Impact of trace mineral phases on the total solute flux from andesitic volcanics

Recent work on the weathering of high standing islands (HSI’s) of New Zealand (Goldsmith et al., 2008), Dominica (Goldsmith et al., 2010) Martinique and Guadeloupe (Rad et al., 2006) and portions of the Philippines (Schopka et al., 2011) shows weathering rates based on stream water chemistry for areas draining andesitic terrains are comparable to weathering rates determined for basaltic terrains, indicating that andesite weathering might be much more important in drawing down atmospheric CO₂ than previously recognized. While an easily erodible parent material has been largely attributed to sustaining rates at these locations, little is known to known regarding its associated reaction kinetics. We conducted a series of batch dissolution experiments on andesitic material collected from ∼10,000 year old tephra deposits from Dominica to determine the dissolution rate of major and trace mineral phases to better understand geochemical processes controlling weathering flux from these areas. Dissolution experiments were conducted over a range of pH (4 and 7) on bulk samples and mineral separates.The dissolution rates based on Si release from the Dominica tephra bulk samples were similar, and ranged from 0.04 to 0.13 μmole Si/g-day in water, and ∼0.14 to 0.27 μmole Si/g-day in dilute acid (initial pH ∼4). Although the bulk of the ash is predominately composed of vesicular felsic (Na–Al–Si) volcanic glass, reaction rates and stoichiometry indicate ash dissolution is dominated by the reactivity of trace Mg or Ca-bearing silicate phases (olivine, pyroxene or amphiboles) and Ca–phosphate phases (apatite), especially under slightly acidic conditions. Analysis of reacted phases by SEM shows little evidence of alteration of glassy material, whereas surfaces of Ca–Mg inosilicates, olivine and apatite show etched features indicative of dissolution. Results of the dissolution experiments suggest that, although these phases are relatively minor components of the ash, they contribute disproportionately to the overall weathering flux, and their reactivity may be particularly important in areas where physical weathering and erosion are constantly exposing new fresh surfaces available for chemical reaction.