Weathering of Fractured Rock in the Deep Critical Zone
Abstract
The interfaces where intact bedrock physically and chemically weathers to form regolith, are often hidden deep within the critical zone and are thus difficult to access. However, weathering of primary minerals along bedrock fractures located in the groundwater or deep vadose zones may supply significant weathering products to streams and oceans and influence topography and soil fertility. We investigated the deep critical zone in the Bisley watershed at the Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory from two 9.6 cm diameter boreholes drilled with a hydraulic rotary drill to 37.2 and 27.0 m depth. Continuous core samples through coherent rock were taken using an HQ-wireline barrel. Bulk solid-state chemical analysis and quantitative XRD were performed on rock and saprock samples. Thin sections were examined by optical microscopy, SEM, EDS, and EPMA. A history of low- to moderate-grade metamorphism is reflected by the presence of epidote, prehnite, pyrite, and tourmaline in the fresh rock (visibly un-weathered). Fresh rock also contains abundant plagioclase and Mg-rich chlorite, with lesser quartz, K-spar, and pyroxene. The quartz is microcrystalline and present in variable quantities in the fresh rock, consistent with infiltration of Si-rich hydrothermal fluids. Evidence of reaction-induced porosity development is observed in the visibly un-weathered rock, but the majority of weathering occurs within weathering rinds (<15 mm thick). These rinds are developed on fracture surfaces (and the outer surfaces of exposed corestones) and contain abundant secondary Fe(III)-oxides, which fill pore space, decreasing porosity relative to the core-rind interface. In the case of exposed corestones, the rinds spall off, refresing the surface for continued weathering. In the case of subsurface corestones, rinds grow thicker and sometimes consume rock fragments entirely. Borehole cores revealed repeated zones of highly fractured rock, interpreted as subsurface corestones, embedded within layers of regolith. Some corestones are massive and others are highly fractured. Subsurface corestones are larger and less fractured in the borehole drilled under a ridge, compared to the borehole drilled near a stream channel. As corestone size is thought to be a function of fracture spacing, the location of the valleys and ridges in the watershed may be controlled by the fracture spacing of the underlying bedrock. Drilling terminated in coherent rock, thought to be bedrock based on a model that hypothesized a thickness for the corestone-regolith zone [1]. Both profiles indicate that weathering proceeds 10's of meters below the stream channel; thus weathering depth is not controlled by local base level. Furthermore, weathering rinds on fracture surfaces at depth indicate that water and oxygen are transported below the stream channel; thus not all of the water in the watershed is discharged to the stream. [1] Fletcher and Brantley (2010) Amer. J. Sci 310, 131-164.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AGUFMEP41I..01B
- Keywords:
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- 0486 BIOGEOSCIENCES / Soils/pedology;
- 1039 GEOCHEMISTRY / Alteration and weathering processes;
- 1886 HYDROLOGY / Weathering;
- 3617 MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY / Alteration and weathering processes