Shungite: Difference between revisions
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created "See also" section and added entries for "Oil shale" and "Pyrobitumen" - see e.g. https://www.mindat.org/min-11040.html |
Near-complete rewrite of most of the article. Much of the terminology used previously was either confusing or simply incorrect, particularly as shungite isn't exactly one thing specifically. Removed the entire structure section, as it's both WP:TMI and not accurate for the multiple definitions used for shungite, though left in some specifics. Added notes on toxicity and pseudoscientific usage, left mot of the formation section alone. |
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{{short description| |
{{short description|Form for solid-bitumen or solid-bitumen containing rock}} |
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[[File:Шунгит.jpg|thumb| |
[[File:Шунгит.jpg|thumb|A shungite-bearing rock (left) and solid bitumen shungite (right)]] |
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'''Shungite''' a name used to refer to either a diverse group of metamorphosed [[Precambrian]] rocks all of which contain solid [[bitumen]], solid bitumen itself identified in those rocks.<ref>{{Citation |last=Jehlička |first=J. |title=Transmission Electron Microscopy of Carbonaceous Matter in Precambrian Shungite from Karelia |date=1993 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-85806-2_4 |work=Bitumens in Ore Deposits |pages=53–60 |editor-last=Parnell |editor-first=John |access-date=2023-12-17 |series=Special Publication of the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits |place=Berlin, Heidelberg |publisher=Springer |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-85806-2_4 |isbn=978-3-642-85806-2 |last2=Rouzaud |first2=J.-N. |editor2-last=Kucha |editor2-first=Henryk |editor3-last=Landais |editor3-first=P.}}</ref> It was first described from a deposit near [[Shunga (Karelia)|Shunga village]], in [[Republic of Karelia|Karelia]], Russia, from where it gets its name. Shungite is most notable for [[Crystal healing|pseudoscientific]] and [[Quackery|quack]] medical claims about its uses in medicine and technology, where it is claimed to have properties ranging from nebulous health benefits to [[5G misinformation|blocking 5G radiation]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> These claims frequently focus on the reputed benefits of [[Fullerene|fullerenes]] contained in shungite, which are found in concentrations of 1 to 10 parts per million.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sajo |first=Ma. Easter Joy |last2=Kim |first2=Cheol-Su |last3=Kim |first3=Soo-Ki |last4=Shim |first4=Kwang Yong |last5=Kang |first5=Tae-Young |last6=Lee |first6=Kyu-Jae |date=2017 |title=Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Shungite against Ultraviolet B Irradiation-Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice |url=https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2017/7340143/ |journal=Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity |language=en |volume=2017 |pages=1–11 |doi=10.1155/2017/7340143 |issn=1942-0900 |pmc=PMC5574306 |pmid=28894510}}</ref><ref name="mindat">{{cite web |last=Mindat.org |title=Shungite |url=http://www.mindat.org/min-11040.html |accessdate=3 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="Reznikov">{{cite journal |last=Reznikov |first=V.A. |author2=PolekhovskiÏ |date=6 March 2000 |title=Amorphous shungite carbon: A natural medium for the formation of fullerenes |url=http://www.owndoc.com/pdf/fullerene-content-in-shungite.pdf |journal=Technical Physics Letters |series=8 |volume=26 |issue=2000 |pages=689–693 |bibcode=2000TePhL..26..689R |doi=10.1134/1.1307814 |s2cid=51999111 |accessdate=9 January 2013}}</ref> Despite it's purported health benefits, shungite contains [[Toxic heavy metal|toxic heavy metals]] such as [[lead]] and [[cadmium]] and can pose a health risk when used as an [[alternative medicine]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Jurgelane |first=Inga |last2=Locs |first2=Janis |date=2020-11-25 |title=Shungite application for treatment of drinking water – is it the right choice? |url=https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2020.139 |journal=Journal of Water and Health |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=89–96 |doi=10.2166/wh.2020.139 |issn=1477-8920}}</ref> |
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'''Shungite''' is a black and lustrous [[mineraloid]] that was first described from a deposit near [[Shunga (Karelia)|Shunga village]], in [[Republic of Karelia|Karelia]], Russia, from where it gets its name. Shungite has been reported to contain trace amounts of [[fullerene]]s (0.0001 < 0.001%).<ref name="mindat">{{cite web|url=http://www.mindat.org/min-11040.html|title=Shungite|last=Mindat.org|accessdate=3 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="Reznikov">{{cite journal|last=Reznikov|first=V.A.|author2=PolekhovskiÏ |title= Amorphous shungite carbon: A natural medium for the formation of fullerenes|journal=Technical Physics Letters|date=6 March 2000|volume=26|series=8|issue=2000|pages=689–693|url=http://www.owndoc.com/pdf/fullerene-content-in-shungite.pdf|accessdate=9 January 2013|doi=10.1134/1.1307814|bibcode=2000TePhL..26..689R |s2cid=51999111}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Shungite has to date mainly been found in Russia. The main deposit is in the [[Lake Onega]] area of Karelia, at [[Zazhoginskoye]], near [[Shunga, Republic of Karelia|Shunga]], with another occurrence at Vozhmozero.<ref name="mindat" /> Two other much smaller occurrences have been reported in Russia, one in [[Kamchatka]] in [[volcanic rock]]s and the other formed by the burning of spoil from a coal mine at high temperature in [[Chelyabinsk]].<ref name="Easthaugh">{{cite book |last=Easthaugh |first=N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RJnI4ld6qeoC&q=shungite+russia&pg=PA345 |title=Pigment Compendium: A Dictionary and Optical Microscopy of Historic Pigments |author2=Walsh V. |author3=Chaplin T. |author4=Siddall R. |publisher=Routledge |year=2008 |isbn=9780750689809 |pages=345 |accessdate=2 July 2012}}</ref> Other occurrences have been described from Austria, India, Democratic Republic of Congo<ref name="mindat" /> and Kazakhstan.<ref name="Efremova">{{cite journal |last=Efremova |first=S.V. |year=2006 |title=Water treatment with a shungite sorbent and biosorbents on its base |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134%2FS1070427206030128 |journal=Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry |volume=79 |issue=3 |pages=397–402 |doi=10.1134/s1070427206030128 |s2cid=92934431 |accessdate=11 September 2020}}</ref> |
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==Terminology== |
==Terminology== |
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The term "shungite" was originally used in 1879 to describe a |
The term "shungite" has evolved substantially since was originally used in 1879 to describe a black substance with more than 98 percent carbon found in veins near its [[Type locality (geology)|type locality]] of Shunga. More recently the term has also been used to describe a wide variety of rocks containing similar carbon layers, leading to some confusion. In scientific usage, shungite refers to a [[mineraloid]] which contains >98% carbon, and is used as a modifier to the host-rock's name, i.e. "shungite-bearing dolostone."<ref name="Melezhik">{{cite journal|last=Melezhik|first=V.A. |author2=Filippov M.M. |author3=Romashkin A.E.|year=2004|title=A giant Palaeoproterozoic deposit of shungite in NW Russia: genesis and practical applications|journal=Ore Geology Reviews|publisher=[[Elsevier]]|volume=24|issue=1–2|pages=135–154|doi=10.1016/j.oregeorev.2003.08.003|bibcode=2004OGRv...24..135M }}</ref> In popular usage shungite-bearing rocks are sometimes themselves referred to as shungite. Shungite is subdivided into bright, semi-bright, semi-dull and dull on the basis of its [[Lustre (mineralogy)|lustre]].<ref name="Mastarlez" /> |
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In a further classification, shungite is subdivided into bright, semi-bright, semi-dull and dull on the basis of their [[Lustre (mineralogy)|luster]] (the terms lustrous and matte are also used for bright and dull).<ref name="Mastarlez"/> |
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Shungite has two main modes of occurrence, disseminated within the host rock and as apparently mobilised material. ''Migrated shungite'', which is bright (lustrous) shungite, has been interpreted to represent migrated hydrocarbons and is found as either ''layer shungite'', layers or lenses near conformable with the host rock layering, or ''vein shungite'', which is found as cross-cutting veins. Shungite may also occur as [[clastic rock|clasts]] within younger [[sedimentary rock]]s.<ref name="Melezhik"/> |
Shungite has two main modes of occurrence, disseminated within the host rock and as apparently mobilised material. ''Migrated shungite'', which is bright (lustrous) shungite, has been interpreted to represent migrated hydrocarbons and is found as either ''layer shungite'', layers or lenses near conformable with the host rock layering, or ''vein shungite'', which is found as cross-cutting veins. Shungite may also occur as [[clastic rock|clasts]] within younger [[sedimentary rock]]s.<ref name="Melezhik"/> |
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| ⚫ | Shungite has to date mainly been found in Russia. The main deposit is in the [[Lake Onega]] area of Karelia, at [[Zazhoginskoye]], near [[Shunga, Republic of Karelia|Shunga]], with another occurrence at Vozhmozero.<ref name="mindat"/> Two other much smaller occurrences have been reported in Russia, one in [[Kamchatka]] in [[volcanic rock]]s and the other formed by the burning of spoil from a coal mine at high temperature in [[Chelyabinsk]].<ref name="Easthaugh">{{cite book|last=Easthaugh|first=N. | |
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[[File:Paleoproterozoic stromatolite laminae shungite Franceville Gabon.jpg|thumb|Dark laminae made of shungite in a Paleoproterozoic [[stromatolite]], Franceville Basin, Gabon, Central Africa]] |
[[File:Paleoproterozoic stromatolite laminae shungite Franceville Gabon.jpg|thumb|Dark laminae made of shungite in a Paleoproterozoic [[stromatolite]], Franceville Basin, Gabon, Central Africa]] |
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Shungite |
Shungite had historically been regarded as an example of [[Abiogenic petroleum origin|abiogenic petroleum formation]],<ref name="Mastarlez">{{cite book|last=Mastarlez|first=M. |author2=Glikson M. |author3=Stankiewicz B.A. |author4=Volkova I.B. |author5=Bustin R.M.|title=Organic Matter and Mineralisation: Thermal Alteration, Hydrocarbon Generation, and Role in Metallogenesis|editor=Glikson M. & Mastarlez M.|publisher=Springer|year=2000|pages=102–116|chapter=Organic and mineral matter in a Precambrian shungite from Karelia, Russia|isbn=9780412733307|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fHR0DpsJJ-QC&q=shungite+metamorphism&pg=PA102|accessdate=7 July 2012}}</ref> but its biological origin has now been confirmed.<ref name="Melezhik"/> Non-migrated shungite is found directly [[Stratum|stratigraphically]] above deposits that were formed in a shallow water carbonate shelf to non-marine [[Evaporite|evaporitic]] environment. The shungite bearing sequence is thought to have been deposited during active [[rift]]ing, consistent with the alkaline [[volcanic rock]]s that are found within the sequence. The organic-rich sediments were likely deposited in a brackish [[lagoon]]al setting. The concentration of carbon indicates elevated [[Productivity (ecology)|biological productivity]] levels, possibly due to high levels of nutrients available from interbedded volcanic material.<ref name="Melezhik"/> |
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The stratified shungite-bearing deposits that retain [[sedimentary structure]]s are interpreted as [[Metamorphism|metamorphosed]] oil [[source rock]]s. Some [[diapir]]ic mushroom-shaped structures have been identified, which are interpreted as possible [[mud volcano]]es. Layer and [[Vein (geology)|vein]] shungite varieties, and shungite filling [[Vesicular texture|vesicle]]s and forming the matrix to [[breccia]]s, are interpreted as migrated petroleum, now in the form of metamorphosed [[ |
The stratified shungite-bearing deposits that retain [[sedimentary structure]]s are interpreted as [[Metamorphism|metamorphosed]] oil [[source rock]]s. Some [[diapir]]ic mushroom-shaped structures have been identified, which are interpreted as possible [[mud volcano]]es. Layer and [[Vein (geology)|vein]] shungite varieties, and shungite filling [[Vesicular texture|vesicle]]s and forming the matrix to [[breccia]]s, are interpreted as migrated petroleum, now in the form of metamorphosed bitumen.<ref name="Melezhik"/> Solid-bitumen shungite is predomenantly [[Amorphous solid|amorphous]], though as with many carbon deposits it contains trace amounts of [[Allotropes of carbon|carbon allotropes]] such as [[graphene]] sheets and fullerenes.<ref name="Golubev_&_Antonets_2022">{{Cite journal |last1=Golubev |first1=Y.A. |last2=Antonets |first2=I.V. |date=2022 |title=Electrophysical Properties and Structure of Natural Disordered sp2 Carbon |journal=Nanomaterials |volume=12 |issue=21 |page=3797 |doi=10.3390/nano12213797 |pmc=9657770 |pmid=36364573 |doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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==Shunga deposit== |
==Shunga deposit== |
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The Shunga deposit contains an estimated total carbon reserve of more than 250 [[Tonne#Derived units|gigatonne]]s. It is found within a sequence of [[Palaeoproterozoic]] |
The Shunga deposit contains an estimated total carbon reserve of more than 250 [[Tonne#Derived units|gigatonne]]s. It is found within a sequence of [[Palaeoproterozoic]] meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic rocks that are preserved in a [[syncline|synform]]. The sequence has been dated by a [[gabbro]] intrusion, which gives a date of 1980±27 [[Megaannum#SI prefix multipliers|Ma]], and the underlying [[Dolomite (rock)|dolomite]]s, which give an age of 2090±70 Ma. There are nine shungite-bearing layers within the Zaonezhskaya Formation, from the middle of the preserved sequence. Of these the thickest is layer six, which is also known as the "Productive horizon", due to its concentration of shungite deposits. Four main deposits are known from the area, the Shungskoe, Maksovo, [[Zazhoginskoye|Zazhogino]] and Nigozero deposits. The Shungskoe deposit is the most studied and is largely depleted.<ref name="Melezhik"/> |
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==Microstructure== |
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The nature of the microscopic structure of shungite has been investigated using a variety of techniques, including [[high-resolution transmission electron microscopy]] (HRTEM), [[scanning transmission electron microscopy]] (STEM), [[scanning tunnelling microscopy]] (STM), [[atomic force microscopy]] (AFM) and [[Raman spectroscopy]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jushkin|first1= N.P.|year=1994 |title= Globular Supramolecular Structure Shungita: Data Scanning Tunneling Microscopy|journal= Reports. Acad. Science USSR|volume=337|issue=6|pages= 800–803 }}</ref><ref name="Golubev_2013">{{Cite journal |last=Golubev |first=E.A. |date=2013 |title=Electrophysical Properties and Structural Features of Shungite (Natural Nanostructured Carbon) |journal=Physics of the Solid State |volume=55 |issue=5 |pages=995–1002 |doi=10.1134/S1063783413050107|bibcode=2013PhSS...55.1078G |s2cid=255228382 }}</ref> At a microstructural level, shungite carbon has been found to consist of an amorphous matrix that contains nanoparticles in the form of stacked [[graphene]] sheets. The stacking of these graphene sheets is described as "turbostratic" as each graphene sheet is misaligned from the adjacent sheets. Each stack has been found to contain mostly between 5 to 14 layers. Some of the stacks are found as ribbons that are often folded, sometimes forming globule or cup like structures.<ref name="Golubev_&_Antonets_2022">{{Cite journal |last1=Golubev |first1=Y.A. |last2=Antonets |first2=I.V. |date=2022 |title=Electrophysical Properties and Structure of Natural Disordered sp2 Carbon |journal=Nanomaterials |volume=12 |issue=21 |page=3797 |doi=10.3390/nano12213797|pmid=36364573 |pmc=9657770 |doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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==Uses== |
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| ⚫ | Shungite has been used since the middle of the 18th century as a pigment for paint,<ref name="Melezhik"/> and is currently sold under the names "carbon black" or "shungite natural black".<ref name="Easthaugh"/> In the 1970s, shungite was exploited in the production of an insulating material, known as ''shungisite''. Shungisite is prepared by heating rocks with low shungite concentrations to 1090–1130 °C and is used as a low density filler.<ref name="Melezhik"/> Shungite has applications in construction technologies.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mosin|first1=Oleg|last2=Ignatov|first2=Ignat | date=2012|title= Application of natural fullerene containing mineral shungite in construction industry and building technologies |journal= Nanotechnologies in Construction |volume=4|issue=6|pages=22–35}}</ref> |
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==Uses and pseudoscientific claims== |
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Shungite has been used as a folk medical treatment since the early 18th century. [[Peter the Great]] set up Russia's first [[spa]] in Karelia to make use of the purported water purifying properties of shungite. He also instigated its use in providing purified water for the Russian army.<ref name="Volfson">{{cite book|last=Volfson|first=IF |author2=Farrakhov EG |author3=Pronin AP |author4=Beiseyev OB |author5=Beiseyev AO |author6=Bogdasarov M.A. |author7=Oderova A.V. |author8=Pechenkin I.G. |author9=Khitrov A.E. |author10=Pikhur O.L. |author11=Plotkina J.V. |author12=Frank-Kamanetskya O.V. |author13=Rosseeva E.V. |author14=Denisova O.A. |author15=Chernogoryuk G.E. |author16=Baranovskya N. |author17=Rikhvanov L.P. |author18=Petrov I.M. |author19=Saghatelyan A.K. |author20=Sahakyan L.V. |author21=Menchinskaya O.V. |author22=Zangiyeva T.D |author23=Kajtukov M.Z. |author24=Uzdenova Z.H. |author25=Dorozhko A.L. |display-authors=5 |title=Medical Geology: A Regional Synthesis|editor=Selinus O. |editor2=Finkelman R.B. |editor3=Centeno J.A. |publisher=Springer|year=2011|pages=223|chapter=Medical Geology in Russia and NIS|isbn=9789048134298|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDZStwE2AXkC&q=shungite+uses&pg=PA223|accessdate=7 July 2012}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Shungite has been used since the middle of the 18th century as a pigment for paint,<ref name="Melezhik" /> and is currently sold under the names "carbon black" or "shungite natural black".<ref name="Easthaugh" /> In the 1970s, shungite was exploited in the production of an insulating material, known as ''shungisite''. Shungisite is prepared by heating rocks with low shungite concentrations to 1090–1130 °C and is used as a low density filler.<ref name="Melezhik" /> Shungite has applications in construction technologies.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mosin|first1=Oleg|last2=Ignatov|first2=Ignat | date=2012|title= Application of natural fullerene containing mineral shungite in construction industry and building technologies |journal= Nanotechnologies in Construction |volume=4|issue=6|pages=22–35}}</ref> The presence of fullerenes has resulted in shungite being of interest to researchers as a natural reservoir.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sajo |first=Ma Easter Joy |last2=Kim |first2=Cheol-Su |last3=Kim |first3=Soo-Ki |last4=Shim |first4=Kwang Yong |last5=Kang |first5=Tae-Young |last6=Lee |first6=Kyu-Jae |date=2017-08-13 |title=Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Shungite against Ultraviolet B Irradiation-Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice |url=https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2017/7340143/ |journal=Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity |language=en |volume=2017 |pages=e7340143 |doi=10.1155/2017/7340143 |issn=1942-0900 |pmc=PMC5574306 |pmid=28894510}}</ref> |
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[[Crystal healing]] [[pseudoscience]] proponents and [[5G conspiracy theories|5G conspiracy theorists]] have erroneously claimed that shungite may remove [[5G]] radiation from their vicinity more efficiently than any material of similar electrical conductivity would do.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tiffany|first=Kaitlyn|title=Something in the Air|work=[[The Atlantic]]|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/05/great-5g-conspiracy/611317/|date=13 May 2020|access-date=4 July 2020|issn=1072-7825}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Koetsier|first=John|date=28 May 2020|title=$350 '5G Bioshield' Radiation Protection Device Is A ... $6 USB Stick|work=[[Forbes.com]]|access-date=27 May 2021|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2020/05/28/350-5g-bioshield-radiation-protection-device-is-a--6-usb-stick/|quote=Other recommendations from Glastonbury? People should use Shungite, a mineral which is said to have healing powers that one “healing crystal” company says “span the board from purity to protection.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Bucci|first=Nino|date=30 October 2020|title=Conspiracy theorists forced to apologise for calling Victorian youth leader a Covid 'crisis actor'|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/31/conspiracy-theorists-forced-to-apologise-for-calling-victorian-youth-leader-a-covid-crisis-actor|access-date=27 May 2021|quote=Fernandez claims Facebook warned him his account would be restricted for posting misinformation to his page, which he also uses to promote cryptocurrency opportunities and sell shungite, a crystal which he claims prevents the effects of 5G.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Song|first=Victoria|date=3 March 2021|title=5G Conspiracy Theories Are Fueling an Entire Economy of Scammy Gadgets|work=[[Gizmodo]]|url=https://gizmodo.com/5g-conspiracy-theories-are-fueling-an-entire-economy-of-1846349071|access-date=27 May 2021|quote=Real shungite is 98% carbon, and has trace amounts of fullerenes, a type of carbon molecule that supposedly blocks electromagnetic frequencies. These pieces of jewelry or ornaments often have a much lower percentage of carbon than advertised and even lower amounts of fullerenes. There isn’t much scientific evidence backing these claims, and researching shungite primarily brings up New Age-y articles spewing quackery, with no citations to actual studies or research. The 5G stickers supposedly generate some kind of shield to protect you from 5G waves. Let us be clear: A sticker that claims to generate any type of radiation-blocking shield is pure science fiction.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=McGowan|first=Michael|date=24 February 2021|title=How the wellness and influencer crowd serve conspiracies to the masses|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/25/how-the-wellness-and-influencer-crowd-served-conspiracies-to-the-masses|access-date=27 May 2021|quote=[Fernandez] flits between long screeds about vaccinations and claims that Covid-19 is a hoax to selling products that he claims protect users from electromagnetic fields that conspiracy theorists believe are emitted by 5G towers. A shungite pyramid crystal will protect a radius of “approximately 6-7 metres”, his website claims.}}</ref> |
Shungite has been used as a folk medical treatment since the early 18th century. [[Peter the Great]] set up Russia's first [[spa]] in Karelia to make use of the purported water purifying properties of shungite. He also instigated its use in providing purified water for the Russian army.<ref name="Volfson">{{cite book|last=Volfson|first=IF |author2=Farrakhov EG |author3=Pronin AP |author4=Beiseyev OB |author5=Beiseyev AO |author6=Bogdasarov M.A. |author7=Oderova A.V. |author8=Pechenkin I.G. |author9=Khitrov A.E. |author10=Pikhur O.L. |author11=Plotkina J.V. |author12=Frank-Kamanetskya O.V. |author13=Rosseeva E.V. |author14=Denisova O.A. |author15=Chernogoryuk G.E. |author16=Baranovskya N. |author17=Rikhvanov L.P. |author18=Petrov I.M. |author19=Saghatelyan A.K. |author20=Sahakyan L.V. |author21=Menchinskaya O.V. |author22=Zangiyeva T.D |author23=Kajtukov M.Z. |author24=Uzdenova Z.H. |author25=Dorozhko A.L. |display-authors=5 |title=Medical Geology: A Regional Synthesis|editor=Selinus O. |editor2=Finkelman R.B. |editor3=Centeno J.A. |publisher=Springer|year=2011|pages=223|chapter=Medical Geology in Russia and NIS|isbn=9789048134298|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDZStwE2AXkC&q=shungite+uses&pg=PA223|accessdate=7 July 2012}}</ref> [[Crystal healing]] [[pseudoscience]] proponents and [[5G conspiracy theories|5G conspiracy theorists]] have erroneously claimed that shungite may remove [[5G]] radiation from their vicinity more efficiently than any material of similar electrical conductivity would do.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Tiffany|first=Kaitlyn|title=Something in the Air|work=[[The Atlantic]]|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/05/great-5g-conspiracy/611317/|date=13 May 2020|access-date=4 July 2020|issn=1072-7825}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Koetsier|first=John|date=28 May 2020|title=$350 '5G Bioshield' Radiation Protection Device Is A ... $6 USB Stick|work=[[Forbes.com]]|access-date=27 May 2021|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2020/05/28/350-5g-bioshield-radiation-protection-device-is-a--6-usb-stick/|quote=Other recommendations from Glastonbury? People should use Shungite, a mineral which is said to have healing powers that one “healing crystal” company says “span the board from purity to protection.}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Bucci|first=Nino|date=30 October 2020|title=Conspiracy theorists forced to apologise for calling Victorian youth leader a Covid 'crisis actor'|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/31/conspiracy-theorists-forced-to-apologise-for-calling-victorian-youth-leader-a-covid-crisis-actor|access-date=27 May 2021|quote=Fernandez claims Facebook warned him his account would be restricted for posting misinformation to his page, which he also uses to promote cryptocurrency opportunities and sell shungite, a crystal which he claims prevents the effects of 5G.}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Song|first=Victoria|date=3 March 2021|title=5G Conspiracy Theories Are Fueling an Entire Economy of Scammy Gadgets|work=[[Gizmodo]]|url=https://gizmodo.com/5g-conspiracy-theories-are-fueling-an-entire-economy-of-1846349071|access-date=27 May 2021|quote=Real shungite is 98% carbon, and has trace amounts of fullerenes, a type of carbon molecule that supposedly blocks electromagnetic frequencies. These pieces of jewelry or ornaments often have a much lower percentage of carbon than advertised and even lower amounts of fullerenes. There isn’t much scientific evidence backing these claims, and researching shungite primarily brings up New Age-y articles spewing quackery, with no citations to actual studies or research. The 5G stickers supposedly generate some kind of shield to protect you from 5G waves. Let us be clear: A sticker that claims to generate any type of radiation-blocking shield is pure science fiction.}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=McGowan|first=Michael|date=24 February 2021|title=How the wellness and influencer crowd serve conspiracies to the masses|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/25/how-the-wellness-and-influencer-crowd-served-conspiracies-to-the-masses|access-date=27 May 2021|quote=[Fernandez] flits between long screeds about vaccinations and claims that Covid-19 is a hoax to selling products that he claims protect users from electromagnetic fields that conspiracy theorists believe are emitted by 5G towers. A shungite pyramid crystal will protect a radius of “approximately 6-7 metres”, his website claims.}}</ref> As with all hydrocaron deposits, shungites may concentrate toxic heavy metals which are readily [[Leaching (chemistry)|leached]] into water when used to filter drinking water.<ref name=":5" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Oil shale]] |
*[[Oil shale]] |
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*[[Pyrobitumen]] |
*[[Pyrobitumen]] |
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*[[Hydrocarbon]] |
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*[[Pseudoscience]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 21:09, 17 December 2023
Shungite a name used to refer to either a diverse group of metamorphosed Precambrian rocks all of which contain solid bitumen, solid bitumen itself identified in those rocks.[1] It was first described from a deposit near Shunga village, in Karelia, Russia, from where it gets its name. Shungite is most notable for pseudoscientific and quack medical claims about its uses in medicine and technology, where it is claimed to have properties ranging from nebulous health benefits to blocking 5G radiation.[2][3][4][5][6] These claims frequently focus on the reputed benefits of fullerenes contained in shungite, which are found in concentrations of 1 to 10 parts per million.[7][8][9] Despite it's purported health benefits, shungite contains toxic heavy metals such as lead and cadmium and can pose a health risk when used as an alternative medicine.[10]
Occurrence
Shungite has to date mainly been found in Russia. The main deposit is in the Lake Onega area of Karelia, at Zazhoginskoye, near Shunga, with another occurrence at Vozhmozero.[8] Two other much smaller occurrences have been reported in Russia, one in Kamchatka in volcanic rocks and the other formed by the burning of spoil from a coal mine at high temperature in Chelyabinsk.[11] Other occurrences have been described from Austria, India, Democratic Republic of Congo[8] and Kazakhstan.[12]
Terminology
The term "shungite" has evolved substantially since was originally used in 1879 to describe a black substance with more than 98 percent carbon found in veins near its type locality of Shunga. More recently the term has also been used to describe a wide variety of rocks containing similar carbon layers, leading to some confusion. In scientific usage, shungite refers to a mineraloid which contains >98% carbon, and is used as a modifier to the host-rock's name, i.e. "shungite-bearing dolostone."[13] In popular usage shungite-bearing rocks are sometimes themselves referred to as shungite. Shungite is subdivided into bright, semi-bright, semi-dull and dull on the basis of its lustre.[14]
Shungite has two main modes of occurrence, disseminated within the host rock and as apparently mobilised material. Migrated shungite, which is bright (lustrous) shungite, has been interpreted to represent migrated hydrocarbons and is found as either layer shungite, layers or lenses near conformable with the host rock layering, or vein shungite, which is found as cross-cutting veins. Shungite may also occur as clasts within younger sedimentary rocks.[13]
Formation and structure
Shungite had historically been regarded as an example of abiogenic petroleum formation,[14] but its biological origin has now been confirmed.[13] Non-migrated shungite is found directly stratigraphically above deposits that were formed in a shallow water carbonate shelf to non-marine evaporitic environment. The shungite bearing sequence is thought to have been deposited during active rifting, consistent with the alkaline volcanic rocks that are found within the sequence. The organic-rich sediments were likely deposited in a brackish lagoonal setting. The concentration of carbon indicates elevated biological productivity levels, possibly due to high levels of nutrients available from interbedded volcanic material.[13]
The stratified shungite-bearing deposits that retain sedimentary structures are interpreted as metamorphosed oil source rocks. Some diapiric mushroom-shaped structures have been identified, which are interpreted as possible mud volcanoes. Layer and vein shungite varieties, and shungite filling vesicles and forming the matrix to breccias, are interpreted as migrated petroleum, now in the form of metamorphosed bitumen.[13] Solid-bitumen shungite is predomenantly amorphous, though as with many carbon deposits it contains trace amounts of carbon allotropes such as graphene sheets and fullerenes.[15]
Shunga deposit
The Shunga deposit contains an estimated total carbon reserve of more than 250 gigatonnes. It is found within a sequence of Palaeoproterozoic meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic rocks that are preserved in a synform. The sequence has been dated by a gabbro intrusion, which gives a date of 1980±27 Ma, and the underlying dolomites, which give an age of 2090±70 Ma. There are nine shungite-bearing layers within the Zaonezhskaya Formation, from the middle of the preserved sequence. Of these the thickest is layer six, which is also known as the "Productive horizon", due to its concentration of shungite deposits. Four main deposits are known from the area, the Shungskoe, Maksovo, Zazhogino and Nigozero deposits. The Shungskoe deposit is the most studied and is largely depleted.[13]
Uses and pseudoscientific claims
Shungite has been used since the middle of the 18th century as a pigment for paint,[13] and is currently sold under the names "carbon black" or "shungite natural black".[11] In the 1970s, shungite was exploited in the production of an insulating material, known as shungisite. Shungisite is prepared by heating rocks with low shungite concentrations to 1090–1130 °C and is used as a low density filler.[13] Shungite has applications in construction technologies.[16] The presence of fullerenes has resulted in shungite being of interest to researchers as a natural reservoir.[17]
Shungite has been used as a folk medical treatment since the early 18th century. Peter the Great set up Russia's first spa in Karelia to make use of the purported water purifying properties of shungite. He also instigated its use in providing purified water for the Russian army.[18] Crystal healing pseudoscience proponents and 5G conspiracy theorists have erroneously claimed that shungite may remove 5G radiation from their vicinity more efficiently than any material of similar electrical conductivity would do.[2][3][4][5][6] As with all hydrocaron deposits, shungites may concentrate toxic heavy metals which are readily leached into water when used to filter drinking water.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Jehlička, J.; Rouzaud, J.-N. (1993), Parnell, John; Kucha, Henryk; Landais, P. (eds.), "Transmission Electron Microscopy of Carbonaceous Matter in Precambrian Shungite from Karelia", Bitumens in Ore Deposits, Special Publication of the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 53–60, doi:10.1007/978-3-642-85806-2_4, ISBN 978-3-642-85806-2, retrieved 2023-12-17
- ^ a b Tiffany, Kaitlyn (13 May 2020). "Something in the Air". The Atlantic. ISSN 1072-7825. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- ^ a b Koetsier, John (28 May 2020). "$350 '5G Bioshield' Radiation Protection Device Is A ... $6 USB Stick". Forbes.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
Other recommendations from Glastonbury? People should use Shungite, a mineral which is said to have healing powers that one "healing crystal" company says "span the board from purity to protection.
- ^ a b Bucci, Nino (30 October 2020). "Conspiracy theorists forced to apologise for calling Victorian youth leader a Covid 'crisis actor'". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
Fernandez claims Facebook warned him his account would be restricted for posting misinformation to his page, which he also uses to promote cryptocurrency opportunities and sell shungite, a crystal which he claims prevents the effects of 5G.
- ^ a b Song, Victoria (3 March 2021). "5G Conspiracy Theories Are Fueling an Entire Economy of Scammy Gadgets". Gizmodo. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
Real shungite is 98% carbon, and has trace amounts of fullerenes, a type of carbon molecule that supposedly blocks electromagnetic frequencies. These pieces of jewelry or ornaments often have a much lower percentage of carbon than advertised and even lower amounts of fullerenes. There isn't much scientific evidence backing these claims, and researching shungite primarily brings up New Age-y articles spewing quackery, with no citations to actual studies or research. The 5G stickers supposedly generate some kind of shield to protect you from 5G waves. Let us be clear: A sticker that claims to generate any type of radiation-blocking shield is pure science fiction.
- ^ a b McGowan, Michael (24 February 2021). "How the wellness and influencer crowd serve conspiracies to the masses". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
[Fernandez] flits between long screeds about vaccinations and claims that Covid-19 is a hoax to selling products that he claims protect users from electromagnetic fields that conspiracy theorists believe are emitted by 5G towers. A shungite pyramid crystal will protect a radius of "approximately 6-7 metres", his website claims.
- ^ Sajo, Ma. Easter Joy; Kim, Cheol-Su; Kim, Soo-Ki; Shim, Kwang Yong; Kang, Tae-Young; Lee, Kyu-Jae (2017). "Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Shungite against Ultraviolet B Irradiation-Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice". Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017: 1–11. doi:10.1155/2017/7340143. ISSN 1942-0900. PMC 5574306. PMID 28894510.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ a b c Mindat.org. "Shungite". Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ^ Reznikov, V.A.; PolekhovskiÏ (6 March 2000). "Amorphous shungite carbon: A natural medium for the formation of fullerenes" (PDF). Technical Physics Letters. 8. 26 (2000): 689–693. Bibcode:2000TePhL..26..689R. doi:10.1134/1.1307814. S2CID 51999111. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
- ^ a b Jurgelane, Inga; Locs, Janis (2020-11-25). "Shungite application for treatment of drinking water – is it the right choice?". Journal of Water and Health. 19 (1): 89–96. doi:10.2166/wh.2020.139. ISSN 1477-8920.
- ^ a b Easthaugh, N.; Walsh V.; Chaplin T.; Siddall R. (2008). Pigment Compendium: A Dictionary and Optical Microscopy of Historic Pigments. Routledge. p. 345. ISBN 9780750689809. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
- ^ Efremova, S.V. (2006). "Water treatment with a shungite sorbent and biosorbents on its base". Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry. 79 (3): 397–402. doi:10.1134/s1070427206030128. S2CID 92934431. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Melezhik, V.A.; Filippov M.M.; Romashkin A.E. (2004). "A giant Palaeoproterozoic deposit of shungite in NW Russia: genesis and practical applications". Ore Geology Reviews. 24 (1–2). Elsevier: 135–154. Bibcode:2004OGRv...24..135M. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2003.08.003.
- ^ a b Mastarlez, M.; Glikson M.; Stankiewicz B.A.; Volkova I.B.; Bustin R.M. (2000). "Organic and mineral matter in a Precambrian shungite from Karelia, Russia". In Glikson M. & Mastarlez M. (ed.). Organic Matter and Mineralisation: Thermal Alteration, Hydrocarbon Generation, and Role in Metallogenesis. Springer. pp. 102–116. ISBN 9780412733307. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ^ Golubev, Y.A.; Antonets, I.V. (2022). "Electrophysical Properties and Structure of Natural Disordered sp2 Carbon". Nanomaterials. 12 (21): 3797. doi:10.3390/nano12213797. PMC 9657770. PMID 36364573.
- ^ Mosin, Oleg; Ignatov, Ignat (2012). "Application of natural fullerene containing mineral shungite in construction industry and building technologies". Nanotechnologies in Construction. 4 (6): 22–35.
- ^ Sajo, Ma Easter Joy; Kim, Cheol-Su; Kim, Soo-Ki; Shim, Kwang Yong; Kang, Tae-Young; Lee, Kyu-Jae (2017-08-13). "Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Shungite against Ultraviolet B Irradiation-Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice". Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017: e7340143. doi:10.1155/2017/7340143. ISSN 1942-0900. PMC 5574306. PMID 28894510.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Volfson, IF; Farrakhov EG; Pronin AP; Beiseyev OB; Beiseyev AO; et al. (2011). "Medical Geology in Russia and NIS". In Selinus O.; Finkelman R.B.; Centeno J.A. (eds.). Medical Geology: A Regional Synthesis. Springer. p. 223. ISBN 9789048134298. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
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