Noble Metals and Biological Systems examines the relationship between noble metals (gold, silver, and platinum group metals) and biological systems. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 is concerned with the analytical chemistry of noble metals and includes a description of the latest methods of analysis. Part 2 describes such topics as ecology and environmental science of noble metals as they pertain to biogeochemical exploration, noble metals in hair, the environmental geochemistry of palladium, microorganisms and noble metals, animals and noble metals, and a general survey of noble metals in the environment. Coverage is comprehensive and includes information regarding the use of dogs and termites as field assistants in mineral prospecting, as well as the fascinating story of the "gold bug", a microorganism that plates itself with gold. Part 3 is devoted entirely to noble metals in the treatment of disease and includes chapters describing the use of osmium and gold for arthritis treatment, silver as a bactericide, and platinum and ruthenium as anticancer agents. Noble Metals and Biological Systems will provide fascinating reading for applied geochemists, environmentalists, public health specialists, ecologists, microbiologists, clinical biochemists, oncologists, and specialists in rheumatic diseases.

Significant refinements of biogeochemical methods applied to mineral exploration have been made during more than twenty years since the last major publication on this technique. This innovative, practical and comprehensive text is designed as a field handbook and an office reference volume. It outlines the historical development of biogeochemical methods applied to mineral exploration, and provides details of what, how, why and when to collect samples from all major climatic environments with examples from around the world. Recent commercialization of sophisticated analytical technology permits immensely more insight into the multi-element composition of plants. In particular, precise determination of ultra-trace levels of 'pathfinder' elements in dry tissues and recognition of element distribution patterns with respect to concealed mineralization. Data handling and interpretation are discussed in context of a wealth of previously unpublished information, including a section on plant mineralogy, much of which has been classified as confidential until recently. Data are provided on the biogeochemistry of more than 60 elements and, by case history examples, their roles discussed in assisting in the discovery of concealed mineral deposits. A look to the future includes the potential role of bacteria to provide new focus for mineral exploration. - Describes the practical aspects of plant selection and collection in different environments around the world, and how to process and analyze them - Discusses more than 60 elements in plants, with data interpretation and case history results that include exploration for Au, PGEs, U, base metals and kimberlites

The use of copper, silver, gold and platinum in jewelry as a measure of wealth is well known. This book contains 19 chapters written by international authors on other uses and applications of noble and precious metals (copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, and rhenium). The topics covered include surface-enhanced Raman scattering, quantum dots, synthesis and properties of nanostructures, and its applications in the diverse fields such as high-tech engineering, nanotechnology, catalysis, and biomedical applications. The basis for these applications is their high-free electron concentrations combined with high-temperature stability and corrosion resistance and methods developed for synthesizing nanostructures. Recent developments in all these areas with up-to-date references are emphasized.

An expert overview of current research, applications, and economic and environmental advantages The study and development of new homogeneous catalysts based on first-row metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) has grown significantly due to the economic and environmental advantages that non-noble metals present. Base metals offer reduced cost, greater supply, and lower toxicity levels than noble metals?enabling greater opportunity for scientific investigation and increased development of practical applications. Non-Noble Metal Catalysis provides an authoritative survey of the field, from fundamental concepts and computational methods to industrial applications and reaction classes. Recognized experts in organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis, the authors present a comprehensive overview of the conceptual and practical aspects of non-noble metal catalysts. Examination of topics including non-innocent ligands, proton-coupled electron transfer, and multi-nuclear complexes provide essential background information, while areas such as kinetic lability and lifetimes of intermediates reflect current research and shifting trends in the field. This timely book demonstrates the efficacy of base metal catalysts in the pharmaceutical, fine-chemical, and agrochemical industries, addressing both environmental and economic concerns. Providing essential conceptual and practical exploration, this valuable resource: -Illustrates how unravelling new reactivity patterns can lead to new catalysts and new applications -Highlights the multiple advantages of using non-noble metals in homogenous catalysis -Demonstrates how the availability of non-noble metal catalysis reduces costs and leads to immense savings for the chemical industry -Reveals how non-noble metal catalysis are more sustainable than noble metals such as palladium or platinum Non-Noble Metal Catalysis: Molecular Approaches and Reactions is an indispensable source of up-to-date information for catalytic chemists, organic chemists, industrial chemists, organometallic chemists, and those seeking to broaden their knowledge of catalytic chemistry.

Chemo-Biological Systems for CO2 Utilization describes the most recent advanced tools and techniques for carbon dioxide capture and its utilization. It discusses and compares the advantages of different systems and aids researchers and industrialists in understanding energy generation in the form of biofuels, bioelectricity, or biogas using chemicals; nanomaterials; and microbial, enzymatic, and chemo-enzymatic-integrated systems. It describes the importance and utilization of CO2 in living systems, and provides an overview of the various fundamental methods, policies, and techniques involved in CO2 conversion. Emphasis is placed on the production of value-added products using CO2, including biomethanol, industrial carbonates, and liquid or gaseous fuels. Features: Explains the correlations between microbial, biological, and chemical products and their roles in the conversion of CO2 into usable energy and related products. Being suitable for a broad audience, it addresses fundamental treatment methods for reusing environmental waste materials. Aids in decision-making and policy planning for environmental professionals. The information provided throughout this book will help researchers and professionals working in various industries to better understand the conversion of CO2 into energy-based products. Chemo-Biological Systems for CO2 Utilization also serves as a useful guide to seek alternative methods for clean energy and mitigating global climate change.

This second and expanded edition of the first book on agromining (phytomining) presents a comprehensive overview of the metal farming & recovery of the agromining production chain. Agromining is an emerging technology that aims to transform the extraction of sources of target elements not accessible by traditional mining and processing techniques. Agromining, which is based on sustainable development, uses hyperaccumulator plants as 'metal crops' farmed on sub-economic soils or minerals wastes to obtain valuable target elements. This volume is edited and authored by the pioneers in the rapidly expanding field of agromining and presents the latest insights and developments in the field. This book provides in-depth information on the global distribution and ecology of hyperaccumulator plants, their biogeochemical pathways, the influence of rhizosphere microbes, the physiology and molecular biology of hyperaccumulation, as well as aspects of propagation and conservation of these unusual plants. It describes the agronomy of metal crops and opportunities for incorporating agromining into rehabilitation and mine closure, including test cases for agromining of nickel, cobalt, manganese, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, zinc, thallium, rare earth elements and platinum group elements. Since the first edition was published, there have successful nickel agromining field trials in the tropics (in Malaysia and Guatemala), and these are presented in a dedicated case study chapter. Other new chapters focus on the processing of bio-ore for elements other than nickel, such as rare earth elements and cadmium, and on agromining from industrial wastes such as tailings, and industrial by-products and sites. Furthermore, the book features two new chapters that provide a comprehensive assessment of accumulation a very wide range elements from the Periodic Table in various plant species around the globe, and a chapter on practical methods for discovery of hyperaccumulator plant species in the field and in the herbarium. This book is of interest to environmental professionals in the minerals industry, government regulators, and academics.

This groundbreaking book uniquely focuses on the exploration of the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles and their characterization and applications. Metal nanoparticles are the basic elements of nanotechnology as they are the primary source used in the design of nanostructured devices and materials. Nanomaterials can be manufactured either incidentally, with physical or chemical methods, or naturally; and the high demand for them has led to their large-scale production by various toxic solvents or high energy techniques. However, due to the growing awareness of environmental and safety issues, the use of clean, nontoxic and environment-friendly ways to synthesize metal nanoparticles has emerged out of necessity. The use of biological resources, such as microbes, plant parts, vegetable wastes, agricultural wastes, gums, etc., has grown to become an alternative way of synthesizing metal nanoparticles. This biogenic synthesis is green, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and nontoxic. The current multi-authored book includes recent information and builds a database of bioreducing agents for various metal nanoparticles using different precursor systems. Green Metal Nanoparticles also highlights different simple, cost-effective, environment-friendly and easily scalable strategies, and includes parameters for controlling the size and shape of the materials developed from the various greener methods.

A steady increase in interest in biological systems in mineral exploration and processing has led to the need for a book bringing together the multi-disciplinary aspects of the subject. This book encompasses a number of fields in a single volume, including Russian work on the use of barrier-free plant organisms for biogeochemical prospecting.

There is a growing interest in the use of nanoparticles modified with DNAs, viruses, peptides and proteins for the rational design of nanostructured functional materials and their use in biosensor applications. The challenge is to control the organization of biomolecules on nanoparticles while retaining their biological activity as potential chemical and gene therapeutics. These noble metal nanoparticles/biomolecules conjugates have specific properties and therefore they are attractive materials for nanotechnology in biochemistry and medicine. In this book, the author review work performed dealing with the DNA structure and functionalities, interactions between DNA, noble metal nanoparticles, surface active agents, solvents and other additives. Particular attention is given to how the DNA's chain length and the DNA conformation affect the interaction and structure of the nanoconjugates and nanostructures that are formed. Also discussed are the recent advances in the preparation, characterization, and applications of noble metal nanoparticles that are conjugated with DNA aptamers and oligomers. The advantages and disadvantages of functionalized nanoparticles through various detection modes are highlighted, including colorimetry, fluorescence, electrochemistry, SPR, and, mass spectrometry for the detection of small molecules and biomolecules. The functionalized noble metal nanoparticles are selective and sensitive for the analytes, showing their great potential in biosensing. Furthermore, this book reviews recent progress in the area of DNA-noble metal nanoparticles based artificial nanostructures, that is, the preparation, collective properties, and applications of various DNA-based nanostructures are also described.