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Geochemical characteristics of two contrasting weathering profiles developed at high altitude, NE Lesser Himalaya, India: Implications for controlling factors and mobility of elements

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Abstract

The present study investigates the chemical composition of weathering profiles developed on two contrasting parent rocks (granite-gneiss and amphibolite) from Bomdila area, NE Lesser Himalaya, northern India. Granite-gneiss section of around 5 m thickness is physically divided into soil and saprolite zone, whereas the amphibolite section of around 20 m thickness is mesoscopically divided into soil, saprolite and saprock. The chemical index of alternation (CIA) and other indices for measuring the degree of alteration indicate incipient to moderate weathering intensities. Relative mobility calculations reveal some dramatic differences in elemental behaviour between the two profiles. The variation in the enrichment and depletion of certain major oxides indicate that the mobility of elements within the profiles seems to have distinct controls. The concentration of Ba, Sr and Y is increased relative to the parent rock, indicating adsorption by secondary minerals. In the case of amphibolite profile, Ba is retained, whereas Sr and Y are removed from the profile. The Rare Earth Elements (REEs) abundance shows a pronounced depletion from both the profiles when compared to bedrock. Moreover, La/Yb ratio along with Eu/Eu* and Ce/Ce* anomalies indicate low pH and prevalence of reducing climatic conditions. When a statistical test (t-test) is applied for these two profiles along with other profiles having almost the same parent rocks and from different geographical elevations across the globe, it is observed that the geographical elevation (which implies differences in weathering environment), as well as outcrop-scale factors (such as presence of fractures, redox conditions) could surpass parent rock composition in finalizing chemistry of weathering profile.

Research highlights

  • Weathering intensity in both profiles range between incipient to moderate intensity.

  • Elements distribution in the two weathering profiles is almost similar, although these profiles have contrast parent rocks.

  • Geographical elevation and climate condition are the primarily factors controlling elemental mobility.

  • Outcrop-scale factors (such as biological activities, fracture patterns, redox conditions etc.), significantly influence elements distribution within profiles.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the Chairperson, Department of Geology, AMU, Aligarh. Dr A K Singh, WIHG, Dehradun and Dr V Balaram, NGRI, Hyderabad are thankfully acknowledged for providing the analytical facility. S A Rashid is thankful to the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India for financial support in the form of a major project.

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  1. Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202 001, India

    Khalid Mohammed Ghasera & Shaik A Rashid

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  1. Khalid Mohammed Ghasera
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Khalid M Ghasera: Conceptualization, writing – original draft, investigation, visualization, formal analysis, data curation. Shaik A Rashid: Writing – review and editing, supervision, investigation, and funding acquisition.

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Correspondence to Khalid Mohammed Ghasera.

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Communicated by Navin Juyal

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Ghasera, K.M., Rashid, S.A. Geochemical characteristics of two contrasting weathering profiles developed at high altitude, NE Lesser Himalaya, India: Implications for controlling factors and mobility of elements. J Earth Syst Sci 131, 5 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-021-01742-8

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