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Mixing‐driven diagenesis and mineral deposition: CaCO 3 precipitation in salt water – fresh water mixing zones
Author(s) -
Berkowitz Brian,
Singurindy Olga,
Lowell Robert P.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2002gl016208
Subject(s) - calcite , diagenesis , precipitation , mixing (physics) , aquifer , carbonate , geology , deposition (geology) , seawater , salt (chemistry) , mineralogy , groundwater , soil science , geomorphology , oceanography , sediment , chemistry , meteorology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
We perform a novel set of laboratory experiments that depict CaCO 3 precipitation upon mixing between saturated fresh and salt water solutions, thus simulating mixing diagenesis in a coastal aquifer. The experimental results are shown to agree with the result predicted from a relatively simple mathematical model, thus suggesting that the model may be extrapolated to natural environments. Application of the model to the coastal aquifer of Mallorca, Spain indicates calcite precipitation is reducing porosity at a rate of ∼13% per 10,000 years. Consideration of precipitation processes can thus explain contradictory interpretations of natural evolution in carbonate formations.