Geochemical data from granite and basalt weathering profiles in Kuantan, Malaysia.

This dataset tests the hypothesis that parent lithology exerts first-order control on tropical weathering pathways and REE fractionation under identical climatic conditions. It contains geochemical data from adjacent Permian granite and Pleistocene basalt profiles.

Key Findings:

Granite profiles show heterogeneous weathering, significant REE enrichment, and extreme positive Ce anomalies (>135) indicating redox-controlled fractionation.

Basalt profiles exhibit uniform lateritization with near-total silica loss, REE depletion, and subdued Ce anomalies, reflecting a leaching-dominated regime.

Methods:

23 samples from 7 profiles collected at 1.5m vertical intervals

Major elements by XRF on lithium borate fusion beads

Trace elements/REEs by ICP-MS (Agilent 7900)

Weathering indices (CIA, MIA, IOL) and REE anomalies calculated

Data Interpretation:

Use molar proportions for weathering indices: CIA = [Al₂O₃/(Al₂O₃+CaO+Na₂O+K₂O)]×100

REE anomalies: Ce/Ce* = Ceₙ/√(Laₙ×Prₙ); Eu/Eu* = Euₙ/√(Smₙ×Gdₙ)

Compare vertical trends: granite shows variable fractionation; basalt shows systematic depletion

Reuse Potential:

Comparative studies of lithological control on weathering

Modeling of REE fractionation during pedogenesis

Benchmark for tropical soil geochemistry studies

Related Publication: [Title: Lithological control on pedogenesis and REE fractionation in tropical weathering profiles: A comparative study of granite and basalt in Kuantan, Peninsular Malaysia. Authors: Azmiah Jamil, Azman A Ghani, Ahmad Sheeqal Shah Abdul Samad, Nur Chitra Dewi Mohamad Noor, Muzammil Shahjamal, Amira Fahira Masor, Journal: CATENA (under review)]

License: CC-BY 4.0

Formats: .xlsx (tabular data)