A database of sources of information on mineral reaction kinetics

The rate and magnitude of geochemical reactions can be described by two main processes; thermodynamics which determines the end point of reaction (i.e. approach to equilibrium conditions), and kinetics which determines how rapidly the reaction proceeds. There have been many studies that have investigated equilibrium conditions and have generated a wealth of data. However, for many systems the rate at which the end point of the reaction is reached is of equal, and possibly greater importance (e.g. the behaviour of waste products stored within the geosphere or during weathering). Predictive geochemical computer modelling is becoming increasingly important for investigating many different scenarios relatively rapidly. Although such models are capable of modelling rate-controlled dissolution and precipitation, there is no standard database of kinetic functions. As a consequence, it is sometimes difficult to locate sources of information to aid modelling. The overall aim of this report, is to provide information on literature sources of mainly mineral reaction rate data. It is hoped that this will facilitate predictive modelling exercises, or laboratory experimental studies addressing gaps in data coverage. Information on the sources of literature information has been produced in the form of an EndNote electronic database (see Appendix I). This study does not however, go as far as extracting and tabulating all the individual data points within these references.