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The mobility and distribution of heavy metals during the formation of first cycle red beds

January 1, 1983

Holocene-Pliocene sequence sampled in northern Baja California. Geochemical data supported by petrographic, X-ray, and SEM observations of mineralogical transformations, fission-track radiography, and uranium decay series measurements. Results indicate that metal content of the studied samples is inherited from constituent detrital minerals and that reddening of whole-rock samples does not promote major open-system migration of heavy metals. The amount of secondary iron oxides and the fraction of whole-rock metals associated with the oxides increase during red-bed development. Results suggest that developed red beds which are well flushed by suitable pore fluids may be sources of significant quantities of heavy metals.

Publication Year 1983
Title The mobility and distribution of heavy metals during the formation of first cycle red beds
DOI 10.2113/gsecongeo.78.8.1574
Authors R. A. Zielinski, S. Bloch, T.R. Walker
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Economic Geology
Index ID 70011101
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse