Short- and long-term weathering rates of a feldspar fraction isolated from an arid zone soil

Short-term effects of plant litter addition on mineral surface characteristics of young sandy soils

“…The significant increase in SSA of soil samples after only 80 weeks indicates initial weathering processes (e.g. White et al, 1996;Suarez and Wood, 1996). However, this increase in SSA varied strongly between the two substrates and was more pronounced for the loamy sand (41%) compared to the pure sand (16%) indicating a higher weathering potential of LS samples due to higher clay content.…”

“…Soil development results in changes in chemical and physical properties as a function of soil age (White et al, 1996;Suarez and Wood, 1996;West et al, 2005). Chemical and physical functions of mineral soils, particularly of the fine-grained soil fractions depend largely on the amount of its specific surface area (SSA) (Lutenegger and Cerato, 2001).…”

A Methodology to Determine the Acid-Neutralization Capacity of Rock Samples

“…Of the silicates, simple mixed minerals, and wasterock samples assessed by the Modifi ed Sobek ANC test, there is a signifi cant contribution to the overall ANC by silicate minerals. This silicate acid-neutralization capacity is a function of sample preparation and the formation of a highly reactive surface-layer on silicate particles (e.g., Busenberg & Clemency 1976, Suarez & Wood 1996, formed during crushing and grinding, which is available to neutralize acidity in the short term. In the fi eld, the neutralization of acidity by silicate minerals and the generation of circum-neutral pH values will only be possible for (1) low-sulfi de samples, where the mass of silicate minerals having slow dissolutionkinetics and ANC can neutralize the subsequent minor amount of acid generated, and (2) after peak oxidation of sulfi de, where the declining acidity load matches the low ANC derived from the remaining silicate minerals present.…”

In situ weathering rind erosion

“…Those involved in detailed laboratory analyses recognize the importance of sample treatment in altering results. Even mild treatment such as sonification and sieving, for example, results in enhanced weathering (Suarez and Wood, 1996). To minimize sampling and laboratory effects, our strategy focuses on freezing in situ all weathering prior to sampling by the addition of bsuperglue.Q Superglue application takes place as soon as a clast is exposed by very gentle removal of adjacent clasts from the wall of a soil pit.…”