『Abstract
Hydrothermal systems are a common feature of active collisional
orogens. These systems can have a profound effect on the Sr fluxes
and Sr isotopic composition if riverine waters through the direct
input of Sr from hot springs and groundwaters and the chemical
weathering of hydrothermal calcite. In an effort to quantify the
role of calcite weathering we present an analytical model that
examines the relationship between rock uplift and steady-state
chemical weathering of granites and greywackes that contain trace
amounts (<3%) of calcite. We also tested the affect of different
mineral dissolution rates and production of secondary minerals
on Sr fluxes. This model predicts that in areas oh high rock uplift
such as collisional mountain belts as much as 60% of the Sr released
during chemical weathering comes from the weathering of small
amounts of hydrothermal calcite. Moreover, the Sr isotopic composition
of weathered material remains constant over a wide range of tectonic
environments and is insensitive to the proportion of calcite to
silicate weathering. As such, the Sr isotopic composition of river
waters will not be an adequate proxy for silicate weathering in
tectonically active orogens if calcite is present, and it is these
very orogens that have the highest chemical weathering rates.
We compare model results with Sr fluxes and isotopic composition
of riverine waters from the Southern Alps of New Zealand, an area
that is frequently used as an example of a steady-state collisional
orogen. As our model predicts, roughly 50% of Sr flux is from
the weathering of calcite in the areas of highest uplift along
the west-flank of the Southern Alps. This proportion decreases
substantially (<20% from calcite)in the areas of lower uplift
east of the Southern Alps. Because chemical weathering rates are
approximately a factor of two higher in the rapidly uplifting
areas as compared to the more stable regions a significant portion
of strontium flux from rivers on South Island of New Zealand is
from the weathering of calcite.
Keywords: strontium; hydrothermal systems; chemical weathering;
New Zealand』
1. Introduction
2. Hydrothermal systems in collisional orogens
3. Climate, tectonics and hydrothermal systems of the Southern
Alps
4. Modeling strontium fluxes during steady-state chemical weathering
5. Model parameters
5.1. Parent bedrock
5.2. Mineral weathering rates and specific surface areas
5.3. Formation of secondary minerals
6. Model results
7. Comparison of model results with riverine data
8. Discussion
9. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References