Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Abdilla, Bektur

Publications and source records attributed to Abdilla, Bektur.

Dynamic Surface Incorporation of Pb 2+ Ions at the Actively Dissolving Calcite (104) Surface

The reaction of dissolved Pb 2+ with calcite surfaces at near-equilibrium conditions involves adsorption of Pb 2+ and precipitation of secondary heteroepitaxial Pb-carbonate minerals. A more complex behavior is observed under far-from-equilibrium conditions, including strong inhibition of calcite dissolution, development of microtopography, and near-surface incorporation of multiple monolayers (ML) of Pb 2+ without precipitation of secondary phases [where 1 ML ≡ 1 Ca/20.2 Å 2 , the crystallographic site density of the calcite (104) lattice plane]. However, the mechanistic controls governing far-from-equilibrium reactivity are not well understood. Here, in this study, we observe the interfacial incorporation of dissolved Pb 2+ during the dissolution of calcite (104) surfaces at pH ~3.7 in a flow-through reaction cell, revealing the formation of a ~1 nm thick Pb-rich calcite layer with a total Pb coverage of ~1.4 ML. These observations of the sorbed Pb distribution used resonant anomalous X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence, and nanoinfrared atomic force microscopy. We propose that this altered surface layer represents a novel sorption mode that is stabilized by conditions of sustained disequilibrium. This behavior may significantly impact the transport of dissolved metals during disequilibrium processes occurring in acid mine drainage and subsurface CO 2 injection and, if appropriately accounted for, could improve the predictive capability of geochemical reactive-transport models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Formation of zinc carbonate phases on dissolving calcite, aragonite, and vaterite in acidic aqueous solutions

Calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) minerals serve as a major sink to retain metal ions through mineral-water interfacial reactions in which the capacity and long-term stability of contaminant uptake are influenced by coupled dissolution and precipitation reactions of both primary and secondary carbonate minerals (i.e., mineral replacement). Notably, recent studies of calcite reactivity in acidic solutions containing high levels of metal ions demonstrated complex behavior under conditions of sustained disequilibrium. Here, we explored the reactivity of three CaCO 3 polymorphs (calcite, aragonite, and vaterite) with acidic Zn 2+ -containing aqueous solutions using a suite of imaging techniques including optical and scanning electron microscopies, synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence, and transmission X-ray microscopy. Zn uptake by calcite occurred through a two-step process: the formation of a thin layer of the zinc precipitate on the substrate surface followed by the growth of fibrous and radiating hydrozincite particles from the layer. In contrast, Zn uptake by aragonite occurred by mineral replacement where the secondary Zn carbonate phase preserved the external morphology of the original crystal (i.e., a pseudomorph). The replacement of vaterite by hydrozincite occurred within the confined space beneath the porous shell of vaterite, signifying that the primary mechanism driving Zn carbonate precipitation was chemical exchange through the pores. When multiple CaCO 3 polymorphs coexisted, the replacement of aragonite and vaterite occurred preferentially over that of calcite. These results demonstrate the distinct morphological and mineralogical controls over the reactivities of calcium carbonate minerals with Zn 2+ under acidic conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Emergent Behavior at the Calcite–Water Interface during Reactive Transport in a Simple Microfluidic Channel

Geochemical reactive transport processes in natural mineral-fluid systems may produce a wide array of emergent phenomena that are difficult to predict from basic principles and to reproduce in model systems. In this study, we present experimental results obtained from a simple microfluidic system with which we explored the consequences of reacting the calcite (104) cleavage surface with an acidic Pb-bearing solution (pH = 3.5, [Pb] total = 5 mM) as a function of flow rate. This system is relevant to passive remediation systems for Pb-rich acid mine drainage. We observed periodic banding in the amounts of Pb sorption at flow velocities ≥ 926 μm s -1 , where the band spacing was spatially correlated with the amount of calcite dissolution and the development of micropyramidal topography on the calcite (104) surface. The equivalent coverage of Pb deposited in these Pb-rich bands was at least several monolayers per unit cell, yet there was no evidence for precipitation of any secondary Pb phase implying incorporation of Pb within the near-surface calcite lattice. We also observed spatial variations in nucleation and growth of euhedral secondary Pb-carbonate minerals hydrocerusite and cerussite at flow rates ≤ 278 μm s -1 ,. These findings demonstrate potential for exploiting the rich phenomenology afforded by the interplay among transport phenomena and chemical kinetics in experimental systems designed to yield deeper insights into geochemical self-organization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Replacement of Calcium Carbonate Polymorphs by Cerussite

Calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) polymorphs, calcite, aragonite, and vaterite, serve as a major sink to retain various metal ions in natural and engineered systems. Here, we visualize the systematic trends in reactivities of calcite, vaterite, and aragonite to Pb 2+ dissolved in acidic aqueous solutions using in situ optical microscopy combined with ex situ scanning electron and transmission X-ray microscopies. All three polymorphs undergo pseudomorphic replacement by cerussite (PbCO 3 ) but with distinct differences in the evolution of their morphologies. The replacement of calcite and aragonite occurs through the formation of a pseudomorphic cerussite shell (typically 5–10 μm thick) followed by a slower inward propagation of reaction fronts through a thin solution gap (~0.1 μm wide) between the shell and the CaCO 3 substrate. The replacement of vaterite is characterized by the formation of a thinner cerussite shell (≤1 μm thick) and a larger cavity between the shell and the host mineral. These systematic differences in cerussite morphology for different CaCO 3 polymorphs are explained by the relative dissolution and precipitation rates of the reactant and product minerals, coupled with the role of ion transport through the cerussite shells. We also find that the replacement of calcite by cerussite is the slowest when all three polymorphs coexisted. Furthermore, our results provide mechanistic insights into the growth mode of cerussite on dissolving calcium carbonate and demonstrate these CaCO 3 polymorphs as promising substrate materials for removal and recycling of Pb from acidic polluted water and industrial effluents.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Oxidation induced strain and defects in magnetite crystals

Oxidation of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) has broad implications in geochemistry, environmental science and materials science. Spatially resolving strain fields and defect evolution during oxidation of magnetite provides further insight into its reaction mechanisms. Here we show that the morphology and internal strain distributions within individual nano-sized (~400 nm) magnetite crystals can be visualized using Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (BCDI). Oxidative dissolution in acidic solutions leads to increases in the magnitude and heterogeneity of internal strains. This heterogeneous strain likely results from lattice distortion caused by Fe(II) diffusion that leads to the observed domains of increasing compressive and tensile strains. In contrast, strain evolution is less pronounced during magnetite oxidation at elevated temperature in air. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that oxidative dissolution of magnetite can induce a rich array of strain and defect structures, which could be an important factor that contributes to the high reactivity observed on magnetite particles in aqueous environment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗