Geochemistry of mineralization with exchangeable REY in the weathering crusts of granitic rocks in South China

Mineralization with exchangeable rare earth element (REE) and yttrium (MEX-REY) has been recognized in the weathering profiles in South China since the early 1970's. This type of REY mineralization occurs in weathering profiles of parent rocks ranging in composition from granite to acidic volcanic rocks and lamprophyre. The majority of the known resources occurring in the weathering profiles of granitic rocks. Total resources of this type of REY amount to millions tons of rare earth oxides, and therefore represent one of the most important types of rare earth resources in China, particularly for heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and yttrium.Accumulation of REY in the weathering profiles of granitic rocks is strongly controlled by the resistance to weathering of the principal REY-bearing accessory minerals in the parent rocks; only a limited proportion of total REY (< 30%) is incorporated in the rock-forming minerals. MEX-REY more commonly occur in weathering profiles developed on granitic rocks within which most of the REY are incorporated in accessory minerals weakly resistant to weathering (doverite, parisite, etc.). For the well-developed weathering profiles, three horizons can be distinguished from surface downwards: the lateritic horizon (A), the weathered horizon (B), and the weathering front (C). Continuous leaching, coupled with low rate of denudation, results in the accumulation of REY in the subsurface horizons (the B and C horizons), and thus results in REE differentiation within the well-developed, layered, and mature weathering profiles. Exchangeable REY, which can be replaced by cations like NH⁴⁺ and Na⁺ etc. in electrolyte solutions and can be removed by complexing agents such as EDTA, are commonly the major form of REE occurrence in the B horizon. Cerium is enriched in the top layer (A horizon) and depleted in the subsurface horizons of the weathering profiles, most likely due to the oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) followed by cerianite formation or absorption onto clays and/or Fe and Al oxyhydroxides.     

山东蓬莱史家沟西山火山碎屑岩风化壳元素地球化学特征

以山东蓬莱城西史家沟的西山火山碎屑岩风化壳为研究对象,系统采集样品,并测试了微量元素、主量元素、稀土元素以及黏土矿物等指标,揭示了西山火山碎屑岩风化壳的元素地球化学特征,讨论了风化壳的形成年代及其气候条件。史家沟火山碎屑岩风化壳源自基性-超基性玻屑凝灰岩母岩,CIA平均值为92.3,总体上处于为强度风化水平,K、Na、Ca和Mg等元素淋失殆尽,出现了脱硅富铝铁现象,为轻稀土富集型风化壳。西山火山碎屑岩风化壳可分为两个喷发旋回,大致以200 cm为界限,在此以下第一旋回,以上为第二旋回。第一旋回的CIA介于94.0~97.2之间,V、Rb、Sb、Mo、Li和Ga等微量元素出现淋失,在213 cm处并出现了?REE、?LREE和?HREE的峰值、Ce的负异常,蒙脱石化彻底,风化壳呈现灰白色。第二旋回的CIA在86.3~89.2之间,风化程度较第一旋回稍低,微量元素和稀土元素垂直变化较小,蒙脱石化并不完全彻底,仍残留长石、赤铁矿和石英等原生矿物,因而仍然呈现红色或淡红色。西山火山碎屑岩风化壳形成于中新世末到上新世,为温暖湿润的亚热带环境;中新世后的气候趋冷造成了两个旋回风化程度和元素地球化学特征的差异。     

Comparing the activity of aluminum in two B horizons developed from volcanic ash deposits in Japan, dominated by short-range ordered aluminosilicates and crystalline clay minerals, respectively

Mechanisms controlling the activity of free aluminum (Al) in Bw1 horizons of soils developed from volcanic ash deposits in Japan were investigated by means of acid-base titrations and kinetic studies. In a Bw1 horizon, with a high content of acid-oxalate extractable Al, soil solution reached equilibrium with short-range ordered aluminosilicates in the order of days. Relatively fast kinetics of the release and precipitation of Al and Si indicate a high reactivity of short-range ordered aluminosilicates in the soil. In the Bw1 horizon of an adjacent soil, with a high content of crystalline clay minerals like halloysite and interlayered vermiculite, solution remained well undersaturated with respect to short-range ordered aluminosilicates and aluminum hydroxide. Apparent equilibrium with respect to halloysite occurred after more than 30 days. This halloysite ( (25 °C)) has a solubility that is less than that reported in the literature ( (25°C)). Our findings suggest that different reactive aluminosilicates may control the activity of free Al in sub-surface horizons of volcanic ash soils with different mineralogy.     

甘肃西峰晚第三纪红粘土的化学组成及化学风化特征

通过对甘肃西峰红粘土样品的地球化学研究,发现其碳酸盐含量较高,而Si、Al、Fe等元素含量相对较低。为消除碳酸盐的影响,样品经酸溶处理后其化学组成十分均一,反映物质来源的一致性。稀土元素以及微量元素分布形式揭示出红粘土与第四纪黄土-古土壤风成成因的相似性。研究表明,红粘土的化学风化尚处于脱Ca、Na为主的早期阶段;CIA值和酸不溶物中的Na/K比及Rb/Sr比参数一致地指示了红粘土化学风化程度高于第四纪的黄土和古土壤,反映出晚第三纪以来黄土高原的气候由相对温暖湿润向第四纪逐渐变干变冷演化的总趋势。      

Geochemistry of a paleosol horizon at the base of the Sausar Group,central India: Implications on atmospheric conditions at the Archeane Paleoproterozoic boundary

A paleosol horizon is described from the contact of the Sausar Group(w2400 Ma) and its basement(Tirodi Gneiss; 2500 Ma) in Central India. Physical evidence of pedogenesis is marked by the development of stress corrosion cracks, soil peds, corestone weathering and nodular rocks. XRD and SEM-EDX data indicate the presence of siderite, ankerite, uraninite, chlorite, alumino-silicate minerals, ilmenite,rutile and magnetite, in addition to quartz, feldspar and mica. The chemical index of alteration, the plagioclase index of alteration, and the chemical index of weathering show an increasing trend from parent rock to the paleosol and indicate a moderate trend of weathering. The A-CN-K plot indicates loss of feldspars, enrichment in Al2O3 and formation of illite. Different major element ratios indicate baseloss through hydrolysis, clay formation, leaching of some elements, and more precipitation with good surface drainage. The paleosol is depleted in HREE in comparison to the parent rock indicating high fluid-rock interaction during weathering. The paleosol samples show flat Ce and Eu anomalies, low SREE, and high(La/Yb)N, indicative of a reducing environment of formation. Reducing condition can also be inferred from the concentration of elements such as V, Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the paleosol profile. Although enriched in Fe and Mg, the overall geochemical patterns of the paleosol indicate oxygen deficient conditions in the atmosphere and development by weathering and leaching processes associated with high precipitation and good surface drainage at the time of development of this paleosol during the Archeane Paleoproterozoic transition.     

Geochemistry and extractable Fe and Al in cold‐temperature soils of northwestern Siberia

The concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in three Cryosols from northwestern Siberia were analysed to determine profiles of geochemical uniformity, element mobility and the release and build‐up of extractable Fe and Al. The scope of this study involves weathering processes over all or part of the Lateglacial to the Holocene Epoch (<10 ka) in a cold environment. Iron and Al extracts are investigated to elicit information regarding profile age and palaeoclimate. ‘Free’ iron (Fe_d) relative to total Fe increases in the Ah + Bw horizons compared with the lower horizons, where oxidation is weaker. Low total Fe reflects reworked felsic deltaic and shallow marine deposits from the Permian to the early Tertiary, thereafter emplaced by episodic flooding of glacial meltwater from the Arctic Urals and/or the Kara Sea Ice Sheet. Organically complexed Al (Al_p), uniformly low in all soils, nevertheless shows trends indicating some downward movement, a rather unique occurrence in Arctic tundra soils. As indicated by the slow increase of oxihydrites, it may not be realistic to estimate the age of a profile by its physical characteristics. However, it appears possible to determine broad age ranges from the isotopic composition of water in soils. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

广东惠东地区离子吸附型稀土矿床地球化学特征

摘要：运用岩石地球化学方法,对广东惠东地区离子吸附型稀土矿床的地球化学特征进行研究。结果显示,风化壳中元素含量及配分特点总体上取决于母岩,但稀土元素在继承母岩稀土元素的基础上含量进一步富集,且各风化层中元素含量变化与风化作用之间具有一定相关性。WIG指数相较于CIA指数能更有效地描述风化壳风化强度,风化壳中稀土元素迁出富集与WIG指数及元素迁移系数具有一定规律性,轻稀土元素多在全风化层上部富集,而重稀土元素在全风化层下部及半风化层明显迁入富集,Ce、Eu均具明显负异常。     

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.     

Geochemistry and origin of ferruginous nodules in weathered granodioritic gneisses, Mysore Plateau, Southern India

Fe-nodules occur within saprolites formed from weathering of granodioritic gneisses in the rain-shadow region of the Mysore Plateau adjacent to the Sahyadri Mountains in Southern India. These nodules and their host saprolites were studied for their geochemistry, including chemical speciation, to understand nodule formation and chemical redistribution processes during rock weathering. From their mode of occurrence, and mineralogical and geochemical data, we infer that the nodules originated by a two-stage process in which the initial extensive weathering of gneisses likely facilitated subsequent ferrolysis weathering and nodule formation. Nodules originated by precipitation of goethite, hematite and gibbsite along with several amorphous phases within the matrix of weathered gneisses. This is possible only under hydromorphic conditions, suggesting that parts of the plateau must have gone through a humid phase prior to the present aridity. In the saprolites, Al, Fe, and Ti become enriched because of the removal of Si, Ca, Na, and K. However within the nodule, Fe, Ti, Cr, and Ni are deposited after their chemical transport from the saprolite. Titanium, known for its immobile nature, was also mobilized and concentrated under the conditions of nodule formation. The most important elements in the nodule constitution are Fe, Al, Ti, and Mn, each having both crystalline and amorphous phases. Fe-Ti and Mn oxyhydroxides grain coatings in the saprolites and discrete amorphous Mn and Ti phases in the nodules seem to have scavenged trace elements from the weathering profile. REE were mobilized during weathering and nodule genesis in which Ce and Ti show a strong geochemical coherence. The enrichment of only HREE in saprolite, and both HREE and LREE with significant Ce in the nodule, indicate the control of evolving secondary minerals in the REE redistribution during rock weathering. Strong enrichment of Ce in the weathering profile and in nodules has important implications to the REE chemistry of river waters.     

海南岛第四纪玄武岩的红土化作用

我国海南岛北部广泛分布着第四纪玄武岩,其中喷出规模最大、分布面积最广的是早更新世玄武岩(Q₁),其上覆盖着一层较厚的红土风化壳,有的成为可供开采的铝土矿和褐铁矿。晚更新世玄武岩(Q₃)出露范围较小,地表亦多风化成红土,但发育较差。笔者研究的红土风化剖面便发育在早更新世橄榄玄武岩上(图1)。     

黔北白云岩红色风化壳元素地球化学特征

选取贵州高原喀斯特地区典型白云岩风化剖面作为研究对象,探讨了红土剖面元素迁移特征及其影响因素,为进一步认识红色风化壳元素地球化学特征提供依据。结果表明:（1）红土剖面中土壤样品（XPS-4~XPS-25）Fe、K、Mn常量元素及Co、Pb、Zn微量元素的分布曲线相对于其他元素靠近 UCC,元素Mg、Ca、Na、Ti和 Li、Cr、Ba、V 的数据点则显著偏离了上部陆壳的平均组成。（2）元素对协变分析得出Ti与Fe、Ba和V的积累特征一致,呈增加趋势;Ti与Mg呈反向变化特征。（3）以Ti为参比元素的剖面迁移特征表明,绝大部分元素的地球化学行为表现为迁移淋失,仅 Fe 、Cr和V 富集。K、Ba总体上呈迁出趋势,个别层段有轻微富集;Na和Co在风化原岩处有一个富集端点。元素在风化过程中的迁移聚集与土壤剖面的pH值和剖面结构变化、粘土矿物和有机质等的吸附有关。      

Gallium behaviour in some contrasting lateritic profiles from Cameroon and Brazil

In the supergene environment under tropical climates, the behaviour of gallium depends on the physico-chemical conditions which control the evolution stages of the residual mantle and this element is not necessarily linked to aluminum, as was formerly believed. Ga vs. Al correlation is positive in weathering profiles from West Cameroon developed on granodiorite, basalt and trachyte, which essentially result from the leaching of alkalis, alkali-earths and silicon. However, in the upper part of the profile on trachyte, which underwent later aluminization, no significant Ga vs. Al correlation was evidenced. In lateritic and bauxitic profiles from Eastern Brazilian Amazonia developed on basalt and siliciclastic sedimentary rocks, the dissociation between gallium and aluminum is clearly expressed by a negative or lack of Ga vs. Al correlation in the bauxitic horizons, resulting mainly from intense aluminization, as well as in the ferruginous horizons. In turn, Ga vs. Fe correlation is markedly positive in both cases. Thus, when dissolution of early formed Ga-containing gibbsite and kaolinite occurs, aluminum migrates and concentrates in well differentiated zones while gallium tends to be leached out of the profile or is retained by Fe-oxyhydroxides.     

云南省澜沧县离子吸附型稀土矿床地质特征分析与成矿过程探讨

云南省澜沧县地处临沧花岗岩的中南段，在其境内发现多地与花岗岩风化壳有关的离子吸附型稀土矿床。文章通过对该区晚三叠世黑云母二长花岗岩风化壳全风化层的剖面及钻孔样品分析，对赋存于花岗岩风化壳离子吸附型稀土矿床的成矿地质地球化学特征进行研究，探讨其关键成矿过程并总结地形地貌与风化壳和矿体露头的关系。研究表明，黑云母二长花岗岩风化壳分层特征明显，离子吸附型稀土矿体规模及形态严格受风化壳发育程度及微地貌控制；花岗岩风化壳全风化层稀土元素配分曲线呈右倾平滑的浅“W”型，轻稀土元素的分异程度强于重稀土元素；除Ce元素外，轻稀土元素的浸出率略高于重稀土元素；矿石类型为以轻稀土元素为主、中重稀土元素配分齐全的混合型稀土矿。通过厘定离子吸附型稀土矿床的关键成矿过程，文章发现内应力、渗透能力、风化程度、黏土矿物含量在风化壳剖面中由上至下变化特征综合决定了稀土矿体主要定位于风化壳全风化层。     

“寨背式”离子吸附型稀土矿床多类型稀土矿化及其成因

赣南寨背离子吸附型稀土矿床产于寨背复式花岗岩体的风化壳中,自20世纪80年代发现以来一直以轻稀土型开采,近年在轻稀土型花岗岩风化壳中发现了重稀土矿。为了探讨轻稀土型花岗岩风化过程中重稀土元素的迁移、分馏和富集机制,本文选择了区内三个具有代表性的风化壳钻孔(ZK1、ZK2和ZK4)对其进行了全相和离子交换相稀土元素地球化学研究。结果显示：钻孔ZK4中离子交换相稀土含量介于14.90×10^-6～835.8×10^-6之间,并富集轻稀土(LREE/HREE=2.28～10.78);钻孔ZK1中离子交换相稀土含量达1470×10^-6(9件样品均值),具有从轻稀土型向重稀土型过渡的配分特征(LREE/HREE=1.30～1.65),并且剖面自上而下显示轻、重稀土逐渐富集的趋势;钻孔ZK2中离子交换相稀土含量为492.4×10^-6(8件样品均值),自上而下稀土配分类型从轻稀土型过渡至重稀土型(LREE/HREE=0.43～2.25),且轻稀土富集在全风化层上部而重稀土则富集在下部。三个钻孔的Nb/Ta和Zr/Hf...     

加积型网纹红土网纹化机制及形成环境

选取九江地区JL剖面网纹层段典型样品,针对红基质与白网纹的物质组成及理化性质展开异同分析,在此基础上探讨网纹红土形成环境。初步得到以下结论:1)红基质与白网纹的粒度组成、元素组成、风化特征基本一致,但铁元素有显著差异,"网纹"并非原生构造,不是岩性差异及差异风化的产物,而是同源物质经历化学风化过程中元素分馏的结果。2)地球化学分析、磁学分析和粘粒级矿物组成分析一致表明,白网纹与红基质在铁含量、铁氧化物形态、铁矿物类型方面存在明显差异。白网纹与红基质相比,全铁含量(4.30%)低于红基质(8.63%);Fe^3+/Fe^2+比值(40.66)低于红基质(90.95);游离铁量及游离度(7.01 g/kg,32.96%)低于红基质(76.21 g/kg,77.52%);铁活化度和晶胶率(25.31%,37.77%)高于红基质(8.77%,9.69%);赤铁矿和针铁矿含量极少,这充分表明白网纹局部存在明显的铁淋失。3)白网纹局部脱色机制主要受控于赤铁矿及其转化,红基质主导矿物为赤铁矿,并含有一定的磁赤铁矿和针铁矿,而白网纹则不含磁赤铁矿,赤铁矿含量也极少。此外高岭石含量也是影响色浅的因素之一,白网纹蛭石、高岭石含量(20.24%和45.08%)均略高于红基质(11.45%和41.82%)。4)赤铁矿的富集、局部铁迁移的特点,整体上指示高温、中强程度化学风化和季节性多水的环境。这在一定程度上暗示网纹红土形成时期气候高温多雨,且季节性反差增强。     

南方红土形成过程及其稀土元素地球化学

南方不同红土的化学蚀变指数(CIA),硅铝系数 、铝铁系数 硅铁铝系数 反映红土的形成经历了脱钙、脱碱基和初级脱硅富铝富铁3个主要的 风化阶段;稀土在前两个阶段中主要发生淋失,而在后一阶段中富集,其配分曲线具Eu亏损的轻稀土显著富集型特征。红土中稀土元素的赋存状态以晶格相为主,主要与基岩密切有关,而其它赋存状态则与红土化过程紧密相连。红土中可溶态稀土含量的高低是风化作用强度的有效指标。     

Gold dispersion in a tropical rainforest weathering profile at Dondo Mobi, Gabon

At Dondo Mobi in the gold district of Eteke, south Gabon, gold mineralization was studied in a tropical forest setting. The mineralization occurs in quartz veins within amphibolites of an Archaean gneiss-amphibolite series. Gold distribution patterns were studied in the different horizons of the weathering profile and in the different grain-size fractions of the materials sampled from three pits sunk in the weathered zone: upslope (pit P1), directly overlying (pit P2) and downslope (pit P3) of the mineralization.The weathering profile consists of an upper, thick, loose sandy argillaceous horizon (H1), an irregular nodular horizon with laterite nodules or blocks (H2) and a saprolite layer (H3) up to 70 m thick. In each pit, the specific geochemical signature of the bedrock is recognized in the three horizons of the weathering profile. Some groups of elements, e.g., Cr-Ni or Ba-V-P₂O₃, characterize amphibolite or black shale, respectively. Signal attenuations in the upper horizon can be explained by a homogenization effect. That can be related to a mushroom supergene dispersion, simultaneously inducing vertical decrease and lateral enrichment in element contents. Gold also mushrooms extensively in the different horizons of the weathering profile. The dispersion pattern is somewhat anisotropic, a strong enlargement being observed in the upper (H1) and intermediate nodular (H2) horizons alike. However, the evolution of Au distribution is not the same for all grain-size fractions: (a) in the finest fraction, Au is regularly distributed in the weathering profile at the anomalous top and tends to preserve an equivalent level of concentration laterally; (b) in the coarsest fraction, the maximum Au content is found in the upper horizon just above the mineralized structure; it is rapidly decreases laterally, in the surface halo.The Au geochemical dispersion halo consists mainly of fine-grained gold developed from rather coarse-grained mineralization. Its characteristics suggest that Au dispersion was produced as a result of Au dissolution together with collapse of the weathering profile causing gold migration over short distances.The minimal volumetric reduction of saprolite in the upper horizon can be estimated to be in the range of 60%, on the basis of the content of the different grain-size fractions and the density variations in the various horizons.In exploration, geochemical techniques, even using wide sample spacing, are proving quite adequate to prospect for Au in tropical rainforest weathering environment. Indeed, significant, well-contrasted dispersion haloes facilitate detection of rather confined mineralization.     

Nitric-acid soluble fractions of 21 elements in Norwegian podzols: Factors affecting regional differences in vertical distribution

Distributions of 21 major and trace elements in HNO₃ extracts of different horizons were studied in 13 podzol profiles from the boreal forest in different parts of Norway using ICP–MS. On the basis of ratios between the HNO₃-extractable fractions in the various horizons some general trends were elucidated. Two different groups of elements concentrated in the humus layer relative to the mineral horizons were identified, one mainly associated with contributions from air pollution (As, Cd, Sb, Pb), another one with plant nutrient circulation (K, Ca, Mn and to a lesser extent Mg, Co, Ni, Rb) and some with both mechanisms (Cu, Zn, Tl). The elements most clearly enriched along with Fe in the B horizon were V, Pb, Al, and Cr in that order, Pb partly because of leaching from the polluted organic surface soil. Four soils in the far south showed a behaviour distinctly different from the rest and were treated as a separate group. Relative to the more northerly sites the surface horizons of these soils were strongly depleted in lithogenic elements (Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, La) and enriched in elements typical of long-range transport of pollutants (As, Cd, Sb, Tl, Pb). Also the B horizon in the southern soils was strongly depleted in the lithogenic group elements, including Fe and the associated metals. The main reason for this difference is assumed to be the greater influence of transboundary air pollution and associated metals and stronger soil acidification in the far south of the country.     

The Behaviour of Rare—Earth Elements（REE） During Weathering of Granites in Southern Guangxi,China

The behaviour of the rare-earth elements(REE)during the weathering of granites was studied in southern Guangxi,China.Based on the study of the weathering profiles,the soil,weathered and sub-weatereb zones are identified with different REE geochemical behaviours throug the weathering profiles of granite.The Ce anomalies of the weathering profiles cover a large range of values with most falling between 1.02 and 1.43in the soil zone and 0.16and 0.40in the weathered and sub-weathered zones.Light rare-earth elements(LREE) and heavy rare-earth elements(HREE)are enriched to varying degree in the weathering profiles as compared to host granites.In the soil zone,more HREEs are leached than LREEs,and HREEs are more enriched than LREE in the weathered and sub-weathered zones.It is considered that infiltration and adsorption on clays are two processes controlling the enrichment and formation of REE deposits in the weathering profiles of granite.