Assignment 4 Geochemistry (Semester Genap 18/19)

Material: Sedimentation & Sedimentary Rocks

Format: hard copy on A4 paper
Due date: + 1 WEEK

Q1. (40 points)

a. What is sedimentation? Explain the processes involved in sedimentation.
b. Mention 2 types of weathering. Explain briefly what is chemical weathering and give
an example.
c. Mention the typical chemical composition of sedimentary rocks. Outline the
differences between igneous and sedimentary rocks.
d. Explain the difference between calcite, aragonite and dolomite.
e. Mention 3 instruments to analyse sedimentary rock chemistry. What type of sample
do you use? (solid/liquid/gas?)
f. Explain the relationship between redox reaction and sedimentation.
g. Explain the concept of geochemical fence. Draw a diagram to help with your answer.
h. Explain the concept of stability / activity diagram. Draw a diagram to help with your
answer.

Q2. (20 points)

The activity diagram below shows the weathering process of plagioclase feldspar
(NaAlSi3O8) such as albite. Dashed line illustrate the solubility of amorphous silica and
quartz in the solution.
a. Write down the weathering reaction for plagioclase feldspar at equilibrium
b. Explain why we focus on the activity of Na+, H+ and SiO2
c. Explain what happens to Quartz at point A.
d. Explain what happens at point A and B.

Q3. (10 points)

Let there be a redox reaction:
!"#$ + &' ⇌ !" + &'#$
a. Determine DG value for the reaction
b. Determine which side of the reaction is favoured
c. Determine the pEº for Pb2+

Q4. (30 points)

Consider a water body with a pH of 6.7 and a total dissolved Fe concentration of 1 mg/L.
Assume ideal behaviour for this question.
a. Write down the half-reaction for oxygen and water.
b. If the stream water is in equilibrium with the atmospheric O2 (partial pressure of 0.2
atm), determine the pE of the water.
c. Write down the reaction for Fe oxidation.
d. Assume there are no other Fe species in water. Determine the concentrations of Fe3+
and Fe2+. Use the pE value from (b).
e. Which Fe species dominates? Fe3+ or Fe2+.
f. Predict the location of the water sample for this question using pE/pH diagram.