Chemical weathering of Fe-bearing silicate minerals to iron oxyhydroxides typically proceeds through hydrolysis (breaking the silicate structure), followed by mobilization (e.g., via carbonation), and finally oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ to form stable iron oxide/oxyhydroxide phases like goethite.
Fayalite (Fe2SiO4) first undergoes hydrolysis, breaking down the silicate framework and releasing Fe2+ and silica into solution. Carbonation (reaction with dissolved CO2/carbonic acid) further mobilizes...
Full option-by-option analysis available to enrolled students.