Incorporation in soil of barytes derived from mineral veins in Southwest England
Abstract
Highest Ba concentrations in the Bridford area of Devon, U.K., are found in the A horizon of soil downslope from barytes mineralization. Most Ba is present as BaSO 4 mechanically weathered from barytes veins. Ba values are greatest in the coarse silt fraction of the A, B, and C horizons. Owing to the large sand-size content of the soil, however, 80-90% of the total Ba occurs in the sand fraction. Two distinct size populations occur resulting from independent abrasion mechanisms. Two main stages are considered responsible for dispersion of BaSO 4. Cryoturbation and solifluction processes operating in the Pleistocene initially shattered, mixed and transported barytes during head formation. Subsequent soil development and creep in Recent times has led to anomalous A horizon values. Implications for prospecting are that in similar areas both A and B strata could prove most useful and that exact estimates of lode positions could be made if the modifying influence of soil creep is taken into consideration.
- Publication:
-
Sedimentary Geology
- Pub Date:
- October 1975
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0037-0738(75)90012-3
- Bibcode:
- 1975SedG...14..135M