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Precipitation kinetics and partitioning of rare earth elements (REE) between calcite and seawater

A novel and simple "constant-addition" technique was used to study calcite precipitation kinetics and the partitioning of REE between calcite overgrowths and their parent seawater solutions under steady state conditions. / As a consequence of solute interactions in solution and at the growing mineral surface, the calcite precipitation mechanism in seawater is complex. It is dominated by the following reversible overall reaction: $ rm Ca sp{2+}+CO sbsp{3}{2-} rightleftharpoons CaCO sb3.$ A kinetic expression is proposed which describes the precipitation rate according to this reaction. A partial reaction order of 3 with respect to CO$ sb3 sp{2-}$ is obtained. / REE have a strong affinity for calcite and substitute for Ca$ sp{2+}$. REE partition coefficients in calcite overgrowths were calculated from their concentrations in the overgrowths and their parent solutions using a non-thermodynamic homogeneous model. The concentrations were determined by chelation and gradient ion chromatography (CGIC) using a revised procedure. REE partition coefficients decrease gradually with increasing REE atomic number. They are sensitive to changes in (REE): (Ca$ sp{2+}$) and the presence of O$ sb2$ in solution, but unaffected by the precipitation rate, $ rm lbrack CO sb3 sp{2-} rbrack$ or Pco$ sb2$ of the solution. The partitioning behaviour of REE is negatively correlated to the solubility of their respective carbonates and influenced by speciation, adsorption, and subsequent surface reactions (e.g., dehydration).

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.41198
Date January 1993
CreatorsZhong, Shaojun
ContributorsMucci, Alfonso (advisor)
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageDoctor of Philosophy (Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001357017, proquestno: NN91658, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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