Bound water as an accumulator of solar energy by weathering products

摘要

The disagreements on the energetics of exogenous processes have been analyzed in the context of modern views on water-rock interaction. Results of thermodynamic analysis of weathering reactions are reported. The formation of supergene clays involves two geological processes: hydrolysis of aluminosilicates and binding of large amounts of water. Relative to free water, the bound water has a higher free energy of formation. This difference considerably changes the energetics of hydrolysis reactions, which actually are all endothermic. Physically bound water and, therefore, clays, bear large stocks of accumulated solar energy. This fact proves that oriented inner evolution and self-organization took place in inorganic matter like those known in biogenic systems, with a genetic relationship existing between them.