Capturing an amorphous BaSO<sub>4</sub> intermediate precursor to barite

Ruiz‐Agudo, Cristina; McDonogh, David P.; Avaro, Jonathan; Schupp, David; Gebauer, Denis

doi:10.1039/c9ce01555h

Cited by 15 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…These results may indirectly support previous findings , of hydrated barite precursors, particularly since the authors measured a negative activation volume. Finally, recent in situ electron microscopy studies captured the formation of an amorphous BaSO 4 phase during nucleation, which was attributed to be a precursor phase. Due to the potential for electron beam induced sample damage, additional experimental evidence, e.g., via fast scanning atomic force microscopy imaging as demonstrated for mica or via neutron pair distribution function as demonstrated for calcite, would further strengthen the hypothesis that barite forms by nonclassical nucleation pathways.…”

Section: Nucleation Kinetics Of Baritementioning

confidence: 96%

Studies of Mineral Nucleation and Growth Across Multiple Scales: Review of the Current State of Research Using the Example of Barite (BaSO₄)

Weber

Bracco

Yuan

et al. 2021

ACS Earth Space Chem.

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Sparingly soluble sulfate minerals, particularly barite (BaSO 4 ), present an ideal system to understand mineral−water interfacial reactions. The model system barite has been used to develop crystal nucleation, growth, recrystallization, and pore-scale reactive transport models, both for the end-member cases, and in the presence of impurities that form isostructural solid solutions (Sr, Pb, Ra). Here, we present a comprehensive picture of the current body of research on sulfate minerals and their solid solution reactivity over spatiotemporal scales ranging from the molecular scale in picoseconds to the pore-scale in years of reaction time. Understanding reactivity of minerals at the pore-scale begins at the atomic-level where the structure of the mineral surface influences interfacial water structuring, and hence mineral reactivity. This review covers the inherently multiscale nature of mineral reactivity, ranging from atomic-scale interfacial structure to mesoscale impurity incorporation during recrystallization to pore-scale reactive transport models. In each topic, we identify gaps in knowledge, difficulties in cross-scale analyses, and future challenges in prediction of mineral growth, nucleation, and impurity transport across scales.

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Section: Nucleation Kinetics Of Baritementioning

confidence: 96%

Studies of Mineral Nucleation and Growth Across Multiple Scales: Review of the Current State of Research Using the Example of Barite (BaSO₄)

Weber

Bracco

Yuan

et al. 2021

ACS Earth Space Chem.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This suggests its nucleation pathway(s) might be more limited than that of calcite. However, recent studies suggesting amorphous barite formation raise new questions on whether barite nucleation follows CNT or not. − …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opposing Effects of Impurity Ion Sr²⁺ on the Heterogeneous Nucleation and Growth of Barite (BaSO₄)

Yuan

Starchenko

Rampal

et al. 2021

Crystal Growth & Design

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Nucleation of barite (BaSO4) has broad implications in geological, environmental, and materials sciences. While impurity metals are common, our understanding of how they impact nucleation remains dim. Here, we used classical optical microscopy compared to fast X-ray nanotomography (XnT) to investigate heterogeneous nucleation of barite on silica in situ with Sr2+ as an impurity ion. The observed barite nucleation rates were consistent with classical nucleation theory (CNT), where barite crystals displayed a nonuniform size distribution, exhibiting distinct morphologies and incubation periods in Sr-free solutions. While undetectable with optical microscopy, nanotomography revealed that addition of Sr2+ enhances nucleation rates driven by the pre-factor in CNT, likely because both adsorbed Ba2+ and Sr2+ act as precursor sites on which nucleation occurs. Sr2+ simultaneously inhibits growth, however, leading to a homogeneous distribution of smaller crystals. This finding will enable an improved predictive understanding of nucleation in natural and synthetic environments.

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“…Such crystallization path through an amorphous precursor phase is also associated with the inorganic precipitation of barite. For example, a metastable amorphous Ba sulfate phase that precedes barite formation has been recognized during the early stages of barium sulfate crystallization from aqueous solutions (Ruiz-Agudo et al, 2020), however, the binding of Ba to EPS in the open ocean has not been thoroughly investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barite Precipitation on Suspended Organic Matter in the Mesopelagic Zone

et al. 2020

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Mechanisms underlying barite precipitation in seawater and the precise depths of barite precipitation in the water column have been debated for decades. Here we present a detailed study of water column barite distribution in the mesopelagic zone at diverse stations in the open ocean by analyzing samples collected using multiple unit large volume in-situ filtration systems in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Our results demonstrate that barite is an organo-mineral particularly abundant at intermediate depths throughout the world's ocean regardless of saturation state with respect to barite. This is confirming the notion of precipitation at depths of intense organic matter mineralization. Our observations further support the link between barite formation and microbial activity, demonstrated by the association of barite particles with organic matter aggregates and with extracellular polymeric substances. Evidence for microbial mediation is consistent with previous experimental work showing that in bacterial biofilms Ba binds to phosphate groups on cell surfaces and within extracellular polymeric substances. This organoaccumulation promotes high concentrations of Ba leading to saturated microenvironments and nucleation sites favoring precipitation. The distribution of Ba isotopes in the water column and in particulate matter is also consistent with the proposed precipitation mechanism.

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Capturing an amorphous BaSO₄ intermediate precursor to barite

Abstract: In the work presented here, free-barium activity was monitored during the barium sulfate crystallization and we identified for the first time (in the absence of additives) a metastable BaSO4 amorphous phase that precedes barite formation.

Cited by 15 publications

References 29 publications

Studies of Mineral Nucleation and Growth Across Multiple Scales: Review of the Current State of Research Using the Example of Barite (BaSO₄)

Studies of Mineral Nucleation and Growth Across Multiple Scales: Review of the Current State of Research Using the Example of Barite (BaSO₄)

Opposing Effects of Impurity Ion Sr²⁺ on the Heterogeneous Nucleation and Growth of Barite (BaSO₄)

Barite Precipitation on Suspended Organic Matter in the Mesopelagic Zone

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Capturing an amorphous BaSO4 intermediate precursor to barite

Abstract: In the work presented here, free-barium activity was monitored during the barium sulfate crystallization and we identified for the first time (in the absence of additives) a metastable BaSO4 amorphous phase that precedes barite formation.

Cited by 15 publications

References 29 publications

Studies of Mineral Nucleation and Growth Across Multiple Scales: Review of the Current State of Research Using the Example of Barite (BaSO4)

Studies of Mineral Nucleation and Growth Across Multiple Scales: Review of the Current State of Research Using the Example of Barite (BaSO4)

Opposing Effects of Impurity Ion Sr2+ on the Heterogeneous Nucleation and Growth of Barite (BaSO4)

Barite Precipitation on Suspended Organic Matter in the Mesopelagic Zone

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Capturing an amorphous BaSO₄ intermediate precursor to barite

Studies of Mineral Nucleation and Growth Across Multiple Scales: Review of the Current State of Research Using the Example of Barite (BaSO₄)

Studies of Mineral Nucleation and Growth Across Multiple Scales: Review of the Current State of Research Using the Example of Barite (BaSO₄)

Opposing Effects of Impurity Ion Sr²⁺ on the Heterogeneous Nucleation and Growth of Barite (BaSO₄)