Marcasite precipitation from hydrothermal solutions

Pyrite and marcasite were precipitated by both slow addition of aqueous Fe²⁺ and SiO₃²⁻ to an H₂S solution and by mixing aqueous Fe²⁺ and Na₂S₄ solutions at 75°C. H₂S₂ or HS₂⁻ and H₂S₄ or HS₄⁻ were formed in the S₂O₃²⁻ and Na₂S₄ experiments, respectively. Marcasite formed at pH < pK₁ of the polysulfide species present (for H₂S₂, pK₁ = 5.0; for H₂S₄, pK₁ = 3.8 at 25°C). Marcasite forms when the neutral sulfane is the dominant polysulfide, whereas pyrite forms when mono-or divalent polysulfides are dominant. In natural solutions where H₂S₂ and HS₂ are likely to be the dominant polysulfides, marcasite will form only below pH 5 at all temperatures.

The pH-dependent precipitation of pyrite and marcasite may be caused by electrostatic interactions between polysulfide species and pyrite or marcasite growth surfaces: the protonated ends of H₂S₂ and HS₂ are repelled from pyrite growth sites but not from marcasite growth sites. The negative ions HS₂ and S₂²⁻ are strongly attracted to the positive pyrite growth sites. Masking of 1π_g^* electrons in the S₂ group by the protons makes HS₂ and H₂S₂ isoelectronic with AsS²⁻ and As₂²⁻, respectively ( et al., 1981). Thus, the loellingitederivative structure (marcasite) results when both ends of the polysulfide are protonated.

Marcasite occurs abundantly only for conditions below pH 5 and where H₂S₂ was formed near the site of deposition by either partial oxidation of aqueous H₂S by O₂ or by the reaction of higher oxidation state sulfur species that are reactive with H₂S at the conditions of formation e.g., S₂O₃²⁻ but not SO₄²⁻. The temperature of formation of natural marcasite may be as high as 240°C ( and , 1985), but preservation on a multimillion-year scale seems to require post-depositional temperatures of below about 160°C ( , 1973; and , 1985).     

Antimony in hydrothermal processes: solubility, conditions of transfer, and metal-bearing capacity of solutions

Based on data on the composition of ore-bearing hydrothermal solutions and parameters of ore-forming processes at various antimony and antimony-bearing deposits, which were obtained in studies of fluid inclusions in ore minerals, we investigated the behavior of Sb(III) in the system Sb–Cl–H₂S–H₂O describing the formation of these deposits.

We also performed thermodynamic modeling of native-antimony and stibnite dissolution in sulfide (m_HS⁻ = 0.0001−0.1) and chloride (m_Cl⁻ = 0.1−5) solutions and the joint dissolution of Sb_(s)⁰ and Sb₂S_3(s) in sulfide-chloride solution (m_HS⁻ = 0.01; m_Cl⁻ = 1) depending on Eh, pH, and temperature. All thermodynamic calculations were carried out using the Chiller computer program. Under the above conditions, stibnite precipitates in acid, weakly acid to neutral, and medium redox solutions, whereas native antimony precipitates before stibnite under more reducing conditions in neutral to alkaline solutions.

The metal-bearing capacity of hydrothermal solutions (200–250 °C) of different compositions and origins has been predicted. We have established that the highest capacity is specific for acid (pH = 2–3) high-chloride solutions poor in sulfide sulfur and alkaline (pH = 7–8) low-chloride low-sulfide solutions.     

Early diagenetic reactions in interbedded pelagic and turbiditic sediments in the Nares Abyssal Plain (western North Atlantic): Consequences for the composition of sediment and interstitial water

Measured pore-water concentrations of iron in interbedded pelagic and turbiditic sediments from the Nares Abyssal Plain are in excellent agreement with sediment colour and measured redox potential. The organic carbon content of these sediments appears to define the redox conditions and consequently the porewater and solid-phase concentration of constituents that are involved in early diagenetic reactions. In the turbiditic sediments the concentration of NO₃⁻ generally goes to zero within a sediment depth of 1 m, whereas at 8 m in a pelagic core from the same area the concentration of NO₃⁻ is still higher than it is in the bottom water. The pore-water concentration of Mn²⁺ in the turbiditic sediments increases sharply down to a depth of approximately 3 m and from thereon remains nearly constant due to saturation with respect to Mn, Ca-CO₃. The pore water of the turbiditic sediments is also saturated with respect to calcite. The few “diagenetic spikes” in the pore-water concentration of NO₃⁻ and Mn²⁺ and the concentration/depth profile of dissolved iron, H₄SiO₄ and phosphate all clearly demonstrate the inhomogeneous nature of interbedded pelagic and turbiditic sediments. The simultaneous occurrence of peaks of dissolved iron/silica and of sediment intervals with a relatively high organic carbon content is attributed to enhanced early diagenetic reactions associated with the decomposition of organic matter in these specific intervals. Linked with these reactions is the irregular pore-water concentration of phosphate, which is shown to originate partly from the oxidation of organic matter, but mainly from the desorption of phosphate from iron oxide. Potential concentrations of phosphate are calculated from the stoichiometric early diagenetic reactions and compared with measured concentrations. Due to the unique combination of low porosity and relatively high sedimentation rates, the sediments from the Nares Abyssal Plain are an ideal basis for the study of such interbedded sequences of pelagic and turbiditic deposits.     

CO2 production in tar sand reservoirs under in situ steam temperatures: Reactive calcite dissolution

Recovery of highly viscous oil from some of the deeper oil sand deposits of northern Alberta, Canada, is made possible through injection of heat by steam or hot water flooding of the reservoirs. The rise in temperature lowers the viscosity of the bitumen allowing it to be produced. The increase in temperature accelerates the reactions between the matrix and pore minerals of the formation and can produce reaction products which can significantly alter the permeability of the reservoir. If carbonate minerals are present in the reservoir, inorganic CO₂ may also be a reaction product.

The Grand Rapids reservoir consists of relatively clean quartz sand containing 7 wt.% kaolinite, 1 wt.% calcite and a trace of smectite. Core floods of this sand by a neutral NaCl brine at 265°C, 8.2-MPa overburden pressure, 6.0-MPa fluid pressure and a flow velocity of 0.4 pore volumes per hour were used to determine the potential for hydrothermal reactions between clays and carbonate minerals in a natural reservoir sand. Reaction progress was followed by continuous sampling of the production fluids. The produced water was analyzed and the phase chemistry was calculated back to the run conditions using the computer code SOLMNEQF.

Mass-balance considerations on produced total inorganic carbon (TIC) show that calcite broke down very quickly, the maximum in CO₂ production occurring after only one pore volume of fluid had passed through the core. The Ca released from the breakdown of calcite was incorporated in the formation of smectite as was shown by post-run clay mineral analysis by the following unbalanced chemical reaction:

calcite+kaolinite+H₄Si04Ca-smectite+H₂0+CO₂

Silica was supplied by the dissolution of quartz. Silica concentrations analyzed in the production fluid were depressed from those predicted by previously published quartz rate equations because of the rapid rate of smectite synthesis.

These observations were used to formulate the following model for the passage of the first pore volume of NaCl brine through the core. Initially calcite is present throughout the core. As the brine enters the inlet of the core, it equilibrates with calcite. The brine remains in equilibrium with calcite throughout the core as quartz and kaolinite react to form smectite. This model was tested with the computer code PATH.UBC using CO₂ production as a measure of the progress variable ξ. A best fit was achieved to the produced fluid chemistry by varying relative dissolution rates of kaolinite and quatz and varying the suppression of precipitation of certain minerals.     

Solubility of silica polymorphs in electrolyte solutions, I. Activity coefficient of aqueous silica from 25° to 250°C, Pitzer''s parameterisation

Within the framework of Pitzer's specific interaction model, interaction parameters for aqueous silica in concentrated electrolyte solutions have been derived from Marshall and co-authors amorphous silica solubility measurements. The values, at 25°C, of the Pitzer interaction parameter (λ_SiO2(aq)−i) determined in this study are the following: 0.092 (i = Na⁺), 0.032 (K⁺), 0.165 (Li⁺), 0.292 (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), −0.139 (SO₄²⁻), and −0.009 (NO₃⁻). A set of polynomial equations has been derived which can be used to calculate λ_SiO2(aq)−i for these ions at any temperature up to 250°C. A linear relationship between the aqueous silica-ion interaction parameters (λ_SiO2(aq)−i) and the surface electrostatic field (Z_i/r_e,i) of ions was obtained. This empirical equation can be used to estimate, in first approximation, λ_SiO2(aq)−i if no measurements are available. From this parameterisation, the calculated activity coefficient of aqueous silica is 2.52 at 25°C and 1.45 at 250°C in 5 m NaCl solution. At lower concentrations, e.g. 2 m NaCl, the activity coefficient of silica is 1.45 at 25°C and 1.2 at 250°C. Hence, in practice, it is necessary to take into account the activity coefficient of aqueous silica (λ_SiO2(aq)≠1) in hydrothermal solutions and basinal brines where the ionic strength exceeds 1. A comparison of measured [Marshall, W.L., Chen, C.-T.A., 1982. Amorphous silica solubilities, V. Prediction of solubility behaviour in aqueous mixed electrolyte solutions to 300°C. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 46, 289–291.] and computed amorphous silica solubility, using this parameterisation, shows a good agreement. Because the effect of individual ions on silicate and silica polymorph solubilities are additive, the present study has permitted to derive Pitzer interaction parameters that allow a precise computation of γ_SiO2(aq) in the Na---K---Ca---Mg---Cl---SO₄---HCO₃---SiO₂---H₂O system, over a large range of salt concentrations and up to temperatures of 250°C.     

Coupled redox transformations of catechol and cerium at the surface of a cerium(III) phosphate mineral

Highly insoluble Ce-bearing phosphate minerals form by weathering of apatite [Ca₅(PO₄)₃.(OH,F,Cl)], and are important phosphorous repositories in soils. Although these phases can be dissolved via biologically-mediated pathways, the dissolution mechanisms are poorly understood. In this paper we report spectroscopic evidence to support coupling of redox transformations of organic carbon and cerium during the reaction of rhabdophane (CePO₄·H₂O) and catechol, a ubiquitous biogenic compound, at pH 5. Results show that the oxic–anoxic conditions influence the mineral dissolution behavior. Under anoxic conditions, the release of P and Ce occurs stoichiometrically. In contrast, under oxic conditions, the mineral dissolution behavior is incongruent, with dissolving Ce³⁺ ions oxidizing to CeO₂. Reaction product analysis shows the formation of CO₂, polymeric C, and oxalate and malate. The presence of more complex forms of organic carbon was also confirmed. Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy measurements at Ce-M_4,5 and C-K absorption edges on reacted CePO₄·H₂O samples in the absence or presence of catechol and dissolved oxygen confirm that (1) the mineral surface converts to the oxide during this reaction, while full oxidation is limited to the near-surface region only; (2) the Ce valence remains unchanged when the reaction between CePO₄·H₂O and O₂ but in the absence of catechol. Carbon K-edge spectra acquired from rhabdophane reacted with catechol under oxic conditions show spectral features before and after reaction that are considerably different from catechol, indicating the formation of more complex organic molecules. Decreases in intensity of characteristic catechol peaks are accompanied by the appearance of new π^* resonances due to carbon in carboxyl (ca. 288.5 eV) and carbonyl (ca. 289.3 eV) groups, and the development of broad structure in the σ^* region characteristic of aliphatic carbon. Evolution of the C K-edge spectra is consistent with aromatic-ring cleavage and polymerization. These results further substantiate that the presence of catechol, O₂ (aq) causes both the oxidation of structural Ce³⁺ and the transformation of catechol to more complex organic molecules. Scanning Transmission X-Ray Microscopy measurements at the C K and Ce M_4,5 edges indicate three dominant organic species, varying in complexity and association with the inorganic phase. Untransformed catechol is loosely associated with CeO₂, whereas more complex organic molecules that exhibit lower aromaticity and stronger CO π^* resonances of carboxyl-C and carbonyl-C groups are only found in association with the grains. These results further serve as basis to postulate that, in the presence of O₂, CeO₂ can mediate the oxidative polymerization of catechol to form higher molecular weight polymers. The present work provides evidence for a pathway of biologically-induced, non-enzymatic oxidation of cerium and formation of small CeO₂ particles at room temperature. These findings may have implications for carbon cycling in natural and cerium-contaminated soils and aqueous environments.     

煤基CO2地质封存对顶板裂缝导流能力影响实验研究

煤基CO₂地质封存是温室气体减排的重要方式,但也存在地下CO₂泄露的安全风险。为了评估煤基CO₂地质封存的安全性,采集沁水盆地南部胡底矿3号煤顶板泥质粉砂岩样品,模拟实验研究“CO₂-H₂O-岩”反应中柱状试样人工裂缝形貌、全岩矿物组成与CO₂导流能力变化。结果表明:方解石脉溶蚀、次生矿物充填与外部有效应力共同影响试样裂缝导流能力。原始渗透率为0.016×10–3μm2的低渗试样,方解石脉溶蚀导致实验前期渗透率升高;随着反应进行,有效应力主导下裂缝闭合,渗透率呈“先升后降”变化趋势;原始渗透率为3.785×10–3μm2的高渗试样,H₂CO₃不断溶蚀裂缝壁面长石等矿物,并产生高岭石等次生矿物混合充填于裂缝中,使渗透率持续降低。煤基CO₂地质封存过程中,较高的注入压力导致顶板产生人工裂缝;CO₂注入施工结束后,次生矿物充填及有效应力增大使裂缝导流能力快速下降,因此,煤中封存CO₂沿顶板裂缝长期泄露的风险较低。      

A hydrothermal investigation of the system FeO, Fe2O3, TiO2

Phase relations in the system FeO---Fe₂O₃---TiO₂, at temperatures ranging between 300°C and 700°C, have been investigated experimentally with special refference to the reaction Fe₃O₄ + TiO₂ = Fe₂O₃ + FeTiO₃. Pressure was varied between 500 and 2000 bars but its effect was negligible. Magnetite and rutile are the stable assemblage at temperatures above 550 dgC, and hematite and ilmenite are stable for lower temperatures. The equilibrium oxygen fugacity is estimated to be 10^−17.5 bars at equilibrium temperature. It is suggested that intermediate hematite-ilmenite solid solutions are inhomogeneous, consisting of ‘domains’ of hematite and ilmenite. The ‘domains’ are too small to be resolved by X-ray diffraction techniques. The top of the solvus curve in the hematite-ilmenite solution corresponds to a temperature of 660°C. Regular solution theory is not applicable to the solid solution.     

Flotation Separation of Trace Elements from Alkaline-Earth Matrices by Co(III) Hexamethylenedithiocarbamate before ICP-AES Determination

A method for the selective separation of Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in traces from solutions of calcite (CaCO₃), dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) and gypsum (CaSO₄.2H₂O) before their determination by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) is presented. The expected interferences of Ca and Mg on intensities of trace analytes were removed by collecting the elements of interest with cobalt(III) hexamethylenedithiocar-bamate, Co(HMDTC)₃. The flotation of aqueous solutions (1 l) of calcite, dolomite and gypsum was performed at pH 6.0, by 1.5 mg l⁻¹ Co and 0.6 mmol l⁻¹ HMDTC⁻. To minimise the effect of the reaction between Ca/Mg, which restrains the function of the surfactant, careful selection of the most suitable foaming reagent was necessary. The accuracy of the method was established by analysing natural alkaline-earth minerals by the standard addition method as well as using the dolomite reference materials GBW 07114 and GSJ JDo-1. The ICP-AES limits of detection following flotation on different minerals were found to be 0.080 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, 0.105 μg g⁻¹ for Ag, 0.142 μg g⁻¹ for Cu, 0.195 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, 0.212 μg g⁻¹ for Ni, 0.235 μg g⁻¹ for Zn and 0.450 μg g⁻¹ for Pb.     

The influence of the limestone-quarry Čertovy schody (Czech Republic) on the precipitation chemistry and atmospheric deposition

Atmospheric precipitation samples were collected in the Bohemian Karst (30 km SW from Prague, Czech Republic) at six localities in the vicinity of the limestone-quarry Čertovy schody during years 1996–2003. Samples were analyzed for major components (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, HCO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻) and trace metals (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Pb, Be, As, Sr, Cd, Al, Cr). Deposition fluxes were calculated from more than 10 000 elemental analyses of samples collected monthly. The fluxes of monitored substances show temporal and spatial variability. The most marked attribute is the strong affection by local emission sources confirmed by the investigation of seasonal variability, temporal trend and correlation analysis.     

Influence of volcanic activity on spring water chemistry at Popocatepetl Volcano, Mexico

The results of the 7 years (1994–2000) of monthly monitoring of spring water before and during eruptions show response to volcanic activity. Low salinity and temperature characterize most of the springs, which are located on the flanks of Popocatepetl Volcano. The pH ranges from 5.8 to 7.8 and temperature from 3 to 36 °C. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic data show that the water is of meteoric origin, but SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, F⁻, HCO₃⁻, B, and SO₄²⁻/Cl⁻ variations precede main eruptive activity, which is considered linked to influx of magmatic gases and acid fluids that react with sublimates and host rock and mix with the large water system. Na⁺, Ca²⁺, SiO₂ and Mg²⁺ concentrations in the water also increased before eruptive activity. The computed partial pressure of CO₂ in equilibrium with spring waters shows values higher than air-saturated water (ASW), with the highest values up to 0.73 bar of pCO₂. Boron is detected in the water only preceding the larger eruptions. When present, boron concentration is normally under health standard limits, but in two cases the concentration was slightly above. Other components are within health standard limits, except for F⁻ in one spring.     

Dissolution/precipitation kinetics of boehmite and gibbsite: Application of a pH-relaxation technique to study near-equilibrium rates

The dissolution and precipitation rates of boehmite, AlOOH, at 100.3 °C and limited precipitation kinetics of gibbsite, Al(OH)₃, at 50.0 °C were measured in neutral to basic solutions at 0.1 molal ionic strength (NaCl + NaOH + NaAl(OH)₄) near-equilibrium using a pH-jump technique with a hydrogen-electrode concentration cell. This approach allowed relatively rapid reactions to be studied from under- and over-saturation by continuous in situ pH monitoring after addition of basic or acidic titrant, respectively, to a pre-equilibrated, well-stirred suspension of the solid powder. The magnitude of each perturbation was kept small to maintain near-equilibrium conditions. For the case of boehmite, multiple pH-jumps at different starting pHs from over- and under-saturated solutions gave the same observed, first order rate constant consistent with the simple or elementary reaction: .

This relaxation technique allowed us to apply a steady-state approximation to the change in aluminum concentration within the overall principle of detailed balancing and gave a resulting mean rate constant, (2.2 ± 0.3) × 10⁻⁵ kg m⁻² s⁻¹, corresponding to a 1σ uncertainty of 15%, in good agreement with those obtained from the traditional approach of considering the rate of reaction as a function of saturation index. Using the more traditional treatment, all dissolution and precipitation data for boehmite at 100.3 °C were found to follow closely the simple rate expression:

R_net,boehmite=10^-5.485{m_OH^-}{1-exp(ΔG_r/RT)}, with R_net in units of mol m⁻² s⁻¹. This is consistent with Transition State Theory for a reversible elementary reaction that is first order in OH⁻ concentration involving a single critical activated complex. The relationship applies over the experimental ΔG_r range of 0.4–5.5 kJ mol⁻¹ for precipitation and −0.1 to −1.9 kJ mol⁻¹ for dissolution, and the pH_m ≡ −log(mH⁺) range of 6–9.6. The gibbsite precipitation data at 50 °C could also be treated adequately with the same model:R_net,gibbsite=10^-5.86{m_OH^-}{1-exp(ΔG_r/RT)}, over a more limited experimental range of ΔG_r (0.7–3.7 kJ mol⁻¹) and pH_m (8.2–9.7).     

Multisite surface reaction versus transport control during the hydrolysis of a complex oxide

Dissolution experiments of a tholeiite basalt glass carried out at different pH and T (up to 300°C) using a rotatingdisc apparatus show that, depending on pH and T, dissolution can be controlled by one of the following steps: (1) surface reaction; (2) transport of reactants in solution; and (3) mixed reaction. The activation energies of these different processes were found to be 60, 9 and 15–50 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Taking account of these results, it appears likely that surface reactions are not rate limiting for the hydrolysis of most crystalline silicate minerals in hydrothermal and metamorphic processes, and that caution should be exercised when predicting rate of reactions at high temperatures solely on the basis of activation energies measured at low temperatures.

Comparison of experimental and theoretical potentiometric titrations of the basalt glass and its constituent oxides indicates that the adsorption of H⁺ and OH⁻ ions at the basalt surface is metal cation specific and that the net adsorption can be predicted from the sole knowledge of the acidity constants of the network-forming constituent oxides. We found that in the acidic pH region dissolution is promoted by the adsorption of H⁺ on al and Fe surface sites while in the basic region, dissolution is promoted by the adsorption of OH⁻ on Si sites. The combination of the two distinct types of surface sites, Al and Fe on the one hand, and Si on the other hand, results in a dissolution rate minimum at a pH-value between the pH_zpc of the two groups of oxide components. Linear regressions with a slope n=3.8 are observed both in acid and alkaline solutions in logarithmic plots of the rate of dissolution vs. the surface charge. The value of n, which represents the number of protonation or hydroxylation steps prior to metal detachment, has been found equal to the mean valence of the network-forming metals.

Combining concepts of surface coordination chemistry with transition state theory afforded characterisation of the activated complexes involved in basalt dissolution processes. From the values obtained for the thermodynamic properties of activation for basalt dissolution it is assumed that the activated complexes formed during the H₂O-promoted dissolution of the basalt glass are more tightly bonded than those formed during H⁺- or OH⁻-promoted dissolution.     

Comprehensive chemical analyses of natural cordierites: implications for exchange mechanisms

Cordierite samples from pegmatites and metamorphic rocks have been analysed for major [electron microprobe analysis (EMPA)] and trace elements [inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses (SIMS)] as well as for H₂O and CO₂ (coulometric titration), and the results evaluated in conjunction with published data in order to determine which exchange mechanisms are significant. Apart from the homovalent substitutions FeMg₋₁ and MnMg₋₁ on the octahedral site, some minor KNa₋₁ on the Ch0 channel site, and Fe³⁺Al₋₁ on the T₁1 tetrahedral site, the three most important substitution mechanisms are those for the incorporation of Li on the octahedral sites (NaLi□₋₁Mg₋₁), and of Be and other divalent cations on the tetrahedral T₁1 site (NaBe□₋₁Al₋₁ and Na(Mg,Fe²⁺)□₋₁Al₋₁). The dominant role of the last vector is clearly demonstrated. We propose a new generalized formula for cordierite: ^Ch(Na,K)_0–1 ^VI(Mg,Fe²⁺,Mn,Li)₂ ^IVSi₅ ^IVAl₃ ^IV(Al, Be, Mg, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺)O₁₈ *x^Ch(H₂O, CO₂…). Our results show that the population of (Mg, Fe²⁺) on the T₁1-site is limited to about 0.08 a.p.f.u. Other exchange mechanisms that were encountered in experiments operate only under P–T conditions or in bulk compositions that are rarely realized in nature. Routine analyses by electron microprobe in which Li and Be are not determined can be plotted as (Mg+Fe+Mn) versus (Si+Al) to assess whether significant amounts of Li and Be could be present. These amounts can be calculated as Li (a.p.f.u.)=Al+Na–4 and Be (a.p.f.u.)=10–2Al–M²⁺–Na.     

Comparative study of the kinetics and mechanisms of dissolution of carbonate minerals

The influence of pH on the rate of dissolution of various carbonates (calcite, aragonite, witherite, magnesite and dolomite) has been investigated at 25°C using a continuous fluidized bed reactor. The general rate dependence on pH observed for the simple carbonates is very similar and is in agreement with the results observed for calcite and aragonite by L.N. Plummer and coworkers. However, the rate of dissolution of magnesite is approximately four orders of magnitude lower than calcite.

For simple carbonates, the elementary steps involved in the dissolution reaction are:

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where M represents the metal ion which can be Ca, Mg and Ba. According to the stoichiometry of the three reaction steps and the thermodynamic constraints, the total forward and backward rates can be expressed as:

R_f=k₁a_H+k₂a_H2CO3^*+K₃

r_b=k_-1^aM²+^aHCO₃^-+k_-2^aHCO3^-+k_{-3^aM²+^aCO3^2-}

The rate constants (k₁, k₂, k₃ and k₋₃) determined with our experimental results for calcite, aragonite and witherite show that the dissolution rates are similar for these three minerals and that the nature of the cations does not play a significant role. The good agreement between the K_sp calculated from the measured k₃/k₋₃ ratio and the theromodynamic value suggests that our dissolution mechanism is coherent.

The rate dependence on pH of the dissolution of dolomite obeys a fractional order at low pH's and confirms previously published observations therein. However, the two-step reaction mechanism proposed does not explain the fractional reaction order observed, which is likely due to a more complex surface reaction.     

Oxidative dissolution of pyritic sludge from the Aznalcóllar mine (SW Spain)

As a result of the collapse of a mine tailing dam, a large extension of the Guadiamar valley was covered with a layer of pyritic sludge. Despite the removal of most of the sludge, a small amount remained in the soil, constituting a potential risk of water contamination. The kinetics of the sludge oxidation was studied by means of laboratory flow-through experiments at different pH and oxygen pressures. The sludge is composed mainly of pyrite (76%), together with quartz, gypsum, clays, and sulphides of zinc, copper, and lead. Trace elements, such as arsenic and cadmium, also constitute a potential source of pollution. The sludge is fine grained (median of 12 μm) and exhibits a large surface (BET area of 1.4±0.2 m² g⁻¹).

The dissolution rate law of sludge obtained is r=10^{−6.1(±0.3)} [O₂(aq)]^0.41(±0.04) a_H+^0.09(±0.06) g_sludge m⁻² s⁻¹ (22 °C, pH=2.5–4.7). The dissolution rate law of pyrite obtained is r=10^{−7.8(±0.3)} [O₂(aq)]^0.50(±0.04) a_H+^0.10(±0.08) mol m⁻² s⁻¹ (22 °C, pH=2.5–4.7). Under the same experimental conditions, sphalerite dissolved faster than pyrite but chalcopyrite dissolves at a rate similar to that of pyrite. No clear dependence on pH or oxygen pressure was observed. Only galena dissolution seemed to be promoted by proton activity. Arsenic and antimony were released consistently with sulphate, except at low pH conditions under which they were released faster, suggesting that additional sources other than pyrite such as arsenopyrite could be present in the sludge. Cobalt dissolved congruently with pyrite, but Tl and Cd seemed to be related to galena and sphalerite, respectively.

A mechanism for pyrite dissolution where the rate-limiting step is the surface oxidation of sulphide to sulphate after the adsorption of O₂ onto pyrite surface is proposed.     

Gas pressures and redox reactions in geothermal fluids in Iceland

The gas and redox chemistry of 100–300 °C geothermal fluids in Iceland has been studied as a function of fluid temperature and fluid composition. The partial pressures of CO₂ in dilute (mCl<500 ppm) and saline (mCl>500 ppm) geothermal fluids above 200 °C are controlled by the mineral buffer clinozoisite+prehnite+calcite+quartz. Two buffers are considered to control the H₂S and H₂ partial pressures above 200 °C depending on fluid salinity, epidote+prehnite+pyrite+pyrrhotite for dilute fluids and pyrite+prehnite+quartz+magnetite+anhydrite+clinozoisite+quartz for saline fluids. Below 200 °C, the partial pressures of CO₂, H₂S and H₂ also seem to be buffered but other minerals must be involved. Zeolites are expected to replace prehnite and epidote. Redox potential calculated on the assumption of equilibrium for the H⁺/H₂ redox couple decreases in dilute geothermal fluids with increasing temperature from about −0.5 V at 100 °C to −0.8 V at 300 °C, whereas saline geothermal fluids at 250 °C display a redox potential of about −0.45 V. A systematic discrepancy between redox couples of about 0.05–0.09 V is observed in the redox potential for the dilute geothermal fluids, whereas redox potentials agree within 0.02–0.04 V for saline geothermal waters. The discrepancies in the calculated redox potential for dilute geothermal fluids are thought to be due to a general lack of equilibrium between CH₄, CO₂ and H₂ and between H₂S, SO₄ and H₂. It is, accordingly, concluded that an overall equilibrium among redox species has not been reached for dilute geothermal fluids whereas it appears to be more closely approached for the saline geothermal fluids. The latter conclusion is based on limited database and should be treated with care. Since the various redox components are not in an overall equilibrium in geothermal fluids in Iceland these fluids cannot be characterised by a unique hydrogen fugacity, oxygen fugacity or redox potential at a given temperature and pressure.     

介壳生物化石矿物组合的热力学分析

本文应用化学热力学的观点分析讨论了具有正磷酸盐、方解石和文石三种矿物成分的介壳生物化石的形成顺序.从理论上清楚地解释了在介壳生物的演化过程中,磷酸盐介壳形成在先,方解石介壳形成在次,文石介壳形成在后这一地质事实。在此基础上根据活度-pH图解,定性分析了具不同矿物组合的介壳生物化石所处地质时代的海水pH条件,指出元古代末磷酸盐介壳发育时,海水的pH可能接近于6,而古生代碳酸盐介壳广泛发育时,海水的pH可能己接近或超过6.45。     

砷在石膏中固定机制:掺杂态和表面吸附沉淀态以及其在砷污染控制中的作用

石膏是矿山开采及冶炼等工业过程产生的大宗固体废弃物。工业活动产生的废液普遍有高含量的砷等有毒元素,这导致所产生的石膏也含有较高浓度的砷等有毒元素。研究砷在石膏中地球化学行为和归趋对含砷石膏的砷污染控制具有重要的理论和实际意义。然而目前对含砷石膏中不同形态的砷的定量测定和分析尚存在问题。本文在不同pH值的条件下共沉淀砷和石膏,利用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)、同步辐射X-射线吸收近边光谱(XANES)和电子顺磁共振(EPR)对石膏中掺杂态和表面吸附沉淀态的砷进行定量分析。ICP-MS的结果表明随着pH从2升高到12 和14,石膏中砷的含量由57×10^-6 增加到 67 470×10^-6和63 980×10^-6。同步辐射X-射线吸收近边光谱和电子顺磁共振光谱分析表明石膏样品中主要含有五价砷。在2≤pH≤7.5时,固体样品中同步辐射吸收边后的峰形状和掺杂态砷的形状类似,而在pH≥8时,其边后峰的形状发生明显的变化;粉末电子顺磁共振(EPR)定量分析表明在2≤pH≤7.5时砷在石膏中的含量和ICP-MS的分析结果一致,而在pH≥8时其含量明显小于ICP-MS的分析结果。这些结果揭示了在2≤pH≤7.5时,砷在石膏中主要以掺杂态的形式存在,而在pH≥8时大部分砷是以吸附态或表面沉淀的形式存在。五价砷在石膏中的含量和固定机制随着pH值的变化而变化,其研究对了解尾矿中石膏对砷污染的控制作用具有重要作用。此外,研究石膏中由辐射导致的g约为2.33的[AsO₃]^2-自由基电子顺磁共振特征峰,有助于补充和完善石膏的电子顺磁共振特征谱在地质测年及辐射剂量学中的应用。     

Crystallization kinetics of strontianite from Sr(HCO3)2 solutions

The kinetics of crystallization of strontium carbonate (strontianite) from strontium bicarbonate solutions were examined. CO₂ was stripped from a slightly acidic solution of Sr(HCO₃)₂ by stirring resulting in critical supersaturation and precipitation of strontianite. The reduction of the Sr²⁺ concentration was recorded as a function of time by measuring the electrolytic conductivity and the pH value.

Homogeneous primary nucleation is dominant at high supersaturations, whereas heterogeneous primary nucleation prevails at low supersaturations. The crystal growth rate increases with increasing supersaturation. This effect is less pronounced at higher supersaturations. The growth rate is mostly transport-controlled at high supersaturation. At lower supersaturation the crystal growth is mainly determined by integration of ions into the crystal lattice. These results may be used to explain the deposition of strontianite in natural systems.