On the growth of anhydrous Mg-bearing carbonates - Implications from norsethite growth kinetics

In the case of norsethite, obviously some effective means must exist which promotes the dehydration of the Mg ion and allows for the rapid incorporation of dehydrated Mg2+ into the growing mineral. This promotion has to take place at the norsethite surface where the hydration energy of Mg2+ can significantly differ from the well-known value in bulk solution. Consequently, not only the stability of the aqueous metal complex per se is an important factor controlling the growth rate of anhydrous magnesium bearing carbonate minerals but also the means of a given surface to weaken the stability of this complex.