Aqueous Crystal Growth and Dissolution Kinetics of Earth Surface Materials Active
Although calcium carbonate reaction kinetics has important application in several areas of Earth Science, the mechanism of natural organic matter mediation of carbonate minerals growth and dissolution rates remains largely unknown. This project uses multiple approaches to study calcium carbonate formation and dissolution rates in surface water and groundwater systems.
Background
Project work on calcium carbonate reaction kinetics has important application in several areas of earth science, including water quality concerns and the global carbon budget. The mechanism of natural organic matter mediation of carbonate minerals growth and dissolution rates remains largely unknown. We use laboratory, field, and theoretical approaches to study calcium carbonate formation and dissolution rates in surface water and groundwater systems.
Important aspects of project research include characterization of the interaction of natural organic material with calcium carbonate surfaces during crystal growth and dissolution. We develop models to evaluate natural organic material influence on calcium carbonate crystal growth and dissolution kinetics. Other project activities focus on the development and verification of methods to characterize natural organic matter-metal ion speciation.
Project staff sample surface and ground water for chemical and isotopic composition related to calcium carbonate formation and dissolution. We use geochemical mass balance calculations to identify possible calcium carbonate formation and dissolution reactions in a range of surface and ground water settings. Project staff also monitor calcium carbonate crystal growth and dissolution in conjunction with tools developed for dating young groundwaters.
Our project uses techniques of low-temperature geochemistry to interpret and characterize chemical processes, such as precipitation of calcium carbonate in surface lake water (see photos below), occurring in surface water and ground water. We study metal binding by dissolved organic matter and crystal growth and dissolution reaction rate mediation by dissolved constituents because metal ion speciation and mineral formation rates influence water quality and carbon storage. Metal ion complexation with organic matter mediates metal ion reactivity in surface water and ground water -- metal ion speciation controls metal ion chemical and biogeochemical reactivity and bioavailability.
We determine equilibrium metal species distributions in surface and ground water containing organic matter, and characterize crystal growth and dissolution rates in surface and ground water containing organic material.
Project Interests
- Calcium carbonate nucleation and growth in surface and groundwater
- Calcium carbonate formation and dissolution in arid soils at the Amargosa Desert Research Site located near Beatty, Nevada.
Pyramid Lake Research
Aqueous Crystal Growth and Dissolution Kinetics of Calcium Carbonate Minerals at the Amarigosa Desert Research Site, Nevada
Below are publications associated with this project.
Calcite growth rate inhibition by low molecular weight polycarboxylate ions: Chapter 2
Calcite growth-rate inhibition by fulvic acid and magnesium ion—Possible influence on biogenic calcite formation
Calcium carbonate nucleation in an alkaline lake surface water, Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
Summary of data from onsite and laboratory analyses of surface water and marsh porewater from South Florida Water Management District Water Conservation Areas, the Everglades, South Florida, March 1995
Summary of chemical data from onsite and laboratory analyses of groundwater samples from the surficial aquifer, Las Vegas, Nevada, April and August 1993 and September 1994
Calcite growth-rate inhibition by fulvic acids isolated from Big Soda Lake, Nevada, USA, the Suwannee River, Georgia, USA and by polycarboxylic acids
Meteorological Data near Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado, U.S.A., 1984-2008
Peat porewater chloride concentration profiles in the Everglades during wet/dry cycles from January 1996 to June 1998: Field measurements and theoretical analysis
Mercury and organic carbon dynamics during runoff episodes from a northeastern USA watershed
Transport of water, carbon, and sediment through the Yukon River Basin
Water and sediment quality in the Yukon River and its tributaries between Atlin, British Columbia, Canada, and Eagle, Alaska, USA, 2004
Water and Sediment Quality in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, During Water Year 2005
Below are software products associated with this project.
PHREEQC Version 3
PHREEQC Version 3 is a computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calculations.
- Overview
Although calcium carbonate reaction kinetics has important application in several areas of Earth Science, the mechanism of natural organic matter mediation of carbonate minerals growth and dissolution rates remains largely unknown. This project uses multiple approaches to study calcium carbonate formation and dissolution rates in surface water and groundwater systems.
Background
Project work on calcium carbonate reaction kinetics has important application in several areas of earth science, including water quality concerns and the global carbon budget. The mechanism of natural organic matter mediation of carbonate minerals growth and dissolution rates remains largely unknown. We use laboratory, field, and theoretical approaches to study calcium carbonate formation and dissolution rates in surface water and groundwater systems.
Important aspects of project research include characterization of the interaction of natural organic material with calcium carbonate surfaces during crystal growth and dissolution. We develop models to evaluate natural organic material influence on calcium carbonate crystal growth and dissolution kinetics. Other project activities focus on the development and verification of methods to characterize natural organic matter-metal ion speciation.
Project staff sample surface and ground water for chemical and isotopic composition related to calcium carbonate formation and dissolution. We use geochemical mass balance calculations to identify possible calcium carbonate formation and dissolution reactions in a range of surface and ground water settings. Project staff also monitor calcium carbonate crystal growth and dissolution in conjunction with tools developed for dating young groundwaters.
Our project uses techniques of low-temperature geochemistry to interpret and characterize chemical processes, such as precipitation of calcium carbonate in surface lake water (see photos below), occurring in surface water and ground water. We study metal binding by dissolved organic matter and crystal growth and dissolution reaction rate mediation by dissolved constituents because metal ion speciation and mineral formation rates influence water quality and carbon storage. Metal ion complexation with organic matter mediates metal ion reactivity in surface water and ground water -- metal ion speciation controls metal ion chemical and biogeochemical reactivity and bioavailability.
We determine equilibrium metal species distributions in surface and ground water containing organic matter, and characterize crystal growth and dissolution rates in surface and ground water containing organic material.
Project Interests
- Calcium carbonate nucleation and growth in surface and groundwater
- Calcium carbonate formation and dissolution in arid soils at the Amargosa Desert Research Site located near Beatty, Nevada.
Pyramid Lake Research
- Science
Aqueous Crystal Growth and Dissolution Kinetics of Calcium Carbonate Minerals at the Amarigosa Desert Research Site, Nevada
The USGS studies calcium carbonate mineral reactions in soils at the Amarigosa Desert Research Site (ADRS) near Beatty, Nevada, in order to better understand carbon dioxide transport to and from the soil surface, as well as sequestration of toxic elements in the soil. - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 58Calcite growth rate inhibition by low molecular weight polycarboxylate ions: Chapter 2
No abstract available.AuthorsMichael M. ReddyCalcite growth-rate inhibition by fulvic acid and magnesium ion—Possible influence on biogenic calcite formation
Increases in ocean surface water dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations retard biocalcification by reducing calcite supersaturation (Ωc). Reduced calcification rates may influence growth-rate dependent magnesium ion (Mg) incorporation into biogenic calcite modifying the use of calcifying organisms as paleoclimate proxies. Fulvic acid (FA) at biocalcification sites may further reduce calcifiAuthorsMichael M. ReddyCalcium carbonate nucleation in an alkaline lake surface water, Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
Calcium concentration and calcite supersaturation (Ω) needed for calcium carbonate nucleation and crystal growth in Pyramid Lake (PL) surface water were determined during August of 1997, 2000, and 2001. PL surface water has Ω values of 10-16. Notwithstanding high Ω, calcium carbonate growth did not occur on aragonite single crystals suspended PL surface water for several months. However, calcium sAuthorsMichael M. Reddy, Anthony HochSummary of data from onsite and laboratory analyses of surface water and marsh porewater from South Florida Water Management District Water Conservation Areas, the Everglades, South Florida, March 1995
This report presents results of chemical analysis for samples collected during March, 1995, as part of a study to quantify the interaction of aquatic organic material (referred to here as dissolved organic carbon with dissolved metal ions). The work was done in conjunction with the South Florida Water Management District, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey South FAuthorsMichael M. Reddy, Charmaine D. GuntherSummary of chemical data from onsite and laboratory analyses of groundwater samples from the surficial aquifer, Las Vegas, Nevada, April and August 1993 and September 1994
This report presents a summary of data collected during April and August 1993 and September 1994. These results are to be used as a wet-site analog to southern Nevada soils located at the Amargosa Desert Research Site near Beatty, Nevada. The samples were collected and analyzed in conjunction with the Nevada Basin and Range study unit of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Water-Quality AssessmenAuthorsMichael M. Reddy, Charmaine D. GuntherCalcite growth-rate inhibition by fulvic acids isolated from Big Soda Lake, Nevada, USA, the Suwannee River, Georgia, USA and by polycarboxylic acids
Calcite crystallization rates are characterized using a constant solution composition at 25°C, pH=8.5, and calcite supersaturation (Ω) of 4.5 in the absence and presence of fulvic acids isolated from Big Soda Lake, Nevada (BSLFA), and a fulvic acid from the Suwannee River, Georgia (SRFA). Rates are also measured in the presence and absence of low-molar mass, aliphatic-alicyclic polycarboxylic acidAuthorsMichael M. Reddy, Jerry LeenheerMeteorological Data near Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado, U.S.A., 1984-2008
In 1983, a snowmelt energy budget study was initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey on a small watershed near Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado, to better understand snowmelt processes. The study included data collection from hydrological and meteorological instrumentation. Interest in long term, high-altitude meteorological sites has increased recently due to the increased awareness of global climate chAuthorsDouglas R. Halm, Larry D. Beaver, George H. Leavesley, Michael M. ReddyPeat porewater chloride concentration profiles in the Everglades during wet/dry cycles from January 1996 to June 1998: Field measurements and theoretical analysis
Water quality is a key aspect of the Everglades Restoration Project, the largest water reclamation and ecosystem management project proposed in the United States. Movement of nutrients and contaminants to and from Everglades peat porewater could have important consequences for Everglades water quality and ecosystem restoration activities. In a study of Everglades porewater, we observed complex, seAuthorsM.M. Reddy, M.B. Reddy, K.L. Kipp, A. Burman, Peter Schuster, P.S. RawlikMercury and organic carbon dynamics during runoff episodes from a northeastern USA watershed
Mercury and organic carbon concentrations vary dynamically in streamwater at the Sleepers River Research Watershed in Vermont, USA. Total mercury (THg) concentrations ranged from 0.53 to 93.8 ng/L during a 3-year period of study. The highest mercury (Hg) concentrations occurred slightly before peak flows and were associated with the highest organic carbon (OC) concentrations. Dissolved Hg (DHg) waAuthorsP. F. Schuster, J. B. Shanley, M. Marvin-DiPasquale, M.M. Reddy, G. R. Aiken, D.A. Roth, Howard E. Taylor, D. P. Krabbenhoft, J.F. DeWildTransport of water, carbon, and sediment through the Yukon River Basin
In 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a water-quality study of the Yukon River. The Yukon River Basin (YRB), which encompasses 330,000 square miles in northwestern Canada and central Alaska (fig. 1), is one of the largest and most diverse ecosystems in North America. The Yukon River is more than 1,800 miles long and is one of the last great uncontrolled rivers in the world, and is essenAuthorsTimothy P. Brabets, Paul F. SchusterWater and sediment quality in the Yukon River and its tributaries between Atlin, British Columbia, Canada, and Eagle, Alaska, USA, 2004
The Yukon River basin is the fourth largest watershed in North America at 855,300 square kilometers (km2). Approximately 126,000 people live within the basin and depend on the Yukon River and its tributaries for drinking water, commerce, subsistence and recreational fish and game resources.Climate warming in the Arctic and Sub arctic regions encompassing the Yukon basin has recently become a conceAuthorsDouglas R. Halm, Mark M. DornblaserWater and Sediment Quality in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, During Water Year 2005
OVERVIEW: This report contains water-quality and sediment-quality data from samples collected in the Yukon River Basin from March through September during the 2005 water year (WY). Samples were collected throughout the year at five stations in the basin (three on the main stem Yukon River, one each on the Tanana and Porcupine Rivers). A broad range of physical, chemical, and biological analyses arAuthorsPaul F. Schuster - Software
Below are software products associated with this project.
PHREEQC Version 3
PHREEQC Version 3 is a computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calculations.