Metal enrichment in bauxites by deposition of chemically mature aeolian dust

Mass-balance equations applied to chemical analyses of a bauxite weathering profile in Western Australia show quantitatively that the ore-grade enrichment of aluminium is due to accumulation of aeolian dust derived elsewhere from chemically mature soils. This finding challenges the prevalent view of bauxite genesis by simple in situ residual enrichment and suggests that regional dust trajectories may serve as a genetic link between laterites, bauxites, heavy mineral beach sands, and clay-enriched marine sediments.