About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Journal of Sedimentary Research (SEPM)

Abstract


Journal of Sedimentary Petrology
Vol. 63 (1993)No. 4. (July), Pages 641-645

Dissolution Kinetics Of CaCO3 In Common Laboratory Solvents

Nicholas E. Pingitore, Jr. (1), Susanne B. Fretzdorff (2), Birgit P. Seitz (2), Leticia Y. Estrada (1), Patricia M. Borrego (1), Guy M. Crawford (1), Karen M. Love (3)

ABSTRACT

The dissolution of calcium carbonate with both organic and aqueous solvents was examined quantitatively and kinetically. Neither ethanol and nor acetone at 25°C dissolved appreciable aragonite or calcite, even after nearly ten days. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) was a much less effective solvent than deionized water, producing little or no net calcium in solutions in contact with calcium carbonate. Although exposure to sodium hydroxide solutions also yielded relatively small concentrations of calcium in the fluid, characterization of the exposed carbonate grains by X-ray powder diffraction and by light microscopy revealed extensive replacement of the CaCO3 by Ca(OH)2, calcium hydroxide (portlandite). A solution of AlconoxTM, a commercial laboratory nionic detergent, was about half again as potent as deionized water, and hydrogen peroxide proved to be many times more corrosive of calcium carbonate than deionized water.

These results are consistent with published and anecdotal observations of the effects of laboratory preparation protocols on calcium carbonate. Our quantitative data permit the researcher to assess the potential for a treatment procedure using any of these solutions to compromise the integrity of a sample of calcium carbonate.


Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24