In order to assess the potential of the honeycomb oyster Pycnodonte vesicularis for the reconstruction of palaeoseasonality, several specimens recovered from late Maastrichtian strata in the Neuquén Basin (Argentina) were subject to a multi-proxy investigation, involving scanning techniques and trace element and isotopic analysis. Combined CT scanning and light microscopy reveals two calcite microstructures in P. vesicularis shells (vesicular and foliated calcite). Micro-XRF analysis and cathodoluminescence microscopy show that reducing pore fluids were able to migrate through the vesicular portions of the shells (aided by bore holes) and cause recrystallization of the vesicular calcite. This renders the vesicular portions not suitable for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. In contrast, stable isotope and trace element compositions show that the original chemical composition of the foliated calcite is wellpreserved and can be used for the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions. Stable oxygen and clumped isotope thermometry on carbonate from the dense hinge of the shell yield sea water temperatures of 11 • C, while previous TEX H 86

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18In order to assess the potential of the honeycomb oyster Pycnodonte vesicularis for the 19 reconstruction of palaeoseasonality, several specimens recovered from the late Maastrichtian 20Neuquén Basin (Argentina) were subject to a multi-proxy investigation, involving scanning 21 techniques, trace element and isotopic analysis. Combined CT scanning and light microscopy reveals 22 two major calcite micromorphologies in P. vesicularis shells (vesicular and foliated calcite O of about 1‰, which is 35 ascribed to a combination of varying salinity due to fresh water input in the winter and spring season 36 and a moderate temperature seasonality. Attempts to independently verify the seasonality in sea 37 water temperature by Mg/Ca ratios of shell calcite are hampered by significant uncertainty due to 38 the lack of proper transfer functions for pycnodontein oysters. The multi-proxy approach employed 39 here enables us to differentiate between well-preserved and diagenetically altered portions of the 40 shells and provides an improved methodology for reconstructing palaeoenvironmental conditions in 41 deep time. While establishing a chronology for these shells was severely complicated by growth 42

In recent years, rapid industrial development has led to an increase in various types of industrial waste generation in Vietnam. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) can contaminate water resources when waste is not properly treated and/or stored in confined disposal facilities. This study characterizes the occurrence and leaching behavior of PTEs from industrial sludge under the influence of oxidation and pH with implications for open dump disposal. Environmental issues related to possible management options are also addressed. Sludge samples from industrial parks at Binh Duong and Dong Nai, Southern Vietnam, were oxidized under atmospheric conditions. The results indicate that Fe and Mn (both samples) and Cu, Ni, and Zn (Binh Duong sample) may pose a potential threat to the water quality for sludge dumped near water bodies. Therefore, we recommend avoiding uncontrolled upland disposal of such sludge. Some preliminary treatment to immobilize PTEs should be applied to the sludge originating from Binh Duong prior to upland disposal. A recovery of Ni and Zn from this sludge could be considered. For the less contaminated sludge from Dong Nai, beneficial use, such as land application for agricultural purposes, is a possible option.

In this work, the interactions of a well-studied hydrophobin with different types of nonpolar model substances and their impact on primary gushing is evaluated. The nature, length, and degree of saturation of nonpolar molecules are key parameters defining the gushing ability or inhibition. When mixed with hydrophobins, the nonpolar molecule-hydrophobin assembly acts as a less gushing or no gushing system. This effect can be explained in the framework of a competition effect between non-polar systems and CO2 to interact with the hydrophobic patch of the hydrophobin. Interactions of these molecules with hydrophobins are promoted as a result of the similar size of the nonpolar molecules with the hydrophobic patch of the protein, at the expense of the formation of nanobubbles with CO2. In order to prove the presence of interactions and to unravel the mechanisms behind them, a complete set of experimental techniques was used. Surface sensitive techniques clearly show the presence of the interactions, whose nature is not covalent nor hydrogen bonding according to infrared spectroscopy results. Interactions were also reflected by particle size analysis in which mixtures of particles displayed larger size than their pure component counterparts. Upon mixing with nonpolar molecules, the gushing ability of the protein is significantly disrupted.