Search USGS⌕ Search

Geology topics

D. Kirk Nordstrom

Publications and source records attributed to D. Kirk Nordstrom.

132 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
USGS1984

Stable isotope geochemistry of acid mine drainage: Experimental oxidation of pyrite

Sulfate and water from experiments in which pyrite was oxidized at a pH of 2.0 were analyzed for sulfur and oxygen stable isotopes. Experiments were conducted under both aerobic and anaerobic sterile conditions, as well as under aerobic conditions in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, to elucidate the pathways of oxidation. Oxygen isotope fractionation between SO2-4 and H2O varied from +4.0 %. (anaerobic, sterile) to + 18.0 %. (aerobic, with T. ferrooxidans.). The oxygen isotope composition of dissolved oxygen utilized in both chemical and microbially-mediated oxidation was also determined (+11.4 %., by T. ferrooxidans; +18.4 %., chemical). Contributions of water-derived oxygen and dissolved oxygen to the sulfate produced in the oxidation of pyrite could thus be estimated. Water-derived oxygen constituted from 23 to ~ 100 percent of the oxygen in the sulfate produced in the experiments, and this closely approximates the range of contribution in natural acid mine drainage. Oxidation of sulfides in anaerobic, water-saturated environments occurs primarily by chemical oxidation pathways, whereas oxidation of sulfides in well-aerated, unsaturated zone environments occurs dominantly by microbially mediated pathways.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗
USGS1984

Isotope composition of sulphate in acid mine drainage as measure of bacterial oxidation

The formation of acid waters by oxidation of pyrite-bearing ore deposits, mine tailing piles, and coal measures is a complex biogeochemical process and is a serious environmental problem. We have studied the oxygen and sulphur isotope geochemistry of sulphides, sulphur, sulphate and water in the field and in experiments to identify sources of oxygen and reaction mechanisms of sulphate formation. Here we report that the oxygen isotope composition of sulphate in acid mine drainage shows a large variation due to differing proportions of atmospheric- and water-derived oxygen from both chemical and bacterially-mediated oxidation. 18O-enrichment of sulphate results from pyrite oxidation facilitated by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in aerated environments. Oxygen isotope analysis may therefore be useful in monitoring the effectiveness of abatement programmes designed to inhibit bacterial oxidation. Sulphur isotopes show no significant fractionation between pyrite and sulphate, indicating the quantitative insignificance of intermediate oxidation states of sulphur under acid conditions.

Nature↗
USGS1984

Partial compilation and revision of basic data in the WATEQ programs

Several portions of the basic data in the WATEQ series of computer programs (WATEQ, WATEQF, WATEQ2, WATEQ3, and PHREEQE) are compiled. The density and dielectric constant of water and their temperature dependence are evaluated for the purpose of updating the Debye-Huckel solvent parameters in the activity coefficient equations. The standard state thermodynamic properties of the Fe2+ and Fe3+ aqueous ions are refined. The main portion of this report is a comprehensive listing of aluminum hydrolysis constants, aluminum fluoride, aluminum sulfate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium sulfate and sodium sulfate stability constants, solubility product constants for gibbsite and amorphous aluminum hydroxide, and the standard electrode potentials for Fe (s)/Fe2+(aq) and Fe2 +(aq)/Fe3+(aq). (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1982

The effect of sulfate on aluminum concentrations in natural waters: some stability relations in the system Al2O3-SO3-H2O at 298 K

While gibbsite and kaolinite solubilities usually regulate aluminum concentrations in natural waters, the presence of sulfate can dramatically alter these solubilities under acidic conditions, where other, less soluble minerals can control the aqueous geochemistry of aluminum. The likely candidates include alunogen, Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 · 17H 2 O, alunite, KAl 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 , jurbanite, Al(SO 4 )(OH) · 5H 2 O, and basaluminite, Al 4 (SO 4 )(OH) 10 · 5H 2 O. An examination of literature values shows that the log K sp = &#x2212;85.4 "> Ksp= −85.4 for alunite and log K sp = &#x2212;117.7 "> Ksp= −117.7 for basaluminite. In this report the log K sp = &#x2212;7.0 "> Ksp= −7.0 is estimated for alunogen and log K sp = &#x2212;17.8 "> Ksp= −17.8 is estimated for jurbanite. The solubility and stability relations among these four minerals and gibbsite are plotted as a function of pH and sulfate activity at 298 K. Alunogen is stable only at pH values too low for any natural waters (<0) and probably only forms as efflorescences from capillary films. Jurbanite is stable from pH &lt; 0 "> pH < 0 up to the range of 3–5 depending on sulfate activity. Alunite is stable at higher pH values than jurbanite, up to 4–7 depending on sulfate activity. Above these pH limits gibbsite is the most stable phase. Basaluminite, although kinetically favored to precipitate, is metastable for all values of pH and sulfate activity. These equilibrium calculations predict that both sulfate and aluminum can be immobilized in acid waters by the precipitation of aluminum hydroxysulfate minerals. Considerable evidence supports the conclusion that the formation of insoluble aluminum hydroxy-sulfate minerals may be the cause of sulfate retention in soils and sediments, as suggested by Adams and Rawajfih (1977), instead of adsorption.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗
USGS1977

Fluorite solubility equilibria in selected geothermal waters

Calculation of chemical equilibria in 351 hot springs and surface waters from selected geothermal areas in the western United States indicate that the solubility of the mineral fluorite, CaF 2 , provides an equilibrium control on dissolved fluoride activity. Waters that are undersaturated have undergone dilution by non-thermal waters as shown by decreased conductivity and temperature values, and only 2% of the samples are supersaturated by more than the expected error. Calculations also demonstrate that simultaneous chemical equilibria between the thermal waters and calcite as well as fluorite minerals exist under a variety of conditions. Testing for fluorite solubility required a critical review of the thermodynamic data for fluorite. By applying multiple regression of a mathematical model to selected published data we have obtained revised estimates of the p K (10,96), ΔG o f (−280.08 kcal/mole), ΔH o f (−292.59 kcal/mole), S° (16.39 cal/deg/mole) and C o P (16.16 cal/deg/mole) for CaF 2 at 25°C and 1 atm. Association constants and reaction enthalpies for fluoride complexes with boron, calcium and iron are included in this review. The excellent agreement between the computer-based activity products and the revised p K suggests that the chemistry of geothermal waters may also be a guide to evaluating mineral solubility data where major discrepancies are evident.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗