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  4. Investigation of subglacial weathering under the Greenland Ice Sheet using silicon isotopes
 
research article

Investigation of subglacial weathering under the Greenland Ice Sheet using silicon isotopes

Hatton, J. E.
•
Hendry, K. R.
•
Hawkings, J. R.
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February 15, 2019
Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta

Subglacial chemical weathering plays a key role in global silicate weathering budgets, contributing to the cycling of silicon (Si) in terrestrial and marine systems and the potential drawdown of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Here, we use data from two Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) catchments to demonstrate how Si isotopes from dissolved and amorphous particulate fractions (delta(DSi)-D-30 and delta(3)(0)ASi respectively) can be used together with major ion data to assess the degree of secondary silicate weathering product formation and redissolution in subglacial environments. We compare a time-series of summer melt seasons from the two study sites, which differ in catchment size (similar to 600 km(2) for Leverett Glacier (LG) and similar to 36 km(2) for Kiattuut Sermiat (KS)). Subglacial waters from LG have elevated Na+ and K+ ions in relation to Ca (2+) and Mg2+ ions, indicating a predominance of silicate weathering, whilst meltwaters from KS are characterised by carbonate weathering (hydrolysis and carbonation) throughout the melt season. Both catchments have mean delta(DSi)-D-30 values substantially lower than average riverine values (KS 0.41 parts per thousand, LG -0.25 parts per thousand, versus a global riverine mean of 1.25 parts per thousand) and display a seasonal decline, which is more pronounced at LG. The delta(30)ASi values (discharge weighted mean values KS -0.44 parts per thousand, LG -0.22 parts per thousand) are lighter than the bedrock (mean values KS -0.18 +/- 0.12 parts per thousand, LG 0.00 +/- 0.07 parts per thousand) in both catchments, indicating a secondary weathering product origin or leaching of lighter isotopes during initial weathering of crushed rock. When used in combination, the major ion and silicon isotope data reveal that the extent of silicate weathering and secondary phase redissolution are more pronounced at LG compared to KS. Contrasting weathering regimes and subglacial hydrology between catchments need to be considered when estimating the delta Si-30 composition of silica exported into polar oceans from the GrIS, with larger catchments likely to produce fluxes of lighter delta Si-30. As larger catchments dominate freshwater export to the ocean, GrIS meltwater is likely to be very light in isotopic composition, and the flux is likely to increase with ice melt as the climate warms. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Details
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Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.gca.2018.12.033
Web of Science ID

WOS:000456159500012

Author(s)
Hatton, J. E.
Hendry, K. R.
Hawkings, J. R.
Wadham, J. L.
Kohler, T. J.  
Stibal, M.
Beaton, A. D.
Bagshaw, E. A.
Telling, J.
Date Issued

2019-02-15

Published in
Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta
Volume

247

Start page

191

End page

206

Subjects

Geochemistry & Geophysics

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silicon isotopes

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subglacial

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silicate

•

weathering

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greenland

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haut glacier darolla

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biogenic silica

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organic-carbon

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hydrological controls

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dissolved silicon

•

drainage system

•

si

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fractionation

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precipitation

•

chemistry

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

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Available on Infoscience
June 18, 2019
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/158070
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