Uranium series disequilibrium constraints on the formation and evolution of granite regolith in Longnan, Jiangxi Province

Guodong JIA, Sheng XU, Congqiang LIU

PDF(2434 KB)
PDF(2434 KB)
Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2024, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (4) : 366-379. DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2023.10.35

Uranium series disequilibrium constraints on the formation and evolution of granite regolith in Longnan, Jiangxi Province

Author information +
History +

Abstract

The granitic regolith, prevalent across South China, plays a pivotal role in geomorphological evolution, ecological dynamics, and mineral resource management. Understanding the formation and evolution of regolith hinges upon fundamental parameters such as production rate. The U-series disequilibrium method serves as a crucial geochemical tool for determining regolith production rates, yet its application in China has been limited due to the unavailability of a spike. In this investigation, the U-series disequilibrium method was employed to ascertain the production rate of granitic regolith in Longnan, Jiangxi Province. Results indicate U and Th contents in the regolith profile ranging from (3.25-3.39)×10-6 and (41.46-47.67)×10-6, respectively. Activity ratios of (234U/238U)a, (230Th/234U)a, and (230Th/232Th)a vary between 1.008-1.023, 1.063-1.112, and 0.239-0.271, respectively. Consequently, utilizing the U-series disequilibrium method to fit uranium isotopes, the evolution time of the regolith within the 20-120 cm stratum is estimated at ~841 ka, with a regolith production rate determined to be ~1.2 m/Ma. Surface cover emerges as the predominant control factor over regolith production rate, with minimal influence from climate and tectonic activity. Furthermore, the regolith’s evolution state is identified as non-steady state, evidenced by a significantly lower regolith production rate compared to denudation rates determined by cosmogenic nuclides, resulting in gradual thickness reduction.

Key words

U-series disequilibrium / production rate / granitic regolith / evolution state / non-steady state

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations
Guodong JIA , Sheng XU , Congqiang LIU. Uranium series disequilibrium constraints on the formation and evolution of granite regolith in Longnan, Jiangxi Province. Earth Science Frontiers. 2024, 31(4): 366-379 https://doi.org/10.13745/j.esf.sf.2023.10.35

References

List( Publishing order | Descend order by publishing year | Descend order by cited within ) Chart analysis
[1]
MONTGOMERY D R. Soil erosion and agricultural sustainability[J]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2007, 104(33): 13268-13272.
本文引用 [1]
[2]
ARKLEY R J. Soil moisture use by mixed conifer forest in a summer-dry climate[J]. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 1981, 45(2): 423-427.
本文引用 [1]
[3]
GRAHAM R C, TICE K R, GUERTAL W R. The pedologic nature of weathered rock[M]// SSSA Special Publications. Madison: Soil Science Society of America, 2015: 21-40.
本文引用 [1]
[4]
DREVER J I, STILLINGS L L. The role of organic acids in mineral weathering[J]. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 1997, 120(1/2/3): 167-181.
本文引用 [1]
[5]
KUMP L R, BRANTLEY S L, ARTHUR M A. Chemical weathering, atmospheric CO2, and climate[J]. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 2000, 28(1): 611-667.
本文引用 [1]
[6]
BARRIOS E. Soil biota, ecosystem services and land productivity[J]. Ecological Economics, 2007, 64(2): 269-285.
本文引用 [1]
[7]
BORST A M, SMITH M P, FINCH A A, et al. Adsorption of rare earth elements in regolith-hosted clay deposits[J]. Nature Communications, 2020, 11(1): 4386.
本文引用 [1]
[8]
徐夕生, 王孝磊, 赵凯, 等. 新时期花岗岩研究的进展和趋势[J]. 矿物岩石地球化学通报, 2020, 39(5): 899-911, 1069.
本文引用 [1]
[9]
洪大卫, 王涛, 童英. 中国花岗岩概述[J]. 地质论评, 2007, 53(增刊1): 9-16.
本文引用 [2]
[10]
BEAULIEU E, GODDÉRIS Y, LABAT D, et al. Impact of atmospheric CO2 levels on continental silicate weathering[J]. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 2010, 11(7): G3.
本文引用 [1]
[11]
DONNADIEU Y, GODDÉRIS Y, RAMSTEIN G, et al. A ‘Snowball Earth’ climate triggered by continental break-up through changes in runoff[J]. Nature, 2004, 428(6980): 303-306.
本文引用 [1]
[12]
DONNINI M, FRONDINI F, PROBST J L, et al. Chemical weathering and consumption of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the Alpine Region[J]. Global and Planetary Change, 2016, 136: 65-81.
本文引用 [1]
[13]
ROYER D L, BERNER R A, MONTAÑEZ I P, et al. CO2 as a primary driver of Phanerozoic climate[J]. GSA Today, 2004, 14(3): 4-10.
本文引用 [1]
[14]
邓晓东, 李建威, 陈蕾, 等. 风化壳40Ar/39Ar年代学研究意义: 进展, 问题与展望[J]. 地质论评, 2008, 54(4): 494-504.
本文引用 [2]
[15]
李德文, 崔之久, 刘耕年. 风化壳研究的现状与展望[J]. 地球学报, 2002, 23(3): 283-288.
本文引用 [2]
[16]
孙承兴, 王世杰, 刘秀明, 等. 风化壳剖面的定年研究[J]. 矿物岩石地球化学通报, 2000, 19(1): 54-59.
本文引用 [2]
[17]
CHABAUX F, BLAES E, STILLE P, et al. Regolith formation rate from U-series nuclides: implications from the study of a spheroidal weathering profile in the Rio Icacos watershed (Puerto Rico)[J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2013, 100: 73-95.
本文引用 [4]
[18]
CHABAUX F, RIOTTE J, DEQUINCEY O. U-Th-Ra fractionation during weathering and river transport[J]. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 2003, 52(1): 533-576.
本文引用 [4]
[19]
ACKERER J, CHABAUX F, VAN DER WOERD J, et al. Regolith evolution on the millennial timescale from combined U-Th-Ra isotopes and in situ cosmogenic 10Be analysis in a weathering profile (Strengbach catchment, France)[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2016, 453: 33-43.
本文引用 [6]
[20]
DOSSETO A, HANNAN-JOYNER A, RAINES E, et al. Geochemical evolution of soils on Reunion Island[J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2022, 318: 263-278.
本文引用 [2]
[21]
JIA G D, CHABAUX F, VAN DER WOERD J, et al. Determination of regolith production rates from 238U-234U-230Th disequilibrium in deep weathering profiles (Longnan, SE China)[J]. Chemical Geology, 2021, 574: 120241.
本文引用 [14]
[22]
TAYLOR S R, MCLENNAN S M. The continental crust: its composition and evolution[M]. Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Boston, Palo Alto, Melbourne: Blackwell Scientific, 1985.
本文引用 [1]
[23]
CUI L F, LIU C Q, XU S, et al. Subtropical denudation rates of granitic regolith along a hill ridge in Longnan, SE China derived from cosmogenic nuclide depth-profiles[J]. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2016, 117: 146-152.
本文引用 [4]
[24]
LIU W J, LIU C Q, BRANTLEY S L, et al. Deep weathering along a granite ridgeline in a subtropical climate[J]. Chemical Geology, 2016, 427: 17-34.
本文引用 [4]
[25]
ZHANG Z J, MAO H R, ZHAO Z Q, et al. Sulfur dynamics in forest soil profiles developed on granite under contrasting climate conditions[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2021, 797: 149025.
本文引用 [2]
[26]
ZHANG Z J, LIU C Q, ZHAO Z Q, et al. Behavior of redox-sensitive elements during weathering of granite in subtropical area using X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy[J]. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2015, 105: 418-429.
本文引用 [3]
[27]
范春方, 陈培荣. 赣南陂头花岗岩体Nd-Sr同位素特征及其意义[J]. 地质找矿论丛, 2000, 15(3): 282-287.
本文引用 [1]
[28]
RIHS S, GONTIER A, LASCAR E, et al. Effect of organic matter removal on U-series signal in clay minerals[J]. Applied Clay Science, 2017, 147: 128-136.
本文引用 [2]
[29]
BOSIA C, CHABAUX F, PELT E, et al. U-series disequilibria in minerals from Gandak River sediments (Himalaya)[J]. Chemical Geology, 2018, 477: 22-34.
本文引用 [1]
[30]
WILLIAMS R W, COLLERSON K D, GILL J B, et al. High Th/U ratios in subcontinental lithospheric mantle: mass spectrometric measurement of Th isotopes in Gaussberg lamproites[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 1992, 111(2/3/4): 257-268.
本文引用 [1]
[31]
WEYER S, ANBAR A D, GERDES A, et al. Natural fractionation of 238U/235U[J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2008, 72(2): 345-359.
本文引用 [1]
[32]
CHENG H, EDWARDS R L, HOFF J, et al. The half-lives of uranium-234 and thorium-230[J]. Chemical Geology, 2000, 169(1/2): 17-33.
本文引用 [1]
[33]
JAFFEY A H, FLYNN K F, GLENDENIN L E, et al. Precision measurement of half-lives and specific activities of U235 and U238[J]. Physical Review C, 1971, 4(5): 1889.
本文引用 [1]
[34]
RICHTER S, ALONSO A, DE BOLLE W, et al. Re-certification of a series of uranium isotope reference materials: IRMM-183, IRMM-184, IRMM-185, IRMM-186 and IRMM-187[J]. International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 2005, 247(1/2/3): 37-39.
本文引用 [1]
[35]
CARPENTIER M, GANNOUN A, PIN C, et al. New thorium isotope ratio measurements in silicate reference materials: A-THO, AGV-2, BCR-2, BE-N, BHVO-2 and BIR-1[J]. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 2016, 40(2): 239-256.
本文引用 [1]
[36]
SIMS K W W, GILL J B, DOSSETO A, et al. An inter-laboratory assessment of the thorium isotopic composition of synthetic and rock reference materials[J]. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 2008, 32(1): 65-91.
本文引用 [2]
[37]
MATTHEWS K A, MURRELL M T, GOLDSTEIN S J, et al. Uranium and thorium concentration and isotopic composition in five glass (BHVO-2G, BCR-2G, NKT-1G, T1-G, ATHO-G) and two powder (BHVO-2, BCR-2) reference materials[J]. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 2011, 35(2): 227-234.
本文引用 [1]
[38]
RIHS S, GONTIER A, VOINOT A, et al. Field biotite weathering rate determination using U-series disequilibria[J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2020, 276: 404-420.
本文引用 [2]
[39]
NESBITT H W, YOUNG G M. Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites[J]. Nature, 1982, 299: 715-717.
本文引用 [1]
[40]
TIEH T T, LEDGER E B, ROWE M W. Release of uranium from granitic rocks during in situ weathering and initial erosion (central Texas)[J]. Chemical Geology, 1980, 29(1/2/3/4): 227-248.
本文引用 [1]
[41]
DEPAOLO D J, MAHER K, CHRISTENSEN J N, et al. Sediment transport time measured with U-series isotopes: results from ODP North Atlantic drift site 984[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2006, 248(1/2): 394-410.
本文引用 [2]
[42]
KIGOSHI K. Alpha-recoil thorium-234: dissolution into water and the uranium-234/uranium-238 disequilibrium in nature[J]. Science, 1971, 173(3991): 47-48.
本文引用 [1]
[43]
FLEISCHER R L. Isotopic disequilibrium of uranium: alpha-recoil damage and preferential solution effects[J]. Science, 1980, 207(4434): 979-981.
本文引用 [1]
[44]
FLEISCHER R L. Alpha-recoil damage and solution effects in minerals: uranium isotopic disequilibrium and radon release[J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 1982, 46(11): 2191-2201.
本文引用 [1]
[45]
VIGIER N, BURTON K W, GISLASON S R, et al. The relationship between riverine U-series disequilibria and erosion rates in a basaltic terrain[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2006, 249(3/4): 258-273.
本文引用 [1]
[46]
SCHOONEJANS J, VANACKER V, OPFERGELT S, et al. Coupling uranium series and 10Be cosmogenic radionuclides to evaluate steady-state soil thickness in the Betic Cordillera[J]. Chemical Geology, 2016, 446: 99-109.
本文引用 [7]
[47]
DOSSETO A, MENOZZI D, KINSLEY L P J. Age and rate of weathering determined using uranium-series isotopes: testing various approaches[J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2019, 246: 213-233.
本文引用 [4]
[48]
MA L, CHABAUX F, PELT E, et al. Regolith production rates calculated with uranium-series isotopes at Susquehanna/Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2010, 297(1/2): 211-225.
本文引用 [10]
[49]
SUN J, XU W B, FENG B. A global search strategy of quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization[C]// Proceedings of IEEE conference on cybernetics and intelligent systems, Singapore. New York: IEEE, 2004: 111-116.
本文引用 [1]
[50]
ŠAMONIL P, PHILLIPS J, DANĚK P, et al. Soil, regolith, and weathered rock: theoretical concepts and evolution in old-growth temperate forests, Central Europe[J]. Geoderma, 2020, 368: 114261.
本文引用 [1]
[51]
HEIMSATH A M, DIBIASE R A, WHIPPLE K X. Soil production limits and the transition to bedrock-dominated landscapes[J]. Nature Geoscience, 2012, 5: 210-214.
本文引用 [1]
[52]
HEIMSATH A M, DIETRICH W E, NISHIIZUMI K, et al. The soil production function and landscape equilibrium[J]. Nature, 1997, 388: 358-361.
本文引用 [1]
[53]
MA L, CHABAUX F, WEST N, et al. Regolith production and transport in the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, Part 1: insights from U-series isotopes[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 2013, 118(2): 722-740.
本文引用 [5]
[54]
MATHIEU D, BERNAT M, NAHON D. Short-lived U and Th isotope distribution in a tropical laterite derived from granite (Pitinga River Basin, Amazonia, Brazil): application to assessment of weathering rate[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 1995, 136(3/4): 703-714.
本文引用 [3]
[55]
DEQUINCEY O, CHABAUX F, CLAUER N, et al. Dating of weathering profiles by radioactive disequilibria: contribution of the study of authigenic mineral fractions[J]. Comptes Rendus De L’Académie Des Sciences - Series IIA: Earth and Planetary Science, 1999, 328(10): 679-685.
本文引用 [3]
[56]
DOSSETO A, TURNER S P, CHAPPELL J. The evolution of weathering profiles through time: new insights from uranium-series isotopes[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2008, 274(3/4): 359-371.
本文引用 [3]
[57]
DOSSETO A, BUSS H L, SURESH P. Rapid regolith formation over volcanic bedrock and implications for landscape evolution[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2012, 337/338: 47-55.
本文引用 [4]
[58]
DOSSETO A, BUSS H L, SURESH P O. Rapid regolith formation over volcanic bedrock and implications for landscape evolution[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2012, 337: 47-55.
本文引用 [3]
[59]
GONTIER A, RIHS S, CHABAUX F, et al. Lack of bedrock grain size influence on the soil production rate[J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2015, 166: 146-164.
本文引用 [6]
[60]
DIXON J L, VON BLANCKENBURG F. Soils as pacemakers and limiters of global silicate weathering[J]. Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 2012, 344(11/12): 597-609.
本文引用 [1]
[61]
FERRIER K L, KIRCHNER J W. Effects of physical erosion on chemical denudation rates: a numerical modeling study of soil-mantled hillslopes[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2008, 272(3/4): 591-599.
本文引用 [1]
[62]
GABET E J, MUDD S M. A theoretical model coupling chemical weathering rates with denudation rates[J]. Geology, 2009, 37(2): 151-154.
本文引用 [1]
[63]
RIEBE C S, HAHM W J, BRANTLEY S L. Controls on deep critical zone architecture: a historical review and four testable hypotheses[J]. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 2017, 42(1): 128-156.
本文引用 [1]
[64]
NORTON K P, MOLNAR P, SCHLUNEGGER F. The role of climate-driven chemical weathering on soil production[J]. Geomorphology, 2014, 204: 510-517.
本文引用 [1]
[65]
GILBERT G K. Report on the geology of the Henry Mountains[M]. Washington: US Government Printing Office, 1877.
本文引用 [2]
[66]
CARSON M A, KIRKBY M. Hillslope form and process[M]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1972.
本文引用 [4]
[67]
AHNERT F. Some comments on the quantitative formulation of geomorphological processes in a theoretical model[J]. Earth Surface Processes, 1977, 2(2/3): 191-201.
本文引用 [3]

Comments

PDF(2434 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail
Sections
Recommended
Copyright © Earth Science Frontiers, All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Beijing Magtech Co. Ltd.

/

〈 〉