Impacts of rock properties on Danxia landform formation based on lithological experiments at Kongtongshan National Geopark, northwest China
Authors: Haibin Zhu
Hua Peng
Zhixin Pan
Journal: PLoS ONE (2019)
Discipline: Multidisciplinary
Keywords: Danxia landform; lithologic properties; formation processes; Kongtongshan National Geopark; experiments
Affiliations: School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China., School of Tourism, Hainan University, Haikou, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  As an erosional landform, the formation processes of Danxia landform are controlled by internal and external forces as well as lithologic properties. Using field data, we studied the role of lithologic properties on the formation of Danxia landform in Kongtongshan National Geopark, northwest China, through a series of experiments, including uniaxial compressive strength, identification analysis under polarizing microscope, X-ray diffraction analysis, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the diagenesis degree, mineral composition, cement composition, degree of cementation, geochemical composition and element contents, and micro-structure influenced the structure and anti-weathering and anti-erosion abilities of the Danxia rock mass. Differential weathering of rock in different environments was an important force shaping the different types of Danxia landform. Weathering failure of the Danxia rock mass was the result of multiple combined factors; as well as lithology, other factors, such as those induced during tectonic uplift (i.e., faulting, jointing, and fracturing) and climate, cannot be neglected. Therefore, lithology played an important role in the structural development of Danxia landform, and different lithologies influenced its weathering rate and formation processes. Our findings can provide a reference for revealing the microscopic development of Danxia landform in arid and semi-arid areas. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 2019 retraction. https: journals.plos.org plosone article?id=10.1371 journal.pone.0223286 Following publication of this article [1], the corresponding author requested its retraction owing to the following issues: The map shown in Fig 2 was modified from [2] without permission, and the source of the image was not cited; The map shown in Fig 3 was modified from [3] without permission, and the source of the image was not cited; The photographs in Fig 4c and 4d were provided by the leader of the Administrative Committee of Kongtongshan and reproduced with permission from the copyright holder, but permission was not obtained in written form and the source of the images was not stated; Information reported in the u201cGeologic settingu201d section in [1] was previously described in section 2.3 of [3], and the source of this information was not cited; The reported X-ray diffraction (XRD) results in Fig 6 were not obtained from experiments carried out by the authors at Sun Yat-sen University as reported. The data, previously published in Figure 5.4 of [3], were provided to the corresponding author and used without permission and without citation; The reported scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs in Fig 7 were not obtained from experiments carried out by the authors at Sun Yat-sen University as reported. The images, previously published in Figure 5.8 of [3], were provided to the corresponding author and used without permission and without citation; The reported inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis in Table 3 was not carried out by the authors at Sun Yat-sen University as reported. The reported data are from [3] and were used without permission and without citation. The corresponding author has indicated that XRD and SEM experiments were carried out by the authors at Sun Yat-sen University, but that the images and data previously published in [3] were used in place of the data that were collected by the authors. The corresponding author apologizes for misusing data from othersu2019 research and failing to follow academic standards in publication ethics. In view of the misrepresentation of the results and data reported in [1], the PLOS ONE Editors and the authors retract this article. Figs 2, 3, 4c, 4d, 6, and 7 report material which are not offered under a CC-BY license and are therefore excluded from this articleu2019s [1] license. At the time of retraction, the article [1] was republished to note this exclusion in the legends of Figs 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, and in the articleu2019s copyright statement. HZ, ZP agreed with the retraction. HP is deceased. References 1.Zhu H, Peng H, Pan Z (2019) Impacts of rock properties on Danxia landform formation based on lithological experiments at Kongtongshan National Geopark, northwest China. PLoS ONE 14(1): e0210604. https: doi.org 10.1371 journal.pone.0210604 pmid:30673743 2.u9f50 u5fb7u5229, u9648 u81f4u5747, u738b u968fu7ee7, u7b49. u5d06u5cd2u5c71u4e39u971eu5730u8c8cu5730u5c42u5f52u5c5eu6f14u5316u53cau5730u8c8cu5e74u9f84 [J]. u5c71u5730u5b66u62a5, ISSN 1008-2786, 2015, 33(4): 408u2013415. 3.Ke, Y. Lithology Characteristics of Kongtong Mountain and Development Mechanism of Danxia Landform. Masteru2019s Thesis, Lanzhou University. 2017. Available from: https: kns.cnki.net KCMS detail detail.aspx?dbcode=CMFD dbname=CMFD201801 filename=1017715790.nh v=MTU0OTRFYlBJUjhlWDFMdXhZUzdEaDFUM3FUcldNMUZyQ1VSTE9mWWVadUZ5M2dVN3ZQVkYyNkdiUzVHOWJGcjU= ,