Abstract
The data on solubility of amorphous silica and quartz at low temperatures are reviewed. Determinations of the metastable equilibrium solubility of amorphous silica at 25° C. in distilled water and artificial sea water give values of about 140 p.p.m., in agreement with earlier workers' results. Solubility in simulated oilfield brines of 30,000 and 50,000 p.p.m. is about the same. Solubility was drastically reduced in peat waters, presumably due to adsorption of organic material on free silica surfaces. Quartz solubility was determined between 125° and 181° C. in sealed bombs; the results interpolate well between the lower temperature data of Van Lier and the higher temperature data of Kennedy. The solubility of quartz under directed stress at 95° C. approximates that of amorphous silica at the same temperature. Diagenetic changes in silica content of sediments, in particular the origin of chert and silica cementation of sandstones, are explained by the metastability of amorphous silica, the dissolution of ...
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