Geochemistry and provenance of stream sediments of the Ganga River and its major tributaries in the Himalayan region,India

Major, trace and REE compositions of sediments from the upper Ganga River and its tributaries in the Himalaya have been examined to study the weathering in the Himalayan catchment region and to determine the dominant source rocks to the sediments in the Plains. The Ganga River rises in the Higher Himalaya from the Higher Himalayan Crystalline Series (HHCS) bedrocks and traverses over the Lesser Himalayan Series (LHS) and the Himalayan foreland basin (Siwaliks) rocks before entering into the Gangetic Plains. The major element compositions of sediments, reflected in their low CIA values (45.0–54.7), indicate that silicate weathering has not been an important process in the Himalayan catchment region of the Ganga River. Along the entire traverse, from the HHCS through LHS and the Siwaliks, the sediments from the tributaries and the mainstream Ganga River show higher Na₂O, K₂O, CaO and silica. This, and the higher ratios of La/Sc, Th/Sc and lower ratios of Co/Th, suggest that the source rocks are felsic. The fractionated REE patterns and the significant negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu? = 0.27–0.53) indicate highly differentiated source. Moreover, the comparison of the sediments with different source rock lithologies from the HHCS and the LHS for their major elements clearly suggests that the HHCS rocks were the dominant source. Further, comparison of their UCC (upper continental crust) normalized REE patterns suggests that, among the various HHCS rocks, the metasediments (para-gneiss and schist) and Cambro-Ordovician granites have formed the major source rocks. The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda River sediments are dominantly derived from metasediments and those in the Mandakini River from Cambro-Ordovician granites. The resulting composition of the sediments of the Ganga River is due to the mixing of sediments supplied by these tributaries after their confluence at Devprayag. No further change in major, trace and rare earth element compositions of the sediments of the Ganga River after Devprayag up to its exit point to the Plains at Haridwar, suggests little contribution of the Lesser Himalayan and Siwalik rocks to the Ganga River sediments.     

Sr isotopic signature of the Ganga Alluvial Plain and its implication to Sr flux of the Ganga River System

The influx of Sr responsible for increase in marine Sr has been attributed to rise of Himalaya and weathering of the Himalayan rocks. The rivers draining Himalaya to the ocean by the northern part of the Indian sub-continent comprising the Ganga Alluvial Plain (GAP) along with Central parts of the Himalaya and the northern part of the Indian Craton are held responsible for the transformation of Sr isotopic signature. The GAP is basically formed by the Himalayan-derived sediments and serves as transient zone between the source (Himalaya) and the sink (Bay of Bengal). The Gomati River, an important alluvial tributary of the Ganga River, draining nearly 30,500 km² area of GAP is the only river which is originating from the GAP. The river recycles the Himalayan-derived sediments and transport its weathering products into the Ganga River and finally to Bay of Bengal. 11 water samples were collected from the Gomati River and its intrabasinal lakes for measurement of Sr isotopic composition. Sr concentration of Gomati River water is about 335 μg/l, which is about five times higher than the world’s average of river water (70 μg/l) and nearly three times higher than the Ganga River water in the Himalaya (130 μg/l) The Sr isotopic ratios reported are also higher than global average runoff (0.7119) and to modern seawater (0.7092) values. Strong geochemical sediment–water interaction appearing on surface is responsible for the dissolved Sr isotopic ratios in the River water. Higher Sr isotopic rations found during post-monsoon than in pre-monsoon season indicate the importance of fluxes due to monsoonal erosion of the GAP into the Gomati River. Monsoon precipitation and its interaction with alluvium appear to be major vehicle for the addition of dissolved Sr load into the alluvial plain rivers. This study establishes that elevated ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the Gomati River are due to input of chemical weathering of alluvial material present in the Ganga Alluvial Plain.     

Major, trace and REE geochemistry of the Ganga River sediments: Influence of provenance and sedimentary processes

The sediments of the Ganga River from different depositional regimes in the Plain region such as the river channel, active flood-plain and the older flood-plain sediments from the inter-fluve region were analysed for major, trace and the rare earth elements (REEs). These are compared with catchment zone sediments of the river and probable source rocks in the Himalaya. The lower CIA values between 48 and 54.7 for the catchment sediments indicates that the sediments supplied to the Ganga Plain are chemically immature and subjected mostly to physical weathering due to higher erosion rates in the Himalaya. The CIA values ranging between 55 and 74, with average value of 59, 61.4 and 67 for sediments from the Plain's bed-load, active flood-plain and older flood-plain from the inter-fluve region indicates that silicate weathering of Ganga River sediments has occurred only after entering into the plains. This is likely because of higher residence time and change in the climate from cold-frigid in the Himalaya to tropical sub-humid in the plains. Therefore, the use of geochemical data on ancient system to infer climate in their source region may not always be true. Although the CIA values indicate a moderate chemical weathering in the plains, it is far from impressive. Dominance of physical weathering in the catchment region and lower degree of chemical weathering in the Plains indicate that weathering of sediments supplied by Himalayan Rivers, particularly the Ganga River may not have affected the atmospheric CO₂ to a significant level as is generally believed. Thus the net effect of the Himalaya on the CO₂ sequestration and consequent global cooling needs a re-evaluation.The plots of sediments in ternary diagram among La, Th, Sc and ratios involving Co/Th, La/Sc and Sc/Th indicate granitic to granodioritic source rocks to the sediments. The ratio plots involving relatively immobile Al₂O₃, TiO₂ and FeO along with REE plots suggest that out of the major Himalayan lithologies, gneisses and Cambro-Ordovician granites of HHCS have acted as the dominant source to the sediments.The plots of LogNa₂O/K₂O vs. LogSiO₂/Al₂O₃ and FeO/SiO₂ vs. Al₂O₃/SiO₂ diagrams show that the combination of processes including erosion, weathering, sorting and aeolian activity has together played a major role in progressively changing the chemistry from source rock to catchments bed-load to Plains bed-load, active flood-plains and the older inter-fluve sediments in the Ganga River system. The above plots demonstrate that as a result of above processes the ratios between the elements generally thought to be immobile and used in provenance studies does not always remain invariant and the linear trend line in the scatter gram between the two immobile elements show rotation around the fine grained end member.     

Geochemical characteristics of modern river sediments in Myanmar and Thailand: Implications for provenance and weathering

The elemental composition of organic matter and the major and trace element compositions of stream sediments from Myanmar (Ayeyarwady and Sittaung rivers) and Thailand (Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers, and their tributaries) were determined to examine their distributions, provenance, and chemical weathering processes. Higher total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents in the finer grained sediments indicate hydrodynamic energy may control their distributions. TOC/TN ratios indicate inputs of both aquatic macrophyte and higher vascular plant material to the river sediments. The major element abundances of the sediments are characterized by predominance of SiO₂ in coarser fractions and a marked negative correlation with Al₂O₃, representing primary grain size primarily control on SiO₂ content. Marked depletion of most labile elements (Na₂O, CaO, K₂O, Ba and Sr) relative to UCC (upper continental crust), indicate destruction of feldspar during chemical weathering in the source area or during transport. However, enrichment of some high field strength elements (Zr, Th, Ce and Y) relative to UCC and higher Zr/Sc ratios indicate moderate concentration of resistant heavy minerals in finer-grained samples. Discriminant diagrams and immobile trace element characteristics indicate that the Mekong, and Chao Phraya river sediments were largely derived from felsic sources with compositions close to typical rhyolite, dacite/granodiorite, UCC, I- and S-type granites. Relative enrichment of ferromagnesian elements (e.g. MgO, Cr, Ni) and high Cr/V and low Y/Ni ratios in Ayeyarwady and Sittaung sediments indicate the presence of a mafic or ultramafic component in their sources. The ICV (Index of Compositional Variability), CIA (Chemical Index of Alteration), PIA (Plagioclase Index of Alteration), α^Al, Rb/Sr and K₂O/Rb ratios indicate that the Ayeyarwady and Sittaung sediments record low to moderate degrees of chemical weathering in their source, compared to moderate to intense chemical weathering in the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins. These results are compatible with existing major ion data for river waters collected at the same locations.     

Multi-element geochemistry of sediments from the Pearl River system,China

Sediment samples were taken along the West, North, and East rivers of the Pearl River system at 28 locations in 1998, and a total of 49 elements were determined by ICP–AES, ICP–MS and INAA. The probability features of the datasets were studied, and the average concentrations of these elements in sediments of the three rivers were calculated. Significant differences in element concentrations among the three rivers were observed and the results were confirmed by statistical tests including analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal–Wallis test, and t-test. Spatial distribution maps of element concentrations were produced using a geographical information system (GIS). The immobile trace elements (such as Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) are enriched in the West River where limestone dominates the rock types in the watershed. Because of the strong weathering, immobile trace elements are enriched and reside in secondary minerals of the weathering products. All three rivers have high concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) because of strong weathering, but relatively higher concentrations of REEs are observed in sediments of the East River where granite dominates the rock type. Granite contains high concentrations of REEs and the sediments have inherited this feature from their bedrock. Alkaline element (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) concentrations are elevated in sediments of the East River, these may reside in granitic primary minerals. Relatively high concentrations of alkaline earth elements (Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) are observed in the West River, inherited from the limestone bedrock. High Pb and Bi concentrations are found in the North River and are caused by Pb mineralization and the discharge of a smelter in the upper reaches of the river. However, statistical tests did not indicate a significant difference between Pb concentrations in the North River and the other two rivers, which suggests that statistical results should be carefully used and explained.     

四川雅安地区古冲积扇主量元素特征及其意义

第四系是与人类生活关系密切的地层,山区地带的第四系主要由河流沉积物组成,这些沉积物的表面风化程度具有重要的环境意义。四川省雅安市地区发育了中更新统砾石层构成的古冲积扇名邛冲积扇和丹思冲积扇,现今废弃于岷江与青衣江之间,遭受了不同程度的侵蚀风化。对两个冲积扇不同位置采集样品,尝试利用主量元素分析冲积扇的风化程度。经过实验发现,主量元素分析可以很好地应用于第四系的测试,砾石间填充的基质砂能够合理反映沉积物经历的风化过程。实验结果表明,沉积物主量元素中长石矿物元素Ca、Na大量流失,而稳定矿物元素Si、Ti等偏高,说明冲积扇经历了长期的风化淋溶作用。A-CN-K图解体现出冲积扇经历了早期的斜长石风化,已经进入以钾长石和伊利石风化为标志的中期阶段。Pettijohn图解表明名邛冲积扇样品含有更多的石英砂岩,沉积物的成熟度较高。这些指标说明名邛冲积扇相比丹思冲积扇经历了更强的风化作用。结合冲积扇的年龄发现,风化速度随年龄的增长呈现减速的特征,体现了风化作用的阶段性.     

Geochemistry of Çoruh River Bed Sediments in NE Turkey: Implications in Weathering-Sedimentary Cycle,Provenance, and Metal Pollution

This study defines the source area, sub-aerial weathering, and sedimentary cycle level, as well as heavy metal content and origin, of the Çoruh River bed sediments. The studied sediments are geochemically classified as litharenite based on the ratio of the major element contents. Relative to the Upper Continental Crust (UCC), trace elements Rb, Sr, Ba, Th, U, Zr, Hf, Y, Nb, and Pb are generally depleted; Co, Ni, Cu, Sc, and V are generally enriched; and Au is depleted in some places and enriched in other places. The rare earth element (REE) distributions of the samples exhibit a trend similar to that of the upper continental crust (UCC); however, low to moderate depletion occurs in the bed sediments in UCC. The analyzed samples exhibit low Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values, Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA) values (<50), CIA/WIP (Weathering Index ratios <1), and substantially high Index of Compositional Variability values (ICV) (>1). Thus, the samples are not chemically mature and are mainly derived from non-altered sources and were exposed the simple cycling history. REEs are depleted in the river bed sediments, unlike the world river average silt, world river average clay, and suspended sediment in world rivers. Minor enrichment of Zn, Sn, and Sc contents, low-to-moderate enrichment of Cu content, very severe enrichment of as content, and extremely severe enrichment of Ni content of the analyzed samples are observed. Consequently, stream bed sediments are derived from intermediate sources close to mid-continental crust rather than felsic sources Low-to-moderate degrees of chemical weathering of these sediments indicate increased tectonic activity, increased erosion, and rapid sedimentation in semiarid to arid conditions in the source regions over time. Thus, the sediments are chemically immature. These sediments are exposed to lithogenic and anthropogenic contamination.     

Origin and geochemical evolution from ferrallitized clays to karst bauxite: An example from the Lower Cretaceous of NE Spain

Four outcrops of Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) karst bauxites located in Teruel (NE Spain) were analysed. The deposits show a heterogeneous-chaotic lithostructure consisting of pisolitic bauxite blocks embedded in lateritic red clays filling karst cavities. The research has focused on the geochemical study of major, minor, and trace elements (including some critical to industry) of both the bauxites and clays. The objective was to investigate the bauxite precursor material and to characterize the system’s geochemical evolution. Geochemical analyses were carried out by inductively-coupled plasma optical emission and mass spectroscopy. An absolute weathering index has been calculated to estimate element mobility, assuming Ti as an immobile element and the Upper Continental Crust (UCC) as parent material. Further, selected samples were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The data indicate that both the bauxites and red clays originated by intense chemical weathering from more mafic argillaceous sediments than the UCC. Ongoing weathering caused the bauxitization of the upper parts of the original profile, preventing the lower parts from being bauxitized, thus producing the ferrallitized clays underlying the pisolitic bauxites. Subsequent karst reactivation gave rise to the current lithostructure. Ferrallitization is related to Fe, Sc, and V enrichment. On the other hand, although bauxites are relatively enriched in some elements compared to clays, the more intense chemical weathering associated with bauxitization led to chemical homogenization and widespread element depletion. During the bauxitization, Al, Ti, Zr, Cr, and probably Hf and the critical element Nb behaved as more immobile elements in the system. Bauxitization also enhanced homogenization and depletion of the REE, which is more pronounced for the LREE. HREE trends seem to be partly related to the concentration of Ti oxides in the bauxites, whereas P-bearing phases, more frequent in the clays, control the LREE. Subsequent to bauxitization, partial kaolinization of the bauxite took place related to the circulation of acid solutions that also caused the karst reactivation. These late processes caused some Al depletion in the bauxites and enhanced Fe loss together with V and, to a lesser extent, Ge.     

Characteristic elemental compositions of the Yangtze River and Yellow River surface sediments and their geological background

Significant differences are noticed in major and trace element compositions between the Yangtze River and the Yellow River surface sediments.The former sediments are rich in some major elements such as K,Fe,Mg,Al,and most of the trace elements which show wide variations in element concentrations,whereas the Yellow River sediments only have higher Ca,Na,Sr,Ba,Th,Ga,Zr,Hf contents and show slight variations in element contents.In the Yangtze River Basin are widely distributed intermediate-acid igneous rocks and complicated source rocks together with strong chemical weathering which determine the elemental compositions of the Yangtze River sediments,while the elemental compositions of the Yellow River sediments are decided by the chemical composition of loess from the Loess Plateau and intense physical weatering.Cu,Zn,Sc,Ti,Fe,V,Ni,Cr,Co,Li and Be can be used to distinguish the Yangtze River sediments from te Yellow River sediments and be treated as tracers for both the sediments to study the processes of their mixing and diffusion in the coastal zones of China.     

Provenance, tectonics and source weathering of modern fluvial sediments of the Brahmaputra–Jamuna River, Bangladesh: Inference from geochemistry

This present study describes the elemental geochemistry of fluvial sediments in the Kurigram (upstream) to Sirajganj–Tangail (downstream) section of the Brahmaputra–Jamuna River, Bangladesh, with the aim of evaluating their provenance, weathering and tectonic setting. Petrographically, the sediments are rich in quartz (68%), followed by feldspars (8.5%) and lithic grains (7%). The bulk sediment chemistry is influenced by grain size. Concentrations of TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, MgO, K₂O, P₂O₅, Rb, Nb, Cr, V, Y, and, Ce, Th and Ga slightly decrease with increasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and grain size, suggesting clay matrix control. In contrast, concentrations of CaO, Na₂O, Sr and Pb increase with increasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and grain size, suggesting residence of these substances in feldspar. Decrease in Zr as grain size increases is likely controlled both by clay matrix and heavy minerals. In addition, heavy minerals' sorting also influences Ce, Th, Y and Cr abundances in some samples. The sediments are predominantly quartzose in composition with abundant low-grade metamorphic and sedimentary lithics, low feldspars and trace volcanic detritus, indicating a quartzose recycled orogen province as a source of the sediments. Discriminant diagrams together with immobile element ratio plots show that, the Brahmaputra–Jamuna River sediments are mostly derived from rocks formed in an active continental margin. Moreover, the rare earth element ratios as well as chondrite-normalized REE patterns with flat HREE, LREE enrichment, and negative Eu anomalies indicate derivation of the sediments of Brahmaputra–Jamuna River from felsic rock sources of upper continental crust (UCC). The chemical indices of alteration suggest that Brahmaputra–Jamuna River sediments are chemically immature and experienced low chemical weathering effects. In the A–CN–K ternary diagram, most of the samples close to the plagioclase–K-feldspar join line and to the UCC plot, and in the field of various lithologies of Higher Himalayan Crystalline Series, suggesting that rocks in these series are likely source rocks. Therefore, the elemental geochemistry of the Brahmaputra–Jamuna River sediments is controlled mostly by mechanical breakdown of lithic fragments and subsequent preferential attrition of muscovite > albite > quartz.     

珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd元素的分布特征及成因

根据珠江三角洲平原区44个钻孔揭示的第四系,对晚更新世以来沉积物的地球化学特征进行了系统分析,结合沉积物粒度,探讨了珠江三角洲平原区第四纪沉积物Cd的分布特征、高含量来源及迁移富集规律。研究结果表明：①珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物的Cd含量地区差异较大,西江、北江冲积区为主要富集区,而潭江和东江冲积区为背景区。②物质来源、沉积物粒度、沉积环境与有机质含量共同影响了珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd的含量分布,西江、北江冲积区受控于富Cd的泥盆系、石炭系砂页岩,而东江、潭江冲积区主要由贫Cd的燕山期花岗岩等限定;沉积物平均粒径（φ值）与Cd含量存在显著正相关关系;另外,温暖湿润、海陆交互作用强烈的沉积环境与富含有机质的地区有利于Cd的聚积富集。③西江、北江流域相对富Cd岩石风化的产物,特别是具高强度Cd含量的铅锌多金属矿区,是西江、北江冲积区Cd高含量的主要来源。④珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd的高含量区分成西江、北江西北部和东南濒海两大片区,究其原因,前者由区域发育的铅锌多金属矿控制,后者则受海陆交互作用沉积环境的影响。     

Distribution of selected trace elements in sediments of Pamlico river estuary,north Carolina

Sixty-eight samples of sediment collected on a variably-spaced grid pattern from Pamlico River Estuary of North Carolina were analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Ni, Pb, U, Zn, clay, and organic matter. The major objectives of the study were to determine background and anomalous levels of trace elements in the sediments, and the effects of human activities on concentration and distribution of trace elements in the sediments. Clay and organic matter are more concentrated near the center of the estuary. This causes the highest concentration of trace elements in the sediments to be located there also owing to their preferential uptake of these elements. Highest trace element concentrations were observed in clay and organic matter near industrial sites, housing developments, and tributary mouths that drain areas of human activity. The apparent increase in trace element contents of fine sediments in Pamlico River Estuary owing to human activities is 4 to 1,750 times normal background levels.     

红河盆地的化学风化作用:主要和微量元素地球化学记录

河流沉积物的元素含量有助于反映其流域的自然风化过程。红河是世界上重要的河流之一,但其沉积物的地球化学研究却几乎没有。本文通过开展红河盆地干流和主要支流40个样品的主要和微量元素地球化学分析,发现红河流域硅酸盐岩的化学风化作用为中等强度,与长江及亚马逊河的风化强度相近,而高于黄河,低于珠江;且化学风化作用受该区域的气候和构造作用控制。     

Geochemical characteristics of elements in suspended sediments in the Huanghe (Yellow) River

Eighteen suspended sediment samples were collected along the Huanghe River main stem from upper reaches on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Tibet Plateau) to the entrance at the Bo Hai Bay and at confluences of its tributaries, during the first summer flood in 1980. Major elements such as Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, Na, and trace elements such as As, Ba, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, Zn and humus were examined. Variations in composition of suspended sediments also were studied. Three major types of sediment composition were observed. The controlling factor for the variation is parent rocks, though climate and vegetation played an active role. Correlation coefficients, cluster analysis, and enrichment factors were calculated to study the geochemical characteristics of the sediments. Mg, Na and Fe were the only ones subject to considerable leaching, whereas Se, Cd, Zn were significantly accumulated, indicating a low intensity of weathering.     

Geochemical characteristics of stream sediments from an urban-volcanic zone,Central Mexico: Natural and man-made inputs

Geochemical characteristics of stream sediments [n = 31; Upstream section: Zahuapan River (1–12) and Atoyac River (13–20); Downstream section (21–31)] from Atoyac River basin of Central Mexico have been evaluated. The study focuses on the textural, petrography and chemical composition of the fluvial sediments with the aim of analyzing their provenance, the chemical weathering signature and their potential environmental effects. The fluvial sediments are mostly composed of sand and silt sized particles dominated by plagioclase, pyroxenes, amphiboles, K-feldspar, biotite, opaque and quartz. The sediments were analyzed for determination of major (Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Si, Ti), trace elements (As, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sc, V, Y, Zn, Zr, Ga) and compared with Upper continental crust (UCC), source area composition and local background values. The elemental concentrations were comparable with the average andesite and dacitic composition of the source area and the local background values except for enrichment of Cu (56.27 ppm), Pb (34 ppm) and Zn (235.64 ppm) in the downstream sediments suggesting a significant external influence (anthropogenic). The fluvial sediments of Atoyac River basin display low CIA and PIA values implying predominantly weak to moderate weathering conditions in the source region. Based on the provenance discrimination diagrams and elemental ratios, it is understood that the collected sediments are derived from intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks dominated in the study region. Metal contamination indices highlight the enrichment of Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, Cr and S clearly indicating the influences from natural (weathering and volcanic activity) and external (anthropogenic) sources. Ecological risk assessment results indicate that Cr, Ni and Zn will cause adverse biological effects to the riverine environment.     

Total organic carbon transport by the Alaknanda River,Garhwal Himalayas,India

Transport and fate of organic carbon by the fluvial system play a significant role in the global biogeochemical cycle of carbon. Previous studies show that the transportation of modern organic carbon from the Himalayan River system accounts for 10–20% of the total global flux to the oceans. Till date, no study has been published which dealt with the transport of organic carbon in the headwaters of the Ganga River. The Alaknanda River is a headwater stream of the Ganga, which flows in the Western Himalayas of India. Water and freshly deposited channel sediment samples were collected during the months of March 2014 and August 2014 and analysed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and channel organic carbon (COC). The observed variability of organic carbon concentration was correlated with factors such as discharge, physiography and suspended sediment concentration (SSC). The results show that seasonal erosivity in the basin influences its DOC concentration and physiography, thus acting as a key parameter which controls transportation, oxidation and residence time of the organic matter. The allochthonous input of sediments from the erosional activities is the major source of organic carbon. At Devprayag, Alaknanda contributes 66% of the total DOC flux carried by the Ganga River. The comparison with the previously published values indicate that due to differences in physiography and chemical weathering rate, the Ganga River transports organic carbon mainly as a dissolved load in its upstream and predominantly as POC down the Himalayan foothills.     

滇东地区碳酸盐岩上覆风化层的元素地球化学特征及其成因讨论

碳酸盐岩风化形成的红土保存着喀斯特发展演化历史证据,同时也是喀斯特地区土壤研究的重要对象。文章选取云 南石林地区的两处典型碳酸盐岩剖面为研究对象,对主量元素,微量元素及稀土元素在风化层的迁移特征及分布规律进行 研究,为探究风化层的成因提供依据。结果显示：（1） 以Ti为参比元素的剖面迁移特征表明,两剖面的主量元素在成土过 程中有相似的迁移规律,多数表现为淋失;微量元素略有差异,富集淋失程度不一。（2） UCC 标准化蜘蛛图显示,相对于 基岩,风化层中的Ca和Sr均出现亏损;与UCC相比,Fe、Ti等元素轻微富集,Mg、Ca、Na、K、P等元素显示了强烈的亏 损特征。（3） 基岩与风化层的REE分布模式相似,但风化层的稀土相对富集,轻稀土元素间的分异较大而重稀土元素间的 分异较小,且SJC剖面的轻、重稀土元素比值大于QST剖面;稀土元素球粒陨石标准化后,SJC剖面的Eu为负异常,剖面 上部和下部出现Ce负异常;QST剖面Ce负异常,Eu明显负异常。（4） 元素含量变化和元素对Al-Ti、Al-Fe及Zr-Hf相关性 说明剖面上覆红土是下伏基岩风化的结果。研究结果显示,两个剖面的元素地球化学特征与基岩存在很好的继承性,风化 层是基岩原位风化的产物。     

黔中小流域水体悬浮物与沉积物微量元素地球化学特征及物源指示

系统探讨了黔中小流域水体悬浮物和沉积物中微量及稀土元素地球化学特征。结果表明,元素含量在河流与湖泊、悬浮物与沉积物之间均存在明显差异。稀土元素北美页岩标准化分布模式大致为轻稀土相对富集的平坦模式,δEu为0.82～1.25,δCe为0.79～1.25,整体变化不大,均表现为弱异常。麦翁河稀土总量与分布模式均发生异常,主要受上游盘龙煤矿影响。悬浮物的∑REE与pH呈反相关关系,而沉积物的∑REE却与pH表现出正相关关系,表明悬浮物与沉积物中稀土元素行为的控制因素不同。元素相关分析、因子分析及微量元素图解均表明悬浮物与沉积物中的元素具有同源性,主要来源于流域岩石化学风化和土壤物理侵蚀的产物,而某些金属元素Zn、Co、Cu、Cr、Ni则来源于周边工矿企业、农业生产等人为排放。本研究丰富和发展了喀斯特地区水体元素地球化学,揭示了小流域化学风化与物理侵蚀过程中的元素特征和物质输送状况,并为该流域的生态环境现状、治理及管理提供了科学依据和基础资料。     

青藏高原典型地区沉积物地球化学特征与矿物组成的粒度效应

地表松散沉积物中不同粒级的颗粒蕴含着不同的信息,这种差异与其物质来源、搬运和沉积过程中的分选作用以及沉积后的风化作用等有关。因此,可根据沉积物中不同粒级颗粒地球化学特征与矿物组成的差异,进行沉积物物源追踪或沉积环境重建。选择青藏高原在气候和地貌方面具有典型意义的柴达木盆地、错那湖、雅鲁藏布江流域作为研究区,分别采集了这几个地区的沙丘沙、黄土、湖积物、冲积物、洪积物、残坡积物等地表松散沉积物样品,用干筛法将沉积物样品分为两个部分,粗颗粒部分粒径范围为≥75~500 μm,细颗粒部分粒径<75 μm。对上述粗、细颗粒分别进行稀土与微量元素、Sr-Nd同位素、轻矿物组成的实验室分析测试,并对沉积物中粗、细颗粒的测试结果采用古典多维尺度方法进行相似性分析。结果表明：青藏高原松散沉积物中粗、细颗粒在轻矿物组成、微量和稀土元素含量、稀土特征、元素参数等方面存在差异;细颗粒部分蕴含了更多的环境信息,富含容易受化学风化影响的黏土矿物以及硬度较小、容易被磨蚀的方解石等矿物。在物源示踪中不同气候区的沉积物细颗粒不宜进行直接比较,应根据样品的粒度分布情况优先选择合适的粗颗粒组分进行物源示踪。     

Chemical weathering in Luzon, Philippines from clay mineralogy and major-element geochemistry of river sediments

Clay mineralogy and major-element geochemistry of 35 surface sediment samples collected in 21 major to moderate rivers of Luzon, Philippines are used to evaluate the present chemical weathering process. The clay mineral assemblage consists mainly of smectite (average 86%) with minor kaolinite (9%) and chlorite (5%) and very scarce illite (1%), and does not show strong island-wide differences. The major element results of both bulk and clay-fraction sediments indicate that the formation of clay minerals is accompanied by leaching of Ca and Na first and of Fe and Mn thereafter during the chemical weathering process. A low-moderate chemical weathering degree of bulk sediments and a moderate-intensive degree of clay-fraction sediments are obtained in Luzon rivers based on proxies of chemical index of alteration (CIA) and smectite crystallinity. It is suggested that the majority of andesitic–basaltic volcanic and sedimentary rocks along with the tectonically active geological setting and sub-tropical East Asian monsoon climate are responsible for the predominance of smectite in the clay mineral assemblage.