Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Effect of Late Cenozoic Glaciation and Tectonic Uplift on Silicate Weathering Rates and the Marine 87Sr/86Sr Record

  • Chapter
Tectonic Uplift and Climate Change

Abstract

It is widely accepted that the consumption of atmospheric CO2 by silicate weathering provides a negative climate feedback mechanism, and that this mechanism has played an important role in moderating global climate over geological timescales (see e.g., Berner1). Extension of this concept to feedbacks between climate change and tectonic uplift, which are discussed in many chapters of this volume, is dependent on the assumption that glaciation and tectonic uplift lead to increased rates of chemical weathering and CO2 consumption. Both glaciation and rapid uplift are accompanied by rapid physical denudation, which exposes fresh bedrock minerals to the agents of chemical weathering. In addition, tectonic uplift may create mountain ranges capable of sustaining alpine glaciers and ice sheets, especially during glacial maxima, thus linking uplift and glaciation on geological timescales. While it is generally accepted that glaciation and uplift will lead to accelerated rates of chemical weathering as compared to regions of nonglaciated or stable topography, the magnitude of this effect has proven difficult to estimate. Taylor and Blum2 investigated the relation between soil age and silicate weathering rates and found a well-defined power law relation for young soils (≤ 138 thousand years old), suggesting that predictions could be made of the effect of glaciation and tectonic uplift on silicate weathering rates by considering the effect of these processes on average soil ages over large geographic areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Berner, R. A. (1995). In: Chemical Weathering Rates of Silicate Minerals. Reviews in Mineralogy,Vol. 31 (A. F. White and S. L. Brantly, eds.), pp. 565–583. Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Taylor, A., and Blum, J. D. (1995). Geology 23, p. 979.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Raymo, M. E., and Ruddiman, W. F. (1992). Nature 359, p. 117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Edmond, J. M. (1992). Science 258, p. 1594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Richter, F. M., Rowley, D. B., and DePaolo, D. J. (1992). Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 109, p. 11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Blum, J. D., and Erel, Y. (1995). Nature 373, p. 415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Blum, J. D., and Erel, Y. (1997). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 61, p. 3193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Sharp, M., Tranter, M., Brown, G. H, and Skidmore, M. (1995). Geology 23, p. 61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Gibbs, M. T., and Kump, L. R. (1994). Paleoceanography 9, p. 529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Stallard, R. F. (1995). Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 23, p. 11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Lerman, A. (1994). In: Material Fluxes on the Surface of the Earth, Chap. 2 (National Research Council, eds.), pp. 28–45. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Meybeck, M. (1994). In: Material Fluxes on the Surface of the Earth, Chap. 4 (National Research Council, eds.), pp. 61–73. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  13. April, R., Newton, R., and Coles, L. T. (1986). Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 97, p. 1232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Kirkwood, D. E., and Nesbitt, H. W. (1991). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 55, p. 1295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Bain, D. C., Mellor, A., Robertson-Rintoul, M. S. E., and Buckland, S. T. (1993). Geoderma 57, p. 275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Harden, J. W. (1987). U.S.G.S. Bull. 1590-A, p. Al.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Merritts, D. J., Chadwick, O. A., Hendricks, D. M., Brimhall, G. H., and Lewis, C. J. (1992). Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 104, p. 1456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Mast, M. A., Drever, J. I., and Baron, J. (1990). Water Resources Res. 26, p. 2971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Kirchner, J. W., Dillon, P. J., and LaZerte, B. D. (1992). Nature 358, p. 478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Miller, E. K., Blum, J. D., and Friedland, A. J. (1993). Nature 362, p. 441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Bailey, S. W., Hornbeck, J. W., Driscoll, C. T., and Gaudette, H. E. (1996). Water Resources Res. 32, p. 707.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Blum, J. D., Erel, Y., and Brown, K. (1994). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 58, p. 5019.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Åberg, C., Jacks, G., and Hamilton, P. J. (1989). J. Hydrol. 109, p. 65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Bain, D. C., and Bacon, J. R. (1994). Catena 22, 201.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Jenny, H. (1980). The Soil Resource, 377 pp. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  26. Richmond, G. M. (1973). U.S.G.S. Quadrangle Map GQ-1138, Scale 1:24,000.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Mahaney, W. C., and Halvorson, D. L. (1986). In: Rates of Chemical Weathering of Rocks and Minerals (S. M. Colman and D. P. Dethier, eds.), pp. 247–167. Academic Press, Orlando.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Sorenson, C. J. (1986). U.S.G.S. Map I-1800, Scale 1:24,000.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Hall, R. D., and Horn, L. L. (1993). Chem. Geol. 105, p. 17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Gosse, J., Klein, J., Evenson, E., Lawn, B., and Middleton, R. (1994). U.S.G.S. Cir. 1107, p. 114.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Gosse, J., Klein, J., Evenson, E., Lawn, B., and Middleton, R. (1995). Science 268, p. 1329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Imbrie, J., and Imbrie, K. P. (1979). Ice-Ages-Solving the Mystery, 224pp. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Mahaney, W. C., and Sanmugadas, K. (1983). Z. Geomorph. 273, p. 265.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Worl, R. G., Lee, G. K., Long, C. L., and Ryan, G. S. (1984). U.S.G.S. Map MF-1636-A, Scale 1:250,000.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Douglas, T. A. (1994). Unpublished Senior Honors Thesis. Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Mahaney, W. C. (1978). In: Quaternary Soils (W. C. Mahaney, ed.), pp. 227–247. Geoabstracts Ltd, Norwich, U.K.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Hall, R. D., and Shroba, R. R. (1995). Arct. Alp. Res. 27, p. 89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Dahms, D. E. (1993). Geoderma 59, p. 175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Dahms, D. E. (1991). Unpublished PhD Thesis, pp. 340. University of Kansas, Lawrence.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Gardner, L. R. (1980). Chem. Geol. 30, p. 151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. White, A. F., Blum, A. E., Shultz, M. S., Bullen, T. D., Harden, J. W., and Peterson, M. L. (1996). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 60, p. 2533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Bain, D. C., Mellor, A., Wilson, M. J, and Duthie, D. M. L. (1994). Water, Air, Soil, Pollut. 73, p. 11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. White, A. F., and Blum, A. E. (1995). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 59, p. 1729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Wilson, M. J. (1970). Clay Miner. 8, p. 291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Gilkes, R. J, and Suddhiprakarn, A. (1979). Clay Miner. 27, p. 349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Lasaga, A. C. (1984). J. Geophys. Res. 89, p. 4009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Meybeck, M. (1987). Am. J. Sci. 287, p. 401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Drever, J. I, and Clow, D. W. (1995). In: Chemical Weathering Rates of Silicate Minerals, Reviews in Mineralogy, Vol. 31 (A. F. White and A. L. Brantley, eds.), pp. 463–483. Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Wadleigh, M. A, Veizer, J, and Brooks, C. (1985). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 49, p. 1727.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Berner, E. K., and Berner, R. A. (1996). Global Environment: Water, Air, and Geochemical Cycles, 376 pp. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Bickle, M. J. (1994). Nature 367, p. 699.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Hodder, A. P. W., Green, B. E., and Lowe, D. J. (1990). Clay Minerals 25, p. 313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Wollast, R. (1967). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 31, p. 635.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Busenburg, E, and Clemency, C. V. (1976). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 40, p. 41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Holdren, G. R. Jr., and Berner, R. A. (1979). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 43, p. 1161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Small, R. J. (1987). In: Glacio-Fluvial Sediment Transfer (A. M. Gurnell and M. J. Clark, eds.), pp. 111–145. Wiley, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Pavich, M. J. (1986). In: Rates of Chemical Weathering of Rocks and Minerals (S. M. Colman and D. P. Dethier, eds.), pp. 551–590. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Pavich, M. J. (1989). Geomorphology 2, p. 181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Thomas, M. F. (1994). In: Rock Weathering and Landform Evolution (D. A. Robinson and R. B. G. Williams, eds.), pp. 287–301. John Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Taylor, S. R., and McLennan, S. M. (1985). The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution, 312 pp. Blackwell, London.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Kump, L. R. and Alley, R. B. (1994). In: Material Fluxes on the Surface of the Earth, Chap. 3 (National Research Council, eds.), pp. 46–60. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Shackleton, N. J, Imbrie, J, and Hall, M. A. (1983). Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 65, p. 233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Raymo, M. E. (1994). Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 22, p. 353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Clark, P. U., Licciardi, J. M., MacAyeal, D. R., and Jenson, J. W. (1996). Geology 24, p. 679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Flint, R. F. (1971). Glacial and Quaternary Geology, 892 pp. John Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Hughes, T. J., Denton, G. H., Anderson, B. G., Schilling, D. H., Fastook, J. L., and Lingle, C. S. (1981). In: The Last Great Ice Sheets, Chap. 6 (G. H. Denton and J. T. Hughes, eds.), pp. 275–318, John Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Taylor, S. R., McLennan, S. M., and McCulloch, M. T. (1983). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 47, p. 1897.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Palmer, M. R., and Edmond, J. M. (1998). Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 92, p. 11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Lovelock, J. E., and Kump, L. R. (1994). Nature 369, p. 732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Richter, F. M., and DePaolo, D. J. (1988). Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 90, p. 382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Capo, R. C., and DePaolo, D. J. (1990). Science 249, p. 51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Hodell, D. A., Mead, G. A, and Mueller, P. A. (1990). Chem. Geol. 80, p. 291.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Farrell, J. W., Clemens, S. C., and Gromet, L. P. (1995). Geology 23, p. 403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Broeker, W. S., and Peng, T-H. (1982). Tracers in the Sea, 690 pp. Eldigio Press, Columbia University, Palisades, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Raymo, M. E., Ruddiman, W. F., and Froelich, P. N. (1988). Geology 16, p. 649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Hodell, D. A., Mueller, P. A., McKenzie, J. A., and Mead, G. A. (1989). Earth and Planet. Sci. Lett. 38, p. 165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Harden, J. W., Sundquist, E. T., Stallard, R. F., and Mark, R. K. (1992). Science 258, p. 1921.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Hay, W. D. (1994). In: Material Fluxes on the Surface of the Earth, Chap. 1 (National Research Council, eds.), pp. 15–27. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Hallet, B, Hunter, J., and Bogen, J. (1996). Global and Planetary Change 12, p. 213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Ahnert, F. (1970). Am. J. Sci. 268, p. 243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Stallard, R. F., and Edmond, J. M. (1983). J. Geophys. Res. 88, p. 9671.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Keefer, D. K. (1984). Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 95, p. 406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. Larsen, M. C. (1991). Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. with Prog. 23, A256.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Brown, E. T., Stallard, R. F., Larsen, M. C., Raisbeck, G. M., and Yiou, F. (1995). Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 129, p. 193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Berner, R. A. (1992). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 56, p. 3225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Naylor, R. S., Steiger, R. H., and Wasserburg, G. J. (1970). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 34, p. 1133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth, Ecosystem and Ecological Sciences Program, Earth Sciences Department, Dartmouth College, Hanover, North Hampshire, 03755, USA

    Joel D. Blum

Authors
  1. Joel D. Blum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    William F. Ruddiman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Blum, J.D. (1997). The Effect of Late Cenozoic Glaciation and Tectonic Uplift on Silicate Weathering Rates and the Marine 87Sr/86Sr Record. In: Ruddiman, W.F. (eds) Tectonic Uplift and Climate Change. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5935-1_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5935-1_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7719-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5935-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation