Authors
Michelle A Pedrazas, W Jesse Hahm, Mong‐Han Huang, David Dralle, Mariel D Nelson, Rachel E Breunig, Kristen E Fauria, Alexander B Bryk, William E Dietrich, Daniella M Rempe
Publication date
2021/4
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface
Volume
126
Issue
4
Pages
e2020JF005848
Description
Bedrock weathering regulates nutrient mobilization, water storage, and soil production. Relative to the mobile soil layer, little is known about the relationship between topography and bedrock weathering. Here, we identify a common pattern of weathering and water storage across a sequence of three ridges and valleys in the sedimentary Great Valley Sequence in Northern California that share a tectonic and climate history. Deep drilling, downhole logging, and characterization of chemistry and porosity reveal two weathering fronts. The shallower front is ∼7 m deep at the ridge of all three hillslopes, and marks the extent of pervasive fracturing and oxidation of pyrite and organic carbon. A deeper weathering front marks the extent of open fractures and discoloration. This front is 11 m deep under two ridges of similar ridge‐valley spacing, but 17.5 m deep under a ridge with nearly twice the ridge‐valley spacing. Hence …
Total citations
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