The paper presents research on chloride minerals of natural origin from Kłodawa (Poland), i.e., colorless, blue and purple halite as well as colorless sylvite. Selected samples of minerals were studied by chemical analysis (ICP-OES, ICP-MS, titration methods) and crystallographic measurements. Then, for the tested halides, research was carried out using far-infrared spectroscopy. Spectroscopic studies confirmed the simple way of distinguishing NaCl and KCl minerals using far-infrared spectroscopy, known in the literature. The novelty is that the article presents for the first time the experimental far infrared spectra of natural blue and purple halite. It was observed that the blue (178 cm⁻¹) and purple (176 cm⁻¹) halites have the strongest infrared band slightly shifted towards higher wavenumbers compared to colorless halite (174 cm⁻¹). As part of the work, the infrared spectra of the crystal structure models of sodium and potassium chloride were calculated for the first time using the density functional theory (with the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G* basis set, 125-atom model). The proposed approach can be used not only as a powerful method differentiating NaCl and KCl minerals, but it can also help with understanding of different defects in crystal lattices for naturally occurring halides and crystals of other minerals.

Thiophenol (synonyms: phenyl mercaptan, benzenethiol) may appear in the aquatic environment as a result of human activity. It is used as a raw material in organic synthesis in various industries for the production of dyes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and polymers, such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). It may also enter water through contamination with petroleum substances (thiophenol may be present in crude oil). Due to the fact that thiophenol is toxic to living organisms, its removal from water can be a very important task. For the first time, this paper presents experimental studies of the sorption and desorption process of thiophenol on an ion exchange resin. Thiophenol sorption experiments on AmbeLite^®IRA402 (Cl form) were tested at different pH levels (4, 7, and 9) and different ionic strengths of the aqueous solution. Its detection in water was carried out using UV spectroscopy. At pH 4, the thiophenol sorption process is basically independent of the ionic strength of the solution, but also the least effective. The sorption capacity of a thiophenol solution in distilled water is about 0.37–0.46 mg/g, for a solution with an ionic strength of 0.1 M 0.42 mg/g. At pH 7 and 9, the sorption of thiophenol from an aqueous solution is similar and definitely more effective. The sorption capacity of the thiophenol solution in distilled water is about 13.83–14.67 mg/g, and for a solution with an ionic strength of 0.1 M, it is 2.83–2.10 mg/g. The desorption efficiency of thiophenol from AmbeLite^®IRA402 resin (washing with 4% HCl) at pH 7 is 90%, which is promising for the resin reuse process. Kinetic studies were performed and a pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetic model was fitted to the obtained experimental sorption data. In most cases, the simulation showed that the pseudo-second-order model gives a better fit, especially for the sorption of thiophenol from the solution with an ionic strength of 0.1 M. The fit of the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models to the experimental results indicates that the latter model provides better agreement. Analysis of the infrared spectra supported by quantum chemical calculations (DFT/PCM/B3LYP/6-31g**) confirms the experimental results observed during the sorption process. At pH 7 and 9, the thiophenol is sorbed in anionic form and—together with the ion exchange processes that occur between the dissociated thiol group and the quaternary ammonium group—an interaction between the aromatic structures of thiophenolate anions and IRA402 also takes place.

The paper provides a comparative review of research on lime mortars modified with industrial waste from various economic sectors. The analysis included ceramic waste (brick dust and aggregates), paper industry sludge, metallurgical slag, lime production waste, and selected waste from other industries. The literature review indicates that the physical and mechanical properties of modified lime mortars are closely dependent on the type and amount of waste used. It is possible to improve compressive strength. At the same time, the analysis indicates that the use of certain additives can lead to increased porosity and water absorption. Therefore, optimal selection of component proportions is crucial, as is the use of fiber or bio-additives, which can mitigate negative effects and increase mortar resistance to environmental factors.

In the vicinity of Lubietová in the Banská Bystrica region in Slovakia, copper was mined in three deposits: Podlipa, Svätodušná and Kolba. The studies concern the association of secondary arsenates of the Lubietová-Svätodušná copper deposit. The Lubietová-Svätodušná deposit contains a large number of secondary minerals, formed as a result of weathering in the hypergene zone. Among them, copper arsenates are the most important, due to the rare occurrence of some of them. Four secondary arsenates have been characterized: chalcophyllite, euchroite, olivenite and pharmacosiderite. The minerals were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD), whereas observations under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and chemical analysis (EDS) showed that some of them are heterogeneous, contain different substitutions and show significant variability in the content of individual elements within single specimens.