『Abstract
U-series disequilibria have been measured by TIMS ad MC-ICP-MS
in dissolved phases and suspended sediments of the main basaltic
rivers from the Deccan Trap region (India). For dissolved phases
(234U/238U), (230Th/238U),
and (226Ra/238U) range between 1.11 and
1.28, between 0.03×10-2 and 1.35×10-2, and
between 0.02 and 0.16 respectively. For suspended particles, (234U/238U),
(230Th/238U), and (226Ra/238U)
range from 0.95 to 1.1, from 1.23 to 1.59 and from 0.1 to 0.47
respectively. 230Th-238U and 234U-238U
systems show direct links with indices of weathering. The data
also indicate possible redistributions between the solid and aqueous
phases and indicate that erosion processes do not presently operate
at steady-state because present-day physical erosion rates are
higher than expected (100-400 mm/ka versus 40 mm/ka for a steady-state
process) for the Narmada and the Tapti basins. Models assuming
either discrete or continuous particle leaching yield timescales
for chemical erosion of 40-90 ka. In contrast with basins located
i Northern latitudes, erosion in the Deccan basins does not appear
to have been significantly disturbed during the last glaciation.
234U-238U disequilibria in the dissolved phase
of large rivers world-wide are also explored and two key factors
are highlighted in this study: the dissolution of carbonates,
releasing dissolved U at secular equilibrium and, the silicate
weathering rate estimated at the scale of the watershed. In particular,
a positive correlation is found between dissolved (234U/238U)
and basaltic weathering rates for the Deccan that could reflect
a key role of physical erosion since, for silicate monolithological
basins, chemical erosion rates are primarily controlled by physical
erosion rates. For basins with mixed lithology, dissolved organic
matter also plays a key role in the preferential release of 234U
from silicate minerals. (234U/238U) ratios
in rivers therefore reflect a mixture between U released by carbonate
dissolution and 234U preferentially released from
silicate minerals located i high physical erosion and peat areas.
Keywords: U-series disequilibria; Basalt weathering; Deccan; Erosion
rate; Timescale; Leaching model』
1. Introduction
2. Sampling location
3. Sampling and analytical methods
4. Results
4.1. Suspended loads
4.2. Dissolved phases
4.3. Colloidal phase (5 kDa to 0.2μm)
5. Relative mobility of 238U, 234U, 230Th,
and 226Ra during weathering
6. A steady-state model of erosion
7. Models for constraining weathering timescales
7.1. Discrete leaching model
7.2. Steady-state open system models
7.2.1. Continuous leaching model
7.2.2. Model with leaching and adsorption
8. General constraints on 234U-238U fractionation
in rivers
8.1. Lithological control on 234U-238U
fractionation
8.2. Role of dissolved organic carbon
9. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Appendix A
References