i want to know about the formation of NH4(gas or aq) from the combination N2 gas with H2gas; below the conditions.
just i think that N2 gas derived from magma reservoir,
but the production mechanism of H2 gas maybe CH4 and H2S gas from magma gas ? or by Desulfovibrio ? or abnormal meteoric water? or fracture of silicate minerals by earthquake (because very active volcano be located around)
the conditions
in calc-alkalic andesitic and rhyolitic magma system, volcanic and organic rich sediments covered submarne vent system in garben caldera like crater. under the 20bar, 473K. seawater pH about 7~8, hydrothermal fluids near the vent system showed pH 5~6 (from diffusing hydrothermal fluid).
from the chemistry of pore water fluid in sediment core showed high concentration of ammonia.
from the oxygen isotope data that it is possible to mix among seawater, meteoric water and magma water.
Ammonia is formed from N2 and H2 in the Haber process. That requires:
(i) medium temperature (≈500oC)
(ii) very high pressure (≈250 atmospheres, ≈25,500kPa)
(iii) a catalyst (a porous iron catalyst prepared by reducing magnetite, Fe3O4).
Osmium is a much better catalyst for the reaction but is very expensive
[ http://www.ausetute.com.au/haberpro.html ]
It would be an interesting project to investigate whether those condition occur within a volcano. There is more about the Haber process here: http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/equilibria/haber.html
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