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Geochemistry 

High Temperature Geochemistry

Te Manaroa hot spring in New Zealand. (Photo credit: Dr. Jen Blank/New Zealand Astrobiology Network).

Our geochemists quantify high temperature, high pressure rock-water-gas interactions. Using these data, they explore the behavior and fate of CO2 injected into deep subsurface formations, geochemical interactions within geothermal systems, and mineral-aqueous fluid interfacial geochemical processes. We have developed geochemical experimental capabilities at extreme temperatures and pressures, beyond conditions characteristic of environmental geochemistry. Our experimental geochemistry capabilities span from the bench-scale to the nanoscale. Lead contact: Nic Spycher.

Reaction Kinetics

  • Crystallographic control of mineral dissolution (K-feldspar, diopside, labradorite, dolomite, etc.)
  • Evolution of crystal habit/morphology with dissolution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluid Chemistry and Fracture Growth

  • Subcritical crack growth using Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
  • Quartz and soda-lime glass
  • Bending experiments at elevated T, up to 80°C, in deionized water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phase Partitioning

  • Supercritical CO2-water partitioning experimental data of CH4 and Kr
  • Theoretical model development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion

  • Time- and temperature-dependence of carbon steel corrosion and formation of potentially protective FeCO3 surface films
  • Passivation and passivation breakdown of alloyed materials (e.g., stainless steels)
  • Application of electrochemical AC and DC methods (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic polarization, open circuit potential (OCP) measurements) to study the electrical and ionic properties of thin oxide/hydroxide and carbonate films
  • Equivalent circuit modeling to quantify these properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

  • Deuterium exchanges rates between H2 and H2O
  • High-temperature in-situ pH measurements
  • Amino acid hydrothermal stability on mineral surfaces

People

Pat Dobson

Patrick F. Dobson
Geothermal Systems Program Lead
Staff Scientist

Kevin Knauss
Affiliate

Eric L. Sonnenthal
Staff Scientist

Nicolas Spycher

Nicolas Spycher
Staff Scientist

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