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Strong climate and tectonic control on plagioclase weathering in granitic terrain

January 1, 2011

Investigations to understand linkages among climate, erosion and weathering are central to quantifying landscape evolution. We approach these linkages through synthesis of regolith data for granitic terrain compiled with respect to climate, geochemistry, and denudation rates for low sloping upland profiles. Focusing on Na as a proxy for plagioclase weathering, we quantified regolith Na depletion, Na mass loss, and the relative partitioning of denudation to physical and chemical contributions. The depth and magnitude of regolith Na depletion increased continuously with increasing water availability, except for locations with mean annual temperature

Publication Year 2011
Title Strong climate and tectonic control on plagioclase weathering in granitic terrain
DOI 10.1016/j.epsl.2010.11.037
Authors C. Rasmussen, S. Brantley, D.D.B. Richter, Alex E. Blum, J. Dixon, Arthur F. White
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Index ID 70035844
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization National Research Program - Western Branch
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