Dissolved silica in the Garonne River waters: changes in the weathering dynamics

Abstract

The major ion chemistry of the Garonne River is indicative of seasonal variations in the weathering dynamics of the drainage basin. Using the geochemical model MEGA for calculation of the contribution of atmospheric CO2 to the total bicarbonate fluxes exported by the Garonne River allows estimations of the concentrations of the major dissolved elements that originate from silicate- and carbonate-rock weathering. The molecular ratio SiO2/Al2O3 was calculated for the 1989–1992 period to identify the main type of weathering in the Garonne River, and montmorillonite was shown to be the major mineral occurring in the weathering products. The seasonal variations of the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio also showed that removal of silica was accelerated during humid periods.