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Constraints on continental crustal mass loss via chemical weathering using lithium and its isotopes.

ABSTRACT: Chemical weathering, as well as physical erosion, changes the composition and shapes the surface of the continental crust. However, the amount of continental material that has been lost over Earth's history due to chemical weathering is poorly constrained. Using a mass balance model for lithium inputs and outputs from the continental crust, we find that the mass of continental crust that has been lost due to chemical weathering is at least 15% of the original mass of the juvenile continental crust, and may be as high as 60%, with a best estimate of approximately 45%. Our results suggest that chemical weathering and subsequent subduction of soluble elements have major impacts on both the mass and the compositional evolution of the continental crust.

SUBMITTER: Liu XM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3248527 | biostudies-other | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Constraints on continental crustal mass loss via chemical weathering using lithium and its isotopes.

Liu Xiao-Ming XM Rudnick Roberta L RL

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20111219 52

Chemical weathering, as well as physical erosion, changes the composition and shapes the surface of the continental crust. However, the amount of continental material that has been lost over Earth's history due to chemical weathering is poorly constrained. Using a mass balance model for lithium inputs and outputs from the continental crust, we find that the mass of continental crust that has been lost due to chemical weathering is at least 15% of the original mass of the juvenile continental cru ...[more]

PMID: 22184221

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