Construction of the petrogeochemical map of 76 elements in the exposed crust across the Chinese continent: Methods, challenges, and prospects
LIU Dong-Sheng1,2(), CHEN Yuan-Yuan3, CHI Qing-Hua1,2
1. Key Laboratory of Geochemical Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Langfang 065000, China 2. UNESCO International Centre on Global-Scale Geochemistry, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, Langfang 065000, China 3. Hebei Regional Geological Survey Institute, Langfang 065000, China
The exposed crust is the critical interface where the lithosphere interacts with the pedosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The petrogeochemical map of the exposed crust can provide essential fundamental geochemical data for investigating the distributions and cycles of elements among different spheres. However, the plotting of the large-scale petrogeochemical map of the exposed crust has been constrained by the limited data volume and mapping technology. Consequently, no such a map covering the Chinese continent is available. This study proposed an innovative mapping technology roadmap based on over 16,000 petrogeochemical data and fundamental geological information. First, the databases for petrogeochemical information, stratigraphic structure information, and spatial information of geological units were constructed. Second, the geospatial information of strata and rock masses was extracted from the basic databases. Third, the petrogeochemical information was assigned to strata and rock masses to obtain their spatial distributions and element contents. Fourth, the spatial distribution patterns of 76 elements in the exposed crust were visualized using geographical information system (GIS) technology. Additionally, this study analyzed the challenges in the mapping process, including geological information accuracy, the lack of samples for special lithologies, reliability assessment, and scope of application, finally proposing corresponding solutions. The petrogeochemical map of the exposed crust demonstrates significant application potential, providing foundational data for investigating geochemical background and rock-sediment element cycling.
刘东盛, 陈圆圆, 迟清华. 中国陆域出露地壳76种元素岩石地球化学图的构建——方法、问题与展望[J]. 物探与化探, 2025, 49(5): 1008-1017.
LIU Dong-Sheng, CHEN Yuan-Yuan, CHI Qing-Hua. Construction of the petrogeochemical map of 76 elements in the exposed crust across the Chinese continent: Methods, challenges, and prospects. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2025, 49(5): 1008-1017.
National Academies of Sciences,Engineering,and Medicine. A vision for NSF earth sciences 2020—2030:Earth in time[M]. Washington,D. C.:The National Academies Press, 2020.
[2]
Gray J M, Bishop T F A, Wilford J R. Lithology and soil relationships for soil modelling and mapping[J]. Catena, 2016,147:429-440.
[3]
Dinelli E, Lima A, De Vivo B, et al. Hydrogeochemical analysis on Italian bottled mineral waters:Effects of geology[J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2010, 107(3):317-335.
[4]
Snæbjörnsdóttir S Ó, Sigfússon B, Marieni C, et al. Carbon dioxide storage through mineral carbonation[J]. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 2020, 1(2):90-102.
[5]
Deng K, Yang S Y, Guo Y L. A global temperature control of silicate weathering intensity[J]. Nature Communications, 2022,13:1781.
[6]
Fang Q, Lu A H, Hong H L, et al. Mineral weathering is linked to microbial priming in the critical zone[J]. Nature Communications, 2023,14:345.
[7]
Wei X, Bai X Y, Wen X F, et al. A large and overlooked Cd source in karst areas:The migration and origin of Cd during soil formation and erosion[J]. Science of The Total Environment, 2023,895:165126.
[8]
Huang J H, Huang F, Evans L, et al. Vanadium:Global (bio)geochemistry[J]. Chemical Geology, 2015,417:68-89.
[9]
Wang X, Liu X, Wang W. National-scale distribution and its influence factors of calcium concentrations in Chinese soils from the China Global Baselines Project[J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2022,233:106907.
[10]
Wang W, Wang X, Zhang B, et al. Concentrations and spatial distribution of chlorine in the pedosphere in China:Based on the China Geochemical Baselines Project[J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2022,242:107089.
[11]
Wen Y, Li W, Yang Z, et al. Enrichment and source identification of Cd and other heavy metals in soils with high geochemical background in the karst region,Southwestern China[J]. Chemosphere, 2020,245:125620.
[12]
Miller H J. Tobler's first law and spatial analysis[J]. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 2004, 94(2):284-289.
Liu D S, Chi Q H, Wang X Q, et al. Evaluation of factors influencing cobalt content in sediments of the hydrological system in the South China-West Qinling geological corridor[J]. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2023, 97(5):1-15.
[18]
Ye Z Q, Huang T Z, Deng C K. Spatial database of 1∶2,500,000 digital geologic map of people's republic of China[J]. Acta of Geoscientific Data & Discovery, 2017, 44(S1):24-31.
Pang J F, Ding X Z, Han K Y, et al. 1∶100 million digital geological map spatial database of the People's Republic of China[J]. Geological China, 2017, 44(S1):8-18.
Ren J S. A new generation of geological map of China—Geological map of China and adjacent areas (1∶5,000,000) with brief explanation:China's tectonics in a global perspective[J]. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2003, 24(1):1-2.
Yuan Q Y, Li Y C, Wu L, et al. Construction method of geological map spatial database of People's Republic of China (1∶1.5 million)[J]. Geological Journal, 2024, 48(1):68-75.
[23]
Zheng X, Liu Y. Mechanisms of element precipitation in carbonatite-related rare-earth element deposits:Evidence from fluid inclusions in the Maoniuping deposit,Sichuan Province,southwestern China[J]. Ore Geology Reviews, 2019,107:218-238.
[24]
Aranha M, Porwal A, Sundaralingam M, et al. Rare earth elements associated with carbonatite-alkaline complexes in western Rajasthan,India:Exploration targeting at regional scale[J]. Solid Earth, 2022, 13(3):497-518.
[25]
Orberger B, van der Ent A. Nickel laterites as sources of nickel,cobalt and scandium:Increasing resource efficiency through new geochemical and biological insights[J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2019,204:297-299.
Xie X J, Ren T X, Xi X H, et al. The implementation of the regional geochemistry-national reconnaissance program(RGNR) in China in the past thirty years[J]. Acta Geoscientica Sinica, 2009, 30(6):700-716.
[27]
de Caritat P, Cooper M. A continental-scale geochemical atlas for resource exploration and environmental management:The national geochemical survey of Australia[J]. Geochemistry:Exploration, Environment,Analysis, 2016, 16(1):3-13.
[28]
Ottesen R T, Bogen J, Bølviken B, et al. Overbank sediment:A representative sample medium for regional geochemical mapping[J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 1989, 32(1-3):257-277.
Cheng H X, Xie X J. Research on the representativeness of ultra-low-density sampling of floodplain sediments (1)[J]. Journal of Changchun Institute of Geology, 1997, 27(3):289-95.
[30]
Bølviken B, Bogen J, Jartun M, et al. Overbank sediments:A natural bed blending sampling medium for large-scale geochemical mapping[J]. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 2004, 74(1):183-199.
[31]
Gong Q J, Deng J, Jia Y J, et al. Empirical equations to describe trace element behaviors due to rock weathering in China[J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2015,152:110-117.
[32]
Stolar D, Roe G, Willett S. Controls on the patterns of topography and erosion rate in a critical orogen[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research:Earth Surface, 2007, 112(F4):2006JF000713.
[33]
Lipp A G, Roberts G G, Whittaker A C, et al. River sediment geochemistry as a conservative mixture of source regions:Observations and predictions from the cairngorms,UK[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research:Earth Surface, 2020, 125(12):e2020JF005700.
Li Y C, Wang Y Z, Chen Y Y, et al. Intelligent geological mapping:A novel pattern for smart geological compilation[J]. Geological Bulletin of China, 2020, 39(6):861-870.
Wang T, Tong Y, Ding Y, et al. Preliminary construction and application of DDE-database of igneous rocks[J]. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 2024, 40(3):873-888.
[36]
Reimann C, Garrett R G. Geochemical background—Concept and reality[J]. Science of The Total Environment, 2005, 350(1-3):12-27.
[37]
Gong Q J, Zhang G X, Zhang J, et al. Behavior of REE fractionation during weathering of dolomite regolith profile in southwest China[J]. Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition, 2010, 84(6):1439-1447.
[38]
Garzanti E, Resentini A. Provenance control on chemical indices of weathering[J]. Sedimentary Geology, 2016,336:81-95.
[39]
Guo Y L, Yang S Y, Deng K. Disentangle the hydrodynamic sorting and lithology effects on sediment weathering signals[J]. Chemical Geology, 2021,586:120607.
[40]
Carranza E J M. Analysis and mapping of geochemical anomalies using logratio-transformed stream sediment data with censored values[J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2011, 110(2):167-185.
[41]
Collins A L, Blackwell M, Boeckx P, et al. Sediment source fingerprinting:Benchmarking recent outputs,remaining challenges and emerging themes[J]. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2020, 20(12):4160-4193.
doi: 10.1007/s11368-020-02755-4
pmid: 33239964
[42]
Harris J R, Grunsky E C. Predictive lithological mapping of Canada's North using Random Forest classification applied to geophysical and geochemical data[J]. Computers & Geosciences, 2015,80:9-25.
Guo Z J, Kong M, Zhang H, et al. Landscape division suitable for geochemical exploration[J]. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 2015, 39(1):12-15.
[44]
Hilton R G, West A J. Mountains, erosion and the carbon cycle[J]. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 2020, 1(6):284-299.
Wang X Q. The initiative for international cooperation project of "Mapping Chemical Earth" for sustaining global resources and environments[J]. Geology in China, 2017, 44(1):201-202.
