<p> In this study the experiments were designed to measure the geochemical and surface charge (zeta potential) changes with time for two crushed samples of feldspar (Na-fs and K-fs) over the pH range of most natural waters (5 to 9). These experiments show: </p> <p> (a) the importance of adsorption/desorption phenomena in both short-term and long-term feldspar dissolution, and probably for chemical weathering in general; </p> <p> (b) that the generalized curve which characterizes the geochemical data (an initial rapid rise to a peak followed by a decrease to a lower, either constant or later increasing value) is consistent with a consideration of the adsorption/desorption process (i.e., the formation of the double layer) taking place at the feldspar surface and with the simple dissolution of the mineral; </p> <p> (c) that the cation-silica ratios (Na₂O/SiO₂, K₂O/SiO₂, CaO/SiO₂) of the solution compared to those in the original feldspar indicate an initially incongruent dissolution which tends towards congruency during the latter part of the experiments. </p> <p> From information in the Iiterature and the results of these experiments. it may be concluded that: </p> <p> (a) the most important or master variables in chemical weathering are abrasion, minerologic or crystallographic factors such as twinning, exsolution regions, impurities, fractures and grain size, and solution composition and concentration. pH does not appear to be a master variable in most natural waters, especially for long-term weathering, and the chemical composition of the mineral phase is also not a good criterion for predicting weathering behaviour; and </p> <p> (b) the most extreme chemical weathering should occur in a high energy environment, either for physical reasons (i.e., high abrasion due to extreme relief) or for chemical reasons (i.e., high rainfall). </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/17976 |
| Date | 09 1900 |
| Creators | Houston, William Norman |
| Contributors | Kramer, J. R., Geology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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