Types of zinc
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Types of Zinc: An Overview
Nonsulfide Zinc Deposits
Supergene Nonsulfide Zinc Deposits
Supergene nonsulfide zinc deposits are the most common type of nonsulfide zinc deposits and are found worldwide. These deposits typically form in carbonate host rocks due to the high reactivity of carbonate minerals with acidic, oxidized, zinc-rich fluids. The formation of these deposits depends on several factors, including the size and mineralogy of the preexisting zinc occurrence, vertical displacement of the water table, rate of water table descent, wall-rock fracture density, and a suitable neutralizing trap site. There are three subtypes of supergene nonsulfide zinc deposits: direct replacement, wall-rock replacement, and residual and karst-fill deposits.
Hypogene Nonsulfide Zinc Deposits
Hypogene nonsulfide zinc deposits are less well-known due to fewer examples. They are divided into two major subtypes: structurally controlled replacement bodies and manganese-rich, exhalative stratiform bodies. Structurally controlled bodies contain willemite and variable amounts of sphalerite, are hematitic, and are generally associated with hydrothermal dolomitization. Stratiform, manganese-rich nonsulfide zinc deposits appear to be end members of a spectrum that includes base metal-poor stratiform manganese deposits and sulfide-dominant Broken Hill-type deposits. These deposits form due to the mixing of a reduced, low- to moderate-temperature zinc-rich, sulfur-poor fluid with an oxidized, sulfur-poor fluid.
Zinc in Biochemical Sites
Structural Zinc Sites
Structural zinc sites are characterized by having four protein ligands and no bound water molecule. Cysteine (Cys) is the preferred ligand in these sites. These sites are crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of proteins.
Catalytic Zinc Sites
Catalytic zinc sites generally form complexes with water and three nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur donors, with histidine (His) being the predominant amino acid. Water is always a ligand in these sites, which are essential for the catalytic activity of enzymes.
Cocatalytic Zinc Sites
Cocatalytic zinc sites contain two or three metals in close proximity, often bridged by a side chain moiety of a single amino acid residue such as aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), or histidine (His), and sometimes a water molecule. Asp and His are the preferred amino acids for these sites. These sites are important for the cooperative function of multiple metal ions in enzymatic reactions.
Protein Interface Zinc Sites
A fourth type of zinc binding site, known as the protein interface, involves zinc sites formed from ligands supplied by amino acid residues residing in the binding surface of two proteins. These sites usually have the coordination properties of catalytic or structural zinc binding sites and play a role in the quaternary structure of proteins.
Zinc Nanoparticles in Agriculture
Interaction with Plants
Zinc is an essential micronutrient for plants, embedding itself into enzymes associated with proteosynthesis and energy processes. It is necessary for maintaining the integrity of biomembranes and plays a significant role in the development of seeds and generative organs. Recent research has focused on the interaction of zinc nanoparticles with plants, revealing both positive and negative effects. Understanding the uptake and assimilation of zinc nanoparticles in plants could lead to their wider use in agriculture, potentially improving crop yields and plant health.
Conclusion
Zinc exists in various forms and plays multiple roles in both geological and biological contexts. Nonsulfide zinc deposits, including supergene and hypogene types, are significant for mining and exploration. In biological systems, zinc is crucial for structural, catalytic, cocatalytic, and protein interface sites, influencing numerous metabolic processes. Additionally, zinc nanoparticles hold promise for agricultural applications, highlighting the diverse and essential nature of this element.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic