Insights into agricultural influences and weathering processes from major ion patterns

Karst areas and their catchments pose a great challenge for protection because fast conduit flow results in low natural attenuation of anthropogenic contaminants. Studies of the hydrochemistry of karst sources and river solutes are an important tool for securing and managing water resources. A study of the geochemical downriver evolution of the Wiesent River and its tributaries, located in a typical karst terrain, revealed unexpected downstream decreases of nitrate with maximum mean values of 30 mg/L at the source to minimum values of 18 mg/L near the river mouth. This trend persisted over the length of the river even though increased agricultural activities are evident in the downstream section of the catchment. This pattern is caused by fertilizer inputs via diffusive and fast conduits flow from karst lithology in the upstream area that may have reached the river's source even from beyond the hydrological catchment boundaries. Further downstream, these influences became diluted by tributary inputs that drain subcatchments dominated by claystone and sandstone lithologies that increased potassium and sulphate concentrations. Our findings indicate that bedrock geology remains the dominant control on the major ion chemistry of the Wiesent River and that agricultural influences are strongest near the headwaters despite increased land use further downstream, due to long‐term storage and accumulation in karst aquifers. This feature may not be unique to the Wiesent River system, as carbonates cover significant portions of the Earth's surface and subsequent work in other river systems could establish whether such patterns are ubiquitous worldwide.     

Climate driven coevolution of weathering profiles and hillslope topography generates dramatic differences in critical zone architecture

Considerable debate revolves around the relative importance of rock type, tectonics, and climate in creating the architecture of the critical zone. We demonstrate the importance of climate and in particular the rate of water recharge to the subsurface, using numerical models that incorporate hydrologic flowpaths, chemical weathering, and geomorphic rules for soil production and transport. We track alterations in both solid phase (plagioclase to clay) and water chemistry along hydrologic flowpaths that include lateral flow beneath the water table. To isolate the role of recharge, we simulate dry and wet cases and prescribe identical landscape evolution rules. The weathering patterns that develop differ dramatically beneath the resulting parabolic interfluves. In the dry case, incomplete weathering is shallow and surface parallel, whereas in the wet case, intense weathering occurs to depths approximating the base of the bounding channels, well below the water table. Exploration of intermediate cases reveals that the weathering state of the subsurface is strongly governed by the ratio of the rate of advance of the weathering front itself controlled by the water input rate, and the rate of erosion of the landscape. The system transitions between these end‐member behaviours rather abruptly at a weathering front speed ‐ erosion rate ratio of approximately 1. Although there are undoubtedly direct roles for tectonics and rock type in critical zone architecture, and yet more likely feedbacks between these and climate, we show here that differences in hillslope‐scale weathering patterns can be strongly controlled by climate.     

Hydrological regulation of chemical weathering and dissolved inorganic carbon biogeochemical processes in a monsoonal river

To better understand the mechanisms relating to hydrological regulations of chemical weathering processes and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) behaviours, high-frequency sampling campaigns and associated analyses were conducted in the Yu River, South China. Hydrological variability modifies the biogeochemical processes of dissolved solutes, so major ions display different behaviours in response to discharge change. Most ions become diluted with increasing discharge because of the shortened reactive time between rock and water under high-flow conditions. Carbonate weathering is the main source of major ions, which shows strong chemostatic behaviour in response to changes in discharge. Ions from silicate weathering exhibit a significant dilution effect relative to the carbonate-sourced ions. Under high temperatures, the increased soil CO₂ influx from the mineralisation of organic material shifts the negative carbon isotope ratios of DIC (δ¹³C_DIC) during the high-flow season. The δ¹³C_DIC values show a higher sensitivity than DIC contents in response to various hydrological conditions. Results from a modified isotope-mixing model (IsoSource) demonstrate that biological carbon is a dominant source of DIC and plays an important role in temporal carbon dynamics. Furthermore, this study provides insights into chemical weathering processes and carbon dynamics, highlighting the significant influence of hydrological variability to aid understanding of the global carbon cycle.     

Near‐surface hydraulic conductivity of northern hemisphere glaciers

The hydrology of near‐surface glacier ice remains a neglected aspect of glacier hydrology despite its role in modulating meltwater delivery to downstream environments. To elucidate the hydrological characteristics of this near‐surface glacial weathering crust, we describe the design and operation of a capacitance‐based piezometer that enables rapid, economical deployment across multiple sites and provides an accurate, high‐resolution record of near‐surface water‐level fluctuations. Piezometers were employed at 10 northern hemisphere glaciers, and through the application of standard bail–recharge techniques, we derive hydraulic conductivity (K) values from 0.003 to 3.519 m day^?1, with a mean of 0.185 ± 0.019 m day^?1. These results are comparable to those obtained in other discrete studies of glacier near‐surface ice, and for firn, and indicate that the weathering crust represents a hydrologically inefficient aquifer. Hydraulic conductivity correlated positively with water table height but negatively with altitude and cumulative short‐wave radiation since the last synoptic period of either negative air temperatures or turbulent energy flux dominance. The large range of K observed suggests complex interactions between meteorological influences and differences arising from variability in ice structure and crystallography. Our data demonstrate a greater complexity of near‐surface ice hydrology than hitherto appreciated and support the notion that the weathering crust can regulate the supraglacial discharge response to melt production. The conductivities reported here, coupled with typical supraglacial channel spacing, suggest that meltwater can be retained within the weathering crust for at least several days. Not only does this have implications for the accuracy of predictive meltwater run‐off models, but we also argue for biogeochemical processes and transfers that are strongly conditioned by water residence time and the efficacy of the cascade of sediments, impurities, microbes, and nutrients to downstream ecosystems. Because continued atmospheric warming will incur rising snowline elevations and glacier thinning, the supraglacial hydrological system may assume greater importance in many mountainous regions, and consequently, detailing weathering crust hydraulics represents a research priority because the flow path it represents remains poorly constrained.     

柴达木盆地西北部长垄状雅丹沉积物地球化学元素组成及指示意义

雅丹沉积物蕴含丰富的区域环境变化和物源演变信息。以柴达木盆地西北部的长垄状雅丹为研究对象,通过对地球化学元素的研究,探讨沉积物的化学风化特征及其对物质输移的指示意义。结果表明：（1）雅丹沉积物的常量元素以SiO₂、CaO、Al₂O₃、MgO和Na₂O为主,微量元素Cl、Sr、Ba和Zr含量较高。相较于上陆壳平均化学元素组成,雅丹沉积物常量元素CaO和MgO富集程度较高,微量元素中Cl和As富集程度较高。（2）雅丹沉积物的CIA值平均为39.03,且在A-CN-K三角图上准平行于A-CN连线,主体在斜长石与钾长石连线的下方,因此雅丹沉积物的化学风化程度较低,处于初期的脱Na、Ca阶段。（3）特征元素比值表明雅丹体内赋存的大量细颗粒物质为廊道流沙的源区。细颗粒物质经过外营力的风化、剥蚀等过程而出露,在雅丹廊道内堆积并向下风向输移,遇阻堆积而形成沙丘。雅丹是否为下风向黄土的物源区,尚需进一步验证。     

汉江上游黄土常量元素地球化学特征及区域对比

本文对汉江上游黄土的常量元素含量及相关地球化学参数CIA、Na/K、淋溶系数、退碱系数、残积系数等进行了系统分析。结果显示：① 汉江黄土的主要化学成分为SiO₂、Al₂O₃和Fe₂O₃,三者含量总和达767.3 g/kg;常量元素含量大小排序为SiO₂>Al₂O₃>Fe₂O₃>K₂O>MgO>Na₂O>CaO。风化成壤过程中Na、Ca、Mg、Si发生不同程度的迁移淋溶,而Fe、Al、K相对富集。② 其风化成壤强度呈现从马兰黄土L₁→过渡性黄土L_t→古土壤S₀逐渐升高、全新世黄土L₀又降低的规律,记录了该区域气候经历了末次冰期（55.0-15.0 ka BP）冷干、早全新世（15.0-8.5 ka BP）增温增湿、中全新世（8.5-3.1 ka BP）达到最暖湿,晚全新世（3.1-0.0 ka BP）降温变干的演变过程。③ 汉江黄土与洛川、巫山、下蜀黄土的元素组合特征高度一致,不同地区常量元素（CaO除外）含量十分接近且UCC标准化值变幅均小于0.25,这暗示了它们风化之初具有相似的风成沉积基础;但不同区域黄土的化学风化强度差异明显,大致呈现洛川黄土<汉江黄土<巫山黄土<下蜀黄土的趋势,与中国现代季风气候的空间变化规律相吻合,即不同地区黄土风化程度差异主要是东亚季风变化影响的结果。     

大陆风化与全球气候变化

:“构造隆升驱动气候变化”的假说是当前解释新生代以来全球气候变冷的主流观点。该假说把新生代以来发生的几个主要现象 ,即全球气候总体上趋冷 ,大气 CO2 浓度下降 ,海洋 87Sr/ 86Sr比值上升 ,以及构造作用引起的大面积隆升等加以有机的联系 ,给以了合理的解释。近几年围绕大陆风化和全球气候变化问题取得了一些新的进展 ,主要是对发源于喜马拉雅山的河流进行研究 ,探讨青藏高原隆起对于大陆风化速率的影响。这些争论主要是有关硅酸盐风化还是碳酸盐风化 ,有机碳的风化与埋藏 ,大陆风化与大气温度 ,大气 CO2 浓度与大气温度等问题。最后介绍了我国研究人员在黄土高原的黄土沉积地层所作的研究工作和取得的成果。     

青藏高原东部长江流域盆地地表化学剥蚀通量剥蚀速率大气CO2净消耗率研究

2000-2002年期间,笔者对青藏高原东部长江流域溶质载荷分别进行了取样分析并对流域盆地化学剥蚀通量、剥蚀速率和大气CO2净消耗率进行了计算。结果表明,流域盆地化学剥蚀速率以河源区楚玛尔河最高为2.34×10^6mol/a/km^2,沱沱河最低为1.40×10^6mol/a/km^2,四大支流雅砻江为1.69×10^6mol/a/km^2,金沙江为1.74×10^6mol/a/km^2,大渡河为1.57×10^6mol/a/km^2,岷江为1.88×10^6mol/a/km^2;流域盆地ФCO2估算结果以大渡河最高为101.81×10^3mol/a/km^2,楚玛尔河最低为7.55×10^3mol/a/km^2,金沙江为44.38×10^3mol/a/km^2,雅砻江为69.64×10^3mol/a/km^2,岷江为81.90×10^3mol/a/km^2,沱沱河为21.90×10^3mol/a/km2^。并对长江流域地表化学剥蚀速率主要控制因素进行了讨论。     

青藏高原的隆起与海洋锶同位素组成的演化

近年来,随着构造隆升驱动气候变化假说的提出,青藏高原的隆起受到越来越多的关注,并将之与大陆化学风化速率及海洋锶同位素的演化紧密联系。围绕青藏高原的隆升及其环境与气候效应,对海洋锶同位素组成的演化特征及其影响因素的较为全面而详细的论述表明:将青藏高原的隆升与全球气候变化、大陆化学风化速率及海洋锶同位素组成的演化相联系,也许是解决目前关于海洋锶同位素组成的演化及其物源问题的重要手段,根据海洋锶同位素的演化历史来研究全球气候变化规律及青藏高原的构造演化历史将是本研究领域的重点。     

Preliminary study on development characteristics of planation surface in Liaodong Peninsula

Planation surface is one that is associated with long-term stable tectonic environment of large scale landscape. The planation surface with the weathering crust as a whole to study is the main stream of modern planation surface research. The red weathering crust mainly is outcropped in the east and west of Liaodong Peninsula,and its thickness is around 4 m. In order to explore the properties,environment and development characteristics of the planation surface in Liaodong Peninsula,chemical elements and particle size characteristics of red weathering crust in this area were studied. The test results showed that the average value of CIA of the red weathering crust in the study area is 82.70,the average value of ba((Na₂O+K₂O+CaO+MgO)/Al₂O₃)is 0.39,the average value of S/A(SiO₂/Al₂O₃)is 4.86,and the average value of clay content is 8.31%. Compared with the red weathering crust of the karst area in the south of China,it has the characteristics of low leaching rate of salt base,low aluminization degree and weak viscosification. According to the regional geomorphologic features,the development of red weathering crust in the study area mainly went through four stages: (1)karst process was carried out in the whole rock mass above the base level of ancient erosion,and the geomorphologic fluctuation gradually increased;(2)geomorphologic fluctuation reached the maximum,and covered karst and gray weathering crust began to develop;(3)karst double-layer planation surface basically formed;(4)the development of gray weathering crust nearly stopped. With the tectonic movement,the gray weathering crust,which was originally located below the base level of ancient erosion,was all elevated above the base level of modern erosion to form red weathering crust. Therefore,the planation surface in the study area is ancient planation surface,and the development stage is lateralization stage. The results can provide a preliminary basis for revealing the neotectonic movement and sea level change in the Liaodong Peninsula from the Neogene to present.