Measures of weathering intensity based on bulk major and trace element analyses of a weathering profile are often best suited for unmodified saprolites. However, such weathering indices may lose utility when addressing more heterogeneous weathering profiles.
Measures of weathering intensity based on bulk major and trace element analyses of a weathering profile are often best suited for unmodified saprolites. However, such weathering indices may lose utility when addressing more heterogeneous weathering profiles.
Measures of weathering intensity based on bulk major and trace element analyses of a weathering profile are often best suited for unmodified saprolites. However, such weathering indices may lose utility when addressing more heterogeneous weathering profiles.
Eleventh Annual V. M. Goldschmidt Conference (2001) 3688.
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AN ASSESSMENT OF WEATHERING INDICES AND THEIR POTENTIAL
APPLICATIONS TO HETEROGENEOUS WEATHERING PROFILES AND PALEOSOLS. J.R. Price1 and M.A. Velbel2, 1,2Department of Geological Sciences, 206 Natural Science Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1115, 1 pricejas@msu.edu.
Introduction: Measures of weathering indices to be evaluated for non-uniform
intensity based on bulk major and trace saprolites and/or paleosols. element analyses of a weathering profile are Results: The results of this study often best suited for unmodified saprolites suggest that the weathering indices tested developed on homogeneous parent rocks may fall into one of three groups. (1) Those (e.g., granite). Isovolumetric geochemical which do not require Al to be immobile and methods which treat bulk density provide appropriate consistent weathering measurements of the saprolite as indicators trends when plotted against either bulk of extent of weathering have proven to be density or depth. These are the Weathering very useful for investigating uniform Index (WI) and the Weathering Ratio (WR). weathering profiles. However, such (2) Indices which assume Al to be immobile, weathering indices may lose utility when but provide appropriate weathering trends addressing more heterogeneous weathering when plotted against either bulk density or profiles where eluviation processes have depth. The Chemical Index of Weathering acted, and/or the saprolite is developed on a (CIW), the Chemical Index of Alteration non-uniform protolith (interlayering of rocks (CIA), the Weathering Index of Reiche and of variable weatherability, common in Vogel (MWPI), and the Vogt Ratio (V) fall metamorphic rocks). Difficulties with into this category. And, (3) weathering isovolumetric methods and other indices which assume Al to be immobile, geochemical weathering indices are further but do not provide appropriate weathering exacerbated when applied to paleosols, as trends when plotted against bulk density and ancient weathering profiles may have depth. This final group describes the undergone diagenetic modifications, Ruxton Ratio (R). The WR was further compaction, or both. investigated by using TiO2, ZrO2, and Y2O3 A heterogeneous saprolite developed on in the calculations, all of which provided extensively layered felsic metamorphic consistent and similar vertical trends. The rocks of the southern Blue Ridge of the WI or WR are likely best suited for United States has been studied utilizing investigating the elemental behavior in numerous weathering indices calculated paleosols or modern heterogeneous from bulk chemical analyses, in addition to weathering profiles. The CIW, CIA, MWPI, isovolumetric methods. The study area and V may also provide adequate results, provides an opportunity to test different and R should only be used with extreme weathering indices on a complex modern caution. The utility of any weathering index saprolite developed from a heterogeneous increases as the homogeneity of the protolith. The results of this investigation weathering profile and/or protolith allow different geochemical weathering increases.