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Biological Weathering and Geochemical Fractionation by Termites: A Case Study of Loessic Sediments

Author: Singh S., Chaudhary A., Handique S., Singh S.K. and Jayant K. Tripathi
Year of Publication: 2017
Published: Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Earth Science India. Vol. 10 (III): 94 -107

Abstract:
Termites are ecosystem engineers who transform soil and sediments and make mounds. They transport and mix large quantities of sediments across the horizons of the mounds, modify their immediate environment at different depths. We have tried to understand the role of termites in weathering and geochemical transformations of homogeneous sediments of termite mounds of Delhi ridge area. The samples and respective parent sediments were collected from the seven locations of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. It has been observed that bioturbation of termites caused fining of the mound samples compared to the parent sediments. The mound samples show higher weathering than the parent sediments. Carbonate precipitation in the alkaline conditions imposed by termites could have enriched Ca and Mg. Whereas, the clay enrichment caused K, Al enrichment. Fe got enriched in the oxic condition of mounds. Ti and Zr got enriched by the enrichment of finer grains of their minerals already present in the parent material. The enrichment of Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, and V show the biogeochemical role of the termites. The organic carbon brought by the termites, and iron oxides, both enriched phosphorus in the mounds. It has found that the termite mounds also have potential in sequestering CO2 by accumulating organic matter, precipitating carbonate minerals, and increasing chemical weathering of silicate minerals.

Keywords:
Termite, Bioturbation, Geochemistry, Weathering, Trace elements

Citation:
Swati Singh, Anurag Chaudhary, Sumi Handique, Singh S.K., Tripathi J.K. (2017): Biological Weathering and Geochemical Fractionation by Termites: A Case Study of Loessic Sediments. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Earth Science India. Vol. 10 (III): 94 -107

Link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320099496_Biological_Weathering_and_Geochemical_Fractionation_by_Termites_A_Case_Study_of_Loessic_Sediments_from_Jawaharlal_Nehru_University_New_Delhi_India

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Geochemical Characterization and Mineralogical Assemblage of Burhi-Dihing and Noa-Dihing – The Largest South Bank Tributaries of the Brahmaputra River

Author: Aparna Das, Sumi Handique, Monalisa Chaowlu and Manish Kumar
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution 13(4): 13-24.

Abstract:
Mineralogical studies are valuable in understanding past weathering regimes induced by changing climatic conditions. Information about the bedrock lithology, weathering regimes, erosion and sedimentation rates are fundamental issues for better understanding of the river catchment behaviours. In this context, therefore, major ions, trace metals and clay mineral compositions of the sediment and water of Noa-Dihing and Burhi-Dihing rivers, the southbank tributaries of the Brahmaputra river, have been examined. Chemical index of alteration (CIA) values of both Noa-Dihing and Burhi-Dihing rivers suggests the prevalence of moderate chemical weathering events and formation of minerals such as muscovite, illite and smectite in the river catchment. Metal distribution in both rivers shows highly toxic metals, comprised of 32% of total mineral composition, and are less abundant with respect to moderately toxic metals (37%) except Zr, which comprises 37% and 32% respectively of the total mineral compositions. Comparison of sediment chemistry with composition of source rocks and average Upper Continental Crust (UCC) suggests higher depletion of CaO, Na2O, P2O5, Al2O3, SiO2, MgO and MnO signifying the dominance of mafic mineral phases. Loss of these metal oxides from the bed rocks during weathering and/or less abundance of clay in bed sediments compared to that in UCC may also be attributed to depleted values of these minerals. This is further substantiated by grain size analysis i.e. more abundance of sandy silt as compared to clay minerals in the overbank and channel sediments of Noa-Dihing and Burhi-Dihing rivers. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) varies significantly from 64.49 to 81.21, indicating large spatial variability in the intensity of chemical weathering of upper Brahmaputra basin. Multivariate analysis suggests that natural weathering processes of alkaline earth metals can be associated with release of trace metals in a riverine system and releasing mechanism of transition metal and their oxides are same and that of alkali and alkaline earth metal are similar.

Keywords:
Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Noa-Dihing, Burhi-Dihing, Grain size analysis, X-ray diffraction, Cluster analysis

Citation:
Das, A., Handique, S., Chaowlu, M., Kumar, M. (2016): Geochemical Characterization and Mineralogical Assemblage of Burhi-Dihing and Noa-Dihing—The Largest South Bank Tributaries of the Brahmaputra River. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution 13(4): 13-24.

Link:
https://content.iospress.com/articles/asian-journal-of-water-environment-and-pollution/ajw160034