Weathering rates and Ca-budget in ecosystems influenced by acid rain determined using Sr-isotopes

Chemical weathering of minerals is the most important source of the base cations (Ca, Mg, Na and K) on ion exchange complexes in the soil, and is the only process that can help neutralize acid rain. Weathering rates are an important parameter in models that provide forecasts for changes in soil and water chemistry as a result of acid rain stress. Most methods for calculating chemical weathering rates have no way of distinguishing between cations mobilized by weathering and cations mobilized from cation exchange complexes. In this work, Sr-isotope systematics has been used as a tool to quantify the two most important neutralization processes in the soil: cation exchange and chemical weathering. The purpose of the project was to calculate weathering rates and Ca budget in an ecosystem affected by acid rain using Sr isotope systematics.