200 °C, high pCO₂, saline or wet supercritical CO₂), olivine dominates, showing 1–2 orders of magnitude higher dissolution rates and facilitating fast Mg-carbonate precipitation before silica passivation slows reactivity. Intermediate conditions (50–100 °C) yield mixed Ca- and Mg-carbonates, highlighting the futility of single-mineral extrapolations. Pyroxenes remain kinetically sluggish in all regimes. This perspective demonstrates that successful in situ mineralization depends on engineering reservoir conditions, optimizing temperature, salinity, and fluid pathways rather than simply selecting mineral-rich targets. By reframing mineral reactivity as a dynamic, environment-driven function, this study provides a mechanistic foundation for improved experimental design, predictive modelling, and site selection in CO₂ storage operations within basaltic formations.

The removal of thallium (Tl⁺), a highly toxic heavy metal, from aqueous environments is a critical environmental challenge. Zeolites, crystalline microporous aluminosilicates with tunable composition and high cation-exchange capacity, are widely used in environmental remediation due to their ability to selectively capture metal ions from contaminated waters.

We investigated the selective uptake of Tl⁺ by potassium-form L zeolite (K-L) and evaluated the structural adaptations accompanying cation exchange using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Rietveld refinements, thermal analysis, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Two additional zeolitic materials—protonated ferrierite (obtained by calcination of its ammonium form) and 13X zeolite, commonly used in environmental applications—were also tested. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted at neutral pH (~7), including isotherms and kinetic studies for 13X. All three materials were further assessed in real Tl-contaminated waters (~17 ppb).

All zeolites achieved nearly 100% Tl⁺ removal in synthetic solutions at 500 ppm and retained significant uptake at high concentrations (~0.5 M). Structural refinements revealed concentration-dependent framework responses: K-L showed minimal lattice expansion at low Tl⁺ loading and anisotropic expansion at high loading, associated with K⁺/Tl⁺ exchange, reduced hydration, and extraframework reorganization. Similar trends were observed for ferrierite and 13X. In real waters, despite competing ions, all three zeolites reduced Tl⁺ concentrations to ~2 ppb.

Tl⁺ incorporation induces precise structural adaptations in zeolitic frameworks, including selective cation redistribution, anisotropic channel expansion, and reorganization of the water network. K-L, 13X, and protonated ferrierite demonstrate high efficiency for Tl⁺ removal from both synthetic and natural waters, highlighting their strong potential for environmental remediation of thallium-contaminated systems.

This study investigates the redox geochemistry and soil characteristics of the Caimpugan Peatland within the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Mindanao, Philippines. The ability of these peatlands to accumulate and preserve carbon is shaped by these processes that regulate microbial and geochemical activity. Despite the ecological importance of these systems, the redox geochemistry of peatlands in the Philippines remains poorly studied, especially in understanding how local peat environments function as carbon sinks. Peat cores were collected from various forest types and depths, reaching up to 5 meters below the surface, to evaluate gravimetric moisture status, redox, and geochemical conditions. The study revealed that the maturity of the peat grades, ranging from fibric peat in the upper layers to clayey peat in the lowest sections, reflecting past changes in water conditions and organic matter input that affect microbial activity and redox processes. The peat exhibited a very high moisture content, reaching up to 384.34%, indicating persistent saturation and limited oxygen diffusion, favoring the buildup and preservation of organic material. Redox analyses revealed that 7.4% of the samples fell within the iron reduction zone, primarily near the surface, while 92.6% fell within the sulfate reduction zone. The strong dominance of sulfate-reducing conditions suggests a highly reduced environment where most available electron acceptors are depleted. Redox potential values were observed to nearly reach the threshold of methanogenesis, reflecting extremely low oxidation states typical of stable carbon-preserving systems. Geochemical results identified major oxides, including SiO₂, Al₂O₃, SO₃, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, P₂O₅, CaO, and MgO, which influence nutrient exchange, buffering capacity, and redox balance. Overall, the Caimpugan Peatland shows consistently reduced, saturated, and chemically stable conditions that support long-term carbon storage. These findings provide a clearer understanding of peatland redox environments in the Philippines and their role in sustaining carbon reservoirs under natural tropical conditions.

As human-induced carbon emissions continue to increase, the demand for effective strategies to achieve net-zero emissions also grows. One promising approach is carbon sequestration via enhanced rock weathering, specifically through carbon mineralization. This process entails the weathering of ultramafic to mafic minerals, leading to the formation of stable carbonate minerals that help regulate atmospheric CO₂ levels. This study employs petrographic analysis to evaluate the potential of mafic rocks in the Mindanao Eastern Pacific Cordillera, southern Philippines, for atmospheric CO₂ sequestration. Using point-counting techniques on prepared thin sections, the study quantifies the abundance of reactive minerals. The modal percentages of olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase—key reactive minerals—are determined, and their corresponding CO₂ uptake capacities are used to calculate the total potential CO₂ sequestration. Results from petrographic analysis indicate that mafic rocks from the Dinagat Islands, characterized by high plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine contents with minimal alteration, exhibit the greatest estimated CO₂ uptake at 16.11 wt% CO₂. Basalts from the Siargao Islands show a potential CO₂ uptake of 14.85 wt% CO₂, attributed to their abundance of plagioclase and pyroxene. Meanwhile, the Bacuag Formation’s porphyritic basalts in Surigao del Norte, containing significant plagioclase, moderate pyroxene, and lesser olivine, can sequester up to 12.69 wt% CO₂. In contrast, although reactive minerals are present in the Barcelona Formation mafic rocks in Surigao del Sur, their potential CO₂ uptake is reduced to 8.92 wt% CO₂ due to the transformation of these minerals into clay minerals, zeolites, and chlorites during weathering. Variations in CO₂ uptake among the studied formations highlights the importance of mineralogical composition and degree of alteration in assessing a rock’s suitability for carbon mineralization. Overall, these results underscore the viability of utilizing select mafic rock formations in the southern Philippines as natural carbon sinks to support regional and global net-zero initiatives.

The circular recovery and reuse of nutrients from wastewater represent key strategies for achieving sustainability targets and the objectives of the EU Green Deal. In this study, the selective capture of ammonium (NH₄⁺) was investigated using two distinct zeolitic tuffs: one rich in chabazite and another enriched in both phillipsite and chabazite. This research aimed to assess their suitability for farm-scale applications by testing different anaerobic digestates, originating from swine, cattle, and municipal solid waste.

Adsorption isotherms and kinetic experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of initial NH₄⁺ concentration, contact time, ionic competition (notably K⁺), total solids content, and pre-treatment conditions. Equilibrium data were best described by the Freundlich model, indicating a heterogeneous and multilayer adsorption process, while kinetic results fitted well with the pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion models, highlighting ion exchange and diffusion as the predominant mechanisms. Under the same operating conditions, the chabazite-rich tuff exhibited higher ammonium uptake and faster adsorption kinetics compared to the phillipsite–chabazite tuff, reflecting differences in mineralogical composition and cation exchange capacity. NH₄⁺ removal efficiency decreased with increasing K⁺ concentration and solids content, whereas livestock digestates achieved the highest nitrogen recovery per gram of tuff due to their favorable composition and kinetics. Among the pre-treatments, centrifugation proved most effective, enhancing the accessibility of active exchange sites. A preliminary farm-scale batch test using microfiltered swine digestate at a 3% solid-to-liquid ratio confirmed operational feasibility, resulting in an estimated nitrogen recovery of 715 kg N per year. Overall, these results highlight the potential of zeolitic tuffs for promoting nutrient circularity in agriculture and provide insights for selecting materials to maximize ammonium recovery under diverse farm-scale scenarios.

Sesquioxide minerals (R₂O₃) occur widely in natural systems, including Fe- and Al-based soil minerals such as hematite and corundum, and exist as technologically important engineered oxides such as Ga₂O₃, In₂O₃, and various rare-earth sesquioxides. Although these compounds are primarily recognized as highly thermodynamically stable and relevant in the environmental context, their nanoscale stability mechanisms in the presence of ambient geochemical conditions remain poorly understood. This study computationally evaluates the thermodynamic stability of representative natural and synthetic sesquioxide nanominerals to address this gap. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to obtain internal energy, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, heat capacity (Cv), entropy, dipole moment, and point-group symmetry for selected R₂O₃ systems. For arsenolite-type As₂O₃, the verified values include an internal energy of −127691.670510234 eV, free energy of −127692.832381907 eV, Cv of 18.804 cal·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹, entropy of 91.852 cal·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹, a dipole moment of 5.2738 Debye, and Cs symmetry. Additional sesquioxides, including Fe₂O₃, Ga₂O₃, Sc₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, and others, were analyzed using the same computational protocol, with comparative trends observed across the dataset. The results indicate symmetry-dependent variations in electronic structure and dipole behavior even when their overall thermodynamic magnitudes remain comparable under standard conditions. These findings support the potential of quantum-chemical approaches for predicting nanoscale mineral stability in geochemical environments. Further work is needed to investigate interactions with aqueous ions and to explore stability variations across broader geochemical variables such as pH and redox conditions, to better link computational signatures with natural environmental behavior.