Hydrogen and carbon in solid solution in oxides and silicates

The dissolution of H₂O and CO₂ in structurally dense, nominally anhydrous and non-carbonate oxide matrices such as MgO and CaO is reviewed. H₂O and CO₂ are treated as gaseous oxide components which enter into solid solution with the refractory oxide hosts. They form anion complexes associated with cation vacancy sites. Evidence is presented that OH^? pairs which derive from the dissolution of H₂O are subject to a charge transfer (CT) conversion into peroxy moieties and molecular hydrogen, O ₂ ^2? ... H₂. Because the O ₂ ^2? moiety is small (O^?-O^? distance ≈ 1.5 Å) high pressure probably favors the CT conversion. Mass spectroscopic studies show that molecular H₂ may be lost from the solid which retains excess oxygen in the form of O ₂ ^2? , leading to the release of atomic O. The dissociation of O ₂ ^2? moieties into a vacancy-bound O^? state and an unbound O^? state can be followed by measuring the internal redox reactions involving transition metal impurities, the transient paramagnetism of the O^? and their effect on the d.c. conductivity. Evidence is presented that CO₂ molecules dissolve dissociatively in the structurally dense oxide matrix, as if they were first to dissociate into CO+O and then to form separate solute moieties CO ₂ ^2? and O ₂ ^2? , both associated with cation vacancy sites. In the CO ₂ ^2? moiety (C-O^? distance 1.2–1.3 Å, OCO angle ≈ 130°) the C atom probably sits off center. The transition of the C atom into interstitial sites is accompanied by dissociation of the CO ₂ ^2? moiety into CO^? and O^?. This transition can be followed by infrared spectroscopy, using OH^? as local probes. Further support derives from magnetic susceptibility, thermal expansion, low frequency dielectric loss and low temperature deformation measurements. The recently observed emission of O and Mg atoms besides a variety of molecules such as CO, CO₂, CH₄, HCN and other hydrocarbons during impact fracture of MgO single crystals is presented and discussed in the light of the other experimental data.     

First principles quantum mechanical calculation of the electric dipole polarizabilities of the borate,carbonate, nitrate and related ions

Electric dipole polarizabilities have been calculated from first principles of quantum mechanics for the BO ₃ ^3? , CO ₃ ^2? , NO ₃ ^? series and for NO ₂ ^? and LiNO₃(g). Calculated trends in average polarizability and polarizability anisotropy in the BO ₃ ^3? -NO ₃ ^? series are in agreement with experiment and can be qualitatively interpreted in terms of the varying energies of the a₁′, a₂″ and e′ symmetry unoccupied MO's of the oxyanions. Embedding a CO ₃ ^2? ion in a D_3h symmetry array of divalent cations reduces both the average polarizability and its anisotropy, particularly when diffuse s and p functions are included in the calculation. Calculations on the gas phase LiNO₃ molecule and on the free NO ₃ ^? ion in the distorted geometry found in LiNO₃(g) allow us to separate polarizability contributions internal to the NO ₃ ^? and Li⁺ ions from those which arise from the Li⁺-NO ₃ ^? interaction. The Li⁺-NO ₃ ^? interaction term so obtained is much smaller than the NO ₃ ^? contribution but is in turn larger than the Li⁺ contribution, suggesting that the inclusion of this interaction term is essential for obtaining accurate results for ion pairs. Although static polarizabilities are in reasonable agreement with experiment for NO ₃ ^? the wavelength dispersion of the polarizability is underestimated by about a factor of two, apparently as a result of inadequacies in the quantum mechanical method. Calculated values are also presented for ¹⁴N NMR shieldings in the nitrogen oxyanions but these are in only qualitative agreement with the experimental values. Similarly, calculated values of magnetic susceptibility are in only qualitative agreement with experiment although trends along the BO ₃ ^3? -NO ₃ ^? series are properly reproduced.     

Localized zones of denitrification in a floodplain aquifer in southern Wisconsin, USA

A floodplain aquifer within an agricultural watershed near Madison, Wisconsin (USA), was studied to determine whether denitrification was occurring below the surface organic layer. Groundwater levels and concentrations of O₂, Cl^?, NO ₃ ^? , SO ₄ ^2? , dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and major cations were monitored over a 1-year period along a 230-m transect between an agricultural field and a stream discharge point. Seventeen groundwater samples were analyzed for δ¹⁵N_NO3 and δ¹⁸O_NO3 composition. Samples in which NO ₃ ^? was too low for stable isotope analysis were analyzed for excess dissolved N₂. Groundwater NO ₃ ^? concentrations declined between the agricultural field and the discharge point. Chloride and δ¹⁵N_NO3/δ¹⁸O_NO3 data indicated that the drop in NO ₃ ^? was caused primarily by dilution of shallow NO ₃ ^? -rich water with deeper, NO ₃ ^? -depleted groundwater. Two localized zones of denitrification were identified in the upland-wetland transition by their δ¹⁵N_NO3 and δ¹⁸O_NO3 signatures, and two in the stream hyporheic zone by the presence of excess dissolved N₂. The combined stratigraphic, hydrologic, and geochemical data in these locations correspond to groundwater mixing zones where NO ₃ ^? is delivered to subsurface layers that support denitrification fueled by dissolved (e.g. DOC or dissolved Fe(II)) and/or solid-phase (e.g. particulate organic carbon, solid-associated Fe(II), or pyrite) electron donors.     

Submarine Groundwater Discharge-Derived Nutrient Loads to San Francisco Bay: Implications to Future Ecosystem Changes

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) was quantified at select sites in San Francisco Bay (SFB) from radium (²²³Ra and ²²⁴Ra) and radon (²²²Rn) activities measured in groundwater and surface water using simple mass balance box models. Based on these models, discharge rates in South and Central Bays were 0.3?C7.4?m³?day^?1?m^?1. Although SGD fluxes at the two regions (Central and South Bays) of SFB were of the same order of magnitude, the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) species associated with SGD were different. In the South Bay, ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ) concentrations in groundwater were three-fold higher than in open bay waters, and NH ₄ ⁺ was the primary DIN form discharged by SGD. At the Central Bay site, the primary DIN form in groundwater and associated discharge was nitrate (NO ₃ ^? ). The stable isotope signatures (??¹⁵N_NO3 and ??¹⁸O_NO3) of NO ₃ ^? in the South Bay groundwater and surface waters were both consistent with NO ₃ ^? derived from NH ₄ ⁺ that was isotopically enriched in ¹⁵N by NH ₄ ⁺ volatilization. Based on the calculated SGD fluxes and groundwater nutrient concentrations, nutrient fluxes associated with SGD can account for up to 16?% of DIN and 22?% of DIP in South and Central Bays. The form of DIN contributed to surface waters from SGD may impact the ratio of NO ₃ ^? to NH ₄ ⁺ available to phytoplankton with implications to bay productivity, phytoplankton species distribution, and nutrient uptake rates. This assessment of nutrient delivery via groundwater discharge in SFB may provide vital information for future bay ecological wellbeing and sensitivity to future environmental stressors.     

Thermodynamics of feldspathoid solutions

We have developed models for the thermody-namic properties of nephelines, kalsilites, and leucites in the simple system NaAlSiO₄?KAlSiO₄?Ca_0.5AlSiO₄?SiO₂?H₂O that are consistent with all known constraints on subsolidus equilibria and thermodynamic properties, and have integrated them into the existing MELTS software package. The model for nepheline is formulated for the simplifying assumptions that (1) a molecular mixing-type approximation describes changes in the configurational entropy associated with the coupled exchange substitutions □Si?NaAl and □Ca? Na₂ and that (2) Na⁺ and K⁺ display long–range non-convergent ordering between a large cation and the three small cation sites in the Na₄Al₄Si₄O₁₆ formula unit. Notable features of the model include the prediction that the mineral tetrakalsilite (“panunzite”, sensu stricto) results from anti-ordering of Na and K between the large cation and the three small cation sites in the nepheline structure at high temperatures, an average dT/dP slope of about 55^°/kbar for the reaction over the temperature and pressure ranges 800–1050 ^°C and 500–5000 bars, roughly symmetric (i.e. quadratic) solution behavior of the K–Na substitution along joins between fully ordered components in nepheline, and large positive Gibbs energies for the nepheline reciprocal reactions and and for the leucite reciprocal reaction      

Assessment of hydrogeochemical processes in a coastal region: Application of multivariate statistical model

Hydrogeochemical studies have been carried out in a coastal region, using multivariate statistical model, for better understanding the controlling processes that influence the aquifer chemistry. Two principal components (PC1 and PC2) are extracted from the data set of chemical variables (pH, TDS, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO ₃ ^? , Cl^?, SO ₄ ^2? , NO ₃ ^? and F^?), which account for 79% of the total variation in the quality of groundwater. The PC1 (salinity controlled process) includes the concentrations of TDS, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^?, SO ₄ ^2? and NO ₃ ^? , while the PC2 (alkalinity controlled process) comprises the concentrations of pH, HCO ₃ ^? and F^?. The spatial distribution of PC scores identifies the locations of high salinity and alkalinity processes. The first process corresponds to the influences of geogenic, anthropogenic and marine sources, and the second one to the influence of water-soil-rock interaction. Thus, the present study shows the usefulness of multivariate statistical model as an effective means of interpretation of spatial controlling processes of groundwater chemistry.     

The effect of medium chemistry on the solubility and morphology of brushite crystals

An experimental study of the particulars of the solubility and crystallization of brushite Ca(HPO₄) · 2H₂O from aqueous solution in conditions of a variable pH (6.0–3.0) and the contents of impurity ions (K⁺, Na⁺, NH ₄ ⁺ , Mg²⁺, SO ₄ ^2? , CO ₃ ^2? ) has been conducted. It is established that brushite solubility markedly rises with a decrease in pH from 6 to 3 and slightly rises with an increase in Mg²⁺ and SO ₄ ^2? concentrations. The enrichment in K⁺, Na⁺, and NH ₄ ⁺ does not affect brushite solubility. The changeable chemistry of the medium results in variation of the synthetic crystal habit, from rhombic tabular to thickened prismatic crystals.     

A theoretical study of bond distances,X-ray spectra and electron density distributions in borate polyhedra

The borate polyhedra BO ₃ ^3? , B(OH)₃, BO ₄ ^5? , and B(OH) ₄ ^? are studied using the ab initio and multiple scattering Xα quantum mechanical methods. The ab initio self-consistent-field (SCF) molecular orbital (MO) method, at the minimum basis set level, predicts equilibrium B-O distances within 0.04 Å of their average values in solids so long as the polyhedron charge is small. Orbital energies from double zeta basis set ab initio calculations and analogies with isoelectric compounds are used to assign the X-ray spectra of BO ₃ ^3? and to predict the valence region spectra of BO ₄ ^5? . Contour maps of the difference between molecular and superimposed free atom electron densities show charge buildup along the B-O bond which is only slightly smaller than that observed in CO ₃ ^2? .     

The competing models for the origin and internal evolution of granitic pegmatites in the light of melt and fluid inclusion research

In this paper we discuss the main petrogenetic models for granitic pegmatites and how these models have evolved over time. We suggest that the present state of knowledge requires that some aspects of these models to be modified, or absorbed into newer ones. Pegmatite formation and internal evolution have long supposed the need for highly water- and flux-enriched magmas to explain the differences between pegmatites and other intrusives of similar major element composition. Compositions and textural characteristics of fluid and melt inclusions in pegmatite minerals provide strong evidence for such magmas. Furthermore, we show that melt inclusion research has increased the number of potential flux components, which may include H₂O, OH^?, CO₂, HCO ₃ ^? , CO ₃ ^2? , SO ₄ ^2? , PO ₄ ^3? , H₃BO₃, F , and Cl, as well as the elements Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Be, herein described as melt structure modifiers. In this paper we emphasize that the combined effect which these components have on the properties of pegmatite melts is difficult to deduce from experimental studies using only a limited number of these components. The combination and the amount of the different magmatic species, together with differences in the source region, and variations in pressure and temperature cause the great diversity of the pegmatites observed. Some volatile species, such as CO ₃ ^2? and alkalis, have the capacity to increase the solubility of H₂O in silicate melt to an extraordinary degree, to the extent that melt-melt-fluid immiscibility becomes inevitable. It is our view that the formation of pegmatites is connected with the complex interplay of many factors.     

Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the plains of Phalgu River in Gaya, Bihar, India

Assessment of groundwater quality is essential to ensure sustainable use of it for drinking, agricultural, and industrial purposes. The chemical quality of groundwater of Gaya region has been studied in detail in this work to delineate the potable groundwater zones. A total of 30 groundwater samples and 2 surface water samples were collected in and around Gaya district of Bihar. The major cations follow the trend: Ca²⁺?>?Mg²⁺?>?Na⁺?>?K⁺. The domination of calcium ions in the groundwater is due to weathering of rocks. The K⁺ ranged between 0.2 and 47.95 ppm, suggesting its abundance the below desired limit; but some samples were found to be above permissible limit. K⁺ weathering of potash silicate and the use of potash fertilizer could be the source. The major anions abundance followed the order HCO ₃ ^? ?>?Cl^??>?SO ₄ ^2? ?>?NO ₃ ^? ?>?PO ₄ ^3? . Dissolution of carbonates and reaction of silicates with carbonic acid accounts for the addition of HCO ₃ ^? to the groundwater and oxidation of sulphite may be the source of SO ₄ ^2? . Principal component analysis was utilized to reflect those chemical data with the greatest correlation and seven major principal components (PCs) representing >80 % of cumulative variance were able to interpret the most information contained in the data. PC1, PC2 and PC3 reflect the hydrogeochemical processes like mineral dissolution, weathering and anthropogenic sources. PC4, PC5, PC6 and PC7 show monotonic, random and independent relationships.     

A computer model for the cubic sodalite structure

A computer model for cubic sodalite structures, general formula M ₈(T ₁₂O₂₄)X ₂ where M, X and T are the cavity cation and anion and framework cation respectively, has been devised. It has been used to determine the effect of changing cavity cation and anion radii on the cell edge, tilt angle of the tetrahedra and T-O-T angle for the following sodalite frameworks: (Al₆Si₆O₂₄)^6?, (Be₆Si₆O₂₄)^12?, (Al₁₂O₂₄)^12?, and (B₁₂O₂₄)^12?. After fixing the T-O distance(s), the cavity cation-framework oxygen distance and taking a value of 1.4 Å for the radius of oxygen the model was used to calculate atomic coordinates and interatomic distances and angles for selected aluminosilicate-sodalites. The structure calculated for Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₂ agrees closely with that determined for natural sodalite (Löns and Schulz, 1967). The model is also applied to the estimation of the effective radii of the tetrahedrally-coordinated cavity anions which can be accommodated in natural and synthetic sodalites: OH^? 1.48–1.51, Cl^? 1.78, Br^? 1.93, I^? 2.14–2.17, SO ₄ ^2? 2.37–2.57, MoO ₄ ^2? 2.70 and WO ₄ ^2? 2.79 Å.     

Concentration dependence of water diffusion in obsidian and dacitic melts at high-pressures

The diffusion of water in natural obsidian and model dacitic melts (Ab90Di8Wo2, mol %) has been studied at water vapor pressure up to 170 MPa, temperatures of 1200°C, H₂O contents in melts up to ～6 wt % using a high gas pressure apparatus equipped with a unique internal device. The experiments were carried out by a new low-gradient technique with application of diffusion hydration of a melt from fluid phase. The water solubility in the melts and its concentration along $C_{H_2 O} $ diffusion profiles were determined using IR microspectrometry by application of the modified Bouguer-Beer-Lambert equation. A structural-chemical model was proposed to calculate and predict the concentration dependence of molar absorption coefficients of the hydroxyl groups (OH^?) and water molecules (H₂O) in acid polymerized glasses (quenched melts) in the obsidian-dacite series. The water diffusion coefficients $D_{H_2 O} $ were obtained by the mathematical analysis of concentration profiles and the analytical solution of the second Fick diffusion law using the Boltzman-Matano method. It was shown experimentally that $D_{H_2 O} $ exponentially increases with a growth of water concentration in the obsidian and dacitic melts within the entire range of diffusion profiles. Based on the established quantitative correlation between $D_{H_2 O} $ and viscosity of such melts, a new method was developed to predict and calculate the concentration, temperature, and pressure dependences of $D_{H_2 O} $ in acid magmatic melts (obsidian, rhyolite, albite, granite, dacite) at crustal T, P parameters and water concentrations up to 6 wt %.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of PO 3 2− and SO 3 − radicals in anhydrite,celestite and barite: the hyperfine structure and dynamics

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements of natural anhydrite CaSO₄, celestite SrSO₄ and barite BaSO₄ have revealed the presence of PO ₃ ^2? and SO ₃ ^? radicals. Hyperfine structure from³³S has been detected and measured for the first time. Low-symmetry effects, which are manifested in noncoincidence of g and hyperfine axes, were observed for SO ₃ ^? . The dynamics of one of the two SO ₃ ^? types in anhydrite has been investigated. Variations of spin Hamiltonian parameters with temperature have been attributed to thermally induced jumps between the two magnetically inequivalent sites of this center.     

Hydrotalcite-like solid solutions with variable SO 4 2− and CO 3 2− contents at 50° C

Hydrotalcite-like solid solutions have been synthesized by coprecipitation in basic solutions with variable SO ₄ ^2? /CO ₃ ^2? ratios. Chemical determination of CO ₃ ^2? in the interlayer was impossible because of the presence of minor hydromagnesite. SO ₄ ^2? was determined both by chemical analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the two methods giving similar results. A Raman spectrometry gave additional data on the SO ₄ ^2? /CO ₃ ^2? ratio. Then, the stoichiometry of the anionic interlayers, X _s , X _c , and X _OH were determined, and the influence of X _s on the c′ parameter (increasing from c′=7.97 Å to c′=8.63 Å between X _s =0 and X _s =1) was characterized. In addition, a partitioning curve of SO ₄ ^2? and CO ₃ ^2? between aqueous solutions and hydrotalcite-like compounds was established. Its general shape strongly suggests a miscibility gap between a sulfate-rich end and a carbonate-rich solid solution (maximum SO ₄ ^2? /CO ₃ ^2? about 0.2). This result explains why most of the hydrotalcites synthesized during experimental alteration of basaltic glasses by sea-water (a sulfate-rich solution) are CO ₃ ^2? -rich solid solutions.     

Thermodynamics of plagioclase II: Temperature evolution of the spontaneous strain at the I\bar 1 \leftrightarrow P\bar 1 phase transition in anorthite

The temperature dependence of the lattice parameters of pure anorthite with high Al/Si order reveals the predicted tricritical behaviour of the \(I\bar 1 \leftrightarrow P\bar 1\) phase transition at T _c ^* =510 K. The spontaneous strain couples to the order parameter Q° as x _i∝S _xQ ⁱ Q°² with S _xQ ¹ =4.166×10^?3, S _xQ ² =0.771×10^?3, S _xQ ³ =?7.223×10^?3 for the diagonal elements. The temperature dependence of Q° is $$Q^{\text{o}} = \left( {1 - \frac{T}{{510}}} \right)^\beta ,{\text{ }}\beta = \tfrac{{\text{1}}}{{\text{4}}}$$ A strong dependence of T _c ^* , S _xQ ⁱ and β is predicted for Al/Si disordered anorthite.     

The ionic conductivity in high-pressure polymorphs of calcite

Ionic conductivity of polycrystalline calcite containing varying amounts of PO ₄ ^3? ions was measured in the pressure range of 1–6 GPa and at room temperature. Electrical conductivity increased with pressure corresponding to the phase transition of calcite I to calcite II. The conductivity in calcite III decreased exponentially with pressure. Calculated activation volumes of the conductivity varied with PO ₄ ^3? content in the range of 0.94–5.34 cm³/mol. This variation corresponded to the lattice parameter change of calcite I due to PO ₄ ^3? incorporation and indicated the contribution of CO ₃ ^2? -vacancies associated with PO ₄ ^3? ions to the conductivity.     

Characterization and origin of two Fe3+ EPR spectra in kaolinite

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Fe³⁺ in a well cristallized kaolinite from Decazeville in France are well resolved. It is shown that in this sample there are mainly two slightly different spectra, well separated at low temperature and characterized at -150° C by the constants B ₂ ⁰ = 0.112 cm^?1, B ₂ ² = 0.0688 cm^?1 for one and B ₂ ⁰ = 0.116 cm^?1, B ₂ ² = 0.0766 cm^?1 for the second. These two spectra arise from Fe³⁺ substituted for Al³⁺ at the two octahedral positions in equal amounts. The temperature dependence of EPR spectra was studied and was explained by a modification of the octahedral sites.     

Stabilization of complex ions by the crystal field: CO 3 2− , NO 3 − , O 3 − , [(OH)4]4−, [(OH)3F]4−, [(OH)2F2]4−

According to Koopmans' theorem, only the electrons associated with molecular levels of negative energy are stable. Many ions which cannot exist in the isolated state because certain occupied levels are positive, become stable in crystals under the stabilization effect arising from the crystal field. As examples, we have studied CO ₃ ^2? in calcite, NO ₃ ^? in NaNO₃, and several natural limpurities: O ₃ ^? in fluorite, [(OH)₄]^4?, [(OH)₃F]^4? and [(OH)₂F₂]^4? in zircon and thorite, by means of the molecular self-consistent field, the crystal field being simulated by point charges. As expected, all the energies corresponding to the occupied levels are negative within the crystal field, contrary to what occurs in the isolated state. Informations concerning the structure and the size of the critical germ are obtained for CaCO₃ and NaNO₃.     

Urban land-use effects on groundwater phosphate distribution in a shallow aquifer, Nanfei River basin, China

Groundwater, surface water, soil and river sediment samples, and information on land use in the Nanfei River basin (NRB) of China have been analyzed to study the geochemistry, distribution, and mobilization of phosphorus. The distribution of phosphate (PO ₄ ^3??/sup> ) and the relationships between PO ₄ ^3??/sup> and several constituents in groundwater were studied. Partial correlation analysis relating PO ₄ ^3??/sup> to types of land use was conducted using the data analyzing tool SPSS 15.0. The processes controlling the transport of PO ₄ ^3??/sup> are discussed. The conclusions from this study are: (1) urban land use has obvious impact on PO ₄ ^3??/sup> in groundwater, the average concentration of PO ₄ ^3??/sup> being 4.37?mg/L, greater than that resulting from farmland and mixed land use, which have average PO ₄ ^3??/sup> concentrations of 0.10 and 0.18?mg/L, respectively; (2) the partial correlation between PO ₄ ^3??/sup> and types of land use is significant with a coefficient of 0.760; (3) the PO ₄ ^3??/sup> concentrations in surface water are generally higher than those in groundwater, and the total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in river sediments are generally higher than those in soil samples; (4) groundwater is a carrier of PO ₄ ^3??/sup> and is likely responsible for the redistribution of PO ₄ ^3??/sup> in different regions of NRB.     

Phase equilibria in the granite-H2O-HF system and effect of fluorine on granitic melt structure

Experiments carried out in the system granite-H₂O-HF at 0.1 GPa show that the crystal-liquid equilibrium temperature of quartz rises and that of alkali-feldspar goes down with increasing F content. The calculated results of quartz and alkali feldspar crystal-liquid equilibrium show that the activity of SiO₂ in melt increases and the activities of NaAlSi₃O₈(Ab) and KAlSi₃O₈(Or) decrease, with a greater decreasing extent for a _Ab ^L than a _Or ^L . These systematic changes are believed to be caused by F complexing with Al, Na, K, but not Si in the melt, and are consistent with F decomposing AlO ₂ ^? tetrahedra and more preferentially forming complexes with Na than K. The comparison between effects of F and H₂O on phase equilibrium suggests that the maximum difference affecting melt structure between F and OH is F complexing without Si and OH complexing with Si in granitic melt.