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Science 8 December 1967:
Vol. 158. no. 3806, pp. 1310 - 1314
DOI: 10.1126/science.158.3806.1310
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Articles

Silica in Alkaline Brines

Blair F. Jones 1, Shirley L. Rettig 1, and Hans P. Eugster 2

1 U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. 20242
2 Department of Geology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218

Analysis of sodium carbonate-bicarbonate brines from closed basins in volcanic terranes of Oregon and Kenya reveals silica contents of up to 2700 parts per million at pH's higher than 10. These high concentrations of SiO2 can be attributed to reaction of waters with silicates, and subsequent evaporative concentration accompanied by a rise in pH. Supersaturation with respect to amorphous silica may occur and persist for brines that are out of contact with silicate muds and undersaturated with respect to trona; correlation of SiO2 with concentration of Na and total CO2 support this interpretation. Addition of more-dilute waters to alkaline brines may lower the pH and cause inorganic precipitation of substantial amounts of silica.


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