Quantification of the effect of plants on weathering: Studies in Iceland

Research Article| October 01, 1998 Quantification of the effect of plants on weathering: Studies in Iceland Katherine L. Moulton; Katherine L. Moulton 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, P.O. Box 208109, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert A. Berner Robert A. Berner 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, P.O. Box 208109, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Katherine L. Moulton 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, P.O. Box 208109, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109 Robert A. Berner 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, P.O. Box 208109, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1998) 26 (10): 895–898. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0895:QOTEOP>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Katherine L. Moulton, Robert A. Berner; Quantification of the effect of plants on weathering: Studies in Iceland. Geology 1998;; 26 (10): 895–898. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0895:QOTEOP>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The weathering of calcium and magnesium silicate minerals on the continents has exerted a major control on atmospheric CO2 over geologic time, and vascular plants may have played an important role in this process. In western Iceland, we have examined the role of plants in weathering by measuring the chemistry of waters draining adjacent areas of basaltic rocks that are either barren (having a partial cover of mosses and lichens) or populated by trees. The study area was chosen to maximize vegetational differences and to minimize differences in microclimate, slope, and lithology, while avoiding hydrothermal waters and anthropogenic acid rain. Results, including data on cation uptake by growing trees, indicate that the rate of weathering release of Ca and Mg to streams and vegetation is two to five times higher in vegetated areas than the release of Ca and Mg to streams in barren areas. This finding suggests a major role for vascular plants in accelerating weathering and thereby lowering atmospheric CO2 as they invaded upland areas of the continents between 380 and 350 Ma. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.