Catalysis and chemical mechanisms of calcite dissolution in seawater.

ABSTRACT: Near-equilibrium calcite dissolution in seawater contributes significantly to the regulation of atmospheric [Formula: see text] on 1,000-y timescales. Despite many studies on far-from-equilibrium dissolution, little is known about the detailed mechanisms responsible for calcite dissolution in seawater. In this paper, we dissolve ¹³C-labeled calcites in natural seawater. We show that the time-evolving enrichment of [Formula: see text] in solution is a direct measure of both dissolution and precipitation reactions across a large range of saturation states. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer profiles into the ¹³C-labeled solids confirm the presence of precipitated material even in undersaturated conditions. The close balance of precipitation and dissolution near equilibrium

SUBMITTER: Subhas AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5547618 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature