Weathering of sandstones studied from the composition of stream sediments of the Kupa River (Croatia)

Abstract

AbstractElemental compositions of the <2mm fraction of three sediments sampled along the Kupa River are presented. On plots of log(SiO2/Al2O3) vs. log(CaO+Na2O)/K2O, the sediments plot closest to average sandstone compositions. On plots of weathering indices A vs. B (Kronberg and Nesbitt, 1981) the sediments plot close to basalt, terrestrial crust and granite. X-ray diffraction of the <63 μm fraction suggests chlorite, vermiculite and mica are present as weathering products in the upper, middle and lower stream sediments. Depletion of some elements in the sediments suggests loss of elements from the sediments due to dissolution of minerals.