Mineralogical and Geochemical Study of Soils Developed on Osuzawa Limestone Cave in Saitama Prefecture

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  • 埼玉県尾須沢鍾乳洞上に発達した土壌の鉱物・地球化学的研究
  • サイタマケン オスザワ ショウニュウドウジョウ ニ ハッタツシタ ドジョウ ノ コウブツ チキュウ カガクテキ ケンキュウ

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This study was undertaken to determine mineralogical, elemental, and Sr isotopic compositions of soil collected in Saitama prefecture, eastern Japan and to evaluate the provenance and formation of soils developed on a limestone cave. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that soil samples developed on the limestone cave were composed of quartz, feldspar and clay minerals. The soils contained no calcite minerals, although the underlying limestone was composed mainly of calcite. Moreover their 87Sr/86Sr ratios were slightly different from those of the limestone. These results suggest that the minerals in the soils were not derived from the underlying carbonate rock. The upper soil samples (depth: <50 cm) showed slightly lower 87Sr/86Sr values than those of the limestone, indicating that the soil minerals originated from volcanic materials which had low Sr isotopic compositions. The lower soil samples (depth: >50 cm) were enriched in Al, Ti, Fe, K, and Ba, probably mainly from clay mineral and feldspar, and had higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios than those of the upper soils and the limestone. These results implicate contribution of atmospheric input, such as rainwater and/or eolian minerals, during soil weathering and formation process.

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