论华南红色风化壳

本文论述了我国南方广泛分布的富含铁铝氧化物的红色粘土的成因、分布及其所形成的土壤,并论述了第四纪红色风化壳的时代划分问题。     

Compositional inhomogeneities in a single Icelandic tholeiite flow

New trace element analyses are reported for 25 samples of basalt taken from a vertical traverse in an 11 m thick single flow of Icelandic tholeiite. Compositional variations among the samples substantially exceed those expected from analytical uncertainties and are random with respect to height in the flow. These variations in an undifferentiated single flow suggest a short-range segregation model in which the proportions of phenocrysts. groundmass minerals and residual liquid vary randomly among different samples of the flow. A least-squares mixing model is used to determine whether the compositional variations reflect different proportions of crystallizing phases and residual liquid. Most elements (alkalis and alkaline earths excepted) are fit to within their analytical uncertainties, supporting the short-range segregation model. A Monte-Carlo calculation is used to model the phase modes and compositions of various samples of a hypothetical basalt. Most compositional and interelement variations for the Icelandic basalt resemble those of the hypothetical basalt. The calculations show that short-range segregation produces inhomogeneity as large as interflow compositional differences and results in incoherence among elements with different geochemical behaviors while preserving coherence among elements of similar behavior.     

‘Acid rain’, dissolved aluminum and chemical weathering at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest,New Hampshire

Contemporary ‘acid rain’ in the Hubbard Brook ecosystem has induced a series of geochemical responses. Neutralization is accomplished in essentially a 2-step process. Initially, hydrogen ion acidity is neutralized by the dissolution of reactive alumina primarilly found in the soil zone. In the Hubbard Brook area this reactive alumina has solution properties much like natural gibbsite. Aluminum-rich surface waters with a pH of 4.7 5.2 are typical of this neutralization stage. In a second step, both hydrogen ion acidity and aluminum acidity are neutralized by the chemical weathering of primary silicate minerals, i.e. by the alkali and alkaline earths contained in the bedrock and glacial till of the watershed. The chemical weathering reaction is much slower than the alumina dissolution reaction, so that the aluminum acidity stage (pH 4.7 5.2) may persist for substantial periods. Typically, however, in the Hubbard Brook area the aluminum acidity has been neutralized and a pH > 5.2 is obtained before surface waters reach a third-over stream channel. Because of the relatively low pH's throughout the soil zone and in the streamwater, carbonic acid reactions are essentially absent at the present time in the Hubbard Brook system. Water pathlength (or residence time) in the soil zone is the crucial factor in the state of acid rain neutralization, aluminum chemistry and chemical weathering. As measured by the losses of alkali and alkaline earths from the ecosystem, chemical weathering rate in the Hubhard Brook area at the present time is not especially high relative to other areas.     

Hydrochemical appraisal of groundwater and its suitability in the intensive agricultural area of Muzaffarnagar district,Uttar Pradesh,India

Muzaffarnagar is an economically rich district situated in the most fertile plains of two great rivers Ganga and Yamuna in the Indo-gangetic plains, with agricultural land irrigated by both surface water as well as groundwater. An investigation has been carried out to understand the hydrochemistry of the groundwater and its suitability for irrigation uses. Groundwater in the study area is neutral to moderately alkaline in nature. Chemistry of groundwater suggests that alkaline earths (Ca + Mg) significantly exceed the alkalis (Na + K) and weak acids exceed the strong acids (Cl + SO₄), suggesting the dominance of carbonate weathering followed by silicate weathering. Majority of the groundwater samples (62%) posses Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type of hydrochemical species, followed by Ca–Na–Mg–HCO₃, Na–Ca–Mg–HCO₃, Ca–Mg–Na–HCO₃–Cl and Na–Ca–HCO₃–SO₄ types. A positive high correlation (r ² = 0.928) between Na and Cl suggests that the salinity of groundwater is due to intermixing of two or more groundwater bodies with different hydrochemical compositions. Barring a few locations, most of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation uses. Chemical fertilizers, sugar factories and anthropogenic activities are contributing to the sulphate and chloride concentrations in the groundwater of the study area. Overexploitation of aquifers induced multi componential mixing of groundwater with agricultural return flow waters is responsible for generating groundwater of various compositions in its lateral extent.     

Chemical mass balance of calcrete genesis on the Toledo granite (Spain)

The chemical mass balance of calcrete genesis is studied on a typical sequence developed in granite, in the Toledo mountains, Central Spain.

Field evidence and petrographic observations indicate that the texture and the bulk volume of the parent rock are strictly preserved all along the studied calcrete profile.

Microscopic observations indicate that the calcitization process starts within the saprolite, superimposed on the usual mechanisms of granite weathering: the fresh rock is first weathered to secondary clays, mainly smectites, which are then pseudomorphically replaced by calcite. Based on this evidence, chemical mass transfers are calculated, assuming iso-volume transformation from the parent rock to the calcrete.

The mass balance results show the increasing loss of matter due to weathering of the primary phases, from the saprolite towards the calcrete layers higher in the sequence. Zr, Ti or Th, which are classically considered as immobile during weathering, are also depleted along the profile, especially in the calcrete layer. This results from the prevailing highly alkaline conditions, which could account for the simultaneous precipitation of CaCO₃ and silicate dissolution.

The calculated budget suggests that the elements exported from the weathering profile are provided dominantly by the weathering of plagioclase and biotite. We calculate that 8–42% of the original Ca remains in granitic relics, while only 15% of the authigenic Ca released by weathering is reincorporated in the calcite. This suggests that 373 kg/m² of calcium (i.e., three times the original amount) is imported into the calcrete from allochtonous sources, probably due to aeolian transport from distant limestone formations.     

Detailed geochemical studies of the initial stages of weathering of alkaline rocks: Ilha de São Sebastião, Brazil

Detailed mineral and chemical studies of samples of syenite rocks with thick weathering rinds, found in the alkaline massifs on Ilha de São Sebastião, illustrate the complex interplay between variables controlling initial weathering processes. An array of geochemical information was obtained by optical and electron microscopy, X-ray analyses, mass spectroscopy and optical spectrometry. Sericite and metahalloysite are the principal phases nucleating and forming as the perthitic feldspar rock matrix disintegrates. Incipient feldspar dissolution and the formation of submicrometer X-ray opaque secondary phases were observed in “fresh rock” material using transmission electron microscopy. Pore waters, from which secondary phases nucleate and grow are under the constant influence, as alteration proceeds, of physical (e.g., accessibility of mineral surfaces to percolating fluids) and chemical (e.g. chemistry of minerals providing the dominant solutes) controls. Minor- and trace-element signatures do not vary significantly except for Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, REE and Pb. Lathanide mobilities appear related to their host-mineral stabilities with respect to ambient pore waters.     

花岗岩风化程度的化学指标及微观特征对比——以香港九龙地区为例

据香港九龙3个不同工程场地取得的149件不同级别的风化花岗岩样品的化学分析结果,用统计学方法,从反映岩石风化程度的18项化学指标中选取9项进行了分析计算.对其结果及其与风化程度分级的关系的研究表明有4种指标比较理想.通过对样品微观特征的观察研究和矿物成分、微孔隙率以及综合显微岩石指标(I_p)进行了描述和定量分析,发现其中一些指标有一定相关性.这些化学指标和微观特征相关的统计值在一定程度上可定量表征花岗岩的风化程度,即:随风化作用进行,碱、碱土金属组分逐渐淋失,脱硅、富铝铁化作用逐渐加强;相应地,先是钠长石风化成高岭石,其次为云母和钾长石的风化.粘土矿物所占体积百分比随风化程度增高而变大,至残积土(Ⅵ级)时已达50%左右;I_p指标值下降,微孔隙率增高.文章综合出各个风化级别的指标变化范围及平均值供花岗岩分布区花岗岩风化野外调查和研究工作参考.     

Rare-earth patterns in peralkaline and associated granites

A study of selected rare earths, determined by non-destructive neutron activation analysis, in six Nigerian younger granites, together with previously publisded data on similar granites from northern Nigeria and Russia, reveals that anorogenic granites with peralkaline affinities develop an enrichment in the middle rare-earth group Sm, Gd, Tb and Dy with a corresponding Eu depletion. Such patterns may be related to the precipitation of earlier formed perthitic feldspar and late crystallizing alkaline amphibole from low temperature liquids enriched in volatiles (alkalis and fluorine).Progressively albitized peralkaline riebeckite granites exhibit rare earth enrichments towards Yb until the most albitized peralkaline granite is no longer depleted in Eu and there is a marked upward curvature of the relatively heavier rare-earth patterns. This change could be caused by residual albite-rich hydrothermal fluids which overprinted the earlier rare-earth distribution patterns.     

A-type granites of crustal origin ultimately result from open-system fenitization-type reactions in an extensional environment

The origin of A-type granites and rhyolites are ultimately relatable to mantle-derived melts and fluids in a zone undergoing extension. The basaltic magmas are accompanied by an alkaline fluid phase, dominantly H₂O + CO₂, which will induce alkali metasomatism of the granulitic crust above. The distinctive mineralogy and geochemistry are thus a direct result of the tectonic environment of formation. Metaluminous and peralkaline granites are magmatic compositions that typically contain evidence of crust and mantle in their genetic baggage, but peraluminous A-type granites may well be caused by efficient loss of alkalis during epizonal degassing. A-type granites and rhyolites are members of a vast family of rift-related magmas that include those of syenitic, nepheline syenitic and carbonatitic character. The fluid phase at work is alkaline. It can carry a host of trace elements in solution, in particular the high-field-strength elements and the rare earths. It can fenitize and fertilize a refractory lower crust, and prepare the precursor for near-complete melting. Some examples of A-type granitic magma do arise by efficient fractional crystallization of a mantle-derived basaltic magma, with or without accompanying assimilation, but many arise by partial or complete melting of an alkali-metasomatized crust.     

Mineralogical and geochemical constraints on environmental impacts from waste rock at Taojiang Mn-ore deposit,central Hunan,China

The mineralogy and geochemistry of the waste rocks distributed at Taojiang Mn-ore deposit, central Hunan province, China, were studied using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) fitted with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrum (atomic emission spectra) ICP-MS (AES), with the aim of predicting the environmental impacts of weathering of the waste rocks. The mineralogical results from microscope observation and XRD and EMPA studies show that the waste rock is composed of black shale and minor Mn carbonates. The oxidation of sulfide minerals such as galena, pyrite and chalcopyrite is accompanied by decomposition of Mn carbonates and K-feldspar during exposure to atmospheric O₂. The geochemical characteristics of major, rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements of the waste rocks also show that the waste rock can be divided into black shale and Mn carbonate, and both of them are currently under chemical weathering. The major alkalies and alkaline elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Rb, Sr and Cs) and major elements (Fe, S and P) and heavy metals (Sc, V, Cr, Th, U, Sn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, Cd, Sb, an Tl) are being released during weathering. The mobility of alkalis and alkaline elements Ca, Mg, Na, K, Rb, Sr and Cs is controlled by decomposition of Mn carbonates. The dispersion of Cr, Sc and Th (U) might be related to weathering of K-feldspar, and the release of the heavy metals Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, Cd Sb and Tl is dominated by the breaking of sulfide minerals. The REE of the waste rocks and surrounding soils and the spidery distribution patterns of heavy metals in the waste rocks, the surrounding soils and the surface waters show that weathering of the waste rocks and bedrock might be the sources of heavy metal contamination for the surrounding soils and surface water system for the mining area. This is predicted by the mass-balance calculation by using Zr as an immobile element. Therefore, it is urgently necessary take measures to treat the waste rocks distributed throughout the area for the local environmental protection.     

Redistribution and fractionation of rare-earth and other elements in a weathering profile

A weathering profile on a uniform Lower Cretaceous volcanogenic sandstone from southern Victoria, Australia is enriched in rare-earth elements (REE), Y and other elements including Ba, Sr and Rb. Enrichments of REE of up to 7 times parent-rock values are associated with Fe-leached members of alteration couplets with little or no enrichment in adjacent Fe-rich members. These alteration couplets are similar in appearance to Liesegang banding. The REE have been fractionated during accumulation, leading to relative enrichment of the light rare earths (LREE).

The formation of an alteration couplet from fresh rock at the weathering front involves redistribution of only Fe (and P) and does not involve redistribution of REE, Y. Ba, Sr and Rb. Breakdown of original minerals in the present soil and degradation of vermiculite in the upper part of the weathering profile releases RE and related elements into solution. This solution moves down and along the profile until it comes into contact with neutral to alkaline conditions at the narrow weathering front. Here REE particularly are absorbed and apparently fixed in vermiculite forming at the expense of biotite and chlorite. (La + Ce + Nd + Y) up to 10.1 wt.% is recorded in degraded biotite grains with similar but lower contents in the degraded diagenetic chlorite cement.

Such accumulation and fractionation have important implications for REE studies involving sedimentary rocks or for that matter outcrop samples of any rock type.     

基于DEM的南岭东段离子吸附型稀土矿成矿地貌条件分析

稀土是我国重要的战略资源,而离子吸附型稀土矿是我国的特色矿产,占据着重要的地位。离子吸附型矿产的形成与否,与风化壳密切相关,而风化壳的发育及保存与微地貌等特征密切相关。本文旨在利用DEM技术,结合搜集到稀土矿点及矿区数据,对含有稀土的地貌单元进行地形因子定量分析,以总结风化壳离子吸附型稀土矿的成矿地貌条件。借助GIS技术,利用DEM提取高程、坡度、坡向、曲率、地形起伏度、地表切割深度、地形特征等各类地貌因子值,并与南岭东段的成矿矿点及矿区进行叠加分析,统计计算矿点及矿区所处位置的地貌因子值,进而探讨风化壳型稀土资源赋存的有利地形地貌环境。结果显示,最佳成矿有利地貌为高程150~500 m、坡度0°~20°、地形起伏度100~400 m、地表切割深度40~150 m、地形特征为山顶或山脊;研究结果有望指导南岭东段离子吸附型稀土矿找矿勘查工作。     

中国南方的红土与红色风化壳

中国南方广泛分布的发育在红土和红色风化壳上的红壤和砖红壤的特征主要是古环境长期作用的结果,与现代土壤发生过程关系不大,因为现代生物-气候条件并不适于红壤化过程的进行。第四纪以来红壤和砖红壤在不同时期所获得的地球化学特征(高三氧化二物和低硅)都是由红土和红色风化壳继承而来。红土和红色风化壳约在第四纪前干热与温湿不断交替的气温条件下形成,第三纪以来华南气候逐渐凉爽,富铝化作用也逐渐变弱,都可从第三纪以来所形成的不同红壤和砖红壤中获得启示。何况当前生物富硅化作用又很明显。     

Weathering phases recorded by gnammas developed since last glaciation at Serra da Estrela, Portugal

The morphometrical analysis of gnammas (weathering pits) in granite landscapes has been used to establish the relative chronology of recent erosive surfaces and to provide the weathering history in a region. To test the validity of gnammas as relative chronometer indicators, and the reliability of the obtained weathering record, two sites have been studied in Serra da Estrela, Portugal. The first site is within the limits of the glacier that existed in these mountains during the last glaciation, whereas the second site is located in an unglaciated sector of the mountains, which preserves a longer record of weathering in the bedrock surface. The number of gnamma weathering phases recorded in the latter site (8) is larger than those from the former (6). Correlation between both measurement stations based on morphometrical criteria is excellent for the younger six weathering phases (1 to 6). Consequently, the parameter used for relative chronology (δ-value) has been verified to be age dependent, although absolute values are modulated by microclimate due to altitude variations. The weathering record was essentially duplicated once the surfaces at both sites were exposed, demonstrating the reliability of gnamma evolution as a post-glacial environmental indicator for the region.     

Granite weathering and silcrete formation on the Yilgarn Block,Western Australia

Weathering profiles developed on granitic rocks, exposed in the breakaways of the Barr‐Smith Range in the N of the Yilgarn Block of Western Australia, consist of kaolinitic saprolites merging upwards into silcrete, sandstone and grit. The sandstones and silcretes may also form columns or dykes, penetrating downwards into the saprolite. The silcretes are cemented by quartz and anatase, with zircon (QAZ‐cement), and‐the sandstones are cemented by aluminosilicates, either apparently amorphous (as siliceous allophane) or partly crystalline, as kaolinite and opaline silica. Transitional zones between silcretes and sandstones have all cement types. The profiles are characterized by low concentrations of alkalis and alkaline earths and most metals. The QAZ‐silcrete horizons may contain over 3% TiO₂ and 1000 p.p.m. Zr. The profiles evolved through at least four stages: (i) Formation of the deep saprolite‐sand weathering profile by kaolinization of feldspar and mica at depth, and the solution of kaolinite near the top of the profile, causing settling of resistant quartz grains, (ii) Precipitation of QAZ‐cement, the TiO₂ and SiO₂ being derived partly by lateral migration from upslope. (iii) Precipitation of aluminosilicates, in the sandstone and the saprolite. (iv) Erosion and exposure of the profiles by pedimentation. A similar profile occurs further S, at Gabbin, but no QAZ‐silcrete is present and the only exposures are in exploration pits. The kaolinitic saprolite‐quartz sand profiles probably formed under humid conditions, as the equivalents of ferruginous laterite developed on more basic rocks nearby and of lateritic bauxite in the Darling Range. However,’ the sand was a surface horizon and there is no evidence that there was ever a ferruginous zone at these sites. The sequential precipitation of QAZ‐ and aluminosilicate‐cements was probably, a response to increasing aridity and reduced groundwater flow. Aluminosilicate‐cemented materials tend to disaggregrate on exposure but they are probably more abundant than the more prominent QAZ‐silcretes.     

Supergene alteration of sulphides,VI. The binding of Cu,Ni, Zn,Co and Pb with gossan (iron-bearing) minerals

The results of experimentally coprecipitating the base metals Cu, Ni, Zn, Co and Pb with iron as it is oxidised and hydrolised are presented in conjunction with the data from anodically weathering 19 different sulphide ore electrodes.At pH-values above 6 the base metals are shown to be retained in the solid precipitates with Fe“Ni, Fe“Zn and Fe“Co pyroaurite-type phases forming. A 7–8-Å interlayer spacing predominates at higher pH while at the pH of 6–7 where the base metals become more soluble, a 10–11-Å spacing forms. The Fe“Cu system gives posnjakite and brochantite phases that are likely to have a high Fe content, as well as the oxides tenorite and cuprite. The base metals can be leached out of these precipitates if they are acted on by weakly acid leachants, but alkaline leaching shows retention of the base metals.Below pH 6 the base metals are more soluble, with Cu and Pb being retained to some degree in the precipitates as Fe-oxyhydroxide minerals form.In the light of experiments that show the mechanisms involved in the formation of all of these phases, two mechanisms for the formation of iron minerals during the weathering of sulphides to gossans are discussed. One at higher pH that gives rise to retention of base metals with the iron minerals, and the other giving rise to a low pH and the solubilising of the base metals.     

Hydrogeochemical exploration for volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits in semi-arid Australia

Research on hydrogeochemistry for mineral exploration for inland Australia includes development of weathering models and extensive mine-scale and regional groundwater data. Mineral saturation indices for groundwater, activity–activity plots and reaction modelling simulate weathering of volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits in deeply weathered environments. At 10 m or more below surface, dissolved O₂ is very low and other solutes such as sulfate, carbonate and nitrate are more likely oxidants. Modelling indicates that these processes differ from oxic weathering of highly eroded terrains, and provide the framework to develop robust hydrogeochemical exploration procedures in covered terrains. Sulfide weathering potentially occurs in two or more phases that effect surrounding groundwaters in differing manners. Deeper oxidative alteration of sulfides (e.g. bornite to chalcopyrite), occurring tens to hundreds of metres below surface, uses sulfate and carbonate as oxidants, causing neutral to alkaline conditions. In this zone, only pyritic massive sulfides potentially generate acidic conditions. Thus, deep sulfide-rich rocks are indicated by sulfate-depleted groundwater. Closer to the surface, sulfides are oxidised to soluble sulfates by dissolved nitrate, with much less acid production than if dissolved oxygen was the main oxidant. Thus, in shallow groundwater, sulfides are indicated by sulfate enrichment and nitrate depletion. Elements are released from sulfides and wall rocks by acid or alkaline conditions. The derived FeS (pH–Eh + Fe + Mn) and AcidS (Li + Mo + Ba + Al) indices distinguish sulfide systems through tens of metres of cover. VHMS systems are distinguished from other non-economic sulfide deposits where there is little transported cover, using various dissolved elements, including Zn, Pb and Cu. Elsewhere, ‘patchiness’ and limited aerial extent of metal signals are due to adsorption effects, that intensify with depth. Other elements such as Mn and Co have lesser diminution effects, but are less selective indicators for VHMS. There is exploration potential for elements such as Pt or Ag. These varying sulfide indicators have moderate utility, even for large-scale (～5 km spacing) sampling. Results indicate that hydrogeochemistry can add value to greenfields exploration for VHMS ore deposits in deeply weathered terrains. It is also moderately successful at indicating the presence of sulfide-rich systems (whether magmatic or hydrothermal) under >100 m cover, thus providing a rapid and cost-effective regional prospectivity tool for deeply buried terrains. Such mineral exploration tools will encourage exploration investment for more difficult regions of Australia and in other deeply weathered regions of the world.     

Effects of grain size distribution on mineralogical and chemical compositions: a case study from size‐fractional sediments of the Huanghe (Yellow River) and Changjiang (Yangtze River)

The influence of hydrodynamics on the chemical composition of sediments is based on the uneven distribution of element abundances in different size fractions. In this study, 72 size‐fractional sediments from the Huanghe (Yellow River) and Changjiang (Yangtze River) riverbeds were measured with XRD, SEM, ICP‐AES and ICP‐MS. The analysis results show that the mineral and chemical characteristics change with grain size in the Huanghe and Changjiang sediments. According to the principal components analysis, three independent geochemical factors were found. The first factor elements, Zr, Hf, Th, U, Y, La and TiO₂ are influenced by the existence of heavy minerals. The second factor elements, Al₂O₃, alkalis, alkaline earth (excluding Ca and Sr) and most of the transitional metals are dominated by clay minerals. The third factor group includes Ca and Sr, which were controlled by calcium‐bearing mineral contents and chemical weathering intensities. The various grain size distributions greatly affect the mineralogical and chemical compositions of bulk sediments. Compared to other size fractions, the 5–6PHI size fractions of the Huanghe and Changjiang sediments have special mineralogical and chemical compositions, and intermediate volume percentages. Weight or volume percentage of each size fraction may be more suitable than mean grain‐size of the bulk sediment to elucidate the grain size effects. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values increase steeply with decreasing grain size, while Weathering Index of Parker (WIP) values are relatively stable. Because of the big influence of the abundance of clay minerals on CIA values, it is questionable to use CIA as a proxy of weathering intensity. Considering the clay mineral effects, stability in values and heterogeneous material properties, WIP has the potential to indicate the chemical weathering intensity of sediments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mineralogy and geochemical behaviour during weathering of greenstone belt under tropical dry conditions in the extreme North Cameroon (Central Africa)

Mineralogy, major, trace and rare earth elements of a weathering profile developed on tertiary greenstone belt in the extreme North Cameroon are reported. The aim of which was to investigate mineralogical evolution and element mobilization and redistribution during weathering under dry tropical climate. The weathering profile consists of four main horizons: (1) a spheroidal weathering zone constituted by a corestone–shell complex, (2) a C horizon, (3) a Bw horizon and an Ah horizon. The results indicate that nontronite, a Fe-rich smectite, is the exclusive clay mineral formed in the exfoliated shells and the C horizon. It is associated with kaolinite in the upper horizons. The coexistence of these two clay minerals induced a decrease of CEC and pH which becomes neutral. The weathering index (WI) values reveal that weathering becomes more and more intensive from the corestone up to Bw horizon, which is the most weathered horizon in the weathering profile. Mass balance calculations, using Th as immobile element, indicate that Ti is quite mobile and that Al and Fe are relatively enriched at the bottom and strongly leached at the top of the profile. Alkalis and alkaline earth elements are strong leached through out the profile, except Ca which displays similar trend as Al and Fe. The same goes for LILE (Cs, Sr), TTE (Cr, Co, Ni) and HSFE (Y, Nb, Hf). In opposite, REE are depleted at the bottom and enriched in the upper horizons, with more enrichment for LREE than for HREE. It appears that weathering of greenstone belt causes a fractionation of HREE and induces a concentration of LREEs. Ce and Eu anomalies display opposite behaviour.     

Barium in Deccan Basalt Rivers: Its Abundance, Relative Mobility and Flux

The concentration of dissolved Ba in a number of rivers having their drainage almost entirely in Deccan Trap basalts has been measured. These results along with available data on the abundances of major elements in these waters, and on Ba and major elements in bed sediments of these rivers provide a measure of (i) the relative mobility of Ba during chemical weathering and erosion of basalts, particularly with respect to alkaline earths, Mg, Ca and Sr, and (ii) the flux of Ba out of the Deccan and its global significance. The concentration of dissolved Ba ranges from 8 to 105 nM. The average Ba/Mg*, Ba/Ca* and Ba/Sr (* is concentration corrected for atmospheric contribution) in waters is lower than the corresponding mean ratios in Deccan basalts, though they overlap within errors. Majority of the water samples, however, have ratios less than that in basalts. These findings can be interpreted as a cumulative effect of limited release/mobility of Ba during chemical weathering and erosion of basalts and its reactive behaviour in waters which promote its association with clays and oxy-hydroxides of Fe. These results also indicate that during chemical erosion of Deccan basalts, Ba is the least mobile among the alkaline earth elements. The abundance of Ba in sediments and their Ba/Al ratios relative to basalts are consistent with the above conclusion. Ba/Mg and Ba/Ca ratios in water and in sediments from the same location are strongly correlated; however, the mean ratios in waters are far less than those in sediments. This is a result of limited Ba mobility, effectively 5–6 times lower than that of Mg. The annual flux of dissolved Ba out of the Deccan Traps is ~1 × 10⁷ moles, ~ 0.2% of its global riverine transport to oceans. The contribution of dissolved Ba from Deccan Traps, seem lower than its aerial coverage, ~ 0.5% of the global drainage area; the potential causes for this could be the lower abundance of Ba in basalts relative to “average continental crust”, and its behaviour during chemical weathering and erosion.