Onset of zircon decomposition during saprolitic weathering
Abstract
Zircon is conventionally considered as refractory in supergene environments, enabling the preservation of geochemical records for tracing various Earth’s processes and the use of the zircon structure as a nuclear waste form. However, how refractory zircon is during weathering, especially when crystalline and in an early stage of weathering, is unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that crystalline zircon would start to weather during an early-stage saprolitic weathering. Nano-scale examination reveals that weathering of zircon proceeds through dissolution of primary, crystalline zircon and precipitation of secondary, amorphous zircon. Non-formula elements, like U, Th and heavy rare earth elements, are uptake and structurally incorporated in this process. Thereby, metamictisation of the zircon would accelerate and eventually promote the dissolution of zircon. In supergene environments, zircon would steadily weather, calling for further evaluation on the geological and environmental applications of zircon.
Related
- Mineral-specific ligand and redox dynamics of adsorbed platinum: Pathway-dependent mobility during terrestrial weathering
- Monazite versus zircon U–Pb geochronology of leucogranites: A case study from the Yeongnam Massif, Korea
- Neogene birth of the Yangtze River: a synthesis of zircon U-Pb provenance data
- Crystallographically coherent open-system transformation of zircon in a mid-crustal shear zone
- New Tonian-Ediacaran zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes from arc-related magmatism with adakite-like signatures in the Araçuaí-Ribeira Orogenic System (SE-Brazil): Implications for early Western Gondwana assembly
BibTeX
@article{li2026onset,
title = {{Onset of zircon decomposition during saprolitic weathering}},
author = {Martin Yan Hei Li and Mei-Fu Zhou},
journal = {Communications Earth \& Environment},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s43247-026-04140-4},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-026-04140-4},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Onset of zircon decomposition during saprolitic weathering
AU - Martin Yan Hei Li
AU - Mei-Fu Zhou
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/10
JO - Communications Earth & Environment
DO - 10.1038/s43247-026-04140-4
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-026-04140-4
AB - Zircon is conventionally considered as refractory in supergene environments, enabling the preservation of geochemical records for tracing various Earth’s processes and the use of the zircon structure as a nuclear waste form. However, how refractory zircon is during weathering, especially when crystalline and in an early stage of weathering, is unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that crystalline zircon would start to weather during an early-stage saprolitic weathering. Nano-scale examination reveals that weathering of zircon proceeds through dissolution of primary, crystalline zircon and precipitation of secondary, amorphous zircon. Non-formula elements, like U, Th and heavy rare earth elements, are uptake and structurally incorporated in this process. Thereby, metamictisation of the zircon would accelerate and eventually promote the dissolution of zircon. In supergene environments, zircon would steadily weather, calling for further evaluation on the geological and environmental applications of zircon.
SN - 2662-4435
ER -