Pore Size Redistribution by Laboratory Weathering Tests on Sedimentary rocks

The pore size and the distribution of individual or connected pores contribute to the porosity in a rock which is closely related to rock weathering degree and rock strength. The chemical reaction is normally higher for the larger specific surface area which is closely related to the pore size distribution in a rock. The variation of pore size distribution in sedimentary rocks from Gyeongsan basin in Korea was determined by the laboratory artificial acceleration weathering experiment using peristatic pumps. The pore size distribution of rock specimens was measured by the nitrogen gas adsorption method using BELSORP-max II of Microtrac MRB. The pore characteristics were measured on the outer surface and the innermost part of rock samples to determine the variation of pore size distribution since the outer surface was directly affected by weathering processes while the innermost part was not. The high-purity nitrogen gas is used to evaluate the pore size distribution with different methods such as BET, BJH, and HK. The overall pore volume and size have been increased by the weathering experiment for the tested sedimentary rocks-sandstone, conglomerate, and shale. The increase of macropore in sandstone by weathering experiment leads mainly to the increase in pore volume, while the rise of micropore and mesopore in conglomerate drives the increase of pore volume. 

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education(NRF-2020R1F1A107576412).