G9811 Geochemistry of exogenous processes

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2010 - only for the accreditation
Extent and Intensity
3/1. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Ing. Jiří Faimon, Dr. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Rostislav Melichar, Dr.
Department of Geological Sciences – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Martin Ivanov, Dr.
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! G9810 Geochem. of sediment.processes && ( (!(PROGRAM(B-GE)||PROGRAM(N-GE)||PROGRAM(D-GE4)||PROGRAM(D-GE)||PROGRAM(C-CV))) || (NOW( G0101 Occupational healt and safety )&&NOW( C7777 Handling chemicals )))
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 35 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/35, only registered: 0/35, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/35
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Main objectives can be summarized as advanced understanding of the geochemical processes proceeding under conditions of earth surface, especially:
- physical/chemical/thermodynamic/kinetic aspects of rock weathering
- diffuse model of rock-water interaction
- reaction model - the transition state theory
- nucleation and crystal growth
- geochemistry of clay minerals
- equilibrium models of Al-pH and Al-Si-pH systems
- diagrams of predominant stability in the systems of Na-Al-Si-H2O, K-Al-Si-H2O, and Ca-Al-Si-H2O
- dynamic model of weathering in open system under different climatic conditions
Syllabus
  • Rocks stability at surface conditions: Non-stability of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Rock system evolution. Entropy and Gibb's energy. Goldish's scheme.
  • Rock weathering: Physical and chemical weathering. Aluminosilicate weathering. Reversibility and irreversibility of processes. The model of diffusion through surface layer. The model of surface reaction. The role of atmosphere and waters. The buffering of waters by CO2. Biogeochemical processes.
  • The kinetics of rock-water interaction: Experiments. Box-models. Mass reservoirs, fluxes. Rate equations, rate constants. Steady state, equilibrium. Arhenius' equation. Pre-exponential factor. Activation energy.
  • Transition State Theory: Elementary processes. Theory of activated complex. Modeling, computation. Potential barrier. Thermodynamic approach. Rate of interaction. Chemical affinity.
  • Saturation state: Thermodynamics of dissolution. Saturation index. Supersaturation, equilibrium and under-saturation of solutions.
  • Nucleation theory: Thermodynamics of surfaces. Interfacial surface energy. Polymerization, condensation. Homogenous and heterogeneous nucleation. Clusters, nuclea, and critical nucleus. Potential barrier. Supersaturation influence.
  • Crystal growth: Growth mechanisms. Ostwald's step rule, re-crystallization. The formation of secondary mineral phases. Dioctaedral gibbsite layer. Trioctaedral brucite layer. Amorphous SiO2 gels, quartz stability.
  • Clay minerals: 1:1 layer minerals: kaolinite, halloysite. Stability and solubility. 2:1 layer minerals: smectite (pyrophyllite, montmorillonite, beidellite), vermiculite. 2:1:1 layer minerals: chlorites.
  • Models of secondary phase formation: Al-pH system, equilibrium boundary, solution and mineral stabilities. Al-Si-H2O system, kaolinite, gibbsite, and pyrophyllite stability.
  • Diagrams of predominant stability: Na-Al-Si-H2O, K-Al-Si-H2O, Ca-Al-Si-H2O systems. Construction. Stability fields. Equilibrium lines. Reaction path and system evolution.
  • Dynamic model of rock weathering: Influence of climatic condition. Annual precipitation. Drainage. Soil water composition and concentrations.
Literature
  • Chemical weathering rates of silicate minerals. Edited by Art F. White - Susan Louise Brantley. Washington, D.C.: Mineralogical Society of America, 1995, xv, 583. ISBN 0939950383. info
  • DREVER, James I. The Geochemistry of Natural Waters. Prentice Hall, 1997, 450 pp. ISBN 0-13-272790-0. info
  • APPELO, C.A.J. and D. POSTMA. Geochemistry, Groundwater and Polution. 1st ed. Rotterdam/Brookfield: A.A.Balkema, 1994, 519 pp. ISBN 905410 106 7. info
  • STUMM, Werner and James J. MORGAN. Aquatic chemistry : chemical equilibria and rates in natural waters. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995, xvi, 1022. ISBN 0-471-51184-6-. info
  • MCLANE, Michael. Sedimentology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995, xiii, 423. ISBN 0195078683. info
  • Diagenesis, I. Edited by George V. Chilingar - K. H. Wolf. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1988, 591 s. ISBN 0444427201. info
  • PFEIFFER, Hubert, Thomas KLUPSCH and Werner HAUBENREISSER. Microscopic theory of crystal growth. Berlin: Akademie-Verlag, 1989, 400 s. ISBN 3055006844. info
  • KUKAL, Zdeněk. Základy sedimentologie. 1. vyd. Praha: Academia, 1986, 466 s. info
  • MILLOT, Georges. Geology of clays : weathering, sedimentology, geochemistry. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1970, 429 s. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, class discussion, homeworks, reading
Assessment methods
2 written tests, final test
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught once in two years.
Information on the per-term frequency of the course: Bude otevřen v podzimním semestru 2010/2011.
The course is taught: every week.
General note: Vyhledem k účasti na konferenci, přednáška 6.10.2003 odpadá!.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2007 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Autumn 2002, Autumn 2003, Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011 - acreditation, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.