CO2 drawdown from weathering is maximized at moderate erosion rates

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Bufe, Aaron; Rugenstein, Jeremy K. C.; Hovius, Niels
• 署名单位: University of Munich; Colorado State University System; Colorado State University Fort Collins; Helmholtz Association; Helmholtz-Center Potsdam GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences; University of Potsdam
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-13080
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adk0957
• 发表日期: 2024-03-08
• 页码: 1075-1080
• 关键词: major ion chemistry; atmospheric co2; physical erosion; organic-carbon; sulfide oxidation; torlesse terrane; soil production; river system; silicate; sulfur

摘要

Uplift and erosion modulate the carbon cycle over geologic timescales by exposing minerals to chemical weathering. However, the erosion sensitivity of mineral weathering remains difficult to quantify. Solute-chemistry datasets from mountain streams in different orogens isolate the impact of erosion on silicate weathering-a carbon dioxide (CO2) sink-and coupled sulfide and carbonate weathering-a CO2 source. Contrasting erosion sensitivities of these reactions produce a CO2-drawdown maximum at erosion rates of similar to 0.07 millimeters per year. Thus, landscapes with moderate uplift rates bolster Earth's inorganic CO2 sink, whereas more rapid uplift decreases or even reverses CO2 sequestration. This concept of an erosion optimum for CO2 drawdown reconciles conflicting views on the impact of mountain building on the carbon cycle and permits estimates of geologic CO2 fluxes dependent upon tectonic changes.