Chemical exchange during hydrothermal alteration of basalt by seawater--I. Experimental results for major and minor components of seawater

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Fresh mid-ocean ridge basalt of varying crystallinity has been powdered and reacted with seawater and an artificial Na-K-Ca-Cl solution at 200-500°C and 500-1000 bar in sealed gold capsules. Water/rock mass ratios of 1-3 were used and durations ranged from 2 to 20 months. These time periods were sufficient for most elements to approach a steady-state concentration in solution which was determined by equilibrium with alteration minerals (Mg, SiO 2 , SO 4 ), by rate of formation of these minerals (Na, Ca), or by depletion from the rock (K, B, Ba). The resulting solutions closely resemble the brines from the basalt-seawater geothermal system at Reykjanes, Iceland. Mg was almost completely removed from seawater into the alteration products smectite, tremolite-actinolite, or talc. Sulfate also was removed to low concentrations, both by precipitation of anyhydrite and by reduction to sulfide. Net transfer of Na from seawater into solids occurred in most experiments by formation of sodic feldspar and possibly analcime. Sr was removed from seawater in some experiments but showed no change or a small gain in others. SiO 2 , Ca, K, Ba, B and CO 2 were leached from basalt and enriched in solution. SiO 2 concentrations were controlled by saturation with quartz at 300°C and above. The principal Ca-bearing phases which formed were anhydrite, the hydrated Ca-silicate truscottite, tremolite-actinolite, and possibly wairakite. No K-rich phases formed. For some minerals the crystallinity of the starting basalt affected the amount which formed. Removal of Mg from seawater into solid alteration products occurred rapidly and was balanced largely by leaching of Ca from basalt. Net transfer of Na from seawater into solids occurred more slowly and was balanced mainly by leaching of additional Ca from basalt. Thus, reaction between seawater and basalt at low water/rock ratios can be considered to consist of two exchanges: Mg for Ca, and Na for Ca.

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