Dissolution rate of Basalt

Abstract

Physical weathering, Chemical weathering, climate and grain size strongly influences the weathering rate of dissolution. To determine the basalt dissolution rate at various physical-chemical conditions and create an artificial weathering set up by controlling pH, time, grain size in the lab. Three fresh (F.R A1, A2 and Fresh basalt (2/RT12/2)) and one weather (B1) samples of basalt was taken for the defining the rate of weathering. 125-75 and 75-38?m grains size of samples were treated with pH 4, pH 6 continuously agitate for 24, 72, 48 hours and 168 hours at room temperature. Mineral phase identification and geochemical measurements were carried out using XRD and ICP-MS analysis. B1 is less dense compared to other three samples (F.R A1, A2 and Fresh basalt (2/RT12/2)) and A2 shows the high density. Initial pH 4 changed into pH 4.5 and the pH 6 samples changed into pH 7 during dissolution of basalt. In Acidic condition/ low pH the leached elemental concentration is found to be high. Effect of grain size variation in the dissolution rate found to be less. The dissolution rate is higher in the initial stage and reduced with time. Weathered samples shows higher mineral dissolution rate compare to the fresh basalt.