Regolith-landform processes and geochemical exploration for base metal deposits in regolith-dominated terrains of the Mt Isa region,northwest Queensland,Australia

The regolith in the Mt Isa region of Queensland consists of a variety of saprolites and duricrusts developed on Proterozoic basement rocks and fresh to weathered Mesozoic, Tertiary and Quaternary cover, all of which has impeded base metals exploration. This paper presents an overview of some of the regolith-geochemical work conducted in the Mt Isa region as part of an industry-supported three year CRC LEME/AMIRA Project. A complex weathering and landscape history has produced a landscape of (a) continuously exposed and exhumed basement rocks that have undergone varying intensities of weathering and partial stripping; (b) weathered and locally eroded Mesozoic cover sequences and (c) areas with younger transported cover concealing basement and Mesozoic cover. Various regolith sample media have been evaluated at a number of prospects and deposits which represent different regolith-landform terrains and landscape history. Geochemical dispersion processes and models are presented and false anomalies explained.Where ferruginous duricrust or ferruginous nodular gravel are preserved on weathered bedrock on an eroded plateau, they exhibit large (> 500 m) multi-element (As, Pb, Sb) dispersion haloes and are useful sampling media. Dispersion haloes in truncated profiles on weathered bedrock covered with colluvium are restricted, are limited to tens of metres from subcrop of the source, and contrast to the extensive anomalies in ferruginous duricrust and nodules. Geochemical exploration in covered areas depends on the possible presence of dispersion through the sediments or leakage along faults or fractures, but may be complicated by high metal backgrounds in the sediments themselves. Some of the most prominent anomalies occur in ferruginous materials and soils representing emergent residual terrain developed on Mesozoic sediments. These are largely due to weathering of sulfide mineralization that continued during submergence in a marine environment, with hydromorphic dispersion into the sediments as they accumulated. Multi-element (Cu, As, Zn, Sb, Au) anomalies occur in basal sediments and at the unconformity, due to a combination of clastic and hydromorphic dispersion and represent a useful sample target. Metal-rich horizons in weathered sediments, higher in the sequence, can also be targeted, particularly by specifically sampling ferruginous units and fragments. However, these are less certainly related to mineralization. Zinc and Cu, concentrated in Fe (and Mn) oxides at redox fronts, may be derived by leaching from the sediments with concentration in the sesquioxides, and be unrelated to any proximal basement mineralization. In all these regolith-dominated terrains, a clear understanding of local geomorphology, regolith framework, topography of unconformities and the origins of ferruginous materials is essential to sample medium selection and data interpretation.     

Sea-level changes and buried islands in a complex coastal palaeolandscape in the South of Western Australia: Implications for greenfield mineral exploration

Weathering intensity changes due to climatic variability across tectonically stable portions of continental crust can generate a thick and extensive weathered cover, resulting in regolith-dominated terrains (RDTs). Mineral exploration in RDTs is challenging because of the lack of bedrock outcrop, and the difficulty of linking surface regolith geochemistry to the geology at depth. Complex weathering obscures the expression of the basement geochemistry in the regolith, and therefore the footprints of mineral systems are difficult to detect. The southeast of the Yilgarn Craton and the Albany–Fraser Orogen (AFO) in the south of Western Australia is an RDT that extends along the coastline and the Eucla basin.This study proposes a landscape evolution model of the AFO, driven by transgression–regression sea-level changes that resulted in the formation of numerous islands and development of estuarine zones. This model contrasts with the river system-dominated landscape evolution present in the Yilgarn Craton. This difference has significant implications for mineral exploration and geochemical interpretation of the regolith in this region.Weathering profiles developed “on inland” and “on island” are thicker and more mature than those developed in sea-inundated areas. Even if in the Yilgarn Craton local areas display reworking of weathering profiles and other complexities from Permian, non-marine Tertiary sediments and Quaternary fluvial and aeolian sediments, at a regional scale, if vertical geochemical mobility of elements has occurred, “on inland” and “on island” are more reliable for understanding geochemical anomaly-basement relationships, whereas the “marine inundated” areas require a more detailed investigation, because of the role of marine reworking of weathering profiles and possible mixture of sediments from different provenances.Landscape changes from the topographically high, dissected Yilgarn environment with thick saprolite development and uneven basement topography, to the nearly flat regions dominated by sand dunes and thin saprolite development at the coastline. These regions are the result of the erosional and depositional effects of successive sea-level transgression–regression cycles. Within this framework, the following four different regolith settings have been identified in a progressive change from Yilgarn Craton environments to the modern coastline: (1) Albany; (2) Kalgoorlie–Norseman; (3) Esperance; and (4) Neale.Mapping the palaeocoastlines, islands and estuarine zones, as well as the region of influence of marine limestones and sediments, can significantly improve the understanding of how surface geochemistry relates to the landscape, and how it links with the geology at depth, and therefore, how it may reflect the presence of mineral systems. Understanding the difference in the landscape evolution between the AFO and Yilgarn Craton is essential to properly calibrate mineral exploration protocols in both regions.     

Geochemical exploration challenges in the regolith dominated Igarapé Bahia gold deposit,Carajás,Brazil

The Igarapé Bahia, situated in the Carajás Mineral Province, is a world-class example of a lateritic gold deposit. It has developed under tropical weathering conditions since at least the Eocene and resulted in a regolith cover of at least 100 m thickness. The regolith is dominated by ~ 80 m thick ferruginous saprolite containing gossan bodies that constitute the main Au ore. Above saprolite the regolith stratigraphy has been established considering two distinct domains. One composed of residual materials and the other transported materials deposited over palaeochannels. In the residual domain the ferruginous saprolite grades upwards into a fragmental duricrust, interpreted as a collapsed zone, and then into different types of ferruginous duricrusts. Over palaeochannel the ferruginous saprolite is truncated by poorly sorted ferruginous sediment of variable composition that grades upwards into the ferruginous duricrusts formed over transported materials. Lateritization took place during a marked period that transformed the colluvium of the residual domain, and the transported materials accumulated in the channel depressions, into the ferruginous duricrust units. A later bauxitization event has overprinted all duricrust types but has mostly affected the duricrusts over the palaeochannel forming gibbsitic nodules. All duricrusts were finally covered by a transported layer of latosol which flattened the whole landscape in the Carajás region. Gold shows a depletion trend across the regolith but is enriched in the fragmental duricrust below the ferruginous duricrust from which gold is leached. Gold is also chemically dispersed laterally into the fragmental duricrust, but lateral Au dispersion in the ferruginous duricrusts of the residual domain is probably also influenced by colluvial transport. Metals associated with Au mineralization (Cu, U, Mo, Pb, Ag, LREE, Sn, W, Bi, Sb and P) are generally depleted in the saprolite but most of them are still anomalous. The fragmental and ferruginous duricrusts are more leached but the tests performed to estimate the dispersion potential of metals contained in the ferruginous duricrust show that some metals are still significantly anomalous especially Au, Ag and Cu. However, if ferruginous duricrusts are used as an exploration sample media their environment of formation must be considered. Metal depletion is generally more advanced in the ferruginous duricrusts developed in the vicinities of palaeochannels as oppose to those developed in residual domain. On the contrary, Au over palaeochannel areas is enriched in the upper bauxitized ferruginous duricrusts and in their gibbsitic nodules as a result of lateral chemical transport that is more widespread than in the colluvium over residual domain. The latosol is highly depleted in most metals due to its transported nature. However, the nodular fractions of the latosol show the greatest dispersion potential especially for Au, Ag, W, U, Bi and Sn. It can incorporate magnetic nodules that bring a rich suit of metals associated to the magnetic gossans, and non-magnetic nodules, classified as concretion and pisolites, which bring metals enriched or dispersed in the ferruginous duricrusts. This suggests that Lag constitutes a promising sample medium for geochemical exploration in the lateritic terrains of the Carajás region.     

Some conceptual models for geochemistry in areas of preglacial deep weathering

In some glaciated regions, weathered mantles, formed under previous climatic regimes, were not always eroded bare by glacial activity, but instead lie buried beneath the glacial overburden. It is obviously important that geochemical exploration programs in such terrain should take into account some of the known regolith features seen in deeply weathered regions. The effects of glacial action upon deeply weathered terrain are considered in three conceptual models. The critical factor in each is the depth of truncation of the preglacial weathering profile. All three proposed models are dynamic systems and a wide range of intermediate situations must be expected.In Model 1 a complete, largely undisturbed, weathering profile is preserved beneath till. The key characteristic is preservation of a lateritic duricrust which may contain areally large (up to 200 km²) geochemical anomalies. It would be critical, firstly, that the duricrust be sufficiently continuous to allow a reasonable success rate in its being sampled, and secondly that the duricrust be recognizable in drill spoil. The most efficient geochemical exploration could be based upon wide-spaced overburden drilling directed at sampling the duricrust. For reconnaissance, holes could be based upon a 1-km grid where stratabound massive polymetallic sulphide or stratabound gold deposits are sought. Even wider spacing could be tried where larger-sized ore deposits are expected.Model 2 is characterized by a weathered profile that was partly stripped prior to glaciation. The essential feature is a vertically zoned weathering profile in the basement rock in which the upper levels of the weathering profile have undergone leaching of certain elements and lower levels contain enrichments of these elements. Any gossans present would show strong vertical zonation. Relatively strong sources for dispersion in till are likely to be enriched gossans where erosion has cut deep into the profile, zones of supergene enrichment of ore deposits, and supergene ore deposits themselves. In many situations, saprolite under glacial drift would be too soft to provide boulders so important in conventional till prospecting.The essential ingredient in hypothetical Model 3 involves progressive planing away of the weathering profile by glacial action. Thus any halo in duricrust is initially dispersed, followed by dispersion of progressively deeper levels of saprolite. If taken deep enough the supergene enriched zone of a mineral deposit could add to the glacial dispersion. A broadly zoned anomaly would be expected; a till anomaly would be characterized distally by elements from the former duricrust anomaly, with elements more characteristic of supergene zones closer to the source.     

Trace-element patterns in lateritic soils applied to geochemical exploration

Geochemical soil surveys in areas underlain by Precambrian volcano-metasedimentary sequences and around rare-metal-bearing pegmatites of southwestern Nigeria demonstrate that residual geochemical soil patterns reflect a wide range of potential source rocks adequately. The secondary geochemical dispersion processes in these typically tropical weathering environments adjust the trace-element distribution during lateritic soil development to narrow fluctuation ranges in comparison to the differing Clarke values of various source rock units.The sample density in these soil surveys, averaging at one sample per square kilometer, favours geochemical inventories even at regional scale and shows great potentials to predict bedrock composition of tropical terrain where rock outcrops are rather scarce.     

安山岩风化过程中元素行为——以豫西熊耳山地区为例

在风化过程中主量元素的风化行为可用风化指数来表征,但对在地球化学中更重要的微量元素的风化行为还缺少研究。本文研究了豫西熊耳山地区—安山岩风化剖面,发现花岗岩风化指数(WIG)也适用于安山岩风化过程的定量表征。基于上陆壳作标准绘制风化剖面样品稀土元素配分曲线时,发现风化过程稀土元素出现分馏现象,表现为富集中稀土;但基于球粒陨石作标准时,风化壳样品均具有相似的稀土配分曲线形态,即上陆壳是一种比球粒陨石更为敏感的稀土元素标准化标尺。牛头沟金矿区安山岩风化过程中部分微量表现出随风化程度增强而显著富集的特征,Au、Ag含量变化可达两个数量级以上,Pb、As、Hg可达一个数量级以上。     

Geochemical behavior under tropical weathering of the Barama–Mazaruni greenstone belt at Omai gold mine,Guiana Shield

Mineralogical, petrographical, and geochemical studies of the weathering profile have been carried out at Omai Au mine, Guyana. The area is underlain by felsic to mafic volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Barama-Mazaruni Supergroup, part of the Paleoproterozoic greenstone belts of the Guiana Shield. Tropical rainy climate has favoured extensive lateritization processes and formation of a deeply weathered regolith. The top of the weathering profile consists of lateritic gravel or is masked by the Pleistocene continental-deltaic Berbice Formation. Mineralogical composition of regolith consists mainly of kaolinite, goethite and quartz, and subordinately sericite, feldspar, hematite, pyrite, smectite, heavy minerals, and uncommon mineral phases (nacrite, ephesite, corrensite, guyanaite). A specific feature of the weathering profile at Omai is the preservation of fresh hydrothermal pyrite in the saprolith horizon. Chemical changes during the weathering processes depend on various physicochemical and structural parameters. Consequently, the depth should not be the principal criterion for comparison purposes of the geochemical behavior within the weathering profile, but rather an index that measures the degree of supergene alteration that has affected each analyzed sample, independently of the depth of sampling. Thus, the mineralogical index of alteration (MIA) can provide more accurate information about the behavior of major and trace elements in regolith as opposed to unweathered bedrock. It can also aid in establishing a quantitative relationship between intensity of weathering and mobility (leaching or accumulation) of each element in each analyzed sample. At Omai, some major and trace elements that are commonly considered as immobile (ex: TiO₂, Zr, etc.) during weathering could become mobile in several rock types and cannot be used to calculate the mass and volume balance. In addition, due to higher “immobile element” ratios, the weathered felsic volcanic rocks plotted in identification diagrams are shifted towards more mafic rock types and a negative adjustment of ∼20 units is necessary for correct classification. In contrast, these elements could aid in defining the material source in sedimentary rocks affected by weathering. Generally, the rare-earth element (REE) patterns of the bedrock are preserved in the saprolith horizon. This can represent a potentially useful tool for geochemical exploration in tropical terrains. Strong negative Ce and Tb anomalies are displayed by weathered pillowed andesites, which are explained by the influence of the water/rock ratio.     

森林沼泽区矿产资源地球化学勘查

通过景观调查和中大比例尺化探方法试验,对我国东北森林沼泽区景观地球化学特征、元素存在形式、迁移富集机制、影响因素、采样介质、采样粒度、采样方法等理论和方法技术问题进行研究,提出该类地区元素表生分散富集的某些地球化学规律和中大比例尺化探工作方法.     

Evolution of regoliths and landscapes in deeply weathered terrain — implications for geochemical exploration

Thick, commonly lateritic, regoliths are widespread in inter-tropical regions of the world and present particular challenges in exploration. These are best tackled through a sound understanding of the evolution of the landscapes in which they occur. The regoliths formed under humid, warm to tropical conditions and, although they may have been modified by later climatic changes, i.e., to more humid or more arid conditions, many chemical and mineralogical characteristics are retained. These include the geochemical expressions of concealed mineralization. Erosional and depositional processes control the preservation and occurrence of specific regolith units that may be used as sample media and, in turn, target size, element associations and contrast, thereby influencing sampling procedures, analysis and data interpretation. These parameters are best summarized in terms geochemical dispersion models based on the degree of preservation of the pre-existing lateritic regolith. Regolith–landform mapping permits an assessment of the terrain in terms of such models. In relict regolith–landform regimes, in which the lateritic regolith is largely preserved, broad multi-element anomalies in the upper ferruginous horizons (lateritic residuum) can be detected using sample intervals of 1 km or more. In contrast, in erosional regimes, where this material is absent, anomalies in upper saprolite, and the soil and lag derived from it, are more restricted in area and closer sampling intervals, (200×40 m or less) may be necessary. Lag and soil are, generally, ineffective in depositional areas, except where the sediments are very thin (e.g.,<2 m) or overburden provenance can be established. Stratigraphic drilling is necessary to establish whether the overburden overlies a buried lateritic horizon or an erosion surface cut in saprolite. Lateritic residuum remains an excellent sample medium if present, again with widespread haloes, but where it is absent, leaching and the restricted haloes in upper saprolite present formidable problems. Ferruginous saprolite or composites across the unconformity may be effective, but otherwise carefully targeted drilling and sampling through saprolite and saprock may be necessary. Partial extraction analyses have yet to demonstrate significant results except in very specific environments. In arid regions, pedogenic carbonate (calcrete, caliche) may be a valuable sample medium for Au exploration, principally in erosional regimes, and in depositional areas where the overburden is shallow. Sample intervals range from 1 km for regional surveys, through to 100×20 m in prospect evaluation. Saprolite is an essential sample medium in all landform environments, but the restricted halos and possibility of leaching requires that drilling and sampling should be at close intervals.     

A geological assessment of airborne electromagnetics for mineral exploration through deeply weathered profiles in the southeast Yilgarn Cratonic margin,Western Australia

Mineral exploration in regolith-dominated environments is challenging, requiring the development of new technical tools and approaches. When airborne electromagnetics (AEM) is combined with information on stratigraphy, mineralogy, geochemistry, drilling and landscape observations in a geological context, it becomes a powerful approach to describe the architecture of the regolith cover. This has significant implications for mineral exploration in any regolith-dominated terrain (RDT). This research presents two case studies of AEM data, integrated in a geological context for mineral exploration in the Yilgarn craton margin/Albany–Fraser Orogen (AFO).In one of the study sites presented (study site 1: Neale tenement), the availability of AEM data allowed for lateral and vertical extrapolation of the information contained in datasets at specific locations, thereby creating a 2D architectural model for the regolith cover. In addition, it was determined: (1) the total thickness of the regolith cover and its variability (between 2 m and ~ 65 m); (2) that low conductivity transported overburden and silcrete units, with a total thickness between ~ 5 and 45 m, is widely distributed, capping the upper saprolite; and (3) that the silcrete unit varies laterally from being completely cemented to permeable, and that these permeable areas (“windows”) coincide vertically with mineralogical/textural/moisture/salt content changes in the underlying saprolite, resulting in increased conductivity. This has been interpreted as resulting from more intense vertical weathering, and consequently a higher vertical geochemical dispersion of the basement signature towards surface. AEM has been used to assist in identifying and describing the lateral continuity of these “windows” in areas with no direct field observations. Surface geochemical sampling above these permeable areas may deliver more reliable geochemical basement signatures.In the second study site (Silver Lake tenement) the AEM data was strongly influenced by the high conductivity of the hypersaline groundwater. This had a significant effect on the AEM response, resulting in reduced depth penetration and reduced resolution of subtle conductivity contrasts between cover units. Despite this, the AEM data set, combined with geological observations in the area, was able to map the presence and extent of a buried palaeochannel network, the most significant architectural sedimentary feature in the cover. This interpretation allowed for a more efficient drilling campaign to be designed to sample the fresh basement rock suites in the area, by avoiding drilling into palaeochannels.Integrated and constrained by the geological context, the application of AEM conductivity models by geologists is envisioned as one of the most promising tools within the exploration geologist toolbox to understand the architecture of the cover.     

Gold distribution in lateritic profiles in South America, Africa, and Australia: applications to geochemical exploration in tropical regions

Gold, a principal ore commodity, is sought in third world countries, which are situated mainly in the tropics, where extensive lateritic terrains exist. The high value of gold on the international market and balance of payment problems cause gold to be especially important. Present intensive propecting for gold in the Third World countries are, for those reasons, in lateritic terrains. Laterites, formed during the Tertiary and the Recent in inner tropical morphoclimatic zones covered by dense rain forests, in places such as the Amazon region and West Africa, are presently undergoing strong weathering and erosion that truncates lateritic profiles. Consequently, the thick soils still forming today cover in different places, different parts of truncated profiles. Samples of thick soils taken from the surface down, may begin not at the original top of the laterite but somewhere along the profile. Inasmuch as elements in lateritic profiles are not homogeneously distributed, problems in interpretation can result. Gold distribution in non-truncated laterites tends to be sigmoidal in distribution. Two convexities (highest contents) can be distinguished: one in surficial iron crusts or equivalents, the other at the base of saprolite. The sigmoidal curve can be cut off, strongly modified, or concealed by tropical weathering. The intense weathering can diminish concentrations, i.e., elements can be dispersed. Geochemical exploration becomes difficult, because interpretations of the geochemical anomalies based on high concentrations becomes unreliable. If the amount of truncation of lateritic profiles can be assessed, weak or even negative anomalies can become as good or better than strong anomalies.     

Geochemical prospecting in complex sample media-multivariate data analysis of indirect observations (PLS-regression between modal mineralogy and geochemistry)

Geochemical exploration in secondary environments can be viewed as a particular manifestation of indirect geological observation. Geochemical anomalies in complex sample media reflect dispersion signatures, generally much disguised by secondary or higher-order mechanical and physico-chemical processes such as mixing, comminution, dilution, (re)transportation, weathering etc. Such complexities often make a thorough understanding of the origin of any particular sample type difficult ot obtain. The objective of data analysis in this context is to convert the geochemical data into a meaningful “signal”, particularly useful for prospecting, and other, in this case irrelevant, variability or “noise”. The experience of the last decades of practical exploration has clearly shown that statistical as well as geographical geochemical anomaly patterns are multi-element signatures. Using suitable multivariate statistical procedures (in the present case principal components modelling), it is possible to simultaneously define both a background data model and to quantify multivariate geochemical anomalies. This type of data analysis is guided very strongly by geological interaction, in which the emphasis is on modelling the background population(s), coupled with geographic plotting facilities. This outlier-screening facility is critical for many types of geochemical data evaluation. An example of this approach is described below. Another application of indirect multivariate data analysis is represented by PLS (Partial Least Squares) regression, which is a supervised pattern recognition and regression technique. We use it here to predict modal scheelite occurrences from regional stream-sediment data.     

Bedrock, soils, and hillslope hydrology in the Central Texas Hill Country, USA: implications on environmental management in a carbonate-rock terrain

The Hill Country of Central Texas, USA, is undergoing rapid socioeconomic development, but environmental management of this region is hampered by misconceptions about local bedrock, soils, terrain, and hydrologic processes. The Hill Country is underlain mostly by Glen Rose Limestone (Lower Cretaceous) and exhibits a stepped terrain, which has been incorrectly attributed to alternating hard and soft bedrock strata. Other characteristics mistakenly attributed to this landscape include thin soils with scant water-retention capabilities, and rapid runoff as the dominant hydrologic process. This report presents new findings: unweathered bedrock is well indurated, but interbeds exhibit variable weathering rates. Recessive slopes (“risers”) on this stepped terrain result from rapid deterioration of strata having generally heterogeneous depositional fabrics (bioturbation and irregular clay partings) in contrast to ledge-forming strata having homogeneous fabrics. A stony regolith is thus formed beneath risers, providing porous and permeable ground that retards runoff and promotes the formation of moderately deep to deep (two-tiered) regolith/soil zones. These surficial materials on local steep slopes compose important natural environmental buffers; they support diverse biota and enhanced geochemical cycling of nutrients; they also exhibit significant water retention and enhanced erosion abatement. Proper land management demands recognition of these attributes in the siting, design, and construction of facilities.     

Airborne electromagnetics — Providing new perspectives on geomorphic process and landscape development in regolith-dominated terrains

In regolith-dominated terrains, the nature of contemporary processes and the surface distribution of regolith materials may be a poor guide to the character and history of regolith materials at depth. The nature of regolith materials at depth is often critical to unravelling the development of a landscape. Conventional mapping aids such as air photos, multispectral remote sensing and airborne radiometrics are not wholly adequate in this context, as they penetrate limited depths (<0.4 m). Airborne electromagnetics (AEM) on the other hand, has the potential to map regolith materials to considerable depths (>100m).The application of AEM to regolith mapping and its potential as a tool in geomorphology are illustrated by reference to an AEM survey flown at Lawlers in the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia. At Lawlers, AEM identifies a palaeochannel that has no surface expression. It cannot be seen in images of the Landsat, airborne radiometric or airborne magnetic data. The disposition of this channel in the landscape, and in particular its association with ferruginous materials forming breakaways, suggest that inversion of relief has been a significant factor in the evolution of the Lawlers landscape.The AEM data at Lawlers have also been used to map the weathering front. The topography of the weathering front not only reflects the movement of water through the landscape in a general sense, but also reflects the influence of lithology and structure. Different lithologies are clearly weathering to different depths. Information on the nature of the weathering front is potentially an important constraint on models of groundwater flow, and by association, models of solute dispersion.     

Using surface regolith geochemistry to map the major crustal blocks of the Australian continent

Multi-element near-surface geochemistry from the National Geochemical Survey of Australia has been evaluated in the context of mapping the exposed to deeply buried major crustal blocks of the Australian continent. The major crustal blocks, interpreted from geophysical and geological data, reflect distinct tectonic domains comprised of early Archean to recent Cenozoic igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock assemblages. The geochemical data have been treated as compositional data to uniquely describe and characterize the geochemistry of the regolith overlying the major crustal blocks across Australia according to the following workflow: imputation of missing/censored data, log-ratio transformation, multivariate statistical analysis, multivariate geospatial (minimum/maximum autocorrelation factor) analysis, and classification. Using cross validation techniques, the uniqueness of each major crustal block has been quantified. The ability to predict the membership of a surface regolith sample to one or more of the major crustal blocks is demonstrated. The predicted crustal block assignments define spatially coherent regions that coincide with the known crustal blocks. In some areas, inaccurate predictions are due to uncertainty in the initial crustal boundary definition or from surficial processes that mask the crustal block geochemical signature. In conclusion, the geochemical composition of the Australian surface regolith generally can be used to map the underlying crustal architecture, despite secondary modifications due to physical transport and chemical weathering effects. This methodology is however less effective where extensive and thick sedimentary basins such as the Eromanga and Eucla basins overlie crustal blocks.     

The imprinting of aridity upon a lateritic landscape: an illustration from southwestern Australia

The southwestern region of Australia contains the Yilgarn Craton that has been exposed to subaerial weathering since mid-Proterozoic. The gently undulating landscape experienced lateritic weathering so that today variably dissected, deep in situ isovolumetrically weathered regolith is widespread. Imposition of a more arid climate since the Miocene with the cessation of effective external drainage has resulted in substantial geochemical modification of the highly porous regolith. This vast pore volume acts as a reservoir for complex solutions that may be highly saline, extremely acid to alkaline and reducing. Diverse precipitates have formed in the regolith including widespread occurrence of silcrete, calcrete, dolocrete, ferricrete and gypcrete together with localised occurrences of pyrite, alunite, jarosite, barite, halite and other salts. Clearing of bush land for agriculture in the 20th century increased recharge so that rising chemically active groundwaters are damaging farmland and infrastructure throughout the region. To cite this article: B. Gilkes et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Present weathering rates in a humid tropical watershed: Nsimi, South Cameroon

The study of biogeochemical and hydrological cycles in small experimental watersheds on silicate rocks, common for the Temperate Zone, has not yet been widely applied to the tropics, especially humid areas. This paper presents an updated database for a six-year period for the small experimental watershed of the Mengong brook in the humid tropics (Nsimi, South Cameroon). This watershed is developed on Precambrian granitoids (North Congo shield) and consists of two convexo-concave lateritic hills surrounding a large flat swamp covered by hydromorphic soils rich in upward organic matter. Mineralogical and geochemical investigations were carried out in the protolith, the saprolite, the hillside lateritic soils, and the swamp hydromorphic soils. Biomass chemical analyses were done for the representative species of the swamp vegetation. The groundwater was analysed from the parent rock/saprolite weathering front to the upper fringe in the hillside and swamp system. The chemistry of the wet atmospheric and throughfall deposits and the Mengong waters was monitored.In the Nsimi watershed the carbon transfer occurs primarily in an organic form and essentially as colloids produced by the slow biodegradation of the swamp organic matter. These organic colloids contribute significantly to the mobilization and transfer of Fe, Al, Zr, Ti, and Th in the uppermost first meter of the swamp regolith. When the organic colloid content is low (i.e., in the hillside groundwater), Th and Zr concentrations are extremely low (<3 pmol/L, ICP-MS detection limits). Strongly insoluble secondary thorianite (ThO₂) and primary zircon (ZrSiO₄) crystals control their mobilization, respectively. This finding thus justifies the potential use of both these elements as inert elements for isoelement mass balance calculations pertaining to the hillside regolith.Chloride can not be used as a conservative tracer of hydrological processes and chemical weathering in this watershed. Biogenic recycling significantly influences the low-Cl input fluxes. Sodium is a good tracer of chemical weathering in the watershed. The sodium solute flux corrected from cyclic salt input was used to assess the chemical weathering rate. Even though low (2.8 mm/kyr), the chemical weathering rate predominates over the mechanical weathering rate (1.9 mm/kyr). Compared to the Rio Icacos watershed, the most studied tropical site, the chemical weathering fluxes of silica and sodium in the Mengong are 16 and 40 times lower, respectively. This is not only related to the protective role of the regolith, thick in both cases, but also to differences in the hydrological functioning. This is to be taken into account in the calculations of the carbon cycle balance for large surfaces like that of the tropical forest ecosystems on a stable shield at the global level.     

皖南姚村岩体花岗岩风化壳稀土元素赋存特征

皖南地区花岗岩风化壳中稀土元素普遍富集，局部已成为矿床，其中，郎溪县姚村岩体风化壳富集程度较高。LA- ICP- MS锆石U- Pb定年表明，姚村花岗岩体的形成年龄为127. 9±1. 4 Ma，属于皖南地区燕山期晚期岩浆作用的产物。风化壳可细分为残坡积层（A）、强半风化层（C1）、过渡层（C2）、弱半风化层（C3）和基岩（D） 5层。稀土总量在纵向剖面上呈“波浪式”分布，各层稀土分布型式表现出对原岩的继承性。风化壳稀土配分型式与基岩一致， 富集LREE，轻重稀土分馏明显\[(La/Yb)N=15. 6\]，但总含量明显更高。基岩∑REE为338×10-6，半风化层∑REE最高达642×10-6，富集约两倍。风化壳物质由风化残余主矿物（石英、钾长石、斜长石、黑云母）、黏土矿物（高岭石、埃洛石、伊利石、三水铝石等）和副矿物（锆石、磷灰石、榍石等）等组成。黏土矿物以伊利石含量最高，指示风化壳发育不成熟。REE与埃洛石含量明显正相关，与其他黏土矿物关系不明显。（含）稀土矿物（尤其是榍石）对风化壳中稀土元素的贡献量超过 50%，其次为斜长石，是风化壳中REE的重要来源。