Glass Hydration Mechanisms with Application to Obsidian Hydration Dating

Abstract

ABSTRACTChemical analysis of typical obsidians place them with a group of silica- and alumina-rich glasses constructed of a three dimensional framework of silica and alumina tetrahedra with nearly all tetrahedra sharing corners. Raman and infrared spectra of unweathered obsidians confirm the high degree of polymerization as well as some additional structural disorder. Analysis of dissolution rates of various glasses shows obsidian to be among the most stable, comparable to the most durable synthetic glasses. Surface layers on glasses can be chemically characterized by depth-profiling techniques such as SIMS and SIPS that give depth-concentration profiles for individual elements. Hydration rinds on glasses can be structurally characterized by infrared spectroscopy which shows both hydration and re-polymerization as the rinds age. Because obsidians are already completely polymerized glasses, their hydration rinds are mainly a result of hydrolysis and alkali exchange.