Natural erionite was exhaustively ion exchanged with Na+ to give the anhydrous unit-cell composition (K1.9Na5.4Ca0.1Mg0.1)[(AlO2)7.4(SiO2)28.6]. A thermodynamic study of alkali and alkaline earth metal ion exchange in this zeolite was made and the selectivity series found to be Rb > Cs ≥ K > Ba > Sr > Ca > Na > Li. In all cases approximately two K+ ions per unit cell (probably those in the cancrinite cages) could not be replaced by conventional ion exchange. It was also found that two Na+ ions per unit cell are extremely difficult to replace with alkaline earth ions. It is believed that complete replacement of the approximately six Na+ cations in the two large cages per unit cell of erionite would result in a non-uniform, divalent cation population in these cages. A more stable anhydrous composition is (K2Ca2Na2)[(AlO2)8(SiO2)28] in which each large cage contains one Ca2* or other alkaline earth cation and one Na+ ion.

Electron micrographs of 7 Å-type and 10 Å-type garnierites have been recorded at 5·104–105X magnifications to show the morphological character of these minerals, and at 106X magnification to show structural features of the particles. The 7 Å, serpentine-like minerals show a greater variety of morphological forms including tube- and rod-shaped particles and also platy forms and poorly defined, fluffy particles, probably aggregates. The 10 Å, talc-like minerals show mainly platy forms and fluffy aggregates, and generally very few tube or rod-shaped particles. At 106X magnifications, the 7 and 10 Å layer spacings are seen directly. In the samples examined, the 7 Å spacings are more clearly and more regularly defined than the 10 Å spacings.

The objective of this paper is to present flow sheets for a system of quantitative minera-logical analysis of clays of soils and sediments and to show representative results. Selective dissolution analysis by the Na2S2O7-HCl-NaOH procedure yields the quartz and feldspar contents (0 to 63%) and differentiates feldspar K from mica K. The NaOH-thermal system of selective dissolution yields the allophane plus gibbsite, kaolinite plus halloysite, and dickite contents (0 to 84% for the sediments; 1 to 25% for soil clays) Mica contents (0 to 92% for the rock specimens, 7 to 43% for soil clays) are determined by nonfeldspathic K (and Na). Vermiculite contents (1 to 97% of specimens; 3 to 21% for soil clays) are measured by blocking of interlayer CEC by drying at 110°C while K saturated and replacing with NH4Cl. Montmorillonite (and palygorskite) contents (0 to 85% of specimens; 3 to 36% of soil clays) are determined by the CEC not blocked by the K and NH4 sequence for vermiculite. Chlorite contents (0 to 85% for specimens; 0 to 37% for soil clays) are determined by thermal gravimetric analysis, after allocation of OH water lost between 300 and 950°C to other hydrous minerals determined.

The best evidence of the accuracy of the system of analysis lies in the consistent total recovery of 24 standard mineral samples averaging 100.4 ± 1.3 (± standard error of means) and of 22 soil clay samples averaging 99.5 ± 0.8. The different constituents were present in widely different proportions in the various samples, and were determined by independent methods. The complementary total of near 100% (maximum range 95 to 105% for specimens; 95 to 103% for soil clays) for the analyses is a significant measure of the specificity of the several determinations.

The i.r. spectrum of K depleted biotites (structural OH stretching range) has been studied with monocrystals equilibrated at various water contents. Prior to spectroscopic measurements, the samples were submitted to deuteration treatments which displaced the hydration water spectrum to the OD region and made it possible to observe the behaviour of the structural hydroxyls without interference from hydration water.

In these conditions it was shown that the high frequency absorption of K depleted biotites (N + I bands) is the sum of two absorptions: the first corresponds to the initial mica spectrum, the second corresponds to the hydrated phase in which component bands (according to Vedder and Wilkins) are shifted by 36 cm-1 towards low frequencies.

Simultaneously it was shown that low frequency bands (V bands) decreased in intensity. This unexpected observation has been explained by a partial deuteration of structural OH, which takes place during the preliminary contacts of the samples with D2O vapour.

The Olympic Games have grown to be the largest, gender-equal sporting event in the world, and the International Olympic Committee is committed to gender equality in sports encouraging and supporting the promotion of women in sports at all levels and in all structures with a view to implementing the principle of equality of men and women (IOC, 2023). Women competed for the first time at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, and the number of women competing has grown exponentially over the last 100 years, so an estimated 5494 female athletes (48 %) competed in the Summer Olympic Games 2021 in Tokyo. Supporting women (alongside men) in achieving optimum performance is crucial, and understanding that there are sex and gender gaps in sports nutrition research is important. One reason for this gap is the historical bias in sports and exercise science research towards male participants. This has led to a poor understanding of the unique physiological and nutritional needs of female athletes. In summary, a balanced approach is crucial to address the nutritional needs of both male and female athletes. Researchers should continue exploring this important area to optimise performance and health for all athletes. The aim of this review is to summarise current sports nutrition literature and highlight research that seeks to understand and address where the gaps are with respect to several key areas in sports nutrition recommendations that can impact advice and practice with both males and females.

Organic diacid (oxalic and succinic) adsorption onto montmorillonite is feasible, but weak (~1 mg/g). The comparison of chemical and radiochemical determinations reveals that 80% of the acid in contact with the smectite is used to attack the clay lattice. The pH is the main parameter involved in adsorption, and fixation passes through a minimum for pH 6 to 7. Polyacrylate adsorption is also weak (~1.5 mg/g). It changes with the nature of the exchangeable cation of smectite. Its pH-dependence displays a pronounced maximum for a value corresponding to the pKa of the acidic functions (pH ~6.8), and a minimum at about pH 8. On the assumption that a polyacrylate macromolecule is 100% hydrolyzed, it follows that the-COOH groups carried by 20% hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide molecules (such as those used in the tertiary recovery of petroleum) contribute at the very most to 10% of the total adsorption onto clay. Fixation, therefore, involves predominantly protonation of the amide functions at the edge surfaces of the clay. The acidic functions play a minor role in the adsorption phenomenon in that they affect the length of the macromolecule. The extent of this contribution, however, is virtually impossible to estimate.

The oxidative power of a smectite can be measured quantitatively by oxidation of hydro-quinone to p-benzoquinone in a clay slurry. Oxidation takes place in the presence of O2 (air) but not N2 unless Fe3+ or Cu2+ are the exchangeable cations. This study examined 26 smectite samples with varying compositions and processing. The oxidative power increases with decreasing Li-fixation and increasing cation exchange capacity. Li-fixation does not depend upon the tetrahedral Al. The cation exchange capacity can decrease markedly by mere storage in water.

The oxidation proceeds principally on the surface by adsorbed oxygen molecules or radicals. A mechanism is proposed. With Fe3+ or Cu2+ present, even under N2, oxidation occurs via electron transfer. With smectites containing Fe2+, both the Fe and the hydroquinone are oxidized in the same reaction.

pH- and conductometric titration curves of acid sauconite, freshly prepared by the action of H-resin on sauconite showed four segments, each, where H+, Al3+ and Zn2+ ions and a weak acid reacted with the added base in the sequence mentioned. The H+, Al3+ and Zn2+ ions, but not the weak acid, could be exchanged for the cations of a neutral salt. The exchangeable Al3+ and Zn2+ ions were derived from the lateral surfaces by the action of the H-resin. When the acid sauconite was allowed to age in water, the exchangeable H+ and Al3+ ions were gradually replaced by Zn2+ ions giving, finally, a Zn-clay. The pH rose from 4·2 to 6·3 and the total amount of exchangeable cations increased as aging proceeded. When the Zn-clay was formed, the increase in cation exchange capacity was about 70 per cent. Octahedral Al at the edges, carrying positive charges, were discharged by hydrolysis during the aging, causing the net negative charge and, hence, cation exchange capacity, to increase. Aging had little effect on the amount of the weak acid. Zn and Al ions at the edges exhibited the weak acid function. Only edge-Zn was active in the fully aged clay.