发育完整的灰岩风化壳及其矿物学和地球化学特征

对于碳酸盐岩土覆土壤成因、尽管碳酸盐岩风化残积成土说被多数学者认同,但由于碳酸盐岩中酸不溶物含量极低,在风化成土过程中会伴随着巨大的体积缩小变化,原岩结构和半风化带无法保留,从而缺失了探索上覆土壤物质来源的重要中间环节,使得这种观点缺乏野外宏观证据的支持。最近,我们在贵州、湖南等地发现了数个以泥质灰岩和泥质白云岩为基岩的碳酸盐岩风化壳剖面,尚保留有较好的原岩结构,具有明显的风化壳分带和过渡现象。这些风化壳剖面的发现为深入研究碳酸盐岩风化成土过程提供了良好的研究场所。本文选取了较为典型的吉首泥灰岩风化壳剖面,从矿物学地球化学的角度来探讨碳酸盐岩风化壳的形成过程和发育特征,结果表明该风化壳既遵循非碳酸盐岩（主要是结晶岩类）风化壳的发育特征,也具有自己独特的地球化学演化规律。风化壳总体特点受碳酸盐中的酸不溶物矿物组合及化学成分的影响甚至控制,风化非碳酸盐风壳相似的发育特征。吉首泥灰岩风化壳剖面的发育特征和作者早先提出 的碳酸盐岩风化成土的两阶段模式是一致的,即以碳酸盐矿物大量淋失、酸不溶物逐渐堆积或残积为特征的早期阶段和残积物进一步风化成土的阶段,后一阶段的演化类似非碳酸盐岩类的风化过程。     

Weathering characterization for landslides modeling in granitoid rock masses of the Capo Vaticano promontory (Calabria,Italy)

This work focuses on developing multidisciplinary researches concerning weathering profiles related to landscape evolution of the Capo Vaticano promontory on the Calabria Tyrrhenian side (southern Italy). In this area, the tectonic uplift, occurred at least since Pleistocene, together with the Mediterranean climatic conditions, is the main cause of deep weathering and denudation processes. The latter occurred on the outcropping rocks of the crystalline-metamorphic basement, made up of weathered granitoids, in turn belonging to the Monte Poro granitoid complex (intermediate to felsic plutonic rocks covered by Cenozoic sedimentary successions). Field observations coupled to borehole explorations, geophysical surveys, and minero-petrographical analyses allowed the characterization of the granitoid outcrops typical of the studied area in terms of kind and degree of slope instability. This characterization was based on suitable correlations verified between several factors as weathering degree, elastic properties of rocks, and discontinuity features. Weathering profiles are mainly composed by rock masses varying from completely weathered rock with corestones of highly weathered rock (classes IV–V) to slightly weathered rocks (class II). The weathered rocks are involved in several landslide typologies such as debris flow (frequency 48.5%), translational slide (frequency 33.3%), and minor rock fall and rotational slide (frequency 9%). The achieved data allowed the establishment of a general correlation between weathering degree and type of slope instability. Debris flow-type instabilities are predominant on the steeper slopes, involving very poor rock masses ascribed to the shallowest portions of the weathering class IV. Translational slides are less widespread than the previous ones and often involve a mixture of soil and highly weathered rocks. Rotational slides are more frequently close to the top of the slopes, where the thicknesses of more weathered rocks increase, and involve mainly rock masses belonging to the weathering classes IV and V. Rock falls mostly occur on the vertical escarpments of the road cuts and are controlled by the characteristics of the main discontinuities. The assessment of rock mass rating and slope mass rating, based on the application of the discontinuity data, allowed respectively an evaluation of the quality of rock masses and of the susceptibility of rock slopes to failure. The comparison between the last one and the real stability conditions along the cut slopes shows a good correspondence. Finally, the geological strength index system was also applied for the estimation of rock mass properties. The achieved results give a worthy support for a better understanding of the relationship between the distribution of landslides and the geological features related to different weathering degrees. Therefore, they can provide a reliable tool to evaluate the potential stability conditions of the rock slopes in the studied area and a general reference framework for the study of weathering processes in other regions with similar geological features.     

The variation of morphological features and mineralogical components of biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert of Northwestern China

Increasingly complex life forms were found in older biological soil crusts in the Gurbantaunggut Desert in Northwestern China. These crusts may play a critical role in mineral erosion and desert soil formation by modifying the weathering environment and ultimately affecting mineralogical variance. To test this hypothesis, variations in the morphological features and mineralogical components of successional biological soil crusts at 1 cm were studied by optical microscopy, SEM and grain size analysis. Concentrations of erosion-resistant minerals decreased with crust succession, while minerals susceptible to weathering increased with crust development. Neogenetic minerals were found in late stage crusts, but not in early stage crusts. Silt and clay concentrations were highest in early formation crusts and soil mean particle size decreased with crust succession. Cyanobacteria, lichen and moss were shown to erode and etch rocks, and secondary minerals produced by weathering were localized with the living organisms. Thus, more developed crusts appeared to contribute to greater mineral weathering and may be a major cause of mineralogical variance seen in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The greater activity and complexity of older crusts, as well as their improved moisture condition may function to accelerate mineral weathering. Therefore, protection and recovery of biological crusts is vital for desert soil formation.     

碳酸盐岩酸不溶物作为贵州岩溶区红色风化壳主要物质来源的证据

贵州岩溶区红色风化壳是中国南方红色负化壳的重要组成部分，本文根据部分红色风化壳剖面野外特征、矿物学、地球化学及土壤物理学等的研究结果，对其物源及成因进行了探讨。各剖面，尤其邻近剖面显著的矿物学、地球化学差异排除了远程风成沉积物、火山灰、上覆或者高处碎屑岩层作为统一且重要物源的可能。极低的石英含量表明贵州常见的长石石英砂岩不是其主要物源，具有中稀土（MREE）富集的特征也排除了粘土岩、页岩作为主要物源的可能。风化壳剖面间的差异性均可从基岩酸不溶物的差异性得到很好解释，表明它们是下伏碳酸盐岩风化、酸不溶物（准）原地堆积的结果。部分剖面甚至显示了典型风化壳剖面的一些特征，具有正常风化序列的剖面结构特征。     

Mineral weathering rates calculated from spring water data: a case study in an area with intensive agriculture,the Morais Massif,northeast Portugal

This study identifies and quantifies the water–rock interactions responsible for the composition of 25 spring waters, and derives the weathering rates of rock-forming minerals in a complex of petrologic units containing ultramafics, amphibolites, augengneisses and micaschists. Bulk chemical analyses were used to calculate the mineralogical composition of these rocks; the composition of the rock-forming minerals were determined by microprobe analyses. The soils developed on augengneisses and micaschists contain predominantly halloysite; on the other units mixtures of halloysite and smectites. The mineralogical and chemical data on rocks and soils are essential for writing the proper weathering reactions and for solving mole balances between the amounts of weathered primary minerals and secondary products formed (soils and solutes in groundwater). Ground waters emanating in springs were collected in 3 consecutive seasons, namely late Summer, Winter and Spring, and analyzed for major components. Using an algorithm based on mole and charge balance equations, the average concentrations of the solutes were linked with a combination of possible weathering reactions. To sort out the best match of weathering reactions and the concomitantly generated water composition, the results were checked against the limiting condition of similarity between the predicted and actual clay mineral abundance in the soils. Having selected the best-fit weathering reactions, the mineral weathering rates could also be calculated by combining the median discharge rates and recharge areas of the springs and normalizing the rates by the mineral abundance. For the one case—plagioclase—for which comparison with published results was possible, the results compare favorably with rates calculated by other groups. For the most abundant primary minerals the following order of decreasing weathering rates was found (in moles/(ha·a·%mineral)): forsterite (485) > clinozoisite (114) > chlorite (49) > plagioclase (45) > amphibole (28). In as far as this order differs from commonly used orders of weatherability, this has to be due to differences in the hydrologic regime within this area and between this and other case studies. As additional objective, the authors wanted to explain the effects of contributions by sources other than water-rock interactions. The latter processes are coupled with acquisition of carbonate alkalinity and dissolved silica. Contributions by sources other than water–rock interactions are manifest by the Cl⁻, SO²⁻₄ and NO⁻₃ concentrations. It was possible to approximate the contribution of atmospheric deposition. More importantly, knowledge of the application and composition of fertilizers enabled assessment of the effects of farming on the composition of ground waters emanating in the springs. It was also possible to estimate how selective uptake of nutrients and cations by vegetation as well as ion-exchange processes in the soil modified the spring water composition. Using this rather holistic approach, it is possible to satisfactorily explain how spring waters, in this petrologically and agriculturally diverse area, acquired their composition.     

Tropical chemical weathering of hillslope deposits and bedrock source in the Aburrá Valley, northern Colombian Andes

Tropical chemical weathering produces extensive lateritization and formation of deep weathering profiles. Both processes are fundamental to landscape evolution and slope instability. The Aburrá Valley of the northern Colombian Andes is characterized by tropical conditions. The valley slopes are mostly covered by hillslope deposits originating from four basement rock suites which comprise contrasting granitoid, volcanic–sedimentary, ophiolitic, and metamorphic sources, respectively. Tropical chemical weathering of the Aburrá hillslope deposits and their respective bedrock were examined using X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction analysis, to document and quantify their chemical weathering profiles, compositions, and mineralogical properties. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), loss on ignition (LOI), and the Mobiles index (Imob) were used to quantify the degree of weathering of hillslope deposits and bedrock source. Weathering trends were analyzed using A–CN–K and A–CNK–FM diagrams. The material mantling the slopes in the Aburrá Valley records an intense weathering history. Chemical weathering is characterized by increased development of clay minerals (kaolinite, halloysite) and iron and aluminum sesquioxides. Lateritization characterizes the final stage of the weathering profiles. Concentrations of CaO, Na₂O, K₂O decrease markedly in the weathering products compared to the fresh bedrock source, whereas concentrations of Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and MgO increase significantly. CIA ratios of matrix slope deposits derived from all four sources near 100, whereas those of boulder slope deposits and saprolites are lower, but exceed source rock values. Different A–CN–K weathering paths are evident for each lithotype, validating the correlation established between the hillslope deposits and their various parents. Chemical weathering indices in some samples are strongly influenced by the presence of sesquioxides, as reflected by high LOI, anomalously low CIA, and varying enrichment trends on the A–CNK–FM diagrams. Consequently, different chemical indices based on different criteria need to be combined to obtain best results, as illustrated here by the combination of LOI, CIA, and Imob. The overall results suggest that tropical conditions have dominated for a long time in the northern Colombian Andes, leading to uniformly high weathering indices in matrix slope deposits irrespective of parent lithotype. Prolonged warm and humid conditions could thus be responsible for the weathering and remobilization of extensive old hillslope deposits during the Quaternary. However, in addition to the influence of climatic factors, tectonism has also undoubtedly influenced slope evolution in the Aburrá Valley.     

含钾岩石微生物转化的分子机制及其碳汇效应

岩石矿物的微生物风化是地球表层系统最为活跃和普遍发生的地质营力之一。微生物对含钾岩石(以硅酸盐矿物为主)的风化能够释放其中的钾、硅和钙等元素,并在合适的环境条件下促进矿物元素的碳酸化沉淀,这是地表元素地球化学循环的重要环节之一。微生物对岩石的生物转化作用既涉及微生物的生长繁殖和代谢调控,也与元素的迁移转化和次生矿物的演化序列有关,具有重要研究价值。采用矿物学、微生物学和分子生物学等相结合的研究方法,有助于系统地研究微生物促进含钾硅酸盐矿物的风化并耦联碳酸化过程及其分子调控机制。研究证实,在纯培养条件下,微生物风化含钾矿物主要采用酸解、螯合、氧化还原等多种方式的协同作用,并可通过调控相关功能基因的表达来响应缺钾的环境以实现其对含钾矿物的有效风化,显然这有赖于微生物通过长期进化而形成的精细的分子调控机制。在土壤生态环境中,微生物对矿物风化的显著特征是该生态环境中微生物群落协同互作的群体作用效应。微生物碳酸酐酶参与的硅酸盐矿物风化伴随碳酸盐矿物的形成过程可能是个长期被忽视的地表碳增汇过程,对该问题的深入探索有助于进一步理解地质演化历史中微生物对碳素迁移转化的驱动机制。加入含钾硅酸盐矿粉的有机肥已经显示出其在土壤改良、作物生长和增加土壤碳汇等方面的正面应用效果,这为利用硅酸盐矿物的生物风化作用来延缓大气CO₂浓度的持续升高提供了新的思路。介绍了有关微生物对含钾岩石生物转化释放钾素的分子机理及其碳汇效应方面的研究进展,以期抛砖引玉,推动该领域研究的快速发展。     

The effect of organic matter on chemical weathering: study of a small tropical watershed: nsimi-zoétélé site,cameroon

The effect of organic matter during soil/water interaction is still a debated issue on the controls of chemical weathering in a tropical environment. In order to study this effect in detail, we focused on the weathering processes occurring in a small tropical watershed (Nsimi-Zoetélé, South Cameroon). This site offers an unique opportunity to study weathering mechanisms in a lateritic system within a small basin by coupling soil and water chemistry.The lateritic cover in this site can reach up to 40 m in depth and show two pedological distinct zones: unsaturated slope soils on the hills and/or elevated areas; and water-saturated soils in the swamp zone which represent 20% of the basin surface. The study present chemical analysis performed on water samples collected monthly from different localities between 1994–1997 and on soil samples taken during a well drilling in December 1997. The results suggest the existence of chemical and spatial heterogeneities of waters in the basin: colored waters flooding the swamp zone have much higher concentrations of both organic matter (i.e., DOC) and inorganic ions (e.g., Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Th, Zr) than those from springs and groundwater from the hills. Nevertheless, these organic-rich waters present cation concentrations (Na, Ca, Mg, K) which are among the lowest compared to that of most world rivers. The main minerals in the soils are secondary kaolinite, iron oxi-hydroxides, quartz, and accessory minerals (e.g., zircon, rutile). We mainly focused on the mineralogical and geochemical study of the swamp zone soils and showed through SEM observations the textural characterization of weathered minerals such as kaolinite, zircon, rutile, and the secondary recrystallization of kaolinite microcrystals within the soil profile. Water chemistry and mineralogical observations suggest that hydromorphic soils of the swamp zone are responsible for almost all chemical weathering in the basin. Thus, in order to explain the increase of element concentration in the organic-rich waters, we suggest that organic acids enhance dissolution of minerals such as kaolinite, goethite, and zircon and also favors the transport of insoluble elements such as Al, Fe, Ti, Zr, and REE by chemical complexation. SiO₂(aq) concentrations in these waters are above saturation with respect to quartz. Dissolution of phytholithes (amorphous silica) may be responsible for this relatively high SiO₂(aq.) concentration. Al/Mg ratios obtained for the soil and the Mengong river waters show that a significant amount of Al does not leave the system due to kaolinite recrystallisation in the swamp zone soils. Geochemical data obtained for this watershed show the important contribution of vegetation and organic matter on chemical weathering in the swamp zone. Quantitatively we propose that the increasing amount in total dissolved solid (TDS) due to organic matter and vegetation effect is about 35%. In summary, this interaction between soils and waters occurs mostly in soils that are very depleted in soluble elements. Thus, the low concentration of major elements in these water is a direct consequence of the depleted nature of the soils.     

Weathering and mineralogical variation in gneissic rocks and their effect in Sangrumba Landslide,East Nepal

Sangrumba landslide is one of the largest and the most active landslides in Nepal Himalaya. Geologically the landslide belongs to the Higher Himalaya and consists of Pre-Cambrian biotite–garnet and sillimanite gneiss with some quartzite. The present paper aims at describing various degrees of rock weathering and their effect in Sangrumba landslide. Field study followed by mineralogical, geochemical and geotechnical analyses of the collected rock and soil samples from the landslide zone were used in characterizing weathering degree. The gneisses are intensely weathered while quartzite is unweathered. Petrographical and X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the rocks in the landslide zone had undergone weathering process with the formation of different types of clay minerals as kaolinite, vermiculite, smectite and chlorite. This was further confirmed by the Scan Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray analyses. These clay minerals drastically reduced the rock strength facilitating the extensive failure of the Sangrumba landslide. The major and trace element composition of the rock and soil samples was calculated from the XRF analyses. The geochemical analyses and weathering indexes of rocks showed that they are significantly weathered and had a major influence in the formation of the Sangrumba landslide. In addition, mechanical strength measurement of rock/soil showed that the strength drastically decreases as the weathering intensity increases. Rainfall followed by the rock type are the most dominant parameters influencing the weathering process which leads to the formation of large landslide as the present one. These findings can be used in other areas with similar geological and topographical conditions.     

REE Mineralization of Weathered Crust and Clay Sediment on Granitic Rocks in the Sanyo Belt,SW Japan and the Southern Jiangxi Province,China

Rare earth element (REE) geochemistry and mineralogy have been studied in the weathered crusts derived from the Early Yanshanian (Jurassic) biotite granites of Dabu and Dingnan, as well as in the Indosinian (Permian) muscovite–biotite granite of Aigao in southern Jiangxi province, China, and the weathered crusts and clay sediments on biotite granites in the Sanyo belt, SW Japan, that is, Okayama, Tanakami, and Naegi areas. In all of the weathered crusts, biotite and plagioclase commonly tend to decrease toward the upper part of the profile, whereas kaolinite and residual quartz and K‐feldspar increase. The weathered crusts of the Dingnan granites and some Naegi granites, which are characterized by the enrichment in light REE (LREE) in C horizons, have higher total REE (ΣREE) content than the parent REE‐enriched granites. Weathering of LREE‐bearing apatite and fluorocarbonates in the Dingnan granites and allanite and apatite in some Naegi granites may account for the leaching of LREE at the B horizons. The leached LREE must result in subsequent enrichment of LREE in the C horizons. The enrichment is probably associated with mainly adsorption onto kaolinite and partly formation of possible secondary LREE‐bearing minerals. In Japan it was found that REE mineralization occurs not in the weathered granitic crusts but in reworked clay sediments, especially kaolinite‐rich layers, derived mainly from the weathering materials of REE‐enriched granitic rocks. The clay sediments are more enriched in LREE, which likely adsorbed onto kaolinite. Concentration of heavy REE within almost all the weathered crusts and clay sediments, however, may reflect mainly residual REE‐bearing minerals such as zircon, which originated in the parent granitic rocks. The findings of the present study support the three processes for fractionation of the REE during weathering: (i) selective leaching of rocks containing both stable and unstable REE‐bearing minerals; (ii) adsorption onto clay minerals; and (iii) presence of possible secondary LREE‐bearing minerals.     

Origin of Ca in South Indian calcretes developed on metamorphic rocks

Calcrete profiles developed on Precambrian silicate rocks in south peninsular India are studied and compared in terms of mineralogical, chemical and isotopic composition. The aim of this study is to determine the origin of calcium and the processes governing the development of a minor economic deposit in different geomorphic settings. The investigation integrates observations from an outcrop to a microfabric scale and reveals that the origin of calcium is local and linked with the weathering of the minerals of the surrounding rocks. The CaCO₃ precipitation occurs after vertical and lateral translocation in the slope system.     

A study of the durability of some shales,mudrocks and siltstones from Brazil

In spite of the considerable area covered by argillaceous sedimentary rocks (comprising shales, mudrocks and siltstones) in Brazil and the number of engineering works associated with these materials, little is known about their geotechnical, physical, chemical, mineralogical and textural characteristics and the effects of weathering processes on them. This work presents results obtained in a research project aiming primarily at identifying degradation processes responsible for the weathering of some of these rocks in Brazil. The rocks under investigation come from two different parts of the country, each one related to a specific engineering problem and to different geoenvironments. The project involved a comprehensive laboratory testing program for basic characterization (chemical and mineralogical composition, index properties, etc.) and evaluation of durability characteristics of these rocks. The present paper describes the testing program carried out and discusses the results obtained.     

Ductile Thrusting—shearing Genesis of Hongzhen Granitoid ,Anhui Province

As view from the petrological, mineralogical and petrochemical studies, the Hongzhen granitoid is characterized by the autochthonous-parautochthonous transformation. The source rocks are mainly felsic clastic sediments with a small amount of intermediate magmatite in the Zhangbaling Group. The granitoid is covered by mylonite and migmatite, and the three rocks share much in common with respect to their REE distribution patterns and the W-type distribution of transition elements, indicating that they all came from identical source rocks. The granitoid belongs to collision granites or postorogenic granitoids resulting from ductile thrusting-shearing under 550 °C and 7 × 10⁸ Pa conditions in the foreland of the Yangtze plate during the Late Indosinian movement, and from metasomatism plus partial melting. This project was partly funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (DO406-49274200).     

Chemical weathering and related controls on surface water chemistry in the Absaroka Mountains,Wyoming

Chemical relationships among surface waters, soils and rocks were investigated in the drainage basin of the North Fork of the Shoshone River in northwestern Wyoming. The area is underlain entirely by andesitic volcanic rocks. Smectite is the only clay mineral forming in soils over much of the area, although minor kaolinite occurs in a few areas of higher-than-average rainfall.Mass-balance calculations relating stream water chemistry to rock alteration indicate that controls on the chemistry of surface waters take place not in the soil zone but in the altered rock zone. The dominant weathering process which controls the water chemistry is slight alteration of large volumes of rock, rather than development of chemical equilibria involving secondary phases in the soil zone. The altered rock is enriched in feldspars and depleted in ferromagnesian minerals compared to fresh rock. The high rate of physical erosion of the area is enough to remove the residue, reexpose the bedrock, and continue the weathering process.     

Modern sedimentation processes in Lake Towuti,Indonesia, revealed by the composition of surface sediments

Lake Towuti on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, is located within the heart of the Indo‐Pacific Warm Pool. This tropical lake is surrounded by ultramafic (ophiolitic) rocks and lateritic soils that create a unique ferruginous depositional setting. In order to understand modern sediment deposition in Lake Towuti, a set of 84 lake surface sediment samples was collected from across the entirety of the lake and samples were analyzed for their physical, chemical, mineralogical and biological constituents. End‐member analyses were carried out to elucidate modern sediment origin, transport and depositional processes. This study found that allochthonous sediment, characterized by the concentrations of the elements Mg, Fe, Si and Al, as well as the clay and serpentine minerals, is dominated by fluvial supply from five distinct source areas. Granulometric data and the occurrence of organic matter of a terrestrial origin suggest that, in the southern and north‐eastern parts of the lake the near‐shore sediments may additionally be influenced by mass wasting. This is due at least partly to the particularly steep slopes in these areas. Furthermore, sediment composition suggests that sediment transport into deeper parts of the lake, particularly in the northern basin, is partly controlled by gravitational and density‐driven processes such as turbidity currents. Directional sediment transport by persistent lake currents, in contrast, appears to be less important. Organic matter deposition in the ultra‐oligotrophic lake, albeit limited, is dominated by autochthonous production, but with some contribution of fluvial and gravitational supply. Biogenic silica deposition, primarily from diatom frustules and sponge spicules, is very limited and is concentrated in only a few areas close to the shoreline that are characterized by shallow waters, but away from the areas of high suspension loads at the mouths of the major inlets. The results of this study build upon current and published work on short piston cores from Lake Towuti. Conversely, the results will support the interpretation of the depositional history and past climatic and environmental conditions derived from the composition of much longer records, which were obtained by the Towuti Drilling Project in May 2015 and are currently under investigation.     

松辽盆地钱家店地区姚家组赋矿砂岩的组成、地球化学特征及其构造背景

松辽盆地钱家店地区姚家组砂岩矿物、地球化学成分与源区岩石性质和沉积构造环境密切相关。岩相学观察和矿物化学分析表明,所研究的岩石主要碎屑矿物由石英、岩屑和长石组成,含少量的黄铁矿、炭屑和重矿物等矿物。地球化学特征上,这些岩石普遍具有高SiO2含量(68.4%~79.61%)、相对高的K2O/Na2O比值(1.83~2.03)和较低的Fe2O3T+MgO含量(1.48%~4.22%),稀土元素标准化配分曲线呈现轻稀土富集,重稀土平坦和弱Eu、Ce负异常特征。较低的CIA(57~63)和PIA(60~71)指数、A-CN-K以及AK-C-N分布模式还说明源区经历了相对较弱的风化作用。Zr/Sc和Th/Sc比值共同表明姚家组的碎屑组成不具备沉积再旋回的特征,说明其为近源沉积,具有较差的分选性。砂岩物源区组成判别图研究表明,姚家组砂岩的物源区主要出露长英质岩浆岩。砂岩形成构造环境判别图解及特征指数分析表明,姚家组主要形成于被动大陆边缘沉积环境。     

Weathering of the New Albany Shale, Kentucky, USA: I. Weathering zones defined by mineralogy and major-element composition

Comprehensive understanding of chemical and mineralogical changes induced by weathering is valuable information when considering the supply of nutrients and toxic elements from rocks. Here minerals that release and fix major elements during progressive weathering of a bed of Devonian New Albany Shale in eastern Kentucky are documented. Samples were collected from unweathered core (parent shale) and across an outcrop excavated into a hillside 40 year prior to sampling. Quantitative X-ray diffraction mineralogical data record progressive shale alteration across the outcrop. Mineral compositional changes reflect subtle alteration processes such as incongruent dissolution and cation exchange. Altered primary minerals include K-feldspars, plagioclase, calcite, pyrite, and chlorite. Secondary minerals include jarosite, gypsum, goethite, amorphous Fe(III) oxides and Fe(II)-Al sulfate salt (efflorescence). The mineralogy in weathered shale defines four weathered intervals on the outcrop—Zones A–C and soil. Alteration of the weakly weathered shale (Zone A) is attributed to the 40-a exposure of the shale. In this zone, pyrite oxidization produces acid that dissolves calcite and attacks chlorite, forming gypsum, jarosite, and minor efflorescent salt. The pre-excavation, active weathering front (Zone B) is where complete pyrite oxidation and alteration of feldspar and organic matter result in increased permeability. Acidic weathering solutions seep through the permeable shale and evaporate on the surface forming abundant efflorescent salt, jarosite and minor goethite. Intensely weathered shale (Zone C) is depleted in feldspars, chlorite, gypsum, jarosite and efflorescent salts, but has retained much of its primary quartz, illite and illite–smectite. Goethite and amorphous FE(III) oxides increase due to hydrolysis of jarosite. Enhanced permeability in this zone is due to a 14% loss of the original mass in parent shale. Denudation rates suggest that characteristics of Zone C were acquired over 1 Ma. Compositional differences between soil and Zone C are largely attributed to illuvial processes, formation of additional Fe(III) oxides and incorporation of modern organic matter.     

Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of recent clastic sediments from lower Godavari river: Implications of source rock weathering

The major, trace and rare earth elements geochemistry and clay mineral compositions in the river bed sediments from lower reaches of Godavari river suggest that they are derived from weathering of felsic rocks. Trace and rare earth elemental compositions indicate evidence of sedimentary sorting during transportation and deposition. Lower concentrations of transition elements, such as V, Ni and Cr imply enrichment of felsic minerals in these bed sediments. The REE pattern in lower Godavari sediments is influenced by the degree of source rock weathering. The light rare earth elements (LREE) content are indicating greater fractionation compared to the heavy rare earth elements (HREE). A striking relationship is observed between TiO₂ and gZREE content suggesting a strong control by LREE-enriched titaniferous minerals on REE chemistry. Shale-normalized REE pattern demonstrate a positive Eu anomaly, suggesting weathering of feldspar and their secondary products, which are enriched in Eu. Chondrite-normalised REE pattern is characteristic of felsic volcanic, granites and gnessic source rocks. Trace elemental compositions in sediments located near urban areas suggest influence of anthropogenic activity. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) is high (avg. 65.76), suggesting a moderate chemical weathering environment. X-ray diffraction analysis of clay fraction shows predominance of clay minerals that are formed because of the chemical weathering of felsic rocks.     

丹霞地貌砂岩的微观化学风化作用电子探针研究

利用偏光显微镜观察、电子探针分析等手段对江西龙虎山丹霞地貌崖壁砂岩的微观化学风化作用的发展过程进行了研究,重点观测黑云母蛭石化以及长石黏土化过程中矿物组分的变化,进而探讨丹霞地貌砂岩的微观化学风化作用机理。在微观化学风化下,强风化层胶结物中的方解石迅速分解流失,从而导致黑云母大量发生蛭石化和铁的氧化物在矿物边部富集;长石则大量发生黏土化而使高岭石、石英等矿物富集。研究表明丹霞地貌砂岩在微观化学风化作用下矿物分解以及新矿物的形成都破坏原来岩石中的力学平衡,因而风化作用在宏观上表现为岩面片状剥离和重力崩塌,据此推断更大尺度的风化作用可能与岩石中矿物的微观化学风化作用存在着密切联系,是微观化学风化作用长期累积后在宏观上的综合表现。      

Climatic and sea‐level control of Jurassic (Pliensbachian) clay mineral sedimentation in the Cardigan Bay Basin,Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) borehole,Wales

Early Jurassic climate is characterized by alternating cold and warm periods highlighted by studies based notably on oxygen isotopes measured on belemnite guards and other marine invertebrate shells. These climatic changes include changes in the hydrological cycle, and consequently weathering and runoff conditions. In order to clarify the erosion and weathering conditions during the Pliensbachian, this study determined the mineralogical composition of the clay fraction of 132 samples taken from the entire stage drilled in the Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) borehole (Cardigan Bay Basin). The clay mineral assemblages are composed of various proportions of chlorite, illite, illite/smectite mixed‐layers (R1 I–S), smectite and kaolinite, with possibly occasional traces of berthierine. The occurrence of abundant smectite indicates that the maximum burial temperature never exceeded 70°C. Consequently, clay minerals are considered mainly detrital, and their fluctuations likely reflect environmental changes. The variations in the proportions of smectite and kaolinite are opposite to each other. Kaolinite is particularly abundant at the base of the jamesoni Zone, in part coinciding with the δ¹³C negative excursion corresponding to the Sinemurian/Pliensbachian Boundary Event, and through the davoei Zone, whilst smectite is abundant in the upper part of jamesoni and base of ibex zones and through the subnodosus/gibbosus subzones of the margaritatus Zone. The kaolinite‐rich intervals reflect an intensification of hydrolysis and an acceleration of the hydrological cycle, while the smectite‐rich intervals indicate a more arid climate. The spinatum Zone is characterized by a distinct clay assemblage with abundant primary minerals, R1 I–S, kaolinite reworked from previously deposited sediments or from Palaeozoic rocks, and probably berthierine originating from contemporaneous ironstone‐generating environments of shallower waters. This mineralogical change by the end of the Pliensbachian likely reflects a transition from a dominant chemical weathering to a deeper physical erosion of the continent, probably related to a significant sea‐level fall consistent with a glacio‐eustatic origin.