Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Geochemical characteristics and behaviour of elements during weathering and pedogenesis over karst area in Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, southwestern China

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A study of two typical red soil profiles, Gumu (GM-limestone) and Sanjiacun (SJC-dolomite) was conducted at Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, China. The study employed mineralogy, geochemical and elemental ratios to assess the mobilisation and distribution of elements during weathering and pedogenesis. The mineralogy results revealed similarity in distribution of secondary minerals in both profiles, with exception at the ferricrete layer. The results revealed inheritance relationship between red soils and their underlying bedrocks indicating that clay minerals were likely derived from in situ weathering products or metasomatic process rather than detrital process. During weathering and pedogenesis process, alkaline elements such as K and Rb behave similarly and were closely related. All lanthanide elements except for Ce shared similar transport trend with Y and Be; however, Be exhibited significant enrichment at ferricrete layer of the dolomite profile. Transitional elements such as Co and Mn behave similarly; while, the High Field Strength Elements (HFSE) were stable, except for Th and Sc which indicate depletion in upper soil layer of the dolomite profile. Our findings further revealed that both profiles have experienced intense chemical weathering with high Chemical Index of Alteration values (CIA: 83–93) and a constant Ba/Sr ratio > 2. Overall, both profiles experienced similar elemental behaviour with the accumulation of major elements, the leaching of alkaline earth elements and the fluctuation of trace elements including Rare earth elements (REEs). The elemental behaviour was primarily controlled by redox reaction, pH, water availability, ionic radii and the stability of secondary oxides/hydroxides. Our study further highlights the use of newly proposed geochemical proxy Fe/Na ratio, which revealed high correlation (R2 ≈ 0.90) with U, Ba, Zn, Cu, Mo, Ni, Sb and REEs of power functions. These findings indicate that Fe/Na ratio may be used to investigate the behaviour of trace elements including REEs in highly weathered soils.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson SP, Dietrich WE, Brimhall GH (2002) Weathering profiles, mass-balance analysis, and rates of solute loss: linkages between weathering and erosion in a small, steep catchment. Geol Soc Am Bull 114:1143–1158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babechuk MG, Widdowson M, Kamber BS (2014) Quantifying chemical weathering intensity and trace element release from two contrasting basalt profiles, Deccan Traps. India Chem Geol 363:56–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babechuk MG, Widdowson M, Murphy M, Kamber BS (2015) A combined Y/Ho, high field strength element (HFSE) and Nd isotope perspective on basalt weathering, Deccan Traps, India. Chem Geol 396:25–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee A, Merino E (2011) Terra Rossa genesis by replacement of limestone by kaolinite. III. Dynamic quantitative model. J Geol 119:259–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates RL, Jackson JA (1987) Glossary of geology. American Geological Institute, Falls Church

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer A, Velde BD (2014) Geochemistry at the Earth’s Surface: movement of chemical elements. Springer, Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bautista F, Palacio-Aponte G, Quintana P, Zinck JA (2011) Spatial distribution and development of soils in tropical karst areas from the Peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico. Geomorphology 135:308–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellanca A, Hauser S, Neri R, Palumbo B (1996) Mineralogy and geochemistry of Terra Rossa soils, western Sicily: Insights into heavy metal fractionation and mobility. Sci Total Environ 193:57–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boeglin JL, Probst JL (1998) Physical and chemical weathering rates and CO2 consumption in a tropical lateritic environment: the upper Niger basin. Chem Geol 148:137–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradbury MH, Baeyens B (2002) Sorption of Eu on Na- and Ca-montmorillonites: experimental investigations and modelling with cation exchange and surface complexation. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 66:2325–2334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brantley SL, Lebedeva M (2011) Learning to read the chemistry of regolith to understand the Critical Zone. Ann Rev Earth Plan Sci 39:387–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun JJ, Pagel M, Muller JP, Bilong P, Michard A, Cuillet B (1990) Cerium anomalies in lateritic profiles. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 54:781–795

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun JJ, Marechal JC, Riotte J, Boeglin JL, Bedimo JPB, Ngoupayou JRN, Nyeck B, Robain H, Sekhar M, Audry S et al (2012) Elemental weathering fluxes and saprolite production rate in a Central African lateritic terrain (Nsimi, South Cameroon). Geochim Cosmochim Acta 99:243–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brimhall GH, Dietrich WE (1987) Constitutive mass balance relations between chemical composition, volume, density, porosity, and strain in metasomatic hydrochemical systems: Results on weathering and pedogenesis. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 51:567–587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buggle B, Glaser B, Hambach U, Gerasimenko N, Marković S (2011) An evaluation of geochemical weathering indices in loess–paleosol studies. Quatern Int 240:12–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calagari A, Kangarani F, Abedini A (2015) Geochemical characteristics of a laterite: the Jurassic Zan Deposit. Iran Acta Geodyn Geomater 12:67–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chetelat B, Liu C-Q, Wang Q, Zhang G (2013) Assessing the influence of lithology on weathering indices of Changjiang river sediments. Chem Geol 359:108–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornell RM, Schwertmann U (2003) The iron oxides: structure, properties, reactions, occurrences and uses. John Wiley & Sons, 664

  • Dobrovolsky EV (1987) Proceedings of an International Seminar on Laterite Physico-chemical mechanisms of weathering processes and corresponding models of dynamics of mineral zonality evolution. Chem Geol 60:89–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan X, Tao Y (2012) The climate change of Yunnan over the last 50 years. J Tropical Meterol 243–250

  • Duan JZ, Xue SR, Qian XG (2001) The Cenozoic geological tectonic framework and evolution in the Three River Area of West Yunnan. Yunnan Geol 243–252

  • Durn G, Ottner F, Slovenec D (1999) Mineralogical and geochemical indicators of the polygenetic nature of terra rossa in Istria, Croatia. Geoderma 91:125–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durn G, Aljinović D, Crnjaković M, Lugović B (2007) Heavy and light mineral fractions indicate polygenesis of extensive terra rossa soils in Istria, Croatia. In: Maria AM, David TW, eds. Developments in Sedimentology, (Elsevier), pp. 701–737

  • Durn G, Hrenovic J, Sekovanic L (2013) Terra rossa as the substrate for biological phosphate removal from wastewater. Clay Min 48:725–738

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durn G, Coric R, Tadej N, Barudzija U, Rubinic V, Husnjak S (2014) Bulk and clay mineral composition indicate origin of terra rossa soils in Western Herzegovina. Geol Croat 67:171–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edmunds WM (2011) Beryllium: Environmental Geochemistry and Health Effects A2—Nriagu JO In Encyclopedia of Environmental Health (Burlington: Elsevier), pp. 293–301

  • Elderfield H, Greaves MJ (1981) Negative cerium anomalies in the rare earth element patterns of oceanic ferromanganese nodules. Earth Planet Sci Lett 55:163–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fedo CM, Nesbitt HW, Young GM (1995) Unraveling the effects of potassium metasomatism in sedimentary rocks and paleosols, with implications for paleoweathering conditions and provenance. Geology 23:921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng JL, Zhu LP (2009) Origin of terra rossa on Amdo North Mountain on the Tibetan plateau, China: evidence from quartz. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 55:407–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng JL (2010) Behaviour of rare earth elements and yttrium in ferromanganese concretions, gibbsite spots, and the surrounding terra rossa over dolomite during chemical weathering. Chem Geol 271:112–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng JL, Lin YC, Gao SP, Zhang JF (2012) Enrichment of trace elements in ferromanganese concretions from terra rossa and their potential desorption. Geochem J 46:151–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrett RG, Lalor GC (2005) The Fe/Na ratio, a framework for modelling trace element distributions in Jamaican soils. Geochem-Explor Env A 5:147–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgis I, Bonetto S, Giustetto R, Lawane A, Pantet A, Rossetti P, Thomassin JH, Vinai R (2014) The lateritic profile of Balkouin, Burkina Faso: geochemistry, mineralogy and genesis. J Afr Earth Sci 90:31–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glasby GP, Gwozdz R, Kunzendorf H, Friedrich G, Thijssen T (1987) The distribution of rare earth and minor elements in manganese nodules and sediments from the equatorial and S.W. Pacific Lithos 20:97–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gong QJ, Zhang GX, Zhang J, Jiang BA, Ma N (2010) Behaviour of REE fractionation during weathering of dolomite regolith profile in Southwest China. Acta Geol Sin-Engl 84:1439–1447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gong QJ, Deng J, Yang LQ, Zhang J, Wang QF, Zhang GX (2011) Behaviour of major and trace elements during weathering of sericite-quartz schist. J Asian Earth Sci 42:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gouveia MA, Prudêncio MI, Figueiredo MO, Pereira LCJ, Waerenborgh JC, Morgado I, Pena T, Lopes A (1993) Third international symposium on the geochemistry of the earth surface behaviour of REE and other trace and major elements during weathering of granitic rocks, Évora. Portugal Chem Geol 107:293–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grigor’yev NA (1986) Distribution of Beryllium at the surface of the earth. Int Geol Rev 28:327–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harnois L (1988) The CIW index: a new chemical index of weathering. Sediment Geol 55:319–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang ZG, Zhang WQ, Chen JH (1998) The red earth periods in China. Tropical Geogr 18:34–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Ji HB, Wang SJ, Ouyang ZY, Zhang S, Sun CX, Liu XM, Zhou DQ (2004a) Geochemistry of red residua underlying dolomites in karst terrains of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau I. The formation of the Pingba profile. Chem Geol 203:1–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji HB, Wang SJ, Ouyang ZY, Zhang S, Sun CX, Liu XM, Zhou DQ (2004b) Geochemistry of red residua underlying dolomites in karst terrains of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau II. The mobility of rare earth elements during weathering. Chem Geol 203:29–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahmann JA, Seaman J, Driese SG (2008) Evaluating trace elements as paleoclimate indicators: multivariate statistical analysis of late Mississippian Pennington Formation paleosols, Kentucky, USA. J Geol 116:254–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kronberg BI, Nesbitt HW (1981) Quantification of weathering, soil geochemistry and soil fertility. J Soil Sci 32:453–459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurtz AC, Derry LA, Chadwick OA, Alfano MJ (2000) Refractory element mobility in volcanic soils. Geology 28:683–686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laveuf C, Cornu S (2009) A review on the potentiality of rare earth elements to trace pedogenetic processes. Geoderma 154:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li JY, Zhu LJ (2004) On modern weathering crust and palaeo-weathering crust of carbonate rock. Carsol Sinica. 57–63

  • Li JY, Zhu LJ, Wang CF, Fan YZ, Chen J (1996) Weathering crust of carbonate rocks and process of karst soil formation. Guizhou Geol 13:139–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Zhu L, Liang F (2000) Characteristics of structure and mineralogy of interface laterite in weathering crust of carbonate rocks. Carsol Sinica 19:11–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Li JY, Zhu LJ, Liang F, Chen J (2002) Study with scanning electron microscope on micro-texture of the residual red clay from carbonate rocks. Carsol Sinica 21:233–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu YR (1986) Models of karst geomorphological evolutions in China. Geogr Res 5:25–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucke B (2016) Correlation of soil color, redness ratings, and weathering indices of Terrae Calcis along a precipitaion gradient in northern Jordan. Erlanger Geographische Arbeiten Band, Chapter 5- Correlation of color and weathering indices of Terrae Calcis 42: 53–68

  • Lucke B, Kemnitz H, Baumler R (2012) Evidence for isovolumetric replacement in some Terra Rossa profiles of northern Jordan. B Soc Geol Mex 64:21–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucke B, Kemnitz H, Baumler R, Schmidt M (2014) Red Mediterranean Soils in Jordan: new insights in their origin, genesis, and role as environmental archives. CATENA 112:4–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merino E, Banerjee A (2008) Terra rossa genesis, implications for karst, and eolian dust: a geodynamic thread. J Geol 116:62–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moresi M, Mongelli G (1988) The relation between the terra rossa and the carbonate-free residue of the underlying limestones and dolostones in Apulia. Italy Clay Miner 23:439–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muhs DR, Budahn JR (2009) Geochemical evidence for African dust and volcanic ash inputs to terra rossa soils on carbonate reef terraces, northern Jamaica, West Indies. Quatern Int 196:13–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt HW (1979) Mobility and fractionation of Rare-Earth elements during weathering of a granodiorite. Nature 279:206–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt HW, Markovics G, Price RC (1980) Chemical processes affecting alkalis and alkaline earths during continental weathering. Geochimica et Comochimica Acta 44:1659–1666

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt HW, Young GM (1982) Early proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature 299:715–717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palme H, Jones A (2005) Solar system abundances of the element, in Meteorite, Comets, and Planets, Treatise on Geochemistry. Amsterdam, Elisevier 1 (ed. A.M. Davis), 41–62

  • Pattan JN, Pearce NJG, Mislankar PG (2005) Constraints in using Cerium-anomaly of bulk sediments as an indicator of paleo bottom water redox environment: a case study from the Central Indian Ocean Basin. Chem Geol 221:260–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Retallack GJ (1997) A colour guide to paleosols. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester (UK), p 175

    Google Scholar 

  • Retallack GJ (2010) Lateritization and Bauxitization Events. Econ Geol 105:655–667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon ND (2006) Abrupt chemical weathering increase across the Permian-Triassic boundary. Palaeogeogr Palaeocl 231:315–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon ND, Tabor NJ (2009) Quantitative paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic reconstruction using paleosols. Earth-Sci Rev 95:1–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smykatz-Kloss B (2003) The loess occurrence of the Pleiser Hügelland near Bonn and Neustadt/Wied as well as Picardy: mineralogical geochemical and geomorphological characterization, weathering influence and origin of the loess. (University of Bonn)

  • Šušteršič F, Rejšek K, Mišič M, Eichler F (2009) The role of loamy sediment (terra rossa) in the context of steady state karst surface lowering. Geomorphology 106:35–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The continental crust: its composition and evolution. Blackwell Scientific Publication, Oxford, p 311

    Google Scholar 

  • Tertre E, Berger G, Simoni E, Castet S, Giffaut E, Loubet M, Catalette H (2006) Europium retention onto clay minerals from 25 to 150°C: experimental measurements, spectroscopic features and sorption modelling. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 70:4563–4578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinogradov AP (1959) The geochemistry of rare and dispersed chemical elements in soils, 2nd ed., rev. and enl edn (Consultants Bureau Chapman & Hall)

  • Walter AV, Nahon D, Flicoteaux R, Girard JP, Melfi A (1995) Behaviour of major and trace elements and fractionation of REE under tropical weathering of a typical apatite-rich carbonatite from Brazil. Earth Planet Sci Lett 136:591–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang SJ, Feng ZG (2004) Heterogeneity of parent rocks and its constraints on geochemical criteria in weathering crusts of carbonate rocks. Acta Geol Sin-Engl 78:1143–1153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang SJ, Ji HB, Ouyang ZY, Zhou DQ, Zheng YP, Li TY (1999) Preliminary Study on weathering and pedogenesis of carbonate rock. Science in China (Series D:Earth Sciences), 572–581

  • Wang Y, Peng SH, Yang SL (2012) The anomaly features of As and Cd in the karst area in Yunnan province. Carsologica Sinica 31:377–381

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei X, Ji HB, Li DJ, Zhang FL, Wang SJ (2013) Material source analysis and element geochemical research about two types of representative bauxite deposits and terra rossa in western Guangxi, southern China. J Geochem Explor 133:68–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei X, Ji H, Wang S, Chu H, Song C (2014) The formation of representative lateritic weathering covers in south-central Guangxi (southern China). CATENA 118:55–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White AF, Schulz MS, Vivit DV, Blum AE, Stonestrom DA, Anderson SP (2008) Chemical weathering of a marine terrace chronosequence, Santa Cruz, California I: interpreting rates and controls based on soil concentration-depth profiles. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 72:36–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Widdowson M, Cox KG (1996) Uplift and erosional history of the Deccan Traps, India: evidence from laterites and drainage patterns of the Western Ghats and Konkan Coast. Earth Planet Sci Lett 137:57–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xi CF (1991) On the red weathering crusts of Southern China. Quaternary Sci 11:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang SY, Li CX, Yang DY, Li XS (2004) Chemical weathering of the loess deposits in the lower Changjiang Valley, China, and paleoclimatic implications. Quatern Int 117:27–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young GM, Nesbitt HW (1998) Processes controlling the distribution of Ti and Al in weathering profiles, siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks. J Sediment Res 68:448–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan D (1992) Karst in southwest china and its comparison with karst in north china (in Chinese). Quaternary Sci 4:352–361

    Google Scholar 

  • Yusoff ZM, Ngwenya BT, Parsons I (2013) Mobility and fractionation of REEs during deep weathering of geochemically contrasting granites in a tropical setting, Malaysia. Chem Geol 349–350:71–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang FL, Ji HB, Wei X, Li DG (2014) Geochemical characteristics of trace elements in a dolomite weathering profile in central Guizhou province. Earth Environ 42:611–619

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Ji HB, Gao J, Li R, Li JJ (2015) Geochemical characteristics of major, trace and rare earth elements in typical carbonate weathered profiles of Guizhou Plateau. Geochimica 44:323–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Q (1996) Red soils of hilly region in China: ecological environment and strategies for integrated development. In: Sehgal J, Blume WE, Gajbhiye KS, (eds.) Red and lateritic Soils, pp. 53–58

  • Zhu XM (1993) Red clay and red residuum in South China. Quaternary Sci 13:75–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu LJ, Li JY (2002) Metasomatic mechanism of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks: I. Mineralogical and microtextual evidence. J Guizhou Univ Technol (Natural Science Edition) 31:44–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu LJ, Fu PQ, Li JY (1996) Clay minerals in the laterite developed from carbonate rocks in Guizhou province and their forming mechanism. Acta Mineral Sinica 16:290–297

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We appreciate Prof. G. H. Gong (IG, CAS) for XRD test. This work was jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grants (Nos. 41473122 and 41073096), National Key Basic Research Program of China (2013CB956702) and the Hundred Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Howard Omar Beckford and Chu Huashuo contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road No. 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, People’s Republic of China

    Howard Omar Beckford, Cheng Chang & Hongbing Ji

  2. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, People’s Republic of China

    Huashuo Chu, Changshun Song & Hongbing Ji

  3. University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People’s Republic of China

    Huashuo Chu

  4. Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic State Monitoring of Watershed, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, 550018, People’s Republic of China

    Changshun Song

Authors
  1. Howard Omar Beckford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Huashuo Chu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Changshun Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cheng Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hongbing Ji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hongbing Ji.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Beckford, H.O., Chu, H., Song, C. et al. Geochemical characteristics and behaviour of elements during weathering and pedogenesis over karst area in Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, southwestern China. Environ Earth Sci 80, 61 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-09343-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-09343-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation