Abstract

Water mediates the movement of elements between rock and life in the Critical Zone. For example, biota exude organic acids that accelerate mineral dissolution and enhance soil formation. Elements that are released into soil pore waters subsequently precipitate as secondary minerals, are taken up by vegetation, or are transported downslope during periods of saturated flow. The chemical speciation of an element in water dictates its mobility and reactivity in the environment; however, little is known about chemical speciation in stream and soil waters at SSHO. It has been inferred that cations are transported through the catchment as a combination of free ions, organic complexes, and particulates, but direct evidence for these forms is still needed. The purpose of this research is to evaluate chemical speciation in soil waters and the stream in order to evaluate controls on element transport from soils into the stream under changing flow conditions.

Citation

Herndon, Elizabeth (2014): Investigating inorganic and organic-mediated cation transport from soils to streams. Seed Grant Proposals in Support of Critical Zone Science in the Susquehanna Shale Hills CZO.