Unraveling the effects of potassium metasomatism in sedimentary rocks and paleosols, with implications for paleoweathering conditions and provenance

Research Article| October 01, 1995 Unraveling the effects of potassium metasomatism in sedimentary rocks and paleosols, with implications for paleoweathering conditions and provenance Christopher M. Fedo; Christopher M. Fedo 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar H. Wayne Nesbitt; H. Wayne Nesbitt 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Grant M. Young Grant M. Young 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1995) 23 (10): 921–924. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0921:UTEOPM>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Christopher M. Fedo, H. Wayne Nesbitt, Grant M. Young; Unraveling the effects of potassium metasomatism in sedimentary rocks and paleosols, with implications for paleoweathering conditions and provenance. Geology 1995;; 23 (10): 921–924. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0921:UTEOPM>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Lutites are commonly metasomatized during diagenesis, but the analysis presented here accounts for most postdepositional change. Potassium metasomatism is particularly common, and typically involves the conversion of kaolin (residual weathering product) to illite by reaction with K+-bearing pore waters. Sandstones also undergo K metasomatism, which involves the replacement of plagioclase by potassium feldspar. These changes can be identified petrographically and are quantitatively accounted for by techniques discussed herein. Bulk chemical analyses and ternary diagrams are used to determine the amount of K addition, premetasomatized sediment composition, and composition of provenance areas. The premetasomatized mineralogy of paleosols can be compared with the mineralogy of recent soil profiles and thus, climate and topographic conditions determined for past weathering events. Some weathering indices lead to erroneous conclusions because, by excluding K2O from consideration, correction cannot be made for metasomatic effects. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.