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Bedrock to soil: In-situ measurement and analytical techniques for initial weathering of proglacial environments

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posted on 2021-12-07, 13:56 authored by Karsten LorentzKarsten Lorentz

Dirt. It is more important than one might think. Soil, along with its bedrock-derived components, provides a nexus in the earth system for energy, nutrient, and atmospheric control; yet it is a finite resource. Soils are consumed, transported, and replenished by natural and anthropogenic forces. Weathering—both physical and chemical—is the key process breaking down and regenerating the ions and mineral constituents of soils, facilitating the pathways from solid bedrock to soil to the rest of the global ecosystem. Yet our understanding of weathering is incomplete and the available methods to investigate these processes are limited. Here, the fundamental processes of weathering are questioned by studying them at their origins, the rock surface. New techniques were developed in pursuit of quantifying weathering at small scales in-situ, to obtain the highest resolution measurements possible. These were carried out in the proglacial regions of two New Zealand glaciers, Brewster Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier.  Proglacial bedrock environments provided a clean-slate model from which to measure incipient weathering at increasing exposure ages. To mitigate error, a holistic approach encompassing weathering signals from multiple angles was taken. Spatial characterisation was completed through the capture of structure-from-motion photogrammetry (SFM) at multiple scales of observation. The resultant three dimensional surface models had an average error of 1.06x10-1 mm. The models were characterised for weathering using roughness as a novel multi-point analysis of surface features, through two separate novel methods utilising global polynomial interpolation filtering and continuous wavelet transform analysis. Physical samples were collected from the field for cosmogenic radionuclide surface exposure age dating. Compositional analysis was performed through X-ray fluorescence, as well as electron microprobe analysis (EPMA). Nano-scale structural and compositional trends were investigated through optical analysis of backscatter electron imaging and secondary electron imaging.  Non-directional roughness and volumetric analysis patterns present compelling information to support negligible weathering occurring on bedrock surfaces in proglacial environments. Lithologic variation was identified as a strong influence on the results. Compositional analysis demonstrated insignificant levels of chemical alteration between sites, corroborating the spatial modelling results. The lack of surficial weathering in highly productive weathering environments necessitates the role of additional weathering factors. Deep subsurface weathering was investigated and presents the strongest case as a major contributor to chemical denudation. Validating the presence of deep weathering in many environments critically alters the knowledge required to evaluate and predict patterns of landscape evolution. By establishing a better understanding of how bedrock weathers in-situ, the groundwork is laid for making more accurate and educated forecasts on how the earth system will respond to changes in the future.

History

Copyright Date

2019-01-01

Date of Award

2019-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Geology

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Science

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

970104 Expanding Knowledge in the Earth Sciences

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences

Advisors

Norton, Kevin; Anderson, Brian