Magnesium isotope fractionation between calcite and aqueous solutions under elevated temperatures of 98-170 °C

The incomplete understanding of Mg isotope fractionation behavior between calcite and aqueous solu-tions has limited the interpretation and application of Mg isotope data in natural carbonates. In this study, we performed a series of aragonite-to-calcite conversion experiments under hydrothermal condi-tions to investigate the effects of temperature and organic ligands on elemental and isotopic partitioning of Mg between calcite and aqueous solutions. The experiments produced magnesian calcite via a dissolution-and-precipitation process. The Mg distribution coefficients between solid and aqueous solu-tion (DMg, 0.08 to 0.21) showed negative correlations with Sr distribution coefficients (DSr, 0.04 to 0.48), as well as the proportion of calcite in the bulk solid, which indicates mixing of calcite (Mg-rich and Sr-poor) and aragonite (Sr-rich and Mg-poor) in the solid phases. The apparent Mg isotope fractionation factors between solid and aqueous solutions (D26Mgsolid-soln) show a positive correlation with reaction temperatures, where D26Mgsolid-soln increases from ca.-1.84 %degrees at 98 degrees C to-1.35 %degrees at 170 degrees C. In addition, the presence of oxalate contributed to slightly lower D26Mgsolid-soln values, which is interpreted to be related to the isotopic effect of Mg-oxalate speciation. Based on the experimental results, we propose a temperature-dependent function for Mg isotope fractionation between calcite and free Mg-aquo ions (i.e., Mg(H2O)62+): D26Mgcal-Mg(aq) = (-0.17 +/- 0.01) x 106/T2- (0.52 +/- 0.08). This equation is applicable to a wide range of temperatures, especially at hydrothermal conditions, thus enabling interpretations of Mg isotope data from calcite of hydrothermal and burial origin. CO 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of temperature and organic ligands on the partitioning of Mg isotopes between calcite and aqueous solutions through aragonite-to-calcite conversion experiments under hydrothermal conditions. The results show that the distribution coefficients of Mg and Sr in the solid and aqueous phases are correlated and that the Mg isotope fractionation factors increase with reaction temperature. Based on the experimental results, a temperature-dependent equation for Mg isotope fractionation between calcite and free Mg-aquo ions is proposed.