Evolution of Carbonate Weathering and Nanoparticle Release
Additional Funding Sources
The project was supported by a University of Idaho Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship made possible by a 2017-2018 Undergraduate Research Grant from the Higher Education Research Council/Idaho State Board of Education.
Presentation Date
7-2018
Abstract
Carbonate weathering and release of the associated metals lacks resolution because of a wide variability in the decomposition rate of carbonate minerals. With limited atmospheric carbon dioxide, carbonate minerals will tend to weather and dissolve, releasing metal and carbonate ions into solution. This accepted dissolution process has been used to evaluate carbonate weathering and the release and transport of metals in hydrologic systems. Historically, carbonate mineral decomposition has been viewed solely as a dissolution process, but recent studies have challenged this accepted notion. Evidence of repulsive forces that eject micro- to nano-scale metal-carbonate particles from the weathering surface may be the reason we have struggled to establish consistent weathering rates. This study aims to test this new weathering mechanism by determining the variation in the size and stability of ejected particle during the weathering of calcite [CaCO3] under different aqueous and temperature conditions. Results of the study will assist in refining carbonate weathering rates and the prediction of release and transport of the associated nanoparticles.
Evolution of Carbonate Weathering and Nanoparticle Release
Carbonate weathering and release of the associated metals lacks resolution because of a wide variability in the decomposition rate of carbonate minerals. With limited atmospheric carbon dioxide, carbonate minerals will tend to weather and dissolve, releasing metal and carbonate ions into solution. This accepted dissolution process has been used to evaluate carbonate weathering and the release and transport of metals in hydrologic systems. Historically, carbonate mineral decomposition has been viewed solely as a dissolution process, but recent studies have challenged this accepted notion. Evidence of repulsive forces that eject micro- to nano-scale metal-carbonate particles from the weathering surface may be the reason we have struggled to establish consistent weathering rates. This study aims to test this new weathering mechanism by determining the variation in the size and stability of ejected particle during the weathering of calcite [CaCO3] under different aqueous and temperature conditions. Results of the study will assist in refining carbonate weathering rates and the prediction of release and transport of the associated nanoparticles.
Comments
W14