EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF NICKEL(II) INTERACTION WITH CALCITE: ADSORPTION AND COPRECIPITATION

Abstract

Partitioning of Ni in calcite, CaCO3, was evaluated with the aim of collecting data on partition and distribution coefficients and to enhance understanding about the interaction of Ni with the calcite surface and further incorporation into the bulk. This information will aid in the interpretation of geological processes for safety assessment of waste repositories and contamination of groundwater. Coprecipitation experiments were carried out by the constant addition method at 25 °C and pCO2 = 1 and 10−3.5 atm. Ni was moderately partitioned from solution into calcite. For dilute solid solutions (XNi < 0.001), Ni partition coefficients were estimated to be ∼1 and found to be weakly dependent on calcite precipitation rate in the range of 3–230 nmol m−2 s−1. Ni molar fraction in the solid is directly proportional to Ni concentration in the solution. The fit of the data to such a model is good evidence that Ni is taken up as a true solid solution, not simply by physical trapping.