Precipitation of Aragonite under Anoxic Conditions: An Experimental Study

Author

Jonney Mitchell

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Skarke, Adam

Committee Member

Kirkland, Brenda

Committee Member

Gabitov, Rinat

Date of Degree

8-12-2016

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Geology

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Geosciences

Abstract

Calcium carbonate minerals (CaCO3) are important for our understanding of past marine conditions as well as tools for constructing paleoclimate. However, very little experimental work has been done to determine the influence of oxygen depletion on the geochemistry of CaCO3. To determine how oxygen depletion affects elemental incorporation and partitioning, aragonite was grown inorganically in artificial seawater at pressures of 1 atm and 5 bars (0.1%CH4-N2 mixture). Solution of Na2CO3 was used to induce aragonite precipitation. N2 was bubbled through solution in order to minimize oxygen content and iron powder was used to trap remaining O2. Experimental products (aragonite and fluid) were analyzed with ICP-MS, and isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Results suggest that Eh affects incorporation of Mn, S, Cu, and V into aragonite. No methane oxidation was observed.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/20730

Comments

aragonite||carbonates||partition coefficient||oxidation state

Recommended Citation

Mitchell, Jonney, "Precipitation of Aragonite under Anoxic Conditions: An Experimental Study" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 3590.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/3590