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Galena Non-oxidative Dissolution Kinetics in Seawater

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Abstract

The rate of non-oxidative galena dissolution in seawater compositions over the pH range of 2–4.5 was determined from batch reactor experiments. The derivative at zero time of a polynomial fit of the Pb concentration versus time data for the first 30 min was used to determine the rate. A plot of RGn (rate of galena dissolution) versus pH for data from six experiments is linear (R2 = 0.96), with a slope of 0.5. The rate equation describing the rate of galena dissolution as a function of hydrogen ion activity is

$$R_{\text{Gn}} = - \,10^{ - 10.72} \left( {a_{{{\text{H}}^{ + } }} } \right)^{0.50}$$

Varying the concentration of dissolved oxygen produced no significant effect on the measured rates. The activation energy, based on four experiments carried out over the temperature range of 7–30 °C, is 61.1 kJ/mol.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Michael McKibben of UC Riverside for allowing us to use their experimental setup as well as for his advice and expertise during the manuscript review process. Special thanks are also extended to Taylor van Hoorebeke, Natalie Alsalek and Camilo Uribe Mogollon for their assistance during the experimental setup and sampling. Gratitude is likewise extended to the New Mexico Bureau of Geology for the use of their analytical instruments used in this study. This study was funded through the Research Council of Norway Project No. 241879 in cooperation with the Kjeøy Research and Education Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM, 87801, USA

    Rodrigo F. Embile Jr. & Ingar Walder

  2. Kjeøy Research and Education Center, 8412, Vestbygd, Norway

    Rodrigo F. Embile Jr. & Ingar Walder

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  1. Rodrigo F. Embile Jr.
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Correspondence to Rodrigo F. Embile Jr..

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Embile, R.F., Walder, I. Galena Non-oxidative Dissolution Kinetics in Seawater. Aquat Geochem 24, 107–119 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-018-9335-0

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