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Minor Alkaline Earth Element and Alkali Metal Behavior in Closed-Basin Lakes

Witherow, Rebecca A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1250628213

Abstract Details

2009, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Geological Sciences.
Hydrologically closed basins in arid environments often pose ideal conditions for the development of inland saltwater lakes. In these regions, where the hydrology is balanced by dilute inflow waters and evaporation, these closed-basin lakes may progress through various degrees of evapoconcentration. This process may result in the precipitation of simple salts and the alteration of the relative chemical composition of a lake. Such “geochemical evolution” processes have been studied in detail particularly for the so-called major ions (Na, Ca, K, Mg, Cl, SO4, HCO3+CO3) and Si, but little work has been done on ions of moderate concentration. Due to the evaporative nature of these systems, the alkali metals, Li and Rb, and alkaline earth elements, Sr and Ba, may become highly concentrated and play a significant role in determining the geochemistry of a saline lake. Here, I present the first comprehensive study of the transport and fate of the minor alkali elements, Li, Rb, Sr, and Ba, in three distinct geographic settings illustrating three types of saline lakes as determined by their major anion abundance. Using lithium isotope analysis and mass balance calculations, I show that the minor elements in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are transported to “chloride-type” lakes by a combination of precipitation, chemical weathering and salt dissolution. Sr and Ba show evidence of removal in the lakes, but Li and Rb appear to be conservative to extremely high concentrations. This work discusses the potential removal mechanisms of these ions, particularly the formation of major and minor sulfate and carbonate minerals in the lakes. A major finding of this study is that brine type determines the removal mechanism of Sr and Ba, particularly if they are removed as sulfate or carbonate minerals. This study provides a platform for future exploration of the role of these and other minor elements in inland brines and playas.
William Berry Lyons (Advisor)
Anne Carey (Committee Member)
David Porinchu (Committee Member)
Ozeas Costa (Committee Member)
William Green (Committee Member)
170 p.
Biogeochemistry; Earth; Environmental Science; Geochemistry; Geology
Antarctica; McMurdo Dry Valleys; Great Basin; lithium isotopes; alkali metals; alkaline earths; terminal lakes; geochemical evolution; saline lakes; strontium; rubidium; barium

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Witherow, R. A. (2009). Minor Alkaline Earth Element and Alkali Metal Behavior in Closed-Basin Lakes [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1250628213

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Witherow, Rebecca. Minor Alkaline Earth Element and Alkali Metal Behavior in Closed-Basin Lakes. 2009. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1250628213.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Witherow, Rebecca. "Minor Alkaline Earth Element and Alkali Metal Behavior in Closed-Basin Lakes." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1250628213

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1250628213
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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.