The hydrologic and nutrient properties of surface soils in the Luquillo Mountains are considered to vary with lithology, vegetation, climate/elevation, and hillslope position. Rates of chemical weathering, landslide frequency, and physical erosion are also known to vary with lithology. Quantifying these relationships and determining their influence on other CZ processes is the primary focus of the Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory.
This group is tagged with:
To address these questions we are conducting coordinated studies that investigate weathering and soil properties by lithology, vegetation, climate/elevation, and hillslope position. Available infrastructure includes shallow and deep observation wells and lysmeters, a network of soil sampling locations, and a soil archive.
Please see additional information on the LCZO data page:
LCZO data documentation for Weathering and Soils research
Some example documentation:
Soil organic matter quantity, quality and microbial activity in deep soil profiles
Christina, Luquillo, INVESTIGATOR, COLLABORATOR
Cross-CZO INVESTIGATOR, COLLABORATOR
GRAD STUDENT
COLLABORATOR
Cross-CZO INVESTIGATOR, COLLABORATOR
Cross-CZO GRAD STUDENT
GRAD STUDENT
INVESTIGATOR
GRAD STUDENT
2008
Weathering of the Rio Blanco quartz diorite, Luquillo mountains, Puerto Rico: Coupling oxidation, dissolution, and fracturing. Buss, H.L., Sak, P,B, Webb, S.M., Brantley S.L. (2008): Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta
2006
A spheroidal weathering model coupling porewater chemistry to soil thicknesses during steady-state denudation. Fletcher, R.C., Buss, H.L., Brantley S.L. (2006): Earth and Planetary Science Letters
2002
Soil phosphorus fractionation during forest development on landslide scars in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico. Frizano, F., Johnson, A.H., Vann, D.R., Scatena, F.N. (2002): Biotropica
2004
Erosional and climatic effects on long-term chemical weathering rates in granitic landscapes spanning diverse climate regimes. Riebe, C.S., Kirchner, J.W., Finkel, R.C. (2004): Earth and Planetary Science Letters
1999
Chemical weathering in a tropical watershed, Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico III: Quartz dissolution rates. Schulz, M.S., White, A.F. (1999): Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta