Use of 234U/238U disequilibrium in measuring chemical weathering rate of rocks

Abstract

The rate of chemical weathering of rocks has been determined by using uranium as a natural isotopic tracer. The concentration of uranium and 234U/238U ratio in natural waters, rocks, and soils of the Preto river basin (Bahia State, Brazil) was measured by alpha-ray spectroscopy. The activity ratio U234/U238 measured in the various samples indicates the uranium fraction which is dissolved from rocks during the weathering process. The results obtained show that 1 m of rock needs 25,000 yr to be weathered in this region under present climatic conditions.