The creative function of water in the formation of the world around us

The article is focused on the evolution mechanism of the ‘inert’ and living world around us, which is determined by the creative function of water. Water and igneous rocks of basic and ultrabasic compositions create an abiogenic dissipative system that never reaches an equilibrium and therefore is capable of maintaining its continuous, strictly directed, geologically long-term development and the formation of numerous new minerals that are paragenetically associated with specific geochemical types of water. This system is equilibrium-nonequilibrium. It develops in a thermodynamic area, far from an equilibrium. It is non-linear, irreversible, and internally contradictory. In this system, water has the creative function: the hydrolysis mechanism continuously dissolves some minerals, with which the system is not in equilibrium, and, at the same time, creates others minerals, with which there is an equilibrium, including the mineral that have been absent on our planet. After the occurrence of photosynthesis, the system was supplemented with organic compounds and developed into the ‘water-rock-gas-organic matter’ system. The mechanisms of this system were generally described by V.I. Vernadsky, and we suggest to name this system after him. The Vernadsky system had not only repeatedly became more and more complicated, but acquired the capability of creating more complex organic compounds from simple carbohydrates, such as proteins, lipids, more complex carbohydrates, hemoglobin etc. With time, these components developed into living organisms. Regardless of the repeated complication of the system, the basic mechanisms of its evolution remain essentially the same, and water has preserved and enhanced its creative function through dissolving simple compounds and creating more complex ones. An important factor in the continuous complication of the system is the natural water cycle.

1. Aagaard P., Helgeson H.C., 1982. Thermodynamic and kinetic constraints on reaction rates among minerals and aqueous solutions. I. Theoretical considerations. American Journal of Science 282 (3), 237–285. https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.282.3.237.

2. Alekseev V.A., 2002. Kinetics and Mechanisms of Reactions Between Feldspar and Aqueous Solutions. GEOS, Moscow, 256 p. (in Russian)

3. Alekseev V.A., Ryzhenko B.N., Shvartsev S.L., Zverev V.P., Bukaty M.B., Mironenko M.V., Charykova M.V., Chudayev O.V., 2005. Geological Evolution and Self-Organization of the Water-Rock System. Vol. 1. The Water-Rock System in the Earth's Crust: Interaction, Kinetics, Equilibrium, and Modeling. Publishing House of SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 244 p. (in Russian)

4. Alekseyev V.A., Medvedeva L.S., Prisyagina N.I., Meshalkin S.S., Balabin A.I., 1997. Change in the dissolution rates of alkali feldspars as a result of secondary mineral precipitation and approach to equilibrium. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 61 (6), 1125–1142. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(96)00405-X.

5. Berezov T.T., Korovkin B.F., 1998. Biological Chemistry. 3rd Edition. Meditsina (Medicine), Moscow, 704 p. (in Russian)

6. Correns C.W., 1961. The experimental chemical weathering of silicates. Clay Minerals Bulletin 4 (26), 249–265. https://doi.org/10.1180/claymin.1961.004.26.01.

7. Dawkins R., 2012. The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution. Corpus, Moscow, 496 p. (in Russian)

8. Fin’ko V.I., Chekin S.S., Samatoin N.D., 1980. Features of kaolinization of rock-forming silicates in weathering crusts. In: V.I. Smirnov (Ed.), Problems of the theory of formation of weathering crust, and exogenous deposits. Nauka, Moscow, p. 196–201 (in Russian)

9. Fu Q., Lu P., Konishi H., Dilmore R., Xu H., Seyfried Jr. W.E., Zhu C., 2009. Coupled alkali-feldspar dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation in batch systems: 1. New experiments at 200 °C and 300 bars. Chemical Geology 258 (3–4), 125–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.09.014.

10. Garrels R.M., Christ C.L., 1965. Solutions, Minerals and Equilibria. Harper & Row, New York, 450 p. [Русский перевод: Гаррелс Р.М., Крайст Ч.Л. Растворы, минералы, равновесия. М.: Мир, 1968. 368 с.].

11. Garrels R.M., MacKenzie F.T., 1967. Origin of the chemical compositions of some springs and lakes. In: R.F. Gould (Ed.), Equillibrium concepts in natural waters systems. Advances in Chemistry, vol. 67, p. 222–242. https://doi.org/10.1021/ba-1967-0067.ch010.

12. Harlov D.E., Wirth R., Hetherington C.J., 2011. Fluid-mediated partial alteration in monazite: the role of coupled dissolution–reprecipitation in element redistribution and mass transfer. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 162 (2), 329–348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-010-0599-7.

13. Helgeson H.C., 1968. Evaluation of irreversible reactions in geochemical processes involving minerals and aqueous solutions – I. Thermodynamic relations. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 32 (8), 853–877. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(68)90100-2.

14. Helgeson H.C., Garrels R.M., MacKenzie F.T., 1969. Evaluation of irreversible reactions in geochemical processes involving minerals and aqueous solutions – II. Applications. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 33 (4), 455–481. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(69)90127-6.

15. Helgeson H.C., Murphy W.M., 1983. Calculation of mass transfer among minerals and aqueous solutions as a function of time and surface area in geochemical processes. I. Computational approach. Journal of the International Association for Mathematical Geology 15 (1), 109–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01030078.

16. Helgeson H.C., Murphy W.M., Aagaard P., 1984. Thermodynamic and kinetic constraints on reaction rates among minerals and aqueous solutions. II. Rate constants, effective surface area, and the hydrolysis of feldspar. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 48 (12), 2405–2432. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(84)90294-1.

17. Hellmann R., Penisson J.M., Hervig R.L., Thomassin J.H., Abrioux M.F., 2003. An EFTEM/HRTEM high-resolution study of the near surface of labradorite feldspar altered at acid pH: evidence for interfacial dissolution-reprecipitation. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 (4), 192–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00269-003-0308-4.

18. Keller W.D., 1963. Basics of chemical weathering. In: A.B. Ronov (Ed.), Geochemistry of Lithogenesis. Inostrannaya Literatura (Foreign Literature), Moscow, p. 85–195 (in Russian)

19. Khaitun S.D., 2009. The Phenomenon of Man at the Background of Universal Evolution. Komkniga, Moscow, 536 p. (in Russian)

20. Knorre D.G., Myzina S.D., 2012. Biological Chemistry (4th Edition). Publishing House of the SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 456 p. (in Russian)

21. Knyazeva E.N., Kurdyumov S.P., 2005. Foundations of Synergetics. Synergistic World Vision. KomKniga, Moscow, 240 p. (in Russian)

22. Komissarov G.G., 2003. Photosynthesis: physicochemical approach. Chemical Physics 22 (1), 24–54 (in Russian)

23. Krainov S.R., Ryzhenko B.N., Shvets V.M., 2012. Geochemistry of Groundwater. CentrLitNeftegaz, Moscow, 672 p. (in Russian)

24. Krylov M.V., 2017. Evolutionary commonality of nonliving nature and living organisms. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 87 (3), 249–255. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331617030029.

25. Kunin E.V., 2014. The Logic of the Case: On the Nature and Origin of Biological Evolution. Centrpoligraf, Moscow, 760 p. (in Russian)

26. Lu P., Konishi H., Oelkers E., Zhu C., 2015. Coupled alkali feldspar dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation in batch systems: 5. Results of K-feldspar hydrolysis experiments. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry 34 (1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-014-0029-z.

27. Millot G., 1964. Géologie des Argiles. Masson, Paris, 499 p.

28. Moiseev N.N., 1998. Parting with Simplicity. AGRAF, Moscow, 473 p. (in Russian)

29. Nicolis G., Prigogine I., 1989. Exploring Complexity: An Introduction. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, 328 p.

30. O'Neil J.R., Taylor Jr. H.P., 1967. The oxygen isotope and cation exchange chemistry of feldspars. American Mineralogist 52 (9–10), 1414–1437.

31. Paquet H., 1970. Evolution Géochimique des Minéraux Argileux Dans les Altérations et les Sols des Climats Méditerranéens Tropicaux (Saisons Contrastées). Strasbourg, 212 p.

32. Pedro G., 1964. Contribution à l’Étude Expérimentale de l’Altération Géochimique des Roches Cristallines. Paris, 223 p.

33. Perel’man A.I., Kasimov N.S., 1999. Geochemistry of the Landscape. Astreya-2000, Moscow, 768 p. (in Russian)

34. Pinneker E.V., 1966. Brines of Angara-Lena Basin. Nauka, Moscow, 332 p. (in Russian)

35. Plyusnin A.M., Zamana L.V., Shvartsev S.L., Tokarenko O.G., Chernyavskii M.K., 2013. Hydrogeochemical peculiarities of the composition of nitric thermal waters in the Baikal Rift zone. Russian Geology and Geophysics 54 (5), 495–508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rgg.2013.04.002.

36. Polynov B.B., 1956. Selected Works. Publishing House of the USSR Acad. Sci., Moscow, 751 p. (in Russian)

37. Prigogine I., Stengers I., 1984. Order Out of Chaos. Man's New Dialogue with Nature. Bantam Books, New York, 385 p.

38. Putnis A., 2002. Mineral replacement reactions: from macroscopic observations to microscopic mechanisms. Mineralogical Magazine 66 (5), 689–708.

39. Rassadkin Yu.P., 2008. Water, Ordinary and Extraordinary. STO Gallery, Moscow, 840 p. (in Russian)

40. Schrödinger E., 1972. What is Life? Atomizdat, Moscow, 90 p. (in Russian)

41. Sedletsky I.D., 1937. Genesis of minerals of soil colloids of the montmorillonite group. Doklady AN SSSR 17 (7), 371–373 (in Russian)

42. Shvartsev S.L., 1972. The chemical composition of groundwater in tropical countries (Guinea). Geokhimiya (Geochemistry) (1), 100–109 (in Russian)

43. Shvartsev S.L., 1976. Laterite of Guinea and the geochemical conditions of their formation. In: D.G. Sapozhnikov (Ed.), Weathering crust. Issue 15. Nauka, Moscow, p. 51–70 (in Russian)

44. Shvartsev S.L., 1978. Hydrogeochemistry of the Zone of Hypergenesis. Nedra, Moscow, 288 p. (in Russian)

45. Shvartsev S.L., 1991. The interaction of water and aluminosilicate rocks. Overview. Geologiya i Geofizika (Soviet Geology and Geophysics) 32 (12), 16–50 (in Russian)

46. Shvartsev S.L., 1998. Hydrogeochemistry of the Zone of Hypergenesis. 2nd Edition. Nedra, Moscow, 367 p. (in Russian)

47. Shvartsev S.L., 2001. The water-rock system synergy. Earth Science Frontiers 8 (1), 36–46.

48. Shvartsev S.L., 2003. Bound water as an accumulator of solar energy in supergene clays. Geologiya i Geofizika (Russian Geology and Geophysics) 44 (3), 233–239.

49. Shvartsev S.L., 2007. Progressively self-organizing abiogenic dissipative structures in the Earth’s geologic history. Litosfera (Lithosphere) (1), 65–89 (in Russian)

50. Shvartsev S.L., 2008a. Fundamental mechanisms of interaction in the water–rock system and its interior geological evolution. Litosfera (Lithosphere) (6), 3–24 (in Russian)

51. Shvartsev S.L., 2008b. Geochemistry of fresh groundwater in the main landscape zones of the Earth. Geochemistry International 46 (13), 1285–1398. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702908130016.

52. Shvartsev S.L., 2009. Self-organizing abiogenic dissipative structures in the geologic history of the Earth. Earth Science Frontiers 16 (6), 257–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5791(08)60114-1.

53. Shvartsev S.L., 2010. Where did global evolution begin? Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 80 (2), 173–182. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331610020097.

54. Shvartsev S.L., 2012. The internal evolution of the water-rock geological system. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 82 (2), 134–142. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331612020049.

55. Shvartsev S.L., 2013a. Two hundred and ten years of hydrogeology. Geoekologiya (Geoecology) (3), 272–279 (in Russian) [Шварцев С.Л. Двести десять лет гидрогеологии // Геоэкология. 2013. № 3. С. 272–279].

56. Shvartsev S.L., 2013b. Water as the main factor of global evolution. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 83 (1), 78–85. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331613010139.

57. Shvartsev S.L., 2014. How do complexities form? Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 84 (4), 300–309. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331614040029.

58. Shvartsev S.L., 2015. The basic contradiction that predetermined the mechanisms and vector of global evolution. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 85 (4), 342–351. https://doi.org/10.1134/S101933161503003X.

59. Shvartsev S.L., 2016. Unknown mechanisms of granitization of basalts. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 86 (6), 513–526. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331616060149.

60. Shvartsev S.L., 2017a. Do additive technologies have a future? Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 87 (3), 267–275. https://doi.org/10.1134/S101933161703008X.

61. Shvartsev S.L., 2017b. Evolution in nonliving matter: Nature, mechanisms, complication, and self-organization. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 87 (6), 518–526. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331617050069.

62. Shvartsev S.L., Kharitonova N.A., Lepokurova O.E., Chelnokov G.A., 2017. Genesis and evolution of high-pCO2 groundwaters of the Mukhen spa (Russian Far East). Russian Geology and Geophysics 58 (1), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rgg.2016.12.002.

63. Shvartsev S.L., Ryzhenko B.N., Alekseev V.A., Dutova E.M., Kondratieva I.A., Kopylova Yu.G., Lepokurova O.E., 2007. Geological Evolution and Self-Organization of the Water–Rock System. Vol. 2. The Water–Rock System in Conditions of the Zone of Hypergenesis. Publishing House of SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 389 p. (in Russian)

64. Tardy Y., 1969. Géochimie des Altérations. Études des Arénes et des Eaux de Quelques Massifs Cristallins d’Europe et d’Afrique. Strasbourg, 199 p.

65. Tardy Y., 1993. Pétrologie des Latérites et des Sols Tropicaux. Masson, Paris, 460 p.

66. Upadhyay D., 2012. Alteration of plagioclase to nepheline in the Khariar alkaline complex, SE India: Constraints on metasomatic replacement reaction mechanisms. Lithos 155, 19–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2012.08.010.

67. Vernadsky V.I., 2003. The History of Natural Waters. Nauka, Moscow, 751 p. (in Russian)

68. Yanshin A.L., 1993. The emergence of the problem of evolution of geological processes. In: A.L. Yanshin (Ed.), Evolution of Geological Processes in the Earth History. Nauka, Moscow, p. 9–20 (in Russian)

69. Zhang L., Lüttge A., 2009. Theoretical approach to evaluating plagioclase dissolution mechanisms. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 73 (10), 2832–2849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.02.021.

70. Zhu C., Lu P., 2009. Alkali feldspar dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation in batch systems: 3. Saturation states of product minerals and reaction paths. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 73 (11), 3171–3200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.03.015.

71. Zhu C., Lu P., Zheng Z., Ganor J., 2010. Coupled alkali feldspar dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation in batch systems: 4. Numerical modeling of kinetic reaction paths. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 74 (14), 3963–3983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.04.012.