Lithium isotope systematics in a forested granitic catchment (Strengbach, Vosges Mountains, France)

Type : ACL
Nature : Production scientifique
Au bénéfice du Laboratoire : Non
Statut de publication : Publié
Année de publication : 2010
Auteurs (5) : LEMARCHAND Emmanuel CHABAUX Francois VIGIER Nathalie MILLOT Romain PIERRET M,c
Revue scientifique : Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Volume : 74
Fascicule : 16
Pages : 4612-4628
DOI : 10.1016/j.gca.2010.04.057
URL : <go to isi>://wos:000280041200002
Abstract : Over the last decade it has become apparent that Li isotopes may be a good proxy to trace silicate weathering. However, the exact mechanisms which drive the behaviour of Li isotopes in surface environments are not totally understood and there is a need to better calibrate and characterize this proxy. In this study, we analysed the Li concentrations and isotopic compositions in the various surface reservoirs (soils, rocks, waters and plants) of a small forested granitic catchment located in the Vosges Mountains (Strengbach catchment, France. OHGE http://ohge.u-stritsbg.fr). Li fluxes were calculated in both soil profiles and at the basin scale and it was found that even in this forested basin, atmospheric inputs and litter fall represented a minor flux compared to input derived from the weathering of rocks and soil minerals (which together represent a minimum of 70% of dissolved Li). Li isotope ratios in soil pore waters show large depth dependent variations. Average dissolved delta(7)Li decreases from -1.1 parts per thousand to -14.4 parts per thousand between 0 and -30 cm, but is +30.7 parts per thousand at -60 cm. This range of Li isotopic compositions is very large and it encompasses almost the entire range of terrestrial Li isotope compositions that have been previously reported. We interpret these variations to result from both the dissolution and precipitation of secondary phases. Large isotopic variations were also measured in the springs and stream waters, with delta(7)Li varying from +5.3 parts per thousand to + 19.6 parts per thousand. delta(7)Li increases from the top to the bottom of the basin and also covaries with discharge at the outlet. These variations are interpreted to reflect isotopic fractionations occurring during secondary phase precipitation along the water pathway through the rocks. We suggest that the dissolved delta(7)Li increases with increasing residence time of waters through the rocks, and so with increasing time of interaction between waters and solids. A dissolution precipitation model was used to fit the dissolved Li isotopic compositions. It was found that the isotopic compositions of springs and stream waters are explicable by an isotopic fractionation of -5 parts per thousand to -14 parts per thousand (best fit -10.8 parts per thousand), in agreement with Li incorporation into clay. In soil solutions, it was found that isotopic fractionation during secondary precipitation is larger (at least -23 parts per thousand), suggesting a major role for different secondary phases, such as iron oxides that maybe incorporate Li with a higher isotope fractionation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Mots-clés : -
Commentaire : Times Cited: 26 26
Tags : -
Fichier attaché : -
Citation :
Lemarchand E, Chabaux F, Vigier N, Millot R, Pierret MC (2010) Lithium isotope systematics in a forested granitic catchment (Strengbach, Vosges Mountains, France). Geochim Cosmochim Ac 74: 4612-4628 | doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2010.04.057