Microbial control of mineral weathering kinetics
Conference
·
OSTI ID:126557
- Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)
The influence of native microorganisms on mineral dissolution and precipitation kinetics was examined in a petroleum contaminated aquifer. In situ microcosms containing clean mineral fragments (calcite, dolomite, quartz, albite, microcline, anorthite, muscovite, biotite) were allowed to colonize and react over 1 year periods, and the surfaces then examined for microbial colonization patterns and weathering features. These experiments revealed distinct patterns of colonization, and weathering associated with microbial metabolism. Feldspar surfaces were widely colonized, and the colonized surfaces were deeply weathered, while secondary clays precipitated on uncolonized surfaces. Calcite surfaces were sparsely colonized, but deeply pitted around microbial colonies. Distinctive precipitation features were otherwise observed on all other surfaces, with overgrowth morphology related to crystal orientation. The rates of calcite dissolution was directly controlled at the microscopic level by microbial activity around colonies, while precipitation rate is probably related to microbial perturbation of the meso-scale inorganic geochemistry, and may be limited by dolomite dissolution rate.
- OSTI ID:
- 126557
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950402--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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