Geochemical availability

Trace element speciation analysis is a base for the description of forms and compounds in which they occur in soils. Other definitions are also used to define properties of trace elements in soils. In fact, the general term availability has been recently defined as geoavailability, geochemical availability, biogeochemical availability and bioavailability (Wolt 1994, Smith and Huyck 1999) ... 

Geochemical availability is related to that fraction of a chemical that participates in transport processes afiecting the spatial distribution and changes over time. 

Subgroup on Metals of the Tri-Academj Committee on Acid Deposition, Acid Deposition Effects on Geochemical Cjcling and Biological Availability of Trace Elements, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1985. 

Very few data on the chemical composition of electrum from epithermal base-metal vein-type deposits are available. However, it is evident that the Ag content varies widely (Fig. 1.71). The Ag content of electrum from the Osarizawa and Okuyama Cu deposits is low N g (Ag atomic%) = 8.6-17.7), while the Ag content of electrum from Pb-Zn-Mn deposits (Toyoha, Oe, Inakuraishi, and Imai-Ishizaki) is high NAg = 60-80). Motomura (1986) reported that the Ag content of electrum from these deposits is higher than that from epithermal Au-Ag vein-type deposits. The geochemical implication of the Ag content of electrum is discussed in section 1.4.4. 

Numerous geochemical data (fluid inclusions, stable isotopes, minor elements) on the epithermal vein-type deposits in Japan are available and these data can be used to constrain geochemical environment of ore deposition (gas fugacity, temperature, chemical compositions of ore fluids, etc.) and origin of ore deposits. 

Bulk rock chemistry of hydrothermally altered midoceanic ridge basalt has been well studied and used to estimate the geochemical mass balances of oceans today (Wolery and Sleep, 1976 Humphris and Thompson, 1978 Mottl, 1983). In contrast, very few analytical data on hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks that recently erupted at back-arc basins are available. However, a large number of analytical data have been accumulated on the hydrothermally altered Miocene volcanic rocks from the Green tuff region in the Japanese Islands which are inferred to have erupted in a back-arc tectonic setting (section 1.5.3). 

Kane JS (1992) Reference samples for use in analytical geochemistry their availability, preparation, and appropriate use. Joum Geochem Explor 44 37-63. 

While over the past ten years, our ability to measure U-series disequilibria and interpret this data has improved significantly it is important to note that many questions still remain. In particular, because of uncertainties in the partition coefficients, fully quantitative constraints can only be obtained when more experimental data, as a function of P and T as well as source composition, become available. Furthermore, the robustness of the various melting models that are used to interpret the data needs to be established and 2D and 3D models need to be developed. However, full testing of these models will only be possible when more comprehensive data sets including all the geochemical parameters are available for more locations and settings. 

Figure 1.14 shows a typical distribution for the geochemically abundant elements in crustal rocks. It could be seen that the proportion of the volume of material available for exploitation increases in geometrical progression as grade falls in arithmetical progression. In a sense, therefore, there is no finite limit to the availability of such elements, however, dilution with host rock implies that revenue would be insufficient to cover the fixed cost of extraction. 

Table 20.4 presents the partition and transformation processes known to occur in the near-surface environment along with the special factors that should be considered when evaluating data in the context of the deep-well environment. Geochemical processes affecting hazardous wastes in deep-well environments have been studied much less than those occurring in near-surface environments (such as soils and shallow aquifers). Consequently, laboratory data and field studies for a particular substance may be available for near-surface conditions, but not for deep-well conditions. 

The geochemical interactions possible between an injected waste and the reservoir rock and its associated fluids can be quite complex. Thus a combination of computer modeling, laboratory experimentation, and field observation will inevitably be necessary to satisfy current regulatory requirements for a geochemical no-migration deep-well injection. This section covers the computer methods and models available for predicting geochemical fate. 

In this chapter, we discuss double layer theory and how it can be incorporated into a geochemical model. We will consider hydrous ferric oxide (FeOOH //IFO), which is one of the most important sorbing minerals at low temperature under oxidizing conditions. Sorption by hydrous ferric oxide has been widely studied and Dzombak and Morel (1990) have compiled an internally consistent database of its complexation reactions. The model we develop, however, is general and can be applied equally well to surface complexation with other metal oxides for which a reaction database is available. 

In this chapter we construct geochemical models to consider how the availability of oxygen and the buffering of host rocks affect the pH and composition of acid drainage. We then look at processes that can attenuate the dissolved metal content of drainage waters. 

The following is a list, current at the time of publication, of sources of some of the most popular geochemical modeling software programs and packages. Some of the packages are available for download at no cost, whereas others may be licensed for a fee. 

California Results from the Geochemical Landscapes Project Pilot Study. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1306. Available from ... 

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