ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY OF CARBONATE DISSOLUTION AND REPRECIPITATION IN SOILS

Abstract

The processes of dissolution and reprecipitation of carbonates in soils developed on carbonate rocks, loess-derived soils, and marine clay soils were studied with the methods of stable isotope geochemistry. Between 10 and 50 percent of the carbonates present in the upper part of soils developed on carbonate rocks are newly formed. In loess-derived soils and in marine clay soils, up to 100 percent of the carbonates present may be newly formed. The efficiency of the dissolution-reprecipitation process varies between 10 and 30 percent. In the salt marsh investigated the dissolution is caused by the action of biogenic carbon dioxide. The processes of dissolution and reprecipitation of carbonates in soils developed on carbonate rocks, loess-derived soils, and marine clay soils were studied with the methods of stable isotope geochemistry. Between 10 and 50 percent of the carbonates present in the upper part of soils developed on carbonate rocks are newly formed. In loess-derived soils and in marine clay soils, up to 100 percent of the carbonates present may be newly formed. The efficiency of the dissolution-reprecipitation process varies between 10 and 30 percent. In the salt marsh investigated the dissolution is caused by the action of biogenic carbon dioxide. © Williams & Wilkins 1976. All Rights Reserved.