HR: 1340h
AN: H43C-0382    [Abstracts]
TI: A Field Experimental Approach to Understanding Relationships Between Chemical Weathering and Erosion in the Arctic Environment of Swedish Lapland.
AU: * Dixon, J C
EM: jcdixon@uark.edu
AF: Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
AU: Thorn, C E
EM: cthorn@uiuc.edu
AF: Department of Geography, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
AU: Darmody, R G
EM: rdarmody@uiuc.edu
AF: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
AU: Allen, C E
EM: chasalbion@hotmail.com
AF: Independent Scholar, 222 San Lorenzo Blvd., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
AB: A field experimental approach to understanding solutional weathering and erosion processes in the Arctic environment of K„rkevagge Swedish Lapland has been undertaken over the course of the past decade. The study site is located at approximately 68N 18E, with a mean annual temperature of -1.7C and a mean annual precipitation of approximately 1000mm. The experiment involved the installation of polished disks of limestone, dolomite, and granite in soil pits under a diversity of micro environmental settings. Installation sites were selected so as to encompass the major vegetation communities in the valley which display strong altitudinal zonation and strong contrasts in moisture conditions. Disk depth placements varied between 4 and 60cm and were generally located at horizon boundaries. Disks were selectively removed after one year (1995) from each of 5 vegetation communities, and all disks were retrieved from 10 vegetation communities after 5 (1999) and 10 years (2004). At each time period disks were weighed and mass loss determined. Similarly, nylon mesh bags filled with crushed polished granules of dolomite and granite were placed on the soil surface at the same sites as the disks, and weighed at the same time periods. At the end of the 5 year time period processes responsible for mass loss were investigated. This study permits the initial evaluation of an experimental approach to understanding relationships between physical, chemical, and biological processes operating in the "critical weathering zone". Additionally, it permits an initial assessment of early stage weathering and solutional erosion of various lithologies in a cold environment.
DE: 9315 Arctic region
DE: 1625 Geomorphology and weathering (1824, 1886)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting