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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1983; v. 11; p. 167-178;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1983.011.01.17
© 1983 Geological Society of London

Duricrusts: Calcretes, Silcretes and Gypcretes

Geochemistry of weathering profile silcretes, southern Cape Province, South Africa

M. A. Summerfield

Department of Geography, University of Edinburgh, Drummond Street, Edinburgh EH8 9XP

Silcrete of Cenozoic age associated with deep weathering profiles occurs on residual surfaces along the coastal belt of southern Cape Province. Petrographic and geochemical evidence indicates loss of aluminium and enrichment of silica and titanium during silcrete formation. Silica released locally within the weathering profile was apparently precipitated in a zone of restricted drainage close to the water-table where a low pH environment allowed the removal of aluminium and the migration and concentration of titanium. Silcrete formation probably occurred in a humid tropical or subtropical environment with minimal local relief.