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Evidence for auto-catalytic mineral dissolution from surface-specific vibrational spectroscopy
Jan Schaefer1, Ellen H G Backus1, Mischa Bonn2
1Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
Nature Communications
|August 22, 2018
Summary
This study directly measured silica dissolution in real-time using surface spectroscopy. Dissolution kinetics indicate an auto-catalytic process, with rates increasing as dissolution progresses.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Surface Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Mineral dissolution is typically studied indirectly using bulk solution measurements.
- Macroscopic methods rely on model assumptions to deduce reaction rates.
- Understanding silica dissolution is crucial for geochemical processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly measure silica dissolution kinetics in real-time.
- To investigate the initial stages of mineral-water interaction at the interface.
- To determine if silica dissolution is an auto-catalytic process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized surface-specific spectroscopy to monitor changes in interfacial water layers.
- Performed direct, real-time measurements of silica dissolution.
- Analyzed the concentration of dissolution products at the mineral-water interface.
Main Results:
- Observed silica dissolution saturating at the solubility limit (~millimolar) within tens of hours.
- Demonstrated that dissolution rate increases with progressing dissolution.
- Provided direct kinetic information for silica dissolution.
Conclusions:
- Silica dissolution is an auto-catalytic process.
- Direct interfacial measurements offer new insights into mineral dissolution kinetics.
- The short timescale of saturation challenges previous assumptions.
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