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The effect of dislocation density on the dissolution rate of quartz

Journal Article · · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (USA)
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (USA)
  2. Brown Univ., Providence, RI (USA)

In order to determine the effect of crystal dislocations on quartz dissolution rates, the dissolution rates of (i) synthetic quartz with a dislocation density of < 10{sup 5} cm{sup {minus}2} and (ii) plastically deformed quartz from the same crystal with a dislocation density of {approx} 5 {times} 10{sup 10} cm{sup {minus}2} were measured in distilled water at 80{degree}C and in 0.2 M HF at 22{degree}C. All of the experiments were conducted in highly undersaturated solutions. The high dislocation density in the deformed sample dramatically increased the extent of etch pit development during dissolution in 0.2 M HF. However, the dissolution rates of the high and low dislocation density quartz were indistinguishable in both distilled water at 80{degree}C and in 0.2 M HF at 22{degree}C. This indicates that the dissolution from etch pits formed at dislocations is a small contribution to the overall quartz dissolution rate, and implies that dislocations are not an important factor in controlling quartz dissolution rates in highly undersaturated geochemical environments such as soils. Theoretical arguments indicate that dislocations have a larger potential for accelerating dissolution rates in solutions near equilibrium, and this may be an important factor in the kinetics of many diagenetic and metamorphic reactions.

OSTI ID:
6935823
Journal Information:
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (USA), Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (USA) Vol. 54:2; ISSN GCACA; ISSN 0016-7037
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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