Constraining the physical–chemical conditions of Pleistocene cavernous weathering in Late Paleozoic granites

Abstract

Cavernous weathering such as tafoni, alveoles and honeycomb structures have been recorded from a great variety of bedrocks and landforms. In the present study cavernous weathering from late Variscan granites was discussed as to its physical–chemical regime of formation. U/Pb dating yielded a maximum age of 1.52 ± 0.03 Ma. Supergene U mineralization is accompanied by kaolinite, nontronite and Fe(III) phosphates. Based upon Eh–pH diagrams calculated for U–Fe–P mineralization the physical–chemical conditions may be described as oxidizing with pH values fluctuating around neutral at near-ambient temperatures of 25 °C. Alteration occurs in two stages: dissolution of rock-forming minerals and neoformation of hydrosilicates under mildly acidic conditions, followed by phosphate precipitation under near-neutral conditions.