Towards determination of rare earth elements solubility in aqueous fluids using the synthetic fluid inclusion method

Abstract

The element solubility in aqueous fluids control dissolution and precipitation reactions between slab-derived aqueous fluids and rocks. In this study, we reviewed existing solubility measuring method, and then developed the new experimental method. Experiments were conducted at a pressure of 1GPa and temperature of 700 degree C in piston-cylinder apparatus with cracked quartz, distilled water and LaPO₄ reagent powder. The run duration was 1-3days. After quench, the volume of fluid inclusion was estimated by images photographed by X-ray computer tomography. After that, the quartz was broken by HF acid and the solution was analyzed by ICP-MS.