Geochemistry of rare earth elements (REE) in the weathered crusts from the granitic rocks in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia

Abstract

We report for the first time the geochemistry of rare earth elements (REE) in the weathered crusts of I-type and calc-alkaline to high-K (shoshonitic) granitic rocks at Mamasa and Palu region, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The weathered crusts can be divided into horizon A (lateritic profile) and B (weathered horizon). Quartz, albite, kaolinite, halloysite and montmorrilonite prevail in the weathered crust. Both weathered profiles show that the total REE increased from the parent rocks to the horizon B but significantly decrease toward the upper part (horizon A). LREE are enriched toward the upper part of the profile as shown by La/Yb_N value. However, HREE concentrations are high in horizon B1 in Palu profile. The total REE content of the weathered crust are relatively elevated compared to the parent rocks, particularly in the lower part of horizon B in Mamasa profile and in horizon B2 in Palu profile. This suggests that REE-bearing accessory minerals may be resistant against weathering and may remain as residual phase in the weathered crusts. The normalized isocon diagram shows that the mass balance of major and REE components between each horizon in Mamasa and Palu weathering profile are different. The positive Ce anomaly in the horizon A of Mamasa profile indicated that Ce is rapidly precipitated during weathering and retain at the upper soil horizon.

Keywords

rare earth element / geochemistry / weathered crust / granitic rock / Sulawesi / Indonesia

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