Fibre growth in wet salt aggregates in a temperature gradient field

Authors: Brok B.D.; Passchier C.; Sieber M.

Source: Mineralogical Magazine, Volume 62, Number 4, 1 August 1998 , pp. 527-532(6)

Publisher: Mineralogical Society

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Abstract:

Intense fibrosity develops in wet porous NaCl crystal aggregates (grain size 250-500

m) held in a temperature (T) gradient field (0.5-4°C/mm) at temperatures between 20 and 50-60°C. In situ microscopic observation of the process shows that fibre growth is associated with T-gradient driven motion of tiny gas (air, water vapour) bubbles present in the saturated intercrystalline aqueous NaCl solution. Gas bubbles move through the intercrystalline pore fluid into the cold direction. They only move if they are next to an NaCl crystal; bubbles that are 'free' do not move. Each bubble is 'pushed' into the cold direction by a growing crystal fibre of the same diameter as the bubble itself. Fibres apparently grow due to oversaturation of the NaCl solution at the hot side of the gas bubble. Crystals dissolve at the cold side of the gas bubbles, apparently by undersaturation of the NaCl solution there. Thus, bubbles dissolve their way through NaCl-crystals and aggregates. Intense fibrosity develops within weeks.

Keywords: FIBRE; GROWTH; SALT; AGGREGATES; TEMPERATURE; GRADIENT; NACL; FRACTURING

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Institut fu ¨r Geowissenschaften, Becherweg 21, D-55099 Mainz, Germany

Publication date: 1998-08-01

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