Weathering rates and anthropogenic influences in a sedimentary basin, São Paulo State, Brazil

The weathering rate of rocks and chemical dynamics of the Corumbataí River basin, São Paulo State, Brazil, were evaluated using major elements as natural tracers. This basin has serious environmental problems in terms of quality of surface and rainwater, which affect the determination of weathering rate. The Corumbataí River, downstream from Rio Claro City, receives several elements/compounds through anthropogenic activities, with only K, SO42− and alkalinity yielding positive flux values. The negative flux of some anions/cations can be attributed to atmospheric loading mainly related to anthropogenic inputs, providing K a value of 16.7 ton/km−2a−1 for the material removed by weathering in the Corumbataí River basin. This is equivalent to 26×106 kg of rock being removed each year by the Corumbataí River. The instantaneous flux was found to be a function of discharge, with the majority of dry residue (dissolved load) being transported during the summer (wet) months. The removed material in Corumbataí River basin derives mainly from two sub-basins (Cabeças River and Passa Cinco River), where the sandstones weather more easily than siltstones and claystones in the basin.