Mechanisms of alteration of basaltic and rhyolitic glasses considering solution chemistry and passivating properties of palagonite - a case study on ICDP drilling sites Hawaii and Snake River Plain

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Alteration layers on basaltic and rhyolitic glasses are common in volcanic rocks. Such layers denoted as palagonite have strong influence on transformation of glasses to crystalline phases and reactions of glasses with other rock components or fluids, the latter being of great importance for element release. In particular palagonite may act as diffusion barrier that slows down or even inhibit glass alteration. The effect of such a barrier may change over time due to polymerization and precipitation reactions which affect porosity and permeability. Microorganisms forming pits and tubes in basaltic glass surfaces may provide routes in palagonite which enhance abiotic glass alteration too. Findings on porosity and nonequilibrium textures in alteration layers, and a new model on an interface-coupled dissolution reprecipitation mechanism encouraged us to use altered glass samples in combination with experimental work to determine the relationship between glass alteration and palagonite properties, in particular effects of porosity of layers and solution chemistry on glass weathering rate. Chemically different basaltic and rhyolitic glasses available from ICDP drilling cores Hawaii and Snake River Plain exposed to saline and different fresh waters at temperatures allowing microbial colonization will be included. Our planned research involves (i) a petrographical investigation of glass alteration with focus on texture, (ii) the characterization of pore systems using N2-adsorption, Hg-porosimetry, impregnation with a molten alloy and various microscopic techniques, (iii) an experimental study of transport in pore spaces, (iv) determination of ionic effects on glass dissolution traced by zeta-potential and element release rates considering biochemical factors, and (v) fluid-glass experiments at conditions relevant to the drilling sites. Knowledge of these interactions is needed to understand and predict interdependencies of palagonite formation, glass alteration rates, solution composition and biochemical factors.