Directional dissolution of a natural (OH,F,Cl)-bearing apatite has been studied at various solution pH values (0-3) and 30 degrees C. This apatite showed abnormally high O--H stretching frequencies due to the substitution of Cl for OH. The advance of dissolution front indicated that steady-state directional dissolution for pH = 0-2 followed an apparent rate law of Rate = ka(H+) (n) (in mole/m(2)h), where the rate constants (k) are 2.15 and 1.61; and the rate orders (n) are 1.44 and 1.30 for [0001] and <1,120> directions, respectively. Previous study, however, indicated a smaller n value (n = 0.55-0.70) for fluorapatite powders at higher pHs. A nonlinear pH dependence of logarithmic dissolution rate at a wide pH range implied that the surface active sites and/or rate-determining steps have changed when the acidity of solution and/or the composition of the apatite were changed. The opening of etch pits on basal planes further indicated that the dissolution rates along the three principal directions have the following relationship: [0001] > <1,120> > <1,010> for pH=0-1, but the order was reversed for pH > 3.

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