Trace element geochemistry during chemical weathering

The granite weathering in Longnan, Jiangxi, is represented by mineralogical changes of feldspars → montmorillonite, illite → kaolinite, halloysite → bauxite, with Na, Ca, Si, P, V, U and Sr being in a mobile state while Ti, Al, Fe, Sc, Th, Zr and Hf remaining relatively conservative. With the exception of Zr/Hf, Nb/Ta, Th/Sc, Zr/Nd and Sm/Nb, changes are notable in ratios between most of the trace elements. Re-distribution of REE and Y has taken place during the chemical weathering, and the REE patterns of weathered samples in the profile, with original characters of the parent rock still recognizable, has undergone some fractionation. Generally, the extent of chemical weathering is the critical factor determining the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of the profiles and this must be taken into account in any study of tracing the provenance on the basis of mineralogical and trace element characteristics of the sediments.