『Abstract
Clay mineralogy and major-element geochemistry were investigated
on 58 surface sediment samples collected in 27 rivers draining
Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra to assess the chemical weathering
process and its controlling factors in tropical Southeast Asia.
The clay mineral assemblages show high kaolinite contents in Malay
Peninsula (average 80%), Sumatra (58-78%), and South Borneo (41-55%),
high illite contents in North Borneo (47-77%), and moderate smectite
contents in Sumatra (6-29%). Intensive chemical weathering is
identified in all three investigated regions from both clay mineralogical
and geochemical (bulk and clay-fraction) results regardless of
their various lithological and tectonic settings. Relatively,
the chemical weathering intensity increases gradually from North
Borneo to South Borneo, and further to Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.
Our results suggest that the East Asian-Australian monsoon climatic
condition with constant warm temperature and abundant precipitation
throughout the year is the principal forcing factor on the chemical
weathering, and the tectonic activity including mountain uplift,
earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions and their specific lithological
characters is only a subordinate factor on the intensity of chemical
weathering in tropical Southeast Asia.
Keywords: Clay minerals; Major elements; Chemical weathering;
Malay Peninsula; Borneo; Sumatra』
1. Introduction
2. hydrographic and geological settings
3. Sampling and analytical methods
4. Results
4.1. Clay minerals
4.2. Major elements
5. Discussion
5.1. Clay-mineralogical changes
5.2. Intensity of chemical weathering
6. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Appendix A. Supplementary data
References