Changes in quartz solubility and porosity due to effective stress: An experimental investigation of pressure solution

Research Article| May 01, 1992 Changes in quartz solubility and porosity due to effective stress: An experimental investigation of pressure solution Brian P. Elias; Brian P. Elias 1Department of Geology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andrew Hajash, Jr. Andrew Hajash, Jr. 1Department of Geology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Brian P. Elias 1Department of Geology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 Andrew Hajash, Jr. 1Department of Geology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1992) 20 (5): 451–454. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0451:CIQSAP>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Brian P. Elias, Andrew Hajash; Changes in quartz solubility and porosity due to effective stress: An experimental investigation of pressure solution. Geology 1992;; 20 (5): 451–454. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0451:CIQSAP>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Experimental compaction of quartz sand was conducted in semistatic flow-through systems at 150°C to examine the chemical and physical processes associated with pressure solution. Pore-fluid chemistry and porosity were monitored through time to investigate the role of effective stress on silica solubility and compaction rate. The concentration of silica in the pore fluid varied directly with effective stress at constant pore-fluid pressure, but not in a linear fashion. Increases in silica were not transient and could be partially reversed by removal of the effective stress. Porosity decreased steadily under constant nonzero effective stress at 150°C, but remained essentially constant under identical loading conditions at room temperature. Initial compaction rates increased linearly with effective stress. Deformed samlpes show indented contacts with fractures and dissolution features, healed microfractures, and a decrease in average grain size. Multiple mechanisms (pressure solution, subcritical crack growth, crack healing) appear to operate at grain contacts during compaction. We interpret long-term, time-dependent compaction accompanied by stress-induced changes in fluid chemistry as evidence for pressure solution. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.