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Konrad-Schmolke, M, Halama, R, Wirth, R, Thomen, A, Klitscher, N, Morales, L, Schreiber, A and Wilke, FDH (2018) Mineral dissolution and reprecipitation mediated by an amorphous phase. Nature Communications, 9 (1). 1637 -1637. ISSN 2041-1723
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Abstract
Fluid-mediated mineral dissolution and reprecipitation processes are the most common mineral reaction mechanism in the solid Earth and are fundamental for the Earth’s internal dynamics. Element exchange during such mineral reactions is commonly thought to occur via aqueous solutions with the mineral solubility in the coexisting fluid being a rate limiting factor. Here we show in high-pressure/low temperature rocks that element transfer during mineral dissolution and reprecipitation can occur in an alkali-Al–Si-rich amorphous material that forms directly by depolymerization of the crystal lattice and is thermodynamically decoupled from aqueous solutions. Depolymerization starts along grain boundaries and crystal lattice defects that serve as element exchange pathways and are sites of porosity formation. The resulting amorphous material occupies large volumes in an interconnected porosity network. Precipitation of product minerals occurs directly by repolymerization of the amorphous material at the product surface. This mechanism allows for significantly higher element transport and mineral reaction rates than aqueous solutions with major implications for the role of mineral reactions in the dynamic Earth.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via Nature Publishing Group at http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03944-z - please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. |
Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography |
Divisions: | Faculty of Natural Sciences > School of Geography, Geology and the Environment |
Related URLs: | |
Depositing User: | Symplectic |
Date Deposited: | 24 Apr 2018 15:23 |
Last Modified: | 28 Aug 2018 09:03 |
URI: | https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/4785 |