Study on the saturation index of the carbonates in the groundwater using WATEQ4F, in layered coastal aquifers of Pondicherry

A study was conducted to bring out the relationship and behavior of different Saturation Index (SI) of carbonate minerals in layered coastal aquifers. Carbonates present in groundwater aids in different nature of the water like hardness, partial pressure of carbon-di-oxide (pCO₂), pH and saturation index of different carbonate minerals at various temperatures. The SI of the carbonates helps us to define the thermodynamic stability of water and to find out the geochemical behavior of water. 98 groundwater samples were collected from specific aquifers (alluvium, upper Cuddalore, lower Cuddalore and Cretaceous) during Pre-Monsoon (May 2007) and Post-Monsoon (January 2008) seasons. The physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO₃, SO₄ and PO₄ were analyzed. Geochemical model, WATEQ4F was used to calculate the SI of different minerals. The SI was studied in relation to mHCO₃ concentration, pCO₂ and correlation between SI of different minerals.     

A study on the hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of groundwater from different depths in a coastal aquifer: Annamalai Nagar,Tamilnadu, India

Chemical characterization of groundwater is essential to bring out its nature and utility. Samples from shallow and deep ground water of the same location were collected and studied for their geochemical characteristics following standard procedures (APHA 1998). Sediment samples from different depths were collected and analysed for minerals using FTIR and SEM. Resisitivity logging was carried out in the bore well to understand the variations in depth to fresh water potential. The shallow ground water is dominated by Na–Cl–HCO₃–SO₄ and deeper groundwater by Na–HCO₃–SO₄–Cl types. It is observed that there is a significant ionic variation with depth. The ionic strength of the deeper samples is lesser than in the shallower samples. Wide pH variations in the shallow water samples are due to ion exchange process. Thermodynamic stability plot was used to identify the state of stability. It is inferred that there is no major significant difference in the thermodynamic state of stability in the shallow and the deeper aquifers as the aquifer matrix for the shallow and deeper aquifers are almost similar. Saturation index of Gibbsite, Kaolinite, Calcite, Dolomite and anhydrite, were studied for shallow and deep aquifers, to identify the difference in hydro chemical signatures. The Si/Al ratios of shallow samples are less when compared with the deeper samples. Leaching of secondary salts was the chief mechanism controlling the ground water chemistry of the region.     

Ionic composition and mineral equilibria of acidic groundwater on the west coast of Sweden

The groundwater chemistry of 14 shallow wells and 10 springs in Halland, southwest Sweden, and precipitation have been studied in trilinear diagrams. Ionic strength and saturation index (SI) for selected minerals have been calculated. Five springwaters have similar chemical composition to that of the precipitation, which indicates surficial and rapidly recharged water. The SI of the groundwaters is out of equilibrium (undersaturated) with respect to primary silicates such as mafic minerals, feldspar, K-mica and chlorite, but in equilibrium with solid SiO₂ (quartz, cristobalite, or chalcedony). The SI shows oversaturation conditions for kaolinite, hydroxy-Al interlayered vermiculite, Na,K,Mg-beidellite, Mg-montmorillonite, and AB-montmorillonite. Concentrations of soluble Al and Si can be governed by Mg,Fe-beidellite, BF-montmorillonite, or Ca-montmorillonite at four springs, and by halloysite at two wells on the coastal plain. For these groundwaters, clay minerals may act as H⁺ buffers and thus have an influence on pH and toxic Al, i.e., parameters affecting the drinking water quality and environment. The study shows that the soil catena are intensily weathered at the investigated sites. It is further concluded that neither cation exchange nor primary silicate weathering will keep up with buffering the acidic loads into the soils. A general prediction of groundwater quality is presented.     

台湾海峡西部沉积物中粘土矿物的初步研究

利用X射线衍射,红外光谱,电子显微镜和化学分析等手段,综合分析和研究了台湾海峡西部海域的以水云母为主,高岭石次之的粘土矿物组合特征。结果表明其含量变化和分布特点受物质来源,沉积环境,气候条件,水动条件所制约。高岭石系湿热气候风化型陆源次生矿物,沿闽江和九龙江河口外迅速递减。绿泥石除少量陆源成因外,主要是次生和自生的绿泥石,蒙脱石变以蚀变型自生蒙脱石为主。粘土矿物含量的垂直变化能够为古气候和古沉境环境提供佐证     

Multivariate statistics and hydrogeochemical modeling for source identification of major elements and heavy metals in the groundwater of Qareh-Ziaeddin plain,NW Iran

The present study aims to evaluate the possible source of major and some minor elements and heavy metals in the groundwater of Qareh-Ziaeddin plain, NW Iran with respect to chemical elements, saturation index, and multivariate statistics including correlation coefficient, cluster analysis, and factor analysis. Groundwater samples were collected in Jun 2016 and measured with respect to EC, pH, major and some minor elements and heavy metals including Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Al, and As. Among all the measured parameters, some of the samples exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value for EC, Na, Mg, HCO₃, SO₄, Cl, NO₃, F, As, Zn, and Pb. The results of correlation analysis show that weathering and dissolution of minerals especially evaporites and silicates, water-rock interaction, and cation exchange are dominant occurred processes in the groundwater of the study area. Also, denitrification process is occurred in the groundwater system. Cluster analysis categorizes the samples into three distinct groups which are different based on their EC and dependent variables, e.g., Na, Ca, Cl, SO₄ and pH, Pb, Cd, and As. It can be found that volcanic, evaporite, and clay formations have the least impact on the chemistry of the cluster 1 samples while clay and evaporite formations have the highest impact on the cluster 3 and also calcareous formations on cluster 2. Factor analysis shows that five factors, with total variance of 83%, are effective in the release of heavy metals and groundwater chemistry which are mostly geogenic.     

Multivariate statistical analyses of the groundwater system in Darb El-Arbaein, Southwestern Desert, Egypt

In Darb El-Arbaein, the groundwater is the only water resource. The aquifer system starts from Paleozoic–Mesozoic to Upper Cretaceous sandstone rocks. They overlay the basement rocks and the aquifer is confined. In the present research, the performance of the statistical analyses to classify groundwater samples depending on their chemical characters has been tested. The hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical data of 92 groundwater samples were obtained from the General Authority for Rehabilitation Projects and Agricultural Development authority in northern, central, and southern Darb El-Arbaein. A robust classification scheme for partitioning groundwater chemistry into homogeneous groups was an important tool for the characterization of Nubian sandstone aquifer. We test the performance of the many available graphical and statistical methodologies used to classify water samples. R-mode, Q-mode, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis were investigated. All the methods were discussed and compared as to their ability to cluster, ease of use, and ease of interpretation. The correlation investigation clarifies the relationship among the lithologic, hydrogeologic, and anthropogenic factors. Factor investigation revealed three factors, namely, the evaporation process–agricultural impact–lithogenic dissolution, the hydrogeological characteristics of the aquifer system, and the surface meteoric water that recharge the aquifer system. Two main clusters that subdivided into four subclusters were identified in the groundwater system based on hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical data. They reflect the impact of geomedia, hydrogeology, geographic position, and agricultural wastewater. The groundwater is undersaturated with respect to most selected minerals. The groundwater was supersaturated with respect to iron minerals in northern and southern Darb El-Arbaein. The partial pressure of the groundwater versus saturation index of calcite shows the gradual change in PCO₂ from atmospheric to the present aquifer pressures.     

Geology and geochemistry of bauxite deposits in Lushoto District, Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Bauxite deposits in the Usambara Mountains of north eastern Tanzania occur as remnants of residual deposits on two geomorphologically related plateaus of Mabughai-Mlomboza and Kidundai at Magamba in Lushoto, Usambara Mountains. The parent rocks for the deposits are mainly granulites and feldspathic gneisses of Neoproterozoic Mozambique belt. The plateaus represent a preserved Late Cretaceous–Lower Tertiary old land surface (African surface). Other parts of the Usambara Mountains and the neighbouring Pare Mountains are covered mostly by red–brown lateritic soils and impure reddish-brown kaolinitic clays. The bauxite deposits contain mainly Al₂O₃ (40–69 wt.%), Fe₂O₃ (3–10 wt.%), SiO₂ (0.16–7 wt.%) and other elements occur in quantities not substantial to affect the quality or processing of the bauxite, and are attributed to the presence of relic minerals. Gibbsite makes up to 98 vol.% of the bauxite ore in special cases. Gibbsite is accompanied by goethite in the ore. Boehmite occurs in small amounts and is usually accompanied by hematite. Impurities include goethite, hematite, kaolinite, and minor relic quartz and microcline. Kaolinite is the sole clay mineral encountered in the bauxite ore, suggesting mature soil profiles and a development of the bauxite deposits on a well-drained peneplanation. Ore reserve estimates from the drilling data and surface geological mapping of the deposits yielded bauxite reserves of about 37 million tonnes.     

东海西湖凹陷下第三系储层砂岩次生矿物研究

东海西湖凹陷的储层砂岩为下第三系平湖组和花港组砂岩，砂岩中的次生矿物为自生高岭石、次生加大石英、碳酸盐类、绿泥石和伊利石，其存在对储层砂岩的孔渗条件有影响。     

广西红黏土矿物成分分析

黏土矿物成分对其工程力学性质具有显著的影响。目前,在黏土矿物种类鉴定方面已有一些成熟的方法技术,而对黏土的矿物成分定量分析尚没有成熟的方法。本文基于X射线衍射试验、全化学元素分析、Bogue法和K值法,对广西武鸣、桂林两地红黏土的矿物成分进行了定性鉴定和定量分析。研究结果表明:(1)桂林、武鸣两地红黏土的主要矿物均为高岭石、三水铝石、针铁矿,桂林红黏土还含有一定量的石英。(2)武鸣红黏土的矿物成分及其含量依次为:高岭石(74.0%)、三水铝石(12.53%)、针铁矿(2mm, 2.22%)、针铁矿(2mm, 8.37%)。(3)桂林红黏土的矿物成分及其含量依次为:高岭石(56.59%)、三水铝石(11.44%)、针铁矿(15.61%)、石英(12.45%)。     

Investigating the hydrogeological properties of springs in a karstic aquifer in Dorfak region (Guilan Province,Iran)

Karstic aquifers are considered as the main sources of groundwater in the northeast of Rudbar, Iran. The present study was conducted to evaluate the hydrogeological properties of karstic springs in this region. For this purpose, saturation indices (SI values) were calculated using the geochemical PHREEQC model for a number of minerals in the groundwater in the karstic aquifer. Moreover, AqQA-RockWare software packages were used to prepare hydrogeochemical plots for the aquifer, using which the sources of the ions in the water were identified. The origin of bicarbonate, calcium, and magnesium ions in water was determined using chloro-alkaline indices. Moreover, through plotting a Piper diagram for spring water samples, it was discovered that water type of all springs is the Ca-HCO₃ type, confirming the karstic characteristic of springs in the area. A Durov diagram also suggests that the water composition of the springs is of the bicarbonate type with the dominant Ca cation, suggesting the calcareous effects of the region on the quality of groundwater and exhibiting a single source for the springs. The calculated saturation indices show that most of the water samples are undersaturated with respect to calcite, dolomite, and CO₂. The stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) and deuterium excess values were used to get information about transport pathways in groundwater, atmospheric moisture, and the degree of interaction between these reservoirs. The degree of karstification of the recharge area of the karst aquifer was determined to be 5.5 from an analysis of the hydrograph Sefidab Spring.     

江西赣南风化淋滤型稀土矿床中的粘土矿物研究

对江西赣南6个地区风化淋滤型稀土矿中全风化层的粘土矿物进行了研究,为进一步了解粘土矿物对该类型稀土矿中稀土元素分异的影响奠定了基础。X射线衍射自然定向片、甲酰胺片、饱和乙二醇片和加热片、红外光谱及扫描电镜观察结果表明该区粘土矿物以片状高岭石和针管状7埃洛石为主,其中坳背塘、长坑屋、上堡、杨村样品主体为高岭石,足洞样品中发育大量埃洛石,而石排样品中高岭石与埃洛石比例相当。电感耦合等离子体质谱分析表明稀土元素在粘土矿物中大量富集,其稀土元素配分不仅受到原岩的影响,而且受到粘土矿物本身性质的影响。Ce元素在足洞和石排样品的粘土矿物中表现出正异常,而在其他样品粘土矿物中表现为负异常,可能与其中发育的埃洛石密切相关。Ce元素可能以方铈矿胶膜的形式包裹在针状埃洛石中,和/或以离子形式被选择性吸附于埃洛石表面。     

Evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in the Jhansi district of Bundelkhand region, India

A base line study involving analysis of groundwater samples from the Jhansi district were carried out to determine the major and trace element chemistry and to assess the hydrogeochemical processes and water quality for domestic and irrigation uses. Study results show that groundwater is mildly acidic to alkaline in nature and HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ are the major contributing ions for the dissolved loads. The data plotted on the Gibbs and Piper diagrams reveal that the groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by rock weathering with secondary contribution from anthropogenic sources. In a majority of the groundwater samples, alkaline earth metals exceed alkalies and weak acid dominate over strong acids. Ca–Mg–HCO₃ is the dominant hydrogeochemical facies in the majority of the groundwater samples. The computed saturation indices demonstrate that groundwater is oversaturated with respect to dolomite and calcite. Kaolinite is the possible mineral that is in equilibrium with the water, implying that the groundwater chemistry favors kaolinite formation. A comparison of groundwater quality parameters in relation to specified limits for drinking water shows that the concentrations of TDS, F^?, NO₃ ^?, total hardness and Fe are exceeding the desirable limits in many water samples. Quality assessment for irrigation uses reveal that the groundwater is of good to suitable category. Higher salinity and residual sodium carbonate values at some sites restrict the suitability of groundwater and need an adequate drainage and water management plan for the area.     

吐哈盆地二叠系暗色泥页岩矿物组合特征及其地质意义

吐哈盆地是我国重要的含油气盆地之一,对于常规油气前人做了大量工作。然而对非常规页岩气的研究才刚刚起步。页岩气以吸附或游离的形式存在于泥页岩及其夹层中,而泥页岩的矿物组分研究为页岩气的吸附储存以及泥页岩的裂缝评价、渗流运移、压裂造缝等的研究提供了必要的基础。本文在野外露头及钻井岩心观察的基础上,通过显微薄片分析和 X-衍射分析,结合有机地化及镜质体反射率测试结果,对吐哈盆地周边二叠系8个剖面及两口取心井的暗色泥页岩样品进行了系统分析,结果表明：1）吐哈盆地二叠系暗色泥页岩分布广、厚度大、有机质丰度高;暗色泥页岩主要形成于微蒸发、微咸水的浅湖—半深湖—深湖环境,主要由粘土矿物和石英组成,粘土矿物主要为伊 /蒙混层、绿泥石和高岭石组合;2）暗色泥页岩矿物组合分布具有一定规律性,反映了盆内“多凸多凹,凸凹相间”的特点;粘土矿物组合反映了中二叠世晚期干旱—潮湿频繁交替的气候条件,且风化程度中等;3）暗色泥页岩总体处于中 ?晚成岩作用阶段,成熟度高,达到了成熟—高成熟阶段,有利于页岩气藏的形成;4）脆性矿物含量大于40%,有利于页岩气的压裂开发。     

Morphological and microstructural characteristics of bauxite developed over a part of Precambrian Iron Ore Group of rocks,Sundergarh District,Eastern India

Bauxite occurring as a blanket over volcanics of Precambrian Iron Ore Group in Kusumdih and Jaldih of Sundergarh district, Odisha, Eastern India exhibits four types of morphology viz. pisolitic, disseminated, spotted and massive. The volcanics/tuffs are altered to shale and is predominantly constituted of kaolinite. Microstructures documented in different morphologies of bauxite are collomorphous, framework, chain, stalactitic, reticulate, vesicle filled and foliated-platy types. Gibbsite, diaspore and kaolinite exhibit the abovementioned morphological and microstructural features. The morphological and microstructural characteristics are interpreted in terms of genetic evolution of aluminous minerals of bauxite in such a setup. Gibbsite and diaspore are formed through solution and precipitation/recrystallisation from kaolinite booklets present in parent tuffaceous shales. Some diaspores were formed at the expense of gibbsites. Small well-ordered kaolinites are of authigenic nature. Kaolinite formed inside a localized closed system containing supersaturated solution exhibits growth spirals. The textural and morphological diversities of the bauxite, abundance of well-ordered bauxite minerals and the absence of any iron/silica phase along with limited occurrence of primary kaolinite together suggest that the deposit has attained a high degree of bauxitisation in weathering environment at surface temperature.     

东太平洋水合物海岭沉积物中黏土矿物与水合物饱和度相关性研究

为了探讨水合物储层中不同黏土矿物与水合物饱和度的关系,选取位于东太平洋水合物海岭国际大洋钻探计划204航次中的3个钻孔(1245B孔、1244C孔和1251B),开展储层沉积物黏土矿物的测试和综合分析。结果表明,蒙脱石、伊利石、绿泥石为主要黏土矿物(平均含量分别为40.3%、33.4%、21.4%);高岭石为次要黏土矿物(平均4.9%)。伊利石、绿泥石、高岭石三种矿物含量的垂向变化规律相似,但它们与蒙脱石的垂向变化趋势相反。该区水合物饱和度与蒙脱石含量呈正相关,且正相关程度在“细粒岩性”层段较高(R=0.55~0.97);水合物饱和度与伊利石、绿泥石、高岭石则显示负相关。3个钻孔中水合物储层厚度、水合物饱和度在各钻孔中分布的差异性表明水合物饱和度的受控因素复杂,首先是气源和流体迁移与供给,其次为沉积物岩性;而“细粒岩性”层段较高含量蒙脱石与水合物饱和度正相关关系可能代表了更次一级的沉积影响因素。为检验其它海区是否也存在黏土矿物对水合物饱和度的影响,将上述3个钻孔与印度外海Krishna-Godavari盆地17-07P钻孔记录进行对比。结果显示,17-07P孔的砂含量高,在粗砂层蒙脱石含量与水合物饱和度呈正相关,反映两个海域岩性对水合物饱和度控制机理不同。上述“细粒岩性”层段蒙脱石含量和伊利石、绿泥石、高岭石3种黏土矿物含量与水合物饱和度之间相关性的差异,可能因为蒙脱石具有特殊层状结构和表面化学性质(层间表面带负电荷、具有可交换的层间水合阳离子等),有利于促进水合物的形成和富集,因而表现为正相关;而伊利石、绿泥石、高岭石自身属性与蒙脱石不同(吸水膨胀能力、对甲烷的吸附能力较蒙脱石弱),不利于水合物的聚集,表现为负相关。     

The geochemistry of iron in Recent tidal-flat sediments of the Wash area,England: a mineralogical,Mössbauer,and magnetic study

Undisturbed core samples of Recent sediments from the Wash tidal flats, East Anglia, England, obtained using a Delft corer, were studied with special reference to the diagenesis and geochemical behaviour of iron. The Mössbauer effect in ⁵⁷Fe was used to monitor the distribution of Fe between different phases as a function of depth, together with the magnetic mineralogy and palaeomagnetic properties.The cores consist of, successively downwards: 0.36 m brown clay; 1.5 m finely laminated silts and fine sands, and 7.14 m homogeneous fine sands. The dominant minerals are quartz, feldspar, calcite and clay minerals, and chemical analysis for Al, Si, Mg, Mn, Ca, Fe, Na, K showed variations closely linked to lithological changes. Illite is the most abundant clay mineral (mean 48%), followed by mixed layer illite-montmorillonite and montmorillonite, kaolinite and chlorite. Chlorite is the major iron-bearing clay mineral and represents 4 to 10% of the <2 μm fraction throughout the core. Sulphide minerals are present throughout the core, including framboidal pyrite.Computer fit analysis of the Mössbauer spectra of best quality showed contributions from Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in clay minerals (essentially chlorite), low-spin Fe²⁺ in pyrite, and magnetically ordered iron in greigite (Fe₃S₄). Systematic variations, as a function of sample depth, indicate a relative increase in the amount of Fe in pyrite at the expense of the clay minerals.Magnetite and titanium-bearing magnetite are the carriers of natural magnetic remanence in these sediments.The direction and intensity of natural remanence in the samples compare well with the known secular variation of the Earth's magnetic field derived from the historic-archaeomagnetic record and this enables the samples to be dated and sedimentation rates to be determined (1.5 mm yr^?1 for the upper 2 m and ~7.7 mm yr^?1 for the lower 7 m).     

Fluoride hydrogeochemistry and bioavailability in groundwater and soil of an endemic fluorosis belt,central Iran

Presence of fluoride in groundwater is a public health problem in the so-called endemic fluorosis belt of the central Iran, where the groundwater is the major source of drinking water in most urban and rural areas. Therefore, an attempt has been made to determine the hydrogeochemical factors controlling fluoride enrichment in the groundwater resources at this belt. Fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.20 to 1.99 mg/L (1.02 ± 0.47) in groundwater samples. The presence of different F-bearing minerals and also clay minerals in the soils and aquifer materials was confirmed using XRD analysis. To identify probable sources of dissolved F^? and investigate groundwater quality, multivariate statistical analyses were carried out. Geochemical modeling indicated that all samples were undersaturated with respect to fluorite, halite, gypsum and anhydrite and mostly oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite. Contrary to most high-fluoride regions in the World, the high F^? content was dominated by Na–Cl- and Ca–SO₄-type groundwater in the study area. Besides, fluoride showed negative relationship with pH and HCO₃ ^? in groundwater. In order to assess the bioavailability of fluoride in soils, a two-step chemical fractionation method was applied. The results showed that fluoride in soils mostly accompanied with the residual and water-soluble fractions and was poorly associated with soil’s bonding sites. Calculated aqueous migration coefficient demonstrated that fluoride in the studied soils was mobile to easily leachable to the groundwater. Finally, the results demonstrated that combination of water–rock interaction and influence of clay minerals is geochemical mechanism responsible for controlling fluoride enrichment in groundwater.     

Use of chloride-mass balance and environmental isotopes for evaluation of groundwater recharge in the alluvial aquifer, Wadi Tharad, western Saudi Arabia

Groundwater recharge estimation has become a priority issue for humid and arid regions, especially in regions like Saudi Arabia, where the precipitation varies over space and time as a result of topography and seasonality. Wadi Tharad is a typical arid area in western Saudi Arabia. Within its drainage area of 400 km², the groundwater system shows a graded hydrochemical zonation from the hydrocarbonate in the upper reach to the chloride zone in the lower reach. The saturation index (SI) varies depending on the concentrations of carbonate minerals; the mean for calcite and dolomite is about in equilibrium (e.g., zero value). As halite and gypsum indices are negative, it is undersaturated. Isotopic compositions of H and O in the groundwater show that the groundwater recharge resources are mainly from meteoric water. The chloride-mass balance method was refined to estimate the amount of recharge, which is probably 11% of the effective annual rainfall. These results can be used to improve the accuracy of future groundwater management and development schemes.     

Inverse geochemical modeling of groundwater salinization in Azraq Basin,Jordan

The aim is to define the mechanism of chemical reactions that are responsible for the salinization of the Azraq basin along groundwater flow path, using inverse modeling technique by PHREEQC Interactive 2.8 for Windows. The chemical analysis of representative groundwater samples was used to predict the causes of salinization of groundwater. In addition, the saturation indices analysis was used to characterize the geochemical processes that led to the dissolution of mineral constituents within the groundwater aquifer system. According to the modeling results, it was noted that the groundwater at the recharge area was undersaturated with respect to calcite, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, and halite. Thus, the water dissolved these minerals during water rock interaction, and therefore, the concentration of Ca, Mg, Na, and SO₄ increased along the groundwater flow path. Furthermore, the groundwater at the discharge area was oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite. This meant that the water would precipitate these minerals along the flow path, while the water was undersaturated with respect to gypsum and halite throughout the simulated path; this showed the dissolution processes that take place during water-rock interaction. Therefore, the salinity of the groundwater increased significantly along the groundwater flow paths.     

In-situ Growth of Calcite at Devils Hole, Nevada: Comparison of Field and Laboratory Rates to a 500,000 Year Record of Near-Equilibrium Calcite Growth

Calcite grew continuously for 500,000 years on the submerged walls of an open fault plane (Devils Hole) in southern Nevada, U.S.A. at rates of 0.3 to 1.3 mm/ka, but ceased growing approximately 60,000 years ago, even though the fault plane remained open and was continuously submerged. The maximum initial in-situ growth rate on pre-weighed crystals of Iceland spar placed in Devils Hole (calcite saturation index, SI, is 0.16 to 0.21 at 33.7 °C) for growth periods of 0.75 to 4.5 years was 0.22 mm/ka. Calcite growth on seed crystals slowed or ceased following initial contact with Devils Hole groundwater. Growth rates measured in synthetic Ca-HCO₃ solutions at 34 °C, CO₂ partial pressures of 0.101, 0.0156 (similar to Devils Hole groundwater) and 0.00102 atm, and SI values of 0.2 to 1.9 were nearly independent of P_{CO 2}, decreased with decreasing saturation state, and extrapolated through the historical Devils Hole rate. The results show that calcite growth rate is highly sensitive to saturation state near equilibrium. A calcite crystal retrieved from Devils Hole, and used without further treatment of its surface, grew in synthetic Devils Hole groundwater when the saturation index was raised nearly 10-fold that of Devils Hole water, but the rate was only 1/4 that of fresh laboratory crystals that had not contacted Devils Hole water. Apparently, inhibiting processes that halted calcite growth in Devils Hole 60,000 years ago continue today.