water-rock interaction &
geochemical modeling
Simplified
A New Approach to Geochemical Modeling
Geochemical speciation models calculate the equilibrium distribution of dissolved species in water — which ions, complexes, and minerals are present, and in what concentrations. Kinetic reaction models add how this water reacts with minerals over time.
Most programs in use today share a common mathematical foundation developed decades ago. Sym8 takes a fundamentally different approach, solving the full chemical system as a single unified problem rather than decomposing it into parts.
What is Sym8?
Sym8 is a geochemical modeling package for chemical equilibria in aqueous systems. Currently it consists of two components: Qym8.EQ, which solves equilibrium speciation, and Sym8.BK, which handles batch-type kinetic reactions. Both share the same underlying mathematical philosophy.
The goal of Sym* is the same as any water-rock interaction program: given a water composition and a set of thermodynamic data, compute the concentrations of every dissolved species. The kinetic component extends this to include how fast or slow minerals dissolve or precipitate, and how that affects the water property.
What makes Sym8 different from other programs is how it gets there.
Can Sym8 be really different from other water-rock interaction simulators? Find out — details are forthcoming.
Sym8.EQ update will include redox reaction options and basic plotting utilities.
Sym8.BK version 1.0-beta is nearing its release. This program is built around kinetic reactions and petrophysics composite media modules. See what it can do in upcoming examples page.
User interfaces are in development for batch/kinetic model to be released soon and 1D reactive-transport simulator to be released in late 2026. 2D option will follow.
