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Dissolution of quartz into dilute alkaline solutions at 90/sup 0/C: a kinetic study

Journal Article · · Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States)

The rate of dissolution of Fontainebleau sand (pure quartz) into sodium hydroxide solutions (from 0.001 M to 0.5 M) has been determined at 90/sup 0/C in well-stirred vessels. Dissolution leads to an equilibrium state, controlled by the solubility of quartz in pure water as undissociated silicic acid H/sub 4/SiO/sub 4/. As long as the initial molality of sodium hydroxide does not exceed 0.02 mol x kg/sup -1/, the dissolution leads only to the formation of the three monomeric species H/sub 4/SiO/sub 4/, H/sub 3/SiO/sub 4//sup -/ and H/sub 2/SiO/sub 4//sup 2 -/, while polymers appear in the silica-rich solutions obtained in more alkaline media. The rate of dissolution can be represented by an adaptation of Stoeber's model to alkaline solutions; the basic assumption is that the quartz surface is partially covered by a layer of adsorbed silicate ions, which represent an intermediate species between solid and dissolved silica.

Research Organization:
Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines de Paris (France)
OSTI ID:
7222725
Journal Information:
Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States), Journal Name: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States) Vol. 51:7; ISSN GCACA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English