Petrology, mineralogy and geochemical climofunctions of the Neoproterozoic Baltic paleosol

• Well preserved Neoproterozoic weathering profile.
• Paleosol developed in a tectonically stable Baltica paleocontinent.
• Tropical weathering at high latitudes, possibly related to CO2-greenhouse events.

The Oxisolic Baltic paleosol is a well preserved Neoproterozoic weathering sequence located in the Russian Platform of the East-European Craton, former Baltica continent. The Baltic paleosol is developed on different host rock types ranging from amphibolites and metagabbros to gneissic rocks and is characterized by up to several metres of thick weathered uppermost residuum composed of kaolinite (>60%), Fe-oxyhydroxides and residual quartz. The mineral index of alteration (MIA) and molecular weathering indices (CIA, CIA − K, PIA) all indicate strong and deep weathering most likely under warm and humid climate. Geochemical climofunctions, although not directly applicable to the Precambrian Baltic paleosol, agree with this interpretation suggesting high mean annual temperatures (>17 °C) and precipitation (1300–1800 mm yr−1) similar to modern day tropical conditions. The age of the weathering is between 560 and 600 Ma. During that time interval the Baltica continent was not drifting at tropical latitudes, but it is plausible that the Baltic paleosol was formed as a consequence of increased weathering rates during greenhouse event(s) possibly related to the termination of the Ediacaran Gaskiers and/or Fauquier glaciations, or in the relation to the Shuram–Wonoka isotope excursion. The Baltic paleosol is most likely one of the few well preserved examples of paleosol formation in the latest Neoproterozoic because it developed in a tectonically stable interior of the Baltica paleocontinent while physical denudation prevailed on other continental blocks due to the build-up of Gondwana that erased weathering profiles from the geological record.