Abstract:

Through sampling and analyzing of granitic rocks and their overlying residual soil, the content changes of both the major and trace elements at the surface environment have been determined and the characteristics of granite weathering  and the rules of element mobilization have been studied. In the soil, the average contents of Ti, Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, V and Zr are higher than those in the rocks, while the average contents of Al₂O₃, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, Sr, Th and U are lower than those in the rocks, and other elements are almost the same. In the vertical profile, the contents of SiO₂, Ti, V, Y and Zr did not change significantly, Al₂O₃, Ba, Th, U have a significantly enriched trend in the layer-B of soil and U decreased significantly at the surface of soil. The content of Mo increased in the layer-C but decreased at the surface of soil. MgO, K₂O, Na₂O, CaO in the layer-O and layer-A decreased significantly. The content of TFe and Mn did not change through the vertical profile. Generally, the lithophile elements showed strong activity in the weathering process while oxyphile elements are more stable with a weak activity. The activity of the chalcophile elements falls in between.

Key words: Jilin Province, granite rock, weathering, homogenization, element mobility