Water balance modelling in lateritic terrain

An analytical approximate model for unsaturated flow in a spatially variable field, coupled with infiltration and evapotranspiration at the upper boundary and a fluctuating water-table at the lower boundary, has been developed. The unsaturated flow equations depend on parameterizations of θ(Φ) and K(Φ). They are based on the notion of a moving, discontinuous front. The field heterogeneity refers to saturated hydraulic conductivity only. Horizontal variability is considered, and the flow medium is approximated as a set of uncorrelated, vertically homogeneous columns. Expectations and variances obtained with this approach have been compared with observations of the field hydrological processes. Three important aspects of the hydrology in this lateritic terrain are rapid water-table response, Hortonian surface runoff generation and soil suction variability. The stochastic conceptualization used explains to a high degree these characteristics, although some limitations are demonstrated.     

Behaviour of REE and mass balance calculations in a lateritic profile over chlorite schists in South Cameroon

An in situ weathering profile overlying chlorite schists in the Mbalmayo-Bengbis formations (South Cameroon) was chosen for the study of the behaviour of REE and the evaluation of geochemical mass balance. After physical and mineralogical studies, the chlorite schists and the undisturbed weathered materials were chemically analyzed for major elements (X-ray fluorescence and titrimetry) and REE (ICP-MS). The behaviour of the REE in the Mbalmayo weathering system was established in comparison with the REE of the reference parent rock. Mass balance calculations were applied to both major elements and REE. The mineralogy of the materials was determined with the aid of a Philips 1720, diffractometer. The chlorite schists of the Mbalmayo sector show low REE contents (Σ=153.44 ppm). These rocks are relatively rich in LREE (about 125 times the chondritic value) and relatively poor in HREE (about 20 times the chondritic value). The REE diagram normalized to chondrites shows a slightly split graph ((La/Yb)_N=6.18) with marked enrichment in LREE (LREE/HREE=9.50) in relation to HREE. Moreover, these spectra do not present any Ce anomaly, but a slightly positive Eu anomaly. The imperfectly evolved profile, whose materials are genetically linked, shows an atypical behaviour of REE. In effect, the LREE are more mobile than the HREE during weathering ((La/Yb)NASC<1) with weak Ce anomalies. This has been rarely reported in lateritic profiles characterized by higher HREE mobility than LREE during weathering processes with high Ce anomalies. This is either due to the difference in the stability of REE-bearing minerals, or to the weak acidic to basic pH conditions (6.70<pH<7.80), or even due to the average evolution of the weathering materials. The pathway of the REE along the profile is as follows: (1) leaching in the saprolites and summit of the profile, except for Ce, which precipitates very weakly in the nodular materials and the coarse saprolite materials, (2) at the base of the profile, solutions come in contact with chlorite schist formations, at this level, the pH increases (pH=7.79), HREE and a part of LREE partially void of Ce precipitate and (3) the other part of LREE precipitates further up in the profile. The geochemical mass balance calculations reveal that these elements are leached in the same phases as the relatively high Si, Al, K and Fe²⁺ contents.     

Investigations in Kenya and Malawi using as-dug laterite as bases for bituminous surfaced roads

Summary In Kenya 1974/5 and in Malawi 1984/5 trial sections of bituminous-surfaced low volume roads were constructed using as-dug laterite in place of stone or stabilized material as a base course.The laterite did not conform with any accepted specifications but performed equally well when compared with adjoining sections of road using stone or stabilized material as a base.The construction procedures employed are described. A period of 4–6 weeks between the compaction of the base and its surfacing is considered essential if the road is to perform satisfactorily. During this period it is exposed to the weather and traffic or to periodic watering and rolling. This treatment fills any cracks with dust or mud and closes them by the kneading action of rubber-tyred traffic. The bituminous surfacing is applied where the base has dried out to about half the optimum moisture content and is extended about 1.5 m beyond each edge of the carriageway.In 1984, $40000 US per km was saved in Malawi in this way, approximately 70% being in convertible currency without incurring additional maintenance or vehicle operating costs.     

Geochemical mass balance and weathering rates of ultramafic schists in Amazonia

The hydrochemical balance of the Yaou catchment in French Guiana was determined over a period of 1 year, combined with a detailed characterization of the primary minerals and their weathering products, in order to estimate ultramafic rock weathering rates in a rainforest environment. The time required to develop the main horizons of the laterite profile was obtained from estimations of the weathering rates and dissolution kinetics of some major parent minerals (chlorite, serpentine, biotite, calcite).

The specific transport of solute matter in the catchment is 205 kg/ha/a. The Cl and NO₃ net outputs shows that the system is in dynamic equilibrium, notably with respect to the biomass reservoir. The output flux of Mg in solution is mainly supplied from the weathering of primary minerals, whereas that of Ca comes both from atmospheric contributions and from the dissolution of carbonates. The fluxes of K and, more particularly, Na derive essentially from the atmosphere. Knowing the weathering rate of primary minerals, the total CO₂ consumption rate by silicate weathering is estimated at 1430 mol/ha/a.

The weathering rates of chlorite, serpentine and biotite range from 18 to 65 mol/ha/a, and those of talc and calcite are, respectively 51 and 153 mol/ha/a. Weathering rates normalized to mineral modal proportions give a decreasing order of stability resistance to weathering (calcitebiotitechlorite>serpentine>talc) that agrees with their vertical distribution in the weathering profile. The dissolution kinetics of chlorite, biotite and serpentine, expressed in relation to the Si release rate, were calculated using estimations of the mineral exchange surface by (a) optical microscope image processing of crystal outlines, and (b) BET specific surface measurements. The release rate of Si, computed for biotite, chlorite and serpentine, ranges around 10⁻¹³ and 10⁻¹⁴ mol/m²/s using microscope images on particle sizes. The estimated dissolution kinetics is two orders of magnitude lower when using the BET measured exchange surface, which is 100 times larger.

The saprolitization rate, calculated from the weathering rates of calcite, chlorite and biotite, is on average 7.5 m/Ma. The rate of latosol development, calculated from the weathering rate of serpentine at the saprolite–latosol interface, is estimated at 4.5 m/Ma. That means that the profile is chemically thickening at a rate of 3 m/Ma.     

Platinum-group elements in the serpentinite lateritic mantles of the Kongo–Nkamouna ultramafic massif (Lomié region,South-East Cameroon)

The behaviour of PGE in a rainforest ecosystem were investigated in four lateritic profiles (Nkamouna, Napene, West and East Mada) developed on serpentinites in the Kongo–Nkamouna massif (Lomié region, South-East Cameroon). In serpentinites, the total PGE content attains 22 ppb whilst it ranges between 26 and 200 ppb in the weathering blanket. Amongst the analyzed elements (platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium), platinum and ruthenium contents are high in the saprolite zone and in the hardened materials of some weathering profiles (40–66 ppb for platinum, 50–71 ppb for ruthenium). Apart from the hardened materials, the total PGE content decreases from the coarse saprolite towards the clayey surface soil. The Fe₂O₃-PGE diagram indicates a relatively similar behaviour in these iron-rich samples. The Pt–Ir, Pt–Pd, Pt–Ru, Pt–Rh diagrams portray positive correlations between platinum and other PGE. This fact is supported by the positive correlation noticed between IPGE and PPGE. The Pt/Ir, Pt/Pd, Pt/Ru and Pt/Rh values indicate that iridium, palladium, ruthenium and rhodium are more mobile than platinum. These data confirm the mobility of PGE in laterites and the positive correlation reveals that PGE might be accommodated in the interfaces of iron oxides. The mass balance assessment shows that PGE are strongly leached from the Kongo–Nkamouna weathering blanket except in the coarse saprolite of the Nkamouna profile.     

Desiccation-induced Shrinkage in Compacted Lateritic Soils

Specimens prepared from three lateritic soil samples were subjected to drying under laboratory conditions. Volumetric shrinkage strains were measured at the end of the drying period. Results of this study indicate that, for the lateritic soils tested, volumetric shrinkage strains are influenced by soil composition and compaction conditions. Volumetric shrinkage strain increased with higher compaction water content. The influence of compaction water content on measured volumetric shrinkage strain was more pronounced in specimens with higher fines content. A regression equation was developed from the data to estimate volumetric shrinkage strain given the compaction water content relative to optimum, plasticity index, fines content and compactive effort.     

Mobilization and redistribution of major and trace elements in two weathering profiles developed on serpentinites in the Lomié ultramafic complex, South-East Cameroon

The behaviour of major and trace elements have been studied along two serpentinite weathering profiles located in the Kongo-Nkamouna and Mang North sites of the Lomié ultramafic complex.The serpentinites are characterized by high SiO₂ and MgO contents, very low trace, rare earth and platinum-group element contents. Lanthanide and PGE contents are higher in the Nkamouna sample than in Mang North. Normalized REE patterns according to the CI chondrites reveal that: (i) all REE are below chondrites abundances in the Mang North sample; (ii) the (La/Yb)_N ratio value is higher in the Nkamouna sample (23.72) than in the Mang one (1.78), this confirms the slightly more weathered nature of the Nkamouna sample. Normalized PGE patterns according to the same CI chondrites reveal a negative Pt anomaly in the Mang sample. The Nkamouna sample is characterized by a flat normalized PGE pattern.All element contents increase highly from the parent rock to the coarse saprolite.In the weathering profiles, Fe₂O₃ contents decrease from the bottom to the top contrarily to Al₂O₃, SiO₂ and TiO₂. The contents of alkali and alkaline oxides are under detection limit.Concerning trace elements, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn and Sc decrease considerably from the bottom to the top while Zr, Th, U, Be, Sb, Sn, W, Ta, Sr, Rb, Hf, Y, Li, Ga, Nb and Pb increase towards the clayey surface soil. Chromium, Ni and Co contents are high in the weathered materials in particular in the saprolite zone and in the nodules.REE contents are high in the weathered materials, particularly in Nkamouna. Their concentrations decrease along both profiles. Light REE are more abundant than heavy REE. Normalized REE patterns according to the parent rock reveal positive Ce anomalies in all the weathered materials and negative Eu anomalies only at the bottom of the coarse saprolite (Nkamouna site). Positive Ce anomalies are higher in the nodular horizon of both profiles. An additional calculation method of lanthanide anomalies, using NASC data, confirms positive Ce anomalies ([Ce/Ce^*]_NASC = 1.15 to 60.68) in several weathered materials except in nodules ([Ce/Ce^*]_NASC = 0.76) of the upper nodular horizon (Nkamouna profile). The (La/Yb)_N ratios values are lower in the Nkamouna profile than in Mang site.PGE are more abundant in the weathered materials than in the parent rock. The highest contents are obtained in the coarse saprolite and in the nodules. The elements with high contents along both profiles are Pt (63–70 ppb), Ru (49–52 ppb) and Ir (41 ppb). Normalized PGE patterns show positive Pt anomalies and negative Ru anomalies.The mass balance evaluation, using thorium as immobile element, reveals that:

– major elements have been depleted along the weathering profile, except for Fe, Mn and Ti that have been enriched even only in the coarse saprolite;

– all the trace elements have been depleted along both profiles, except for Cr, Co, Zn, Sc, Cu, Ba, Y, Ga, U and Nb that have been enriched in the coarse saprolite;

– rare earth elements have been abundantly accumulated in the coarse saprolite, before their depletion towards the top of the profiles;

– platinum-group elements have been abundantly accumulated in the coarse saprolite but have been depleted towards the clayey surface soil.

Moreover, from a pedogenetical point of view, this study shows that the weathering profiles are autochtonous, except in the upper part of the soils where some allochtonous materials are revealed by the presence of zircon grains.     

Cretaceous and Tertiary of the Iullemmeden Basin in Nigeria (West Africa)

The Iullemmeden Basin (Mali-Niger-Benin-Nigeria) of tectono-epeirogenic origin was invaded several times by epicontinental transgressions during the Cretaceous and Paleocene.Three major subdivisions are recognized in the Nigerian section of the basin (the “Sokoto Basin”): (1) the lower, continental beds (= Continental Intercalaire) of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age, (2) intermediate marine and brackish water deposits and (3) “Continental T Terminal” of upper Eocene-Miocene age.The geology of the Iullemmeden Basin is reviewed and updated. The relationships between the “Continental Intercalaire” of francophone authors and the Illo and Gundumi Formations are analysed and the type sections of the latter described. It is suggested that the Illo and Gundumi Formations are lateral equivalents.Detailed information on the formations of the Maastrichtian Rima Group is presented. It is concluded that there is no age difference of consequence between the Paleocene Dange, Kalambaina and Gamba Formations.The epicontinental transgressions are interpreted as coming from the north-east, east of the Hoggar massif during the Cenomanian and Turonian and west of the Hoggar during the Maastrichtian and Paleocene. The Sokoto Paleocene molluscan fauna is considered to be terminal Paleocene to Eocene and somewhat younger than the Ewekoro association of coastal Nigeria.A new interpretation of the Continental Terminal is presented. The structural history of the Sokoto Basin is reviewed and partly re-interpreted in the light of new field evidence.