Effects of weathering depth and thickness on rock failure:Experimental approach and particle flow code simulation

This study investigated the effects of weathering depth and thickness on the failure mechanisms of rock samples through experimental and numerical methods.The first configuration involved conducting artificial weathering on limestone using the freezing and thawing(F-T)for 40 cycles.The mechanical parameters of the samples were measured at the end of the 40th cycle.In the second configuration,a series of specimens underwent salt crystallization(S-C)tests for 20 cycles.Experimental results were validated using discrete element method(DEM).Next,the weathered limestone model with dimensions of 108 mm54 mm were prepared.The weathering layers were tested at four different thicknesses(i.e.2.5 mm,5 mm,7.5 mm,and 10 mm)and three different positions(at the surface,5 mm under the rock surface,and 10 mm under the rock surface).According to the results,weathering depth and thickness have a considerable effect on the failure process.The results also showed a correlation between the values of compressive strength and failure mechanisms associated with the weathering layer.The numerical results revealed that the tension crack was the dominant factor.Additionally,with increasing weathering thickness,Young's modulus,crack initiation stress,and final strength decreased in constant weathering depth.The results also demonstrated that the failure progress of the numerical models was similar to that observed in the laboratory.

Weathering and accumulation of trace elements in the soils of the Porali Plain, Balochistan: repercussions in agriculture

This study is thefirst attempt to assess the nature of the soil,especially on the western side of the Porali Plain in Balochistan;a new emerging agriculture hub,using weathering and pollution indices supplemented by multi-variate analysis based on geochemical data.The outcomes of this study are expected to help farmers in soil manage-ment and selecting suitable crops for the region.Twenty-five soil samples were collected,mainly from the arable land of the Porali Plain.After drying and coning-quarter-ing,soil samples were analyzed for major and trace ele-ments using the XRF technique;sieving and hydrometric methods were employed for granulometric analysis.Esti-mated data were analyzed using Excel,SPSS,and Surfer software to calculate various indices,correlation matrix,and spatial distribution.The granulometric analysis showed that 76%of the samples belonged to loam types of soil,12%to sand type,and 8%to silt type.Weathering indices:CIA,CIW,PIA,PWI,WIP,CIX,and ICV were calculated to infer the level of alteration.These indices reflect mod-erate to intense weathering;supported by K_(2)O/AI_(2)O_(3),Rb/K_(2)O,Rb/Ti,and Rb/Sr ratios.Assessment of the geo-ac-cumulation and Nemerow Pollution indices pinpoint rela-tively high concentrations of Pb,Ni,and Cr concentration in the soils.The correlation matrix and Principal Compo-nent Analysis show that the soil in this study area is mainly derived from the weathering of igneous rocks of Bela Ophiolite(Cretaceous age)and Jurassic sedimentary rocks of Mor Range having SEDEX/MVT type mineralization.Weathering may result in the undesirable accumulation of certain trace elements which adversely affects crops.

Weathering Characterization and Degradation Analysis of Landscape Wooden Buildings in Semi-Arid and Sandy Area

Wooden buildings play a very important role in China’s construction and landscape architecture industry.In order to explore the weathering characteristics of the surface layer of landscape wooden buildings,the main causes of weathering were analyzed on the basis of summarizing the common types of weathering characterization.The results showed that the weathering characterization was mainly reflected in the surface defects of wood structures,such as cracking,discoloration,peeling,wind erosion wear,and so on.The coating technology on the surface of constructions was the main artificial factor affecting the surface defects of constructions.In the case of similar surface decoration conditions,sunlight and moisture were the main natural factors affecting the weathering of wooden buildings,which will promote the process of weathering.

The influence of climate and topography on chemical weathering of granitic regoliths in the monsoon region of China

Exploring the relationship between weathering and erosion is essential for understanding the evolution of landscapes and formation of soil under the influence of climate, tectonics, and topography. We measured the bulk chemistry of regoliths and calculated their weathering rates and intensity in three locations in China: Inner Mongolia in the mid-temperate semi-humid zone; Jiangxi Province, in the mid-subtropical humid zone; and Hainan Province, in the tropical humid zone. These profiles exhibited increased weathering with increasing temperature and precipitation.The low-gradient profile exhibited stronger weathering of saprolite than of soil, whereas the high-gradient profile showed a more constant weathering pattern. The regolith in the cold climate was the product of easily weatherable minerals, whereas weathering of K-feldspar and even secondary minerals occurred in hot and humid climates. The weathering of subtropical profiles was both supply-and kinetic-limited, controlled by weathering and erosion. The tropical profile experienced supply-limited weathering,indicating slow erosion and an intense weathering profile;the mid-temperate profile was not classifiable due to weak erosion and weathering. Long-term weathering fluxes of these profiles show that Si, Na, and K(or Mg) represent thebulk of the mass lost through weathering. This study underscores that weathering of granitic regolith is controlled by both climatic conditions and landscape.

Quantifying the chemical composition of weathering products of Hainan basalts with reflectance spectroscopy and its implications for Mars

With the development of the hyperspectral remote sensing technique,extensive chemical weathering profiles have been identified on Mars.These weathering sequences,formed through precipitation-driven leaching processes,can reflect the paleoenvironments and paleoclimates during pedogenic processes.The specific composition and stratigraphic profiles mirror the mineralogical and chemical trends observed in weathered basalts on Hainan Island in south China.In this study,we investigated the laboratory reflectance spectra of a 53-m-long drilling core of a thick basaltic weathering profile collected from Hainan Island.We established a quantitative spectral model by combining the genetic algorithm and partial least squares regression(GA-PLSR)to predict the chemical properties(SiO2,Al2O3,Fe2O3)and index of laterization(IOL).The entire sample set was divided into a calibration set of 25 samples and a validation set of 12 samples.Specifically,the GA was used to select the spectral subsets for each composition,which were then input into the PLSR model to derive the chemical concentration.The coefficient of determination(R2)values on the validation set for SiO2,Al2O3,Fe2O3,and the IOL were greater than 0.9.In addition,the effects of various spectral preprocessing techniques on the model accuracy were evaluated.We found that the spectral derivative treatment boosted the prediction accuracy of the GA-PLSR model.The improvement achieved with the second derivative was more pronounced than when using the first derivative.The quantitative model developed in this work has the potential to estimate the contents of similar weathering basalt products,and thus infer the degree of alteration and provide insights into paleoclimatic conditions.Moreover,the informative bands selected by the GA can serve as a guideline for designing spectral channels for the next generation of spectrometers.

Property changes of wood-fiber/HDPE composites colored by iron oxide pigments after accelerated UV weathering

Four kinds of iron oxide pigments were added into wood-fiber/high-density-polyethylene composites （WF/HDPE） at three different concentrations, to determine the effects of pigments on the changes in the color and mechanical properties of the composites before and after UV accelerated weathering. HDPE, wood fibers, pigments and other processing additives were dry-mixed in a high-speed mixer. The mixtures were extruded by two-step extrusion process with a self-designed twin-screw/single-screw extruder system. Color of the samples was determined according to CIE 1976 L^＊a^＊b^＊ system by a spec- trophotometer and the bending properties were tested to evaluate the mechanical properties before and after accelerated UV weathering. The result shows that the modulus of elasticity of WF/HDPE did not obvi- ously changed after incorporating with the pigments, but the bending strength increased. After accelerated aging for 2000 h, both color and mechanical properties significantly changed. Iron oxide red and black performed better than the other two pigments, and the pigments dosage of 2.28% in the composites is favourable.

Cavernous Weathering in Aeolian Sandstones: An Example from the Yongningshan Hill of the Loess Plateau, Northwest China

Cavernous weathering is commonly found on sandstone slopes in different environments. Either a single dominant process or polygenetic agents require to be invoked in order to interpret the development. The Yongningshan hill of the central Loess Plateau is representative of cliff dwellings in Northwest China, which is characterized by well-developed cavernous weathering features and provides a good opportunity for the better understanding of sandstone weathering in the Loess Plateau. Multiple methods, including field survey, in-situ rock strength measurement, along with experiments on samples for microscopic observation, element composition and salt chemistry, were employed to investigate the controlling factors of cavernous weathering. The results show that cavern development is different on the four slopes with the western slope hosting massive honeycombs, tafoni and hardened surfaces. The porous and permeable aeolian sandstones are fundamental, because they provide space and pathways for the transportation of water and salt, honeycombs dominantly aligning within the lamination of cross-beds. The environmental factors such as the seasonal wetting and drying cycle, aeolian salt, moisture and water vapor are key factors for the development of cavernous weathering forms. The northern and northwestern wind-blown dust storms have brought abundant salts, the lengthier dry periods of the wetting and drying cycle being beneficial for salt accumulation within caverns, favoring salt weathering.

Performance of rice-hull-PE composite exposed to natural weathering

Rice-hull powder is widely used in manufacturing reinforced plastic composites.However,its weathering ability is rarely considered.We studied the performance of two types of rice-hull-polyethylene（RH-PE） composites after they were exposed outdoor to natural weathering for two years.The samples did not change in bending strength and elasticity modulus.At the end of the testing period,colour lightness had increased by more than 23% and total colour had changed by more than 9 units.This means the colour evidently differentiate from the original colour that the customers choose.The analyses of Fourier-transform infrared（FTIR） and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS） showed that oxidation had occurred on sample surfaces.Red lumber presented an obvious C=O peak after weathering,while yellow lumber did not present an obvious peak as evidence of oxidation.Both types of lumbers showed a reduction of lignocellulosic groups and amorphous regions of PE.

Fractionation characteristics of magnesium isotope in the ancient weathering crust

Weathering has always been a concerned around the world,as the first and most important step in the global cycle of elements,which leads to the fractionation of isotopes on the scale of geological age.The Middle Ordovician Majiagou Formation in Daniudi area of the Ordos Basin had experienced weathering for>130 Myr.Through thin section observation,major and trace element analysis,carbon,oxygen,and magnesium isotopes composition analysis,the dolomitization modes and weathering of ancient dolo-mite in Daniudi area were analyzed in detail.The results showed that the Sabkha and brine-reflux dolomitization modes had developed,and the Mg isotopes in different layers of the karst crust were fractionated by various factors.The vertical vadose zone was affected by weathering,the Mg isotope of dolomite(δ^(26)Mgdol)showed a downward decreasing trend;the horizontal underflow zone was controlled by diagenesis and formation fluid,δ^(26)Mgdol showed a vertical invariance and negative;the main reason for Mg isotope fractionation in the deep slow-flow zone was the brine-reflux dolomitization mode during early burial period,which showed a vertical downward increase.Finally,the Mg isotope characteristic data of the ancient weathering crust were provided and the process of Mg isotope frac-tionationinthekarstcrust was explained.

A preliminary study on ore-forming environments of Xianglushan-type iron deposit and the weathering mineralization of Emeishan basalt in Guizhou Province, China

Xianglushan-type iron deposits are one of the new types of iron deposits found in the Weining Area of Western Guizhou. The iron-bearing rock system is a paleo-weathered crustal sedimentary(or accumulating) stratum between the top of the Middle-Late Permian Emeishan basalt formation and the Late Permian Xuanwei formation. Iron ore is hosted in the Lower-Middle part of the rock system. In terms of the genesis of mineral deposit, this type of deposit should be a basalt paleo-weathering crustal redeposit type, very different from marine sedimentary iron deposits or continental weathering crust iron deposits. Based on field work and the analytical results of XRD Powder Diffraction, Electron Probe, Scanner Electron Microscope, etc., the geological setting of the ore-forming processes and the deposit features are illustrated in this paper. The ore-forming environment of the deposit and the Emeishan basalt weathering mineralization are also discussed in order to enhance the knowledge of the universality and diversity of mineralization of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province(ELIP), which may be a considerable reference to further research for ELIP metallogenic theories, and geological research for iron deposits in the paleo-weathering crust areas of the Emeishan basalt,Southwestern, China.

ON CHEMICAL WEATHERING OF WEATHERING CRUST AT THE GREAT WALL STATION REGION, ANTARCTICA

The chief aim of this study is to investigate the chemical weathering process of the weathering crust in Great Wall Station region of China (in Fildes Peninsula), Antarctica by the method of sedimentology.CW,SW,GW,TW,WE weathering crusts developed on volcanic clastic rock, gray aptitic basalt with tuff or basaltic bedrock. On change of minerals, geochemical behaviors of elements, migration and enrichment regularities of elements, Correlation between element geochemical behaviors, change of weathering potential of rocks in chemical weathering process are studied by us.We can see that the sequence fo weathering strengths of the abovementioned sections, from high to low, should reflected in TW, GW, CW and SWT and basical correspond with that calculated from the enrichment and differentiation indexes.

Chemical weathering intensity and element migration features of the Xiashu loess profile in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province

The chemical weathering intensity and element migration features of the Xiashu loess profile in Zhenjiang are studied in this paper.（1）The Xiashu loess profile underwent moderate chemical weathering.It seems that the precipitation is a more important factor than the temperature in controlling the process of the chemical weathering.（2）The major elements such as Si,K,Na,Ca,Mg,Mn and P were migrated and leached,while the elements Fe and Ti were slightly enriched.The migration features of the major elements reveal that the Xiashu loess finished the primary process of chemical weathering characterized by leaching of Ca and Na,and almost reached the secondary process characterized by leaching of K.Except the elements Sr and Ga,other trace elements such as Th,Ba,Cu,Zn,Co,Ni,Cr and V were enriched.It might be caused by both the biogeochemical process and the adsorption of trace elements by clay mineral and organic materials.（3）The difference of element migration down the Xiashu loess profile reveals that the climate was warm and wet at the early-middle stage of the middle Pleistocene.At the end of the middle Pleistocene,it became dry and cool.At the early stage of the Late Pleistocene,the paleoclimate became warm and wet again.As a whole,the paleoclimate generally became drier and cooler in this region from the beginning of the middle Pleistocene.

A new type of rare earth elements deposit in weathering crust of Permian basalt in western Guizhou, NW China

A new type of rare earth elements （REEs） deposit was discovered from the gaolinite mudstone in the weathering crust of Permian basalt, Bijie region, western Guizhou, China. It contained ∑RE2O3 0.065%-1.086%. This type of REEs deposit was widely distributed with steady horizon and thickness of 3-4 m. The ore-bearing weathering crust （kaolinite） of the three discovered REEs deposits belonged to the third episode of the Emeishan basalt eruption. The new type of REEs deposit was suggested that basalt （tuff） weathering could lead to the enrichment of the rare earth elements. Therefore, it is of important economic significance to explore REEs deposits in the weathering crust of basalt （tuffs） in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces.

Behavior of REE Fractionation during Weathering of Dolomite Regolith Profile in Southwest China

REE fractionation during the weathering of dolomite has been recognized for decades.A regolith profile on dolomite in southwest Yunnan of China was selected to investigate the behaviors of REE during weathering.The weathering of dolomite is divided into two stages：the pedogenesis stage and soil evolution stage,corresponding to the saprolites and soils respectively in the regolith profile. SiO_2,TiO_2,P_2O_5,Zr,Hf,Nb and Ta were immobile components during the weathering by and large, while Al_2O_3,K_2O and Fe_2O_3 were lost during the soil evolution stage in the physical form（clay minerals probably）.REE were fractionated during the whole weathering of dolomite.The field weathering profile and the lab acid-leaching experiments on dolomite indicate that MREE were enriched clearly relative to other REE during the pedogenesis stage in a ＂capillary ascending-adsorption＂ mechanism, but they did not fractionate clearly in the soil evolution stage.REE were lost and accumulated in the weathering front of dolomite during the soil evolution stage in a ＂physical-chemical leaching＂ mechanism.

Nutrient Release from Weathering of Purplish Rocks in the Sichuan Basin,China

Purplish soils having high fertility with mineral nutrients inherited from the parent rock are widely distributed in the hills along the Yangtze River,especially in the Sichuan Basin.Pot and field weathering experiments were conducted to mimic rock weathering and nutrient release processes in order to better understand soil fertility and nutrient compensation. Three types of purplish rock formations formed in the Jurassic period,Shaximiao(J_2s),Suining(J_3s),and Penglaizhen (J_3p),as well as one type formed in the Cretaceous period,the Chengqiangyan group(K_1c),were used in this study. Results showed that the soil formation rate was in the range from 11.2 to 19.6 mm every year,and rock weathering was in the order of J_3s>J_3p>J_2s>K_1c.Because more rock surface was exposed to sunlight and rainfall in field conditions,pot weathering was slower than field weathering.Nutrient release rates increased with rock weathering and was in the order similar to that of rock weathering:J_3p>J_3s>J_2s>K_1c.Potassium release was the most important in all rocks;after 2 years of weathering,19.4% to 46.9% of K was released from the initial parent rocks,which suggested that K release from weathering could meet most of the crop K requirement in purplish soils.Thus,rapid release of nutrients from weathering of purplish rocks was key to nutrient replenishment and fertility of purplish soils.

Weathering of Pisha-Sandstones in the Wind-Water Erosion Crisscross Region on the Loess Plateau

Two types of pisha-sandstones of purple sandstones and gray sandstones,widely distributing in the wind-water erosion crisscross region of China,were selected and used in laboratory experiments for a better understanding of the drying-wetting-freezing weathering process resulting from the apportionment of water or salt solution to rock samples.Weathering experiments were carried out under the conditions of environment control(including temperature,moisture and salt solution).All rock samples were frequently subjected to 140 drying-wetting-freezing cycles.The influences of weathering process were evaluated.It was found that the different treatments of moisture and salt solution applications could affect the nature of the weathering products resulting from drying-wetting-freezing.It was also observed that salt solution could effectively alleviate the weathering of pisha-sandstones.Although not all the observations could be explained,it was apparent that simulated environmental factors had both direct and indirect effects on the weathering of rocks.

CHEMICAL WEATHERING PROCESSES AND ATMOSPHERIC CO_2 CONSUMPTION OF HUANGHE RIVER AND CHANGJIANG RIVER BASINS

Rock weathering plays an important role in studying the long-term carbon cycles and global climatic change. According to the statistics analysis, the Huanghe (Yellow) River water chemistry was mainly controlled by evaporite and carbonate weathering, which were responsible for over 90% of total dissolved ions. As compared with the Huanghe River basin, dissolved load of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River was mainly originated from the carbonate dissolution. The chemical weathering rates were estimated to be 39.29t/(km(2).a) and 61.58t/(km(2).a) by deducting the HCO3- derived from atmosphere in the Huanghe River and Changjiang River watersheds, respectively. The CO2 consumption rates by rock weathering were calculated to be 120.84 x 10(3)mol/km(2) and 452.46 x 10(3)mol/km(2) annually in the two basins, respectively. The total CO2 consumption of the two basins amounted to 918.51 x 10(9)mol/a, accounting for 3.83% of the world gross. In contrast to other world watersheds, the stronger evaporite reaction and infirm silicate weathering can explain such feature that CO2 consumption rates were lower than a global average, suggesting that the sequential weathering may be go on in the two Chinese drainage basins.

Corrosion behavior and corrosion products of a low-alloy weathering steel in Qingdao and Wanning

A newly developed low-alloy weathering steel has been exposed in two coastal sites （Qingdao in the north, Wanning in the south） in China for one year. The samples in Wanning corroded far more seriously than those in Qingdao. The rust layer formed on the steel was analyzed by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, N2 adsorption approach, polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）. The rust formed in Qingdao contains more X-ray amorphous compounds and is more compact than that formed in Wanning. Cr and Cu are enriched in the rust layer near the steel matrix, and the phenomenon is more obvious in Qingdao than in Wanning. The rust layer formed in Qingdao suppresses the anodic and cathodic reaction more remarkably than that formed in Wanning does. The rust layer formed in Qingdao possesses a higher ability to block the permeation of chloride ions than that formed in Wanning does.

CHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF CERIUM ELEMENT IN ROCK WEATHERING SYSTEM

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Weathering Characteristics of Sloping Fields in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

For the purpose of understanding the weathering characteristics of surface layers in purple mudstone sloping fields of the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China, oxide content of major elements, composition of clay minerals, magnetic susceptibility, and difference in weathering characteristics of surface layers under different slope gradients were determined. The results showed that the oxide content of Si, Al, and Fe ranged from 60% to 75% and the weathering coefficient with depth showed no trend along the slope gradient. Also, for gentle (10° and 15°) and intermediate (25° and 40°) slopes the clay relative diffraction peak for kaolinite at the surface between 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm declined with an increase in slope gradient, while the relative diffraction peak for kaolinite in weathered layers on steep slopes (50° and 60°) disappeared altogether. Magnetic susceptibility decreased with increasing depth and, for a given depth layer, decreased with an increase in slope gradient. Analysis of the oxide content, weathering coefficients, clay minerals, and magnetic susceptibility showed that in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, the pedogenesis of the weathering layer in purple mudstone sloping fields was weak with weaker soil formation going from gentle slope to steep slope.