1. Erosion modulates the effect of chemical weathering on atmospheric pCO2, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
- Author
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Lu, Heping, Luo, Han, Zhong, Jun, Xu, Sen, Ma, Tingting, and Li, Si-Liang
- Subjects
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ATMOSPHERIC carbon dioxide , *WEATHERING , *WATER chemistry , *SULFUR isotopes , *WATERSHEDS - Abstract
Chemical weathering plays an important role in modulating Earth's climate. However, chemical weathering is usually influenced by multiple factors simultaneously (e.g., climate, topography and lithology), and it is difficult to understand how these variables modulate the effect of chemical weathering on atmospheric p CO 2. In this study, we collected and analyzed water chemistry and multiple isotopes (δ34S SO4 , δ18O SO4 and δ18O H2O) in the Bailong River catchment to decipher how these variables influence chemical weathering and its effect on atmospheric p CO 2. We used the Monte Carlo inversion model to partition the sources of major cations and SO 4 2 − , and the results reveal that carbonate weathering is the dominant source contributing cations in river. Sulfide oxidation is the most important source for SO 4 2 − and a supply-limited process that is highly dependent on slope. We thus think slope is main factor modulating the effect of chemical weathering on atmospheric p CO 2. Steep slope increases sulfide oxidation rate by elevating erosion, resulting in chemical weathering acting as a CO 2 source. In contrast, gentle slope could facilitate a thick regolith that contributes long-term silicate weathering and limits sulfide oxidation, resulting in chemical weathering acting as a CO 2 sink. And it has been found that the influence of temperature on chemical weathering becomes progressively pronounced with increasing altitude. This study investigated sulfide weathering in eroding Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, highlighting the geomorphologically controlled CO 2 effects of chemical weathering. • There is significant spatial heterogeneity in climate, topography and lithology, influencing rock weathering in the Bailong River. • Sulfide oxidation is the most important source for SO 4 2 − , and the contribution of sulfide oxidation to SO 4 2 − is highly dependent on slope. • Slope is the main factor modulating the effect of rock weathering on atmospheric p CO 2. • The effect of temperature on rock weathering becomes progressively more pronounced with increasing altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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