Geochemical data from granite and basalt weathering profiles in Kuantan, Malaysia.
Description
This dataset tests the hypothesis that parent lithology exerts first-order control on tropical weathering pathways and REE fractionation under identical climatic conditions. It contains geochemical data from adjacent Permian granite and Pleistocene basalt profiles. Key Findings: Granite profiles show heterogeneous weathering, significant REE enrichment, and extreme positive Ce anomalies (>135) indicating redox-controlled fractionation. Basalt profiles exhibit uniform lateritization with near-total silica loss, REE depletion, and subdued Ce anomalies, reflecting a leaching-dominated regime. Methods: 23 samples from 7 profiles collected at 1.5m vertical intervals Major elements by XRF on lithium borate fusion beads Trace elements/REEs by ICP-MS (Agilent 7900) Weathering indices (CIA, MIA, IOL) and REE anomalies calculated Data Interpretation: Use molar proportions for weathering indices: CIA = [Al₂O₃/(Al₂O₃+CaO+Na₂O+K₂O)]×100 REE anomalies: Ce/Ce* = Ceₙ/√(Laₙ×Prₙ); Eu/Eu* = Euₙ/√(Smₙ×Gdₙ) Compare vertical trends: granite shows variable fractionation; basalt shows systematic depletion Reuse Potential: Comparative studies of lithological control on weathering Modeling of REE fractionation during pedogenesis Benchmark for tropical soil geochemistry studies Related Publication: [Title: Lithological control on pedogenesis and REE fractionation in tropical weathering profiles: A comparative study of granite and basalt in Kuantan, Peninsular Malaysia. Authors: Azmiah Jamil, Azman A Ghani, Ahmad Sheeqal Shah Abdul Samad, Nur Chitra Dewi Mohamad Noor, Muzammil Shahjamal, Amira Fahira Masor, Journal: CATENA (under review)] License: CC-BY 4.0 Formats: .xlsx (tabular data)
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Steps to reproduce
This dataset derives from a comparative study of granite and basalt weathering profiles in Kuantan, Malaysia. The workflow ensured complete traceability and reproducibility. 1. Field Sampling: Four granite and three basalt profiles were sampled from road-cuts. Samples were collected at ~1.5 m vertical intervals from bedrock to topsoil (total n=23, including fresh parent rocks). GPS coordinates, depth, and field characteristics were recorded for each sample. 2. Sample Preparation: Samples were air-dried, gently disaggregated, and sieved to <2 mm. This fraction was pulverized to <150 µm using a tungsten carbide ring mill for homogenization. 3. Geochemical Analysis: Major Elements: Determined by Wavelength-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF; PANalytical Axios Advanced) on lithium borate fusion glass beads to ensure total dissolution and avoid mineralogical bias. Trace & Rare Earth Elements (REEs): Analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS; Agilent 7900) on solutions derived from the same fusion beads, guaranteeing consistency with major element data. 4. Data Processing: Weathering Indices: Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Mafic Index of Alteration (MIA(O)), and Index of Lateritisation (IOL) were calculated from molar proportions of major oxides. REE Anomalies: Ce/Ce* and Eu/Eu* were calculated from chondrite-normalized values (Taylor & McLennan, 1985). 5. Quality Assurance (QA/QC): Analytical accuracy and precision were validated using international certified reference materials (AGV-2, BCR-2 for XRF; WS-E, PM-S for ICP-MS). Method blanks confirmed negligible contamination. Data quality is evidenced by CRM recoveries of 95-105% and smooth chondrite-normalized REE patterns. This rigorous protocol generated a high-quality, internally consistent dataset suitable for interpreting weathering processes and for future reuse.
Institutions
- Universiti Malaya