Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF BAUXITE-BEARING LATERITIC WEATHERING CRUSTS OF THE MESOZOIC FLOOD BASALTS ON THE TERRITORY OF GUINEA REPUBLIC

2020. №3, pp. 28-34

Kovaliv Yaroslav O. - Lomonosov Moscow State University, yarkovaliv26d@mail.ru

Tetroeva Sofya A. - Lomonosov Moscow State University, sofia.tetroeva@gmail.com

Nguniy Mbiao Derrick - Astrakhan State University, geologi2007@yandex.ru

Laterite weathering crusts are widespread in the Republic of Guinea. They cover vast areas of positive relief, absent only on steep slopes and in modern valley bottoms. Processes of laterite weathering are developing in almost all bedrocks and on reliefs of different ages, which in turn leads to the formation of various weathering products, which are associated with the main mineral resource potential of the country. The most important weathering products and minerals of Guinea are bauxite, the reserves of which the country is the leader in the world. This study presents the geological processes and characteristics of the regional distribution of the bauxite - bearing weathering crust in Guinea. Sequential processes of regional replacement of some minerals by others at each stage of the formation of the laterite weathering profile have been revealed. Four features are presented that indicate the eluvial, non - displaced origin of the weathering crust. This article can also serve as a practical guide for diagnosing one or another horizon of the bauxite - bearing laterite weathering profile for the main rocks. Bauxite - bearing laterite nappes can be developed over different parent substrates. In this study, we studied the regional profile of the weathering crust formed from basic rocks, since they are a favorable parent substrate for the formation of lateritic bauxites.

Key words: regional distribution, weathering products, vast expanses, laterite crusts, positive relief, weathering crust, eluvium, bedrock, sills and dikes, bedrock substrate, trap formations, modern valley bottoms, weathering product formation, upper and lower supr

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