The Fabrication of Plagioclase Feldspar Microdevices: An Experimental Tool for Pore‐Scale Mineral Dissolution Studies

Pore‐scale mineral dissolution reactions are of fundamental importance for sustaining life and determining the fate of chemicals in Earth's near‐surface environments. However, experimental investigations are largely limited to macroscopic approaches due to difficulties in controlling and observ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Water resources research 2020-08, Vol.56 (8), p.n/a
Main Authors:	Jung, Heewon, Malenda, Margariete, Worts, Nathan, Squier, Jeff, Gorman, Brian P., Navarre‐Sitchler, Alexis
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Ablation Anorthite Calcium chemical weathering Dissolution Dissolving Earth surface Equilibrium conditions Etching Experimental methods Fabrication Feldspars Irradiation Laser ablation Laser damage Lasers Microfluidic devices Microfluidics Plagioclase pore scale silicate dissolution Silicate minerals Silicates
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Summary:	Pore‐scale mineral dissolution reactions are of fundamental importance for sustaining life and determining the fate of chemicals in Earth's near‐surface environments. However, experimental investigations are largely limited to macroscopic approaches due to difficulties in controlling and observing geochemical processes at the pore scale. Here, we present an experimental method using both femtosecond laser ablation and hydrofluoric (HF) etching techniques to fabricate reactive microdevices in a natural silicate mineral, anorthite. The femtosecond laser minimizes damage to the mineral during ablation and HF etching successfully removes a thin amorphous layer induced by laser irradiation. Anorthite dissolution rates under far‐from‐equilibrium conditions (10−8.14 to 10−8.43 mol m−2 s−1), quantified by total calcium flux from the microfluidic device, correspond to previous laboratory‐measured rates also measured under far‐from‐equilibrium conditions, thereby supporting the reactive mineral microdevice as a valuable tool for mineral dissolution studies. Key Points A novel fabrication method is developed to utilize a silicate mineral as a reactive microfluidic substrate Femtosecond laser rapidly ablates microchannels and HF etching removes laser‐induced amorphous layer Anorthite dissolution rates measured at far‐from‐equilibrium conditions correspond to previously reported values
ISSN:	0043-1397 1944-7973