The effect of temperature and terrace geometry on carbonate precipitation rate in an experimental setting

Through flume experiments we demonstrate the calcite precipitation process seen at geothermal hot springs in the lab setting. A series of four experiments were run, varying temperature and terrace ridge height while all other experimental parameters, including initial substrate slope, spring water discharge, and CO₂ input were kept constant. The goal of the experiments was to measure the temperature and terrace height control quantitatively in terms of the amount of overall travertine aggradation, aggradation rate changes in time and downstream direction, as well as to observe the effect of these parameters on processes occurring during precipitation. Using the final deposit thickness measured manually at the end of each experiment and elevation data obtained from a laser topographic profiler, I conclude that high temperature and small terrace heights favor increased precipitation of travertine. However, the amount of precipitation also depends on location within a terrace pond. Flow velocity increases as it approaches a terrace lip, resulting in enhanced precipitation and greater thicknesses in the downstream direction through increased CO₂ degassing, a process called downstream coarsening.