The concentration of rare earth elements (REE) in some weathering profiles in South China shows that REE is distributed vertically in a parabolic form. The fractionation between LREE and HREE and that between Ce

Eu and other rare earth elements are obvious in the profiles. The HREE has a stronger ability to move downward and therefore is more enriched in the middle to lower parts of the profiles

whereas the LREE tends to be more enriched or depleted in the profiles. The distribution of Ce anomaly in the profiles is contrary to that of REE. The positive Ce anomaly is apparent in the surface layers of the profiles and Ce is depleted in the completely weathering layers. Eu anomaly tends to increase from the lower to the upper parts of the weathering profiles. The main effecting factors on the mobility and fractionation of REE include the distribution of REE in the original rocks

mineralogical assemblages of the weathering crusts

Ph value

oxidization reduction conditions

rain and underground water and organisms in the profiles.