A lateritização no Sudeste do Amazonas

Abstract

This study discusses textural, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics along with the topography of the bauxite, Fe-rich, and siliceous Fe-Al duricrusts and soils in the Apuí region between the Aripuanã and Sucunduri rivers, southeast Amazon. Between 20 and 140 masl, sedimentary and volcanic rocks are the dominant units in valleys, cliffs, and hills whereas in the 140-200 and 200-320 m contours, siliceous Fe-Al and bauxite, and Fe-rich duricrusts are respectively observed in plateaus and hills. Bauxites are massive and pisolitic; Fe-rich duricrusts are massive, pisolitic, vermiform (worm-like corrosion), and locally brecciated; siliceous Fe-Al duricrusts are predominately brecciated and vermiform with subordinate pisolitic facies. Based on Eu/Eu*, Ce/Ce* and [TiO2(%)/Nb(ppm)]*1000 vs ETRL data, the parent units of the duricrusts were determined as: the Colíder Group's volcanics for the massive bauxite; the Alto Tapajós Group's siltstones and sandstones for the pisolitic bauxite, Fe-rich and siliceous Fe-Al duricrusts. Three main groups were identified based on textural and geochemical associations: 1) Ba and Rb association reflecting high contents of feldspar, micas, kaolinite, and illite - sandstone, siltstone, and volcanic subgroups; 2) Al2O3, PF, TiO2, Th, Ga, Ta, Hf, Zr, Nb, U, Y, Sr e ETR association in soils reflecting high contents of gibbsite, anatase, and zircon - this is the bauxite group (except for B1C type); 3) Fe2O3, V, Pb, Cu, Ag, Sc, and As association marked by high contents of hematite and goethite - this is the pisolitic bauxite (B1C), Fe-rich, and siliceous Fe-Al duricrusts group. Preservation of the duricrusts in highly dissected topography along with thin soils typical of southeast Amazon is possibly facilitated by proximity to large rivers, such as the Aripuanã and Sucunduri rivers, tributaries to the Madeira River, which promote erosion, and formation of truncated profiles and stone lines due to neotectonics.