Regolith Weathering and Sorption Influences Molybdenum, Vanadium, and Chromium Export via Stream Water at Four Granitoid Critical Zone Observatories

Abstract

Understanding the fate of oxyanions in the Critical Zone is important because of their biological significance and the potential for their use as geochemical tracers in terrestrial environments and subsurface systems. This study assessed the partitioning and transport of a suite of oxyanion metals (Mo, V, and Cr) in regolith profiles and stream waters from four granitoid Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs) (Boulder Creek, Calhoun, Luquillo, and Southern Sierra). For regolith profiles, we compared Mo, V, and Cr in total digestions and two extractions targeting oxyanions adsorbed to organic matter and amorphous oxides (H 2 O 2 + 0.1 M acetic acid) and secondary Fe oxides (citratebicarbonate-dithionite). Total Mo, V, and Cr ranged from 0.4 to 2.5 mg kg −1 , 16 to 208 mg kg −1 , and 0.2 to 55 mg kg −1 , respectively. The greatest concentrations of the oxyanions did not occur in surface soil samples, nor deepest regolith samples (7-10 m in depth), but instead in subsurface peaks that corresponded with secondary Fe oxides and total organic carbon. The average organic and amorphous oxide bound phase was 0.1-3.5% while the secondary Fe oxide fraction was 4-27% of the respective total concentrations for oxyanions, suggesting that secondary Fe oxides were an important phase across the regolith profile. Stream water Mo, V, and Cr concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.25 µg L −1 , 0.2 to 1.8 µg L −1 , and 0.08 to 0.44 µg L −1 , respectively. Our results demonstrate that the deep regolith (2-7 m in depth) play an active role in both sourcing and retention of oxyanions. In addition, we observed that increased weathering intensity at warmer, wetter climates does not always lead to increased depletion in regolith or stream water export, which implies the importance of transport processes within regolith. Further quantification of oxyanion export from regolith can aid in developing their use as geochemical tools for global weathering.

Comparing Trace Elements (As, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Soils and Surface Waters among Montane, Upland Watersheds and Lowland, Urban Watersheds in New England, USA

“…The limited spatial and depth of soil sampling may contribute to the poor relationships as localized effects may be most important for trace element sourcing and transport. The weathering interface at greater depths (bottom of glacial till, bedrock) may be an important zone of trace element release from rocks and soil parent material (see Richardson and King, 2018) and was poorly constrained in this study. Bedrock geochemical differences may also play into the greater normalized trace element export for the Deerfield watershed.…”

“…Mobility and transport of trace elements have several implications for freshwater and marine ecosystems and their ecosystem services for humans. Trace elements are sourced to the environment from weathering of accessory minerals or minor inclusions in major minerals, modern point source industrial pollution, modern non-point source domestic and agricultural pollution, and historical pollution from mills, tanneries, and forges [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Trace element pollution can negatively impact endangered freshwater fish and bivalves [7][8][9], and potentially bioaccumulate in piscivorous predators and in riparian ecosystems [10].…”