The kinetics of oxygen exchange between the GeO4Al12(OH)24(OH2)12(aq) molecule and aqueous solutions

We report rates of oxygen exchange with bulk solution for an aqueous complex, ^IVGeO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(OH₂)₁₂⁸⁺(aq) (GeAl₁₂), that is similar in structure to both the ^IVAlO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(OH₂)₁₂⁷⁺(aq) (Al₁₃) and ^IVGaO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(OH₂)₁₂⁷⁺(aq) (GaAl₁₂) molecules studied previously. All of these molecules have ε-Keggin-like structures, but in the GeAl₁₂ molecule, occupancy of the central tetrahedral metal site by Ge(IV) results in a molecular charge of +8, rather than +7, as in the Al₁₃ and GaAl₁₂. Rates of exchange between oxygen sites in this molecule and bulk solution were measured over a temperature range of 274.5 to 289.5 K and 2.95 < pH < 4.58 using ¹⁷O-NMR.Apparent rate parameters for exchange of the bound water molecules (η-OH₂) are k_ex²⁹⁸ = 200 (±100) s⁻¹, ΔH^‡ = 46 (±8) kJ · mol⁻¹, and ΔS^‡ = −46 (±24) J · mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and are similar to those we measured previously for the GaAl₁₂ and Al₁₃ complexes. In contrast to the Al₁₃ and GaAl₁₂ molecules, we observe a small but significant pH dependence on rates of solvolysis that is not yet fully constrained and that indicates a contribution from the partly deprotonated GeAl₁₂ species.The two topologically distinct μ₂-OH sites in the GeAl₁₂ molecule exchange at greatly differing rates. The more labile set of μ₂-OH sites in the GeAl₁₂ molecule exchange at a rate that is faster than can be measured by the ¹⁷O-NMR isotopic-equilibration technique. The second set of μ₂-OH sites have rate parameters of k_ex²⁹⁸ = 6.6 (±0.2) · 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, ΔH^‡ = 82 (±2) kJ · mol⁻¹, and ΔS^‡ = −29 (±7) J · mol⁻¹ · K⁻¹, corresponding to exchanges ≈40 and ≈1550 times, respectively, more rapid than the less labile μ₂-OH sites in the Al₁₃ and GaAl₁₂ molecules. We find evidence of nearly first-order pH dependence on the rate of exchange of this μ₂-OH site with bulk solution for the GeAl₁₂ molecule, which contrasts with Al₁₃ and GaAl₁₂ molecules.     

Thermodynamics of iron oxides: Part III. Enthalpies of formation and stability of ferrihydrite (∼Fe(OH)3), schwertmannite (∼FeO(OH)3/4(SO4)1/8), and ε-Fe2O3

Enthalpies of formation of ferrihydrite and schwertmannite were measured by acid solution calorimetry in 5 N HCl at 298 K. The published thermodynamic data for these two phases and ε-Fe₂O₃ were evaluated, and the best thermodynamic data for the studied compounds were selected.Ferrihydrite is metastable in enthalpy with respect to α-Fe₂O₃ and liquid water by 11.5 to 14.7 kJ•mol⁻¹ at 298.15 K. The less positive enthalpy corresponds to 6-line ferrihydrite, and the higher one, indicating lesser stability, to 2-line ferrihydrite. In other words, ferrihydrite samples become more stable with increasing crystallinity. The best thermodynamic data set for ferrihydrite of composition Fe(OH)₃ was selected by using the measured enthalpies and (1) requiring ferrihydrite to be metastable with respect to fine-grained lepidocrocite; (2) requiring ferrihydrite to have entropy higher than the entropy of hypothetical, well-crystalline Fe(OH)₃; and (3) considering published estimates of solubility products of ferrihydrite. The ΔG°_f for 2-line ferrihydrite is best described by a range of −708.5±2.0 to −705.2±2.0 kJ•mol⁻¹, and ΔG°_f for 6-line ferrihydrite by −711.0±2.0 to −708.5±2.0 kJ•mol⁻¹.A published enthalpy measurement by acid calorimetry of ε-Fe₂O₃ was re-evaluated, arriving at ΔH°_f (ε-Fe₂O₃) = −798.0±6.6 kJ•mol⁻¹. The standard entropy (S°) of ε-Fe₂O₃ was considered to be equal to S° (γ-Fe₂O₃) (93.0±0.2 J•K⁻¹•mol⁻¹), giving ΔG°_f (ε-Fe₂O₃) = −717.8±6.6 kJ•mol⁻¹. ε-Fe₂O₃ thus appears to have no stability field, and it is metastable with respect to most phases in the Fe₂O₃-H₂O system which is probably the reason why this phase is rare in nature.Enthalpies of formation of two schwertmannite samples are: ΔH°_f (FeO(OH)_0.686(SO₄)_0.157•0.972H₂O) = −884.0±1.3 kJ•mol⁻¹, ΔH°_f (FeO(OH)_0.664(SO₄)_0.168•1.226H₂O) = −960.7±1.2 kJ•mol⁻¹. When combined with an entropy estimate, these data give Gibbs free energies of formation of −761.3 ± 1.3 and −823.3 ± 1.2 kJ•mol⁻¹ for the two samples, respectively. These ΔG_f° values imply that schwertmannite is thermodynamically favored over ferrihydrite over a wide range of pH (2-8) when the system contains even small concentration of sulfate. The stability relations of the two investigated samples can be replicated by schwertmannite of the “ideal” composition FeO(OH)_3/4(SO₄)_1/8 with ΔG°_f = −518.0±2.0 kJ•mol⁻¹.     

Solubility of cyclooctasulfur in pure water and sea water at different temperatures

The solubility of cyclooctasulfur in water and sea water at various temperatures in the range between 4 and 80 °C was determined. Cyclooctasulfur in equilibrium with rhombic sulfur reacted with hot acidic aqueous potassium cyanide to form thiocyanate anion which was measured by anion chromatography. Sulfur solubility in pure water was found to increase with temperature by more than 78 times: from 6.1 nM S₈ at 4 °C to 478 nM S₈ at 80 °C. The following thermodynamic values for solubilisation of S₈ in water were calculated from the experimental data: K° = 3.01 ± 1.04 × 10⁻⁸, ΔG_r° = 42.93 ± 0.73 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔH_r° = 47.4 ± 3.6 kJmol⁻¹, ΔS_r° = 15.0 ± 11.7 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹). Solubility of cyclooctasulfur in sea water was found to be 61 ± 13% of the solubility in pure water regardless of the temperature.     

Thermochemistry of yavapaiite KFe(SO4)2: Formation and decomposition

Yavapaiite, KFe(SO₄)₂, is a rare mineral in nature, but its structure is considered as a reference for many synthetic compounds in the alum supergroup. Several authors mention the formation of yavapaiite by heating potassium jarosite above ca. 400°C. To understand the thermal decomposition of jarosite, thermodynamic data for phases in the K-Fe-S-O-(H) system, including yavapaiite, are needed. A synthetic sample of yavapaiite was characterized in this work by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis. Based on X-ray diffraction pattern refinement, the unit cell dimensions for this sample were found to be a = 8.152 ± 0.001 Å, b = 5.151 ± 0.001 Å, c = 7.875 ± 0.001 Å, and β = 94.80°. Thermal decomposition indicates that the final breakdown of the yavapaiite structure takes place at 700°C (first major endothermic peak), but the decomposition starts earlier, around 500°C. The enthalpy of formation from the elements of yavapaiite, KFe(SO₄)₂, ΔH°_f = −2042.8 ± 6.2 kJ/mol, was determined by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. Using literature data for hematite, corundum, and Fe/Al sulfates, the standard entropy and Gibbs free energy of formation of yavapaiite at 25°C (298 K) were calculated as S°(yavapaiite) = 224.7 ± 2.0 J.mol⁻¹.K⁻¹ and ΔG°_f = −1818.8 ± 6.4 kJ/mol. The equilibrium decomposition curve for the reaction jarosite = yavapaiite + Fe₂O₃ + H₂O has been calculated, at pH₂O = 1 atm, the phase boundary lies at 219 ± 2°C.     

Hydrolysis of neptunium(V) at variable temperatures (10-85°C)

Neptunium is one of the few radioactive elements that are of great concern in the disposal of nuclear wastes in the geological repository, due to its hazards and the long half-life of the isotope, ²³⁷Np (t_1/2 = 2.14 × 10⁶ years). To understand and predict the migration behavior of neptunium in the geological media, it is of importance to study its hydrolysis at elevated temperatures, because the temperature in the waste package and the vicinity of the repository could be high. Moreover, the chemical analogy between neptunium(V) and plutonium(V) adds even greater value to this investigation, because the latter could exist at tracer levels in neutral and slightly oxidizing waters but is difficult to study due to its rather labile redox behavior.In this work, the hydrolysis of neptunium(V) was studied at variable temperatures (10 to 85°C) in tetramethylammonium chloride (1.12 mol kg⁻¹). Two hydrolyzed species of neptunium(V), NpO₂OH(aq) and NpO₂(OH)₂⁻, were identified by potentiometry and Near-IR absorption spectroscopy. The hydrolysis constants (*β_n) and enthalpy of hydrolysis (ΔH_n) for the reaction NpO₂⁺ + nH₂O = NpO₂(OH)_n⁽¹⁻ⁿ⁾⁺ + nH⁺ (n = 1 and 2) were determined by titration potentiometry and microcalorimetry. The hydrolysis constants, *β₁ and *β₂, increased by 0.8 and 3.4 orders of magnitude, respectively, as the temperature was increased from 10 to 85°C. The enhancement of hydrolysis at elevated temperatures is mainly due to the significant increase of the degree of ionization of water as the temperature is increased. The hydrolysis reactions are endothermic but become less endothermic as the temperature is increased. The heat capacities of hydrolysis, ΔC_p1 and ΔC_p2, are calculated to be −(71 ± 17) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and −(127 ± 17) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. Approximation approaches to predict the effect of temperature, including the constant enthalpy approach, the constant heat capacity approach and the DQUANT equation, have been tested with the data.     

Experimental study of the stability of aluminate-borate complexes in hydrothermal solutions

Formation of aqueous aluminate-borate complexes was characterized at 25°C using ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy, and at 50-200°C via measurements of gibbsite and boehmite solubility in the presence of boric acid. ²⁷Al spectra performed at pH = 9 in Al-B solution with m(B) = 0.02 show the presence of two peaks at 80.5 and 74.5 ppm which correspond to Al(OH)₄⁻ and a single Al-substituted Q¹_Al dimer, Al(OH)₃OB(OH)₂⁻, respectively. In 0.08 m and 0.2 m borate solution, a third peak appears at 68.5 ppm which can be assigned to the Q²_Al trimer Al(OH)₂O₂(B(OH)₂)₂⁻. These chemical shifts are close to those measured for Al(OH)₃OSi(OH)₃⁻ and Al(OH)₂O₂(Si(OH)₃)₂⁻ (74 and 69.5 ppm, respectively; Pokrovski et al., Min. Mag.62a (1998), 1194) which demonstrates the similar structure of Al-B and Al-Si complexes formed in alkaline solutions. Gibbsite and boehmite solubility were measured in weakly basic solutions as a function of boric acid concentration at 50°C and 78 to 200°C, respectively. Equilibrium was reached within several days at m(B) = 0.01-0.1, but more slowly at higher boron concentrations, and at 50°C and m(B) = 0.2, Al concentration increased continuously during at least 3 months as a result of the sluggish formation of Al-polyborates. The equilibrium constant of the reaction Al(OH)₄⁻ + B(OH)₃⁰_(aq) = Al(OH)₃OB(OH)₂⁻ + H₂O decreases very slowly with increasing temperature to 200°C. The log K values are 1.58 ± 0.10, 1.46 ± 0.10, 1.52 ± 0.15, and 1.25 ± 0.15 at 50, 78, 150 and 200°C, respectively, which result in the following values of the standard thermodynamic properties for this reaction: Δ_rG⁰ = −9.22 ± 3.25 kJ/mol, Δ_rH⁰ = −4.6 ± 2.5 kJ/mol, Δ_rS⁰ = 15.5 ± 6.9 J/mol K. The thermodynamic data generated in this study indicate that Al-B complexes can dominate aqueous aluminum speciation in solutions containing ≥0.7 g/L of boron at temperature to at least 400°C.     

Solubility of Ca6[Al(OH)6]2(CrO4)3·26H2O,the chromate analog of ettringite; 5–75°C

Ca₆[Al(OH)₆]₂(CrO₄)₃·26H₂O, the chromate analog of the sulfate mineral ettringite, was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and bulk chemical analyses. The solubility of the synthesized solid was measured in a series of dissolution and precipitation experiments conducted at 5–75°C and at initial pH values between 10.5 and 12.5. The ion activity product (IAP) for the reaction Ca₆[Al(OH)₆]₂(CrO₄)₃·26H₂O⇌6Ca²⁺+2Al(OH)⁻₄+3CrO²⁻₄+4OH⁻+26H₂O varies with pH unless a CaCrO_4(aq) complex is included in the speciation model. The log K for the formation of this complex by the reaction Ca²⁺+CrO²⁻₄=CaCrO_4(aq) was obtained by minimizing the variance in the IAP for Ca₆[Al(OH)₆]₂(CrO₄)₃·26H₂O. There is no significant trend in the formation constant with temperature and the average log K is 2.77±0.16 over the temperature range 5–75°C. The log solubility product (log K_SP) of Ca₆[Al(OH)₆]₂(CrO₄)₃·26H₂O at 25°C is −41.46±0.30. The temperature dependence of the log K_SP is log K_SP=A−B/T+D log(T) where A=498.94±48.99, B=27,499±2257, and D=−181.11±16.74. The values of ΔG⁰_r,298 and ΔH⁰_r,298 for the dissolution reaction are 236.6±3.9 and 77.5±2.4 kJ mol⁻¹. the values of ΔC⁰_P,r,298 and ΔS⁰_r,298 are −1506±140 and −534±83 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Using these values and published standard state partial molal quantities for constituent ions, ΔG⁰_f,298=−15,131±19 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔH⁰_f,298=−17,330±8.6 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS⁰₂₉₈=2.19±0.10 kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, and ΔC⁰_Pf,298=2.12±0.53 kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, were calculated.     

Abundance of mass 47 CO2 in urban air, car exhaust, and human breath

Atmospheric carbon dioxide is widely studied using records of CO₂ mixing ratio, δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O. However, the number and variability of sources and sinks prevents these alone from uniquely defining the budget. Carbon dioxide having a mass of 47 u (principally ¹³C¹⁸O¹⁶O) provides an additional constraint. In particular, the mass 47 anomaly (Δ₄₇) can distinguish between CO₂ produced by high temperature combustion processes vs. low temperature respiratory processes. Δ₄₇ is defined as the abundance of mass 47 isotopologues in excess of that expected for a random distribution of isotopes, where random distribution means that the abundance of an isotopologue is the product of abundances of the isotopes it is composed of and is calculated based on the measured ¹³C and ¹⁸O values. In this study, we estimate the δ¹³C (vs. VPDB), δ¹⁸O (vs. VSMOW), δ47, and Δ₄₇ values of CO₂ from car exhaust and from human breath, by constructing ‘Keeling plots’ using samples that are mixtures of ambient air and CO₂ from these sources. δ47 is defined as , where is the R⁴⁷ value for a hypothetical CO₂ whose δ¹³C_VPDB = 0, δ¹⁸O_VSMOW = 0, and Δ₄₇ = 0. Ambient air in Pasadena, CA, where this study was conducted, varied in [CO₂] from 383 to 404 μmol mol⁻¹, in δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O from −9.2 to −10.2‰ and from 40.6 to 41.9‰, respectively, in δ47 from 32.5 to 33.9‰, and in Δ₄₇ from 0.73 to 0.96‰. Air sampled at varying distances from a car exhaust pipe was enriched in a combustion source having a composition, as determined by a ‘Keeling plot’ intercept, of −24.4 ± 0.2‰ for δ¹³C (similar to the δ¹³C of local gasoline), δ¹⁸O of 29.9 ± 0.4‰, δ47 of 6.6 ± 0.6‰, and Δ₄₇ of 0.41 ± 0.03‰. Both δ¹⁸O and Δ₄₇ values of the car exhaust end-member are consistent with that expected for thermodynamic equilibrium at∼200 °C between CO₂ and water generated by combustion of gasoline-air mixtures. Samples of CO₂ from human breath were found to have δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values broadly similar to those of car exhaust-air mixtures, −22.3 ± 0.2 and 34.3 ± 0.3‰, respectively, and δ47 of 13.4 ± 0.4‰. Δ₄₇ in human breath was 0.76  ± 0.03‰, similar to that of ambient Pasadena air and higher than that of the car exhaust signature.     

Experimental determination of the stability and stoichiometry of sulphide complexes of silver(I) in hydrothermal solutions to 400°C

The solubility of silver sulphide (acanthite/argentite) has been measured in aqueous sulphide solutions between 25 and 400°C at saturated water vapour pressure and 500 bar to determine the stability and stoichiometry of sulphide complexes of silver(I) in hydrothermal solutions. The experiments were carried out in a flow-through autoclave, connected to a high-performance liquid chromatographic pump, titanium sampling loop, and a back-pressure regulator on line. Samples for silver determination were collected via the titanium sampling loop at experimental temperatures and pressures. The solubilities, measured as total dissolved silver, were in the range 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.30 × 10⁻⁴ mol kg⁻¹ (0.01 to 14.0 ppm), in solutions of total reduced sulphur between 0.007 and 0.176 mol kg⁻¹ and pH_T,p of 3.7 to 12.7. A nonlinear least squares treatment of the data demonstrates that the solubility of silver sulphide in aqueous sulphide solutions of acidic to alkaline pH is accurately described by the reactions0.5Ag₂S(s) + 0.5H₂S(aq) = AgHS(aq) K_s,1110.5Ag₂S(s) + 0.5H₂S(aq) + HS⁻ = Ag(HS)2− K_s,122Ag₂S(s) + 2HS⁻ = Ag₂S(HS)22− K_s,232where AgHS(aq) is the dominant species in acidic solutions, Ag(HS)2− under neutral pH conditions and Ag₂S(HS)22− in alkaline solutions. With increasing temperature the stability field of Ag(HS)2− increases and shifts to more alkaline pH in accordance with the change in the first ionisation constant of H₂S(aq). Consequently, Ag₂S(HS)22− is not an important species above 200°C. The solubility constant for the first reaction is independent of temperature to 300°C, with values in the range logK_s,111 = −5.79 (±0.07) to −5.59 (±0.09), and decreases to −5.92 (±0.16) at 400°C. The solubility constant for the second reaction increases almost linearly with inverse temperature from logK_s,122 = −3.97 (±0.04) at 25°C to −1.89 (±0.03) at 400°C. The solubility constant for the third reaction increases with temperature from logK_s,232 = −4.78 (±0.04) at 25°C to −4.57 (±0.18) at 200°C. All solubility constants were found to be independent of pressure within experimental uncertainties. The interaction between Ag⁺ and HS⁻ at 25°C and 1 bar to form AgHS(aq) has appreciable covalent character, as reflected in the exothermic enthalpy and small entropy of formation. With increasing temperature, the stepwise formation reactions become progressively more endothermic and are accompanied by large positive entropies, indicating greater electrostatic interaction. The aqueous speciation of silver is very sensitive to fluid composition and temperature. Below 100°C silver(I) sulphide complexes predominate in reduced sulphide solutions, whereas Ag⁺ and AgClOH⁻ are the dominant species in oxidised waters. In high-temperature hydrothermal solutions of seawater salinity, chloride complexes of silver(I) are most important, whereas in dilute hydrothermal fluids of meteoric origin typically found in active geothermal systems, sulphide complexes predominate. Adiabatic boiling of dilute and saline geothermal waters leads to precipitation of silver sulphide and removal of silver from solution. Conductive cooling has insignificant effects on silver mobility in dilute fluids, whereas it leads to quantitative loss of silver for geothermal fluids of seawater salinity.     

Dissolution kinetics as a function of the Gibbs free energy of reaction: An experimental study based on albite feldspar

Here we report on an experimental investigation of the relation between the dissolution rate of albite feldspar and the Gibbs free energy of reaction, ΔG_r. The experiments were carried out in a continuously stirred flow-through reactor at 150 °C and pH_(150 °C) 9.2. The dissolution rates R are based on steady-state Si and Al concentrations and sample mass loss. The overall relation between ΔG_r and R was determined over a free energy range of −150 < ΔG_r < −15.6 kJ mol⁻¹. The data define a continuous and highly non-linear, sigmoidal relation between R and ΔG_r that is characterized by three distinct free energy regions. The region furthest from equilibrium, delimited by −150 < ΔG_r < −70 kJ mol⁻¹, represents an extensive dissolution rate plateau with an average rate . In this free energy range the rates of dissolution are constant and independent of ΔG_r, as well as [Si] and [Al]. The free energy range delimited by −70 ? ΔG_r ? −25 kJ mol⁻¹, referred to as the ‘transition equilibrium’ region, is characterized by a sharp decrease in dissolution rates with increasing ΔG_r, indicating a very strong inverse dependence of the rates on free energy. Dissolution nearest equilibrium, defined by ΔG_r > −25 kJ mol⁻¹, represents the ‘near equilibrium’ region where the rates decrease as chemical equilibrium is approached, but with a much weaker dependence on ΔG_r. The lowest rate measured in this study, R = 6.2 × 10⁻¹¹ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ at ΔG_r = −16.3 kJ mol⁻¹, is more than two orders of magnitude slower than the plateau rate. The data have been fitted to a rate equation (adapted from Burch et al. [Burch, T. E., Nagy, K. L., Lasaga, A. C., 1993. Free energy dependence of albite dissolution kinetics at 80 °C and pH 8.8. Chem. Geol.105, 137-162]) that represents the sum of two parallel reactions

R=k₁[1-exp(-ng^m₁)]+k₂[1-exp(-g)]^m₂,     

Solubility of ettringite (Ca6[Al(OH)6]2(SO4)3 · 26H2O) at 5–75°C

The solubility of ettringite (Ca₆[Al(OH)₆]₂(SO₄)₃ · 26H₂O) was measured in a series of dissolution and precipitation experiments at 5–75°C and at pH between 10.5 and 13.0 using synthesized material. Equilibrium was established within 4 to 6 days, with samples collected between 10 and 36 days. The log K_SP for the reaction Ca₆[Al(OH)₆]₂(SO₄)₃ · 26H₂O ⇌ 6Ca²⁺ + 2Al(OH)₄⁻ + 3SO₄²⁻ + 4OH⁻ + 26H₂O at 25°C calculated for dissolution experiments (−45.0 ± 0.2) is not significantly different from the log K_SP calculated for precipitation experiments (−44.8 ± 0.4) at the 95% confidence level. There is no apparent trend in log K_SP with pH and the mean log K_SP,298 is −44.9 ± 0.3. The solubility product decreased linearly with the inverse of temperature indicating a constant enthalpy of reaction from 5 to 75°C. The enthalpy and entropy of reaction ΔH^°_r and ΔS^°_r, were determined from the linear regression to be 204.6 ± 0.6 kJ mol⁻¹ and 170 ± 38 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Using our values for log K_SP, ΔH^°_r, and ΔS^°_r and published partial molal quantities for the constituent ions, we calculated the free energy of formation ΔG^°_f,298, the enthalpy of formation ΔH^°_f,298, and the entropy of formation ΔS^°_f,298 to be −15211 ± 20, −17550 ± 16 kJ mol⁻¹, and 1867 ± 59 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Assuming ΔC_P,r is zero, the heat capacity of ettringite is 590 ± 140 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermochemistry of K-Na-H3O jarosites

The thermochemistry of well-characterized synthetic K-H₃O, Na-H₃O and K-Na-H₃O jarosites was investigated. These phases are solid solutions that obey Vegard’s law. Electron probe microanalyses indicated lower alkali and iron contents than predicted from the theoretical end-member compositions, in agreement with thermal analyses, suggesting the presence of hydronium and “additional” water. The standard enthalpies of formation (ΔH°_f) of K-H₃O, Na-H₃O and K-Na-H₃O jarosites were determined by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. These enthalpies vary linearly with the K/H₃O, Na/H₃O and K/Na ratio, respectively. The enthalpy of formation of pure hydronium jarosite was also determined experimentally (ΔH°_f = −3741.6 ± 8.3 kJ.mol⁻¹), and it was used to evaluate ΔH°_f for the end-members KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆ (ΔH°_f = −3829.6 ± 8.3 kJ.mol⁻¹) and NaFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆ (ΔH°_f = −3783.4 ± 8.3 kJ.mol⁻¹). Finally, enthalpies of dehydration (loss of the “additional” water) of some jarosites were determined and found to be near the enthalpy of vaporization of water, suggesting that the “additional” water is weakly bonded in the structure.     

Thermodynamic properties of H4SiO4 in the ideal gas state as evaluated from experimental data

Solid phases of silicon dioxide react with water vapor with the formation of hydroxides and oxyhydroxides of silica. Recent transpiration and mass-spectrometric studies convincingly demonstrate that H₄SiO₄ is the predominant form of silica in vapor phase at water pressure in excess of 10⁻² MPa. Available literature transpiration and solubility data for the reactions of solid SiO₂ phases and low-density water, extending from 424 to 1661 K, are employed for the determination of Δ_fG⁰, Δ_fH⁰ and S⁰ of H₄SiO₄ in the ideal gas state at 298.15 K, 0.1 MPa. In total, there are 102 data points from seven literature sources. The resulting values of the thermodynamic functions of H₄SiO₄(g) are: Δ_fG⁰ = −1238.51 ± 3.0 kJ mol⁻¹, Δ_fH⁰ = −1340.68 ± 3.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and S⁰ = 347.78 ± 6.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. These values agree quantitatively with one set of ab initio calculations. The relatively large uncertainties are mainly due to conflicting data for H₄SiO₄(g) from various sources, and new determinations of would be helpful. The thermodynamic properties of this species, H₄SiO₄(g), are necessary for realistic modeling of silica transport in a low-density water phase. Applications of this analysis may include the processes of silicates condensation in the primordial solar nebula, the precipitation of silica in steam-rich geothermal systems and the corrosion of SiO₂-containing alloys and ceramics in moist environments.     

Energetics of anhydrite, barite, celestine, and anglesite: a high-temperature and differential scanning calorimetry study

The thermochemistry of anhydrous sulfates (anglesite, anhydrite, arcanite, barite, celestine) was investigated by high-temperature oxide melt calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Complete retention and uniform speciation of sulfur in the solvent was documented by (a) chemical analyses of the solvent (3Na₂O · 4MoO₃) with dissolved sulfates, (b) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirming the absence of sulfur species in the gases above the solvent, and (c) consistency of experimental determination of the enthalpy of drop solution of SO₃ in the solvent. Thus, the principal conclusion of this study is that high-temperature oxide melt calorimetry with 3Na₂O · 4MoO₃ solvent is a valid technique for measurement of enthalpies of formation of anhydrous sulfates. Enthalpies of formation (in kJ/mol) from the elements (ΔH_f^o) were determined for synthetic anhydrite (CaSO₄) (−1433.8 ± 3.2), celestine (SrSO₄) (−1452.1 ± 3.3), anglesite (PbSO₄) (−909.9 ± 3.4), and two natural barite (BaSO₄) samples (−1464.2 ± 3.7, −1464.9 ± 3.7). The heat capacity of anhydrite, barite, and celestine was measured between 245 and 1100 K, with low- and high-temperature Netzsch (DSC-404) differential scanning calorimeters. The results for each sample were fitted to a Haas-Fisher polynomial of the form C_p(245 K < T < 1100 K) = a + bT + cT⁻² + dT^−0.5 + eT². The coefficients of the equation are as follows: for anhydrite a = 409.7, b = −1.764 × 10⁻¹, c = 2.672 × 10⁶, d = −5.130 × 10³, e = 8.460 × 10⁻⁵; for barite, a = 230.5, b = −0.7395 × 10⁻¹, c = −1.170 × 10⁶, d = −1.587 × 10³, e = 4.784 × 10⁻⁵; and for celestine, a = 82.1, b = 0.8831 × 10⁻¹, c = −1.213 × 10⁶, d = 0.1890 × 10³, e = −1.449 × 10⁻⁵. The 95% confidence interval of the measured C_p varies from 1 to 2% of the measured value at low temperature up to 2 to 5% at high temperature. The measured thermochemical data improve or augment the thermodynamic database for anhydrous sulfates and highlight the remaining discrepancies.     

Effects of seawater carbonate ion concentration and temperature on shell U, Mg, and Sr in cultured planktonic foraminifera

We investigate the sensitivity of U/Ca, Mg/Ca, and Sr/Ca to changes in seawater [CO₃²⁻] and temperature in calcite produced by the two planktonic foraminifera species, Orbulina universa and Globigerina bulloides, in laboratory culture experiments. Our results demonstrate that at constant temperature, U/Ca in O. universa decreases by 25 ± 7% per 100 μmol [CO₃²⁻] kg⁻¹, as seawater [CO₃²⁻] increases from 110 to 470 μmol kg⁻¹. Results from G. bulloides suggest a similar relationship, but U/Ca is consistently offset by ∼+40% at the same environmental [CO₃²⁻]. In O. universa, U/Ca is insensitive to temperature between 15°C and 25°C. Applying the O. universa relationship to three U/Ca records from a related species, Globigerinoides sacculifer, we estimate that Caribbean and tropical Atlantic [CO₃²⁻] was 110 ± 70 μmol kg⁻¹ and 80 ± 40 μmol kg⁻¹ higher, respectively, during the last glacial period relative to the Holocene. This result is consistent with estimates of the glacial-interglacial change in surface water [CO₃²⁻] based on both modeling and on boron isotope pH estimates. In settings where the addition of U by diagenetic processes is not a factor, down-core records of foraminiferal U/Ca have potential to provide information about changes in the ocean’s carbonate concentration.Below ambient pH (pH < 8.2), Mg/Ca decreased by 7 ± 5% (O. universa) to 16 ± 6% (G. bulloides) per 0.1 unit increase in pH. Above ambient pH, the change in Mg/Ca was not significant for either species. This result suggests that Mg/Ca-based paleotemperature estimates for the Quaternary, during which surface-ocean pH has been at or above modern levels, have not been biased by variations in surface-water pH. Sr/Ca increased linearly by 1.6 ± 0.4% per 0.1 unit increase in pH. Shell Mg/Ca increased exponentially with temperature in O. universa, where Mg/Ca = 0.85 exp (0.096*T), whereas the change in Sr/Ca with temperature was within the reproducibility of replicate measurements.     

CO2 solubility in Martian basalts and Martian atmospheric evolution

To understand possible volcanogenic fluxes of CO₂ to the Martian atmosphere, we investigated experimentally carbonate solubility in a synthetic melt based on the Adirondack-class Humphrey basalt at 1-2.5 GPa and 1400-1625 °C. Starting materials included both oxidized and reduced compositions, allowing a test of the effect of iron oxidation state on CO₂ solubility. CO₂ contents in experimental glasses were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Fe³⁺/Fe^T was measured by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The CO₂ contents of glasses show no dependence on Fe³⁺/Fe^T and range from 0.34 to 2.12 wt.%. For Humphrey basalt, analysis of glasses with gravimetrically-determined CO₂ contents allowed calibration of an integrated molar absorptivity of 81,500 ± 1500 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻² for the integrated area under the carbonate doublet at 1430 and 1520 cm⁻¹. The experimentally determined CO₂ solubilities allow calibration of the thermodynamic parameters governing dissolution of CO₂ vapor as carbonate in silicate melt, K_II, (Stolper and Holloway, 1988) as follows: , ΔV⁰ = 20.85 ± 0.91 cm³ mol⁻¹, and ΔH⁰ = −17.96 ± 10.2 kJ mol⁻¹. This relation, combined with the known thermodynamics of graphite oxidation, facilitates calculation of the CO₂ dissolved in magmas derived from graphite-saturated Martian basalt source regions as a function of P, T, and f_O2. For the source region for Humphrey, constrained by phase equilibria to be near 1350 °C and 1.2 GPa, the resulting CO₂ contents are 51 ppm at the iron-wüstite buffer (IW), and 510 ppm at one order of magnitude above IW (IW + 1). However, solubilities are expected to be greater for depolymerized partial melts similar to primitive shergottite Yamato 980459 (Y 980459). This, combined with hotter source temperatures (1540 °C and 1.2 GPa) could allow hot plume-like magmas similar to Y 980459 to dissolve 240 ppm CO₂ at IW and 0.24 wt.% of CO₂ at IW + 1. For expected magmatic fluxes over the last 4.5 Ga of Martian history, magmas similar to Humphrey would only produce 0.03 and 0.26 bars from sources at IW and IW + 1, respectively. On the other hand, more primitive magmas like Y 980459 could plausibly produce 0.12 and 1.2 bars at IW and IW + 1, respectively. Thus, if typical Martian volcanic activity was reduced and the melting conditions cool, then degassing of CO₂ to the atmosphere may not be sufficient to create greenhouse conditions required by observations of liquid surface water. However, if a significant fraction of Martian magmas derive from hot and primitive sources, as may have been true during the formation of Tharsis in the late Noachian, that are also slightly oxidized (IW + 1.2), then significant contribution of volcanogenic CO₂ to an early Martian greenhouse is plausible.     

Ferroelastic phase transition in cryolite,Na3AlF6, a mixed fluoride perovskite: High temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction study and symmetry analysis of the transition mechanism

Cryolite, Na₃AlF₆[ = 2Na⁺(Na_0.5 ⁺Al_0.5 ³⁺)F₃] is a mixed fluoride perovskite, in which the corner-sharing octahedral framework is formed by alternating [NaF₆] and [AlF₆] octahedra and the cavities are occupied by Na⁺ ions. At 295 K, it is monoclinic (α phase), space group P2 ₁/n with a = 5.4139 (7), b = 5.6012 (5) and c = 7.7769 (8) Å and β = 90.183 (3)°, Z = 2. A high temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction study in the range 295–900 K indicates a fluctuation-induced first-order phase transition from monoclinic to orthorhombic symmetry at T ₀ ～ 885 K, in contrast to a previous report that it becomes cubic at ～823 K. The space group of the high temperature β phase is Immm with a = 5.632 (4), b = 5.627 (3) and c = 7.958 (4) Å, Z = 2 at 890 K. Above T ₀, the coordination number of the Na⁺ ion in the cavity increases from eight to twelve and the zigzag Na1 — Al octahedral chains parallel to c become straight with the Na1-F-Al angle = 180 °. The phase transition is driven by two coupled primary order parameters. The first corresponds to the rotation of the nearly rigid [AlF₆] group and transforms according to the Γ ₄ ⁺ irreducible representation of Immm. Coupled to the [AlF₆] rotation is a second primary order parameter corresponding to the displacement of the Na2⁺ ion in the cavity from its equilibrium position. This order parameter transforms according to the X ₃ ⁺ irreducible representation of Immm. Following Immm → P2 ₁ /n phase transition, four equivalent domains of P2 ₁/n are determined relative to Immm, which are in an antiphase and/or twin relationship. The abrupt shortening of the octahedral Al-F and Na-F bonds and a sudden change in orientations of the atomic thermal vibration ellipsoids above T ₀ indicate a crossover from displacive to an order-disorder mechanism near the transition temperature. The β phase is interpreted as a dynamic average of four micro-twin and -antiphase domains of the a phase. This view is consistent with the entropy of phase transition, ΔS_trans (11.43 JK^?1 mol^?1) calculated from heat capacity measurements (Anovitz et al. 1987), which corresponds closely to R ln4 (11.53 JK^?1 mol^?1), where 4 is the number of domains formed during the phase transition. The dynamic nature of the β phase is independently confirmed from a considerable narrowing of the ²⁷Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) line-shape above T ₀ (Stebbins et al. 1992).     

First experimental determination of iron isotope fractionation between hematite and aqueous solution at hydrothermal conditions

Although iron isotopes provide a new powerful tool for tracing a variety of geochemical processes, the unambiguous interpretation of iron isotope ratios in natural systems and the development of predictive theoretical models require accurate data on equilibrium isotope fractionation between fluids and minerals. We investigated Fe isotope fractionation between hematite (Fe₂O₃) and aqueous acidic NaCl fluids via hematite dissolution and precipitation experiments at temperatures from 200 to 450 °C and pressures from saturated vapor pressure (P_sat) to 600 bar. Precipitation experiments at 200 °C and P_sat from aqueous solution, in which Fe aqueous speciation is dominated by ferric iron (Fe^III) chloride complexes, show no detectable Fe isotope fractionation between hematite and fluid, Δ⁵⁷Fe_{fluid-hematite} = δ⁵⁷Fe_fluid − δ⁵⁷Fe_hematite = 0.01 ± 0.08‰ (2 × standard error, 2SE). In contrast, experiments at 300 °C and P_sat, where ferrous iron chloride species (FeCl₂ and FeCl⁺) dominate in the fluid, yield significant fluid enrichment in the light isotope, with identical values of Δ⁵⁷Fe_{fluid-hematite} = −0.54 ± 0.15‰ (2SE) both for dissolution and precipitation runs. Hematite dissolution experiments at 450 °C and 600 bar, in which Fe speciation is also dominated by ferrous chloride species, yield Δ⁵⁷Fe_{fluid-hematite} values close to zero within errors, 0.15 ± 0.17‰ (2SE). In most experiments, chemical, redox, and isotopic equilibrium was attained, as shown by constancy over time of total dissolved Fe concentrations, aqueous Fe^II and Fe^III fractions, and Fe isotope ratios in solution, and identical Δ⁵⁷Fe values from dissolution and precipitation runs. Our measured equilibrium Δ⁵⁷Fe_{fluid-hematite} values at different temperatures, fluid compositions and iron redox state are within the range of fractionations in the system fluid-hematite estimated using reported theoretical β-factors for hematite and aqueous Fe species and the distribution of Fe aqueous complexes in solution. These theoretical predictions are however affected by large discrepancies among different studies, typically ±1‰ for the Δ⁵⁷Fe _{Fe(aq)-hematite} value at 200 °C. Our data may thus help to refine theoretical models for β-factors of aqueous iron species. This study provides the first experimental calibration of Fe isotope fractionation in the system hematite-saline aqueous fluid at elevated temperatures; it demonstrates the importance of redox control on Fe isotope fractionation at hydrothermal conditions.     

The hydrolysis of gold(I) in aqueous solutions to 600°c and 1500 bar

The solubility of gold has been measured in aqueous solutions at temperatures between 300 and 600°C and pressures from 500 to 1500 bar to determine the stability and stoichiometry of the hydroxy complexes of gold(I) in hydrothermal solutions. The experiments were carried out using a flow-through autoclave system. The solubilities, measured as total dissolved gold, were in the range 1.2 × 10⁻⁸ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol kg⁻¹ (0.002 to 0.40 mg kg⁻¹), in solutions of total dissolved sodium between 0.0 and 0.5 mol kg⁻¹, and total dissolved hydrogen between 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ and 4.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol kg⁻¹. At constant hydrogen molality, the solubility of gold increases with increasing temperature and decreases with increasing pressure. The solubilities were found to be independent of pH but increased with decreasing hydrogen molality at constant temperature and pressure. Consequently, gold dissolves in aqueous solutions of acidic to alkaline pH according to the reactionAu(s)+H₂O(l)=AuOH(aq)+0.5H₂(g) K_s,1The solubility constant, logK_s,1, increases with increasing temperature from a minimum of −8.76 (±0.18) at 300°C and 500 bar to a maximum of −7.50 (±0.11) at 500°C and 1500 bar and decreases to −7.61 (±0.08) at 600°C and 1500 bar. From the equilibrium solubility constant and the redox potential of gold, the formation constant to form AuOH(aq) was calculated. At 25°C the complex formation is characterised by an exothermic enthalpy and a positive entropy. With increasing temperature and decreasing pressure, the formation reaction becomes endothermic and is accompanied by a large positive entropy, indicating a greater electrostatic interaction between Au⁺ and OH⁻.     

Liquid-vapor fractionation of boron and boron isotopes: Experimental calibration at 400°C/23 MPa to 450°C/42 MPa

We experimentally determined the boron partitioning and boron isotope fractionation between coexisting liquid and vapor in the system H₂O−NaCl−B₂O₃. Experiments were performed along the 400 and 450°C isotherms. Pressure conditions ranged from 23 to 28 MPa at 400°C and from 38 to 42 MPa at 450°C. Boron partitions preferentially into the liquid. Its overall liquid-vapor fractionation is, however, weak: Calculated boron distribution coefficients D_B^liquid-vapor are < 2.5 at all run conditions. With decreasing pressure (i.e. increasing opening of the solvus) D_B^liquid-vapor increases along the individual isotherms. Extrapolation to salt saturated conditions yields maximum boron liquid-vapor fractionations of D_B^liquid-vapor = 1.8 at 450°C and D_B^liquid-vapor = 2.7 at 400°C. ¹¹B preferentially fractionates into the vapor. Calculated Δ¹¹B_vapor-liquid = {[(¹¹B/¹⁰B)_vapor - (¹¹B/¹⁰B)_liquid]/(¹¹B/¹⁰B)_{NBS 951}}*1000 are small and range from 0.2 (± 0.7) to 0.9 (± 0.5) ‰ at 450°C and from 0.1 (± 0.6) to 0.7 (± 0.6) ‰ at 400°C. The data indicate increasing isotopic fractionation with decreasing pressure (i.e. increasing opening of the solvus). Extrapolation to salt saturated conditions yields maximum boron isotope liquid-vapor fractionations of Δ¹¹B_vapor-liquid = 1.5 (± 0.7) ‰ at 450°C and Δ¹¹B_vapor-liquid = 1.3 (± 0.6) ‰ at 400°C. The weak boron isotope fractionation suggests similar trigonal speciation in liquid and vapor. Although the boron and boron isotope fractionation between liquid and vapor is only weak, mass balance calculations indicate that for high degrees of fractionation liquid-vapor phase separation in an open system can significantly alter the boron and boron isotope signature of low-salinity hydrous fluids in hydrothermal systems. Comparing the model calculations with natural oceanic hydrothermal fluids, however, indicate that other processes than fluid phase separation dominate the boron geochemistry in oceanic hydrothermal fluids.