Soil Biogeochemistry in the Critical Zone
Soil pit (1m deep) on the 2nd terrace of the Santa Cruz
Chronosequence. This soil has been forming for 90,000 years.
Chronosequence. This soil has been forming for 90,000 years.
The focus of this project is to quantify biogeochemical processes in the CZ with an emphasis on the interactions among soil, water, and plants. We explore the role of atmospheric CO2 and climate variability on mineral weathering and soil chemistry, to understand the influence of these factors on water chemistry.
Why is this research important?
The dynamic interactions of biogeochemical cycling and climate in the CZ are of great concern to society as they exert direct and indirect influences on water quality, soil productivity & health and human health. Despite the importance of the CZ, our understanding of the interconnectedness and resiliency of CZ processes remains limited. For instance, differences in soil mineralogy, hydrology, and/or biologic communities has a large influence on the amount of carbon that is stored in the soil. In order to better understand what soils are most susceptible to climate and landuse change as well as what soils may have the greatest potential for future carbon storage, we use a systematic framework to quantify soil development and to link it to soil biogeochemical cycling. Quantifying these relationships is essential for predicting the response of terrestrial ecosystems to climatic change and is vital to framing environmental management strategies.
Principal Investigator: Marjorie S Schulz, Menlo Park Science Center
Project Team: Corey Lawrence, Dave Stonestom