Vertical distribution of some elements in typical weathering-soil profiles of granite in Guangdong Province

Abstract：Two granite weathering profiles developed in the south of Guangdong Province were studied in this paper. The concentrations of some major and heavy metal elements were determined by the authors. It can be concluded that the soil-forming process of the study area is a continual process of losing Na, Mg, K and Ca,the soil has been highly weathered, and the variation trend of heavy metal concentrations in two profiles is consistent with that of the major elements. It is also held that the eluviation of the two studied soil profiles is strong , the eluvial horizon has reached up to 200cm and the illuvial horizon is between 100 and 300cm in depth in the two soil profiles. In the illuvial horizon, with the precipitation of new minerals of the major elements (Ca, K, Na, Mg etc.), the heavy metal elements (such as As, Cd, Pb, Zn and Ni )are also relatively concentrated. These characteristics are of great significance in studying the cause of the phenomenon that the concentrations of As, Pb in deep soil are higher than those in top soil in Guangdong.