Trace elements in ferromanganese concretions, gibbsite spots, and the surrounding terra rossa overlying dolomite: Their mobilization, redistribution and fractionation

The mobilization, redistribution and fractionation of trace elements during chemical weathering processes have been investigated on a 4.05 m thick terra rossa profile overlying dolomite on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, in Southwest China. In this in situ weathering profile, the ferromanganese concretions and the gibbsite spots coexist in the terra rossa saprolite. The mass-balance evaluation reveals that titanium, Nb and Hf in the terra rossa matrix are conservative elements during chemical weathering compared to Zr. The elements of Li, Sc, V, Cr, Fe, Ga, As, Mo, Cs, Ce, Ta, Tl, Pb and Th in the terra rossa matrix include additions from external sources. Beryllium, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Rb, Ba and La are depleted in the shallow parts of the terra rossa profile and enriched in the deep parts. The elements of Zn, Sr, Y, Cd, Sn and U in the terra rossa profile are lost during weathering. Compared to the terra rossa matrix, the ferromanganese concretions are significantly enriched in most trace elements, especially Mn, Co, Cd, Ce, Tl and Pb. In contrast, the gibbsite spots are depleted in all trace elements, except for U. The results regarding specific inter-element relationships indicate that most trace elements have different inter-element relationships in the ferromanganese concretions, the gibbsite spots and the terra rossa matrix. This suggests that the behavior of many trace elements during mobilization and redistribution differs from their behavior during incorporation into secondary mineral phases, especially the Mn and Fe oxides and/or oxyhydroxides in the ferromanganese concretions. It is worthy to note that the fractionation between Ce and Mn occurs under intensive chemical weathering conditions. Correspondingly, beryllium exhibits a similar geochemical behavior as that of rare earth elements (except for Ce) and Y during surface weathering.

Research Highlights
► In situ weathering terra rossa profile overlying dolomite.
► Coexistence of the ferromanganese concretion, the gibbsite spot and the terra rossa matrix.
► Fractionation between Ce and Mn in the terra rossa.
► Similar geochemical behavior between beryllium and rare earth elements.