Climatic and landscape controls on water transit times and silicate mineral weathering in the critical zone

Abstract

The critical zone (CZ) can be conceptualized as an open system reactor that is continually transforming energy and water fluxes into an internal structural organization and dissipative products. In this study, we test a controlling factor on water transit times (WTT) and mineral weathering called Effective Energy and Mass Transfer (EEMT). We hypothesize that EEMT, quantified based on local climatic variables, can effectively predict WTT within-and mineral weathering products from-the CZ. This study tests whether EEMT or static landscape characteristics are good predictors of WTT, aqueous phase solutes, and silicate weathering products. Our study site is located around Redondo Peak, a rhyolitic volcanic resurgent dome, in northern New Mexico. At Redondo Peak, springs drain slopes along an energy gradient created by differences in terrain aspect. This investigation uses major solute concentrations, the calculated mineral mass undergoing dissolution, and the age tracer tritium and relates them quantitatively to EEMT and landscape characteristics. We found significant correlations between EEMT, WTT, and mineral weathering products. Significant correlations were observed between dissolved weathering products (Na 1 and DIC), 3 H concentrations, and maximum EEMT. In contrast, landscape characteristics such as contributing area of spring, slope gradient, elevation, and flow path length were not as effective predictive variables of WTT, solute concentrations, and mineral weathering products. These results highlight the interrelationship between landscape, hydrological, and biogeochemical processes and suggest that basic climatic data embodied in EEMT can be used to scale hydrological and hydrochemical responses in other sites.

Storage, mixing, and fluxes of water in the critical zone across northern environments inferred by stable isotopes of soil water

“…Our soil water samples at the plot scale support the interpretation of catchment scale isotope studies in northern latitudes and/or regions with snow cover (Jasechko, Wassenaar, & Mayer, ; Scheliga, Tetzlaff, Nuetzmann, & Soulsby, ; Sprenger, Tetzlaff, Tunaley, Dick, & Soulsby, ; Zapata‐Rios et al, ) that the most intense recharge of groundwater occurs from waters depleted in heavy isotopes such as snowmelt (Dry Creek, Dorset, Krycklan, Wolf Creek) and winter rainfall (Bruntland Burn). At Dry Creek, the soil pores get filled during the snowmelt in early spring, and this melt water stays in the soil over the summer, because little precipitation occurs then.…”

The global distribution of Earth's critical zone and its controlling factors

“…Based on the thermodynamic theory, Rasmussen et al [] developed an integrated framework to quantify effective energy and mass fluxes into the critical zone. Previous research [ Chorover et al , ; Rasmussen et al , ; Zapata‐Rios et al , ] has validated that the quantification of EEMT can predict the structure and function of the CZ. For example, Zapata‐Rios et al [] found good correlations between EEMT, mineral weathering, and water transit times.…”

“…Previous research [ Chorover et al , ; Rasmussen et al , ; Zapata‐Rios et al , ] has validated that the quantification of EEMT can predict the structure and function of the CZ. For example, Zapata‐Rios et al [] found good correlations between EEMT, mineral weathering, and water transit times. This study proves the value of EEMT in reflecting CZ thickness (see Table ): EEMT explains 19% of the variance in GWT, 6.3% in WTD, 5.1% in CZT, and 2.7% in the underground part (CZTsub); E BIO also plays important roles, e.g., it explains 8.8% of the variance in GWT and 8.4% in WTD.…”

Mapping Tree Density in Forests of the Southwestern USA Using Landsat 8 Data

“…Elevation ranges from about 1700 m to 3370 m (Redondo Peak), and the climate is generally semi-arid to continental [61]. Mean annual precipitation over the past 31 years (1981-2012), based on the nearest Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) station (Quemazon station; located 13 km northeast of Redondo Peak), is 711 mm equally contributed by summer monsoon rainfall and wintertime snowfall [62]. …”