BIOMES: Daniel Enrique Ibarra, Manning Assistant Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences and Environment and Society, Assistant Professor of Engineering, Brown University

Seminar Abstract:
The long-held hypothesis that a strong negative feedback exists between chemical weathering of silicate rocks and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations is complicated by other less thoroughly explored sinks and sources to the long term global carbon cycle. Namely, processes such as sulphuric acid dissolution of carbonates and petrogenic organic carbon oxidation increase atmospheric pCO2, and thus the balance of these competing weathering fluxes dictate the net impact of weathering on atmospheric CO2. While modern river chemistry studies are contending with these complications, deep-time analysis of CO2-producing weathering reactions remains hampered by limited tools. Here we summarize ongoing work investigating the role of lithologic variation, and glaciers and ice sheets, in modifying river chemistry utilizing a suite of isotope system measurements (uranium-series, lithium, strontium), a proxy for organic carbon oxidation (rhenium), dataset compilations, inverse geochemical modeling and reactive transport modeling. This work seeks to disentangle how different processes strengthen or weaken the ability of the terrestrial land surface to consume carbon dioxide and deliver alkalinity to the ocean, with implications for carbonate dioxide removal strategies such as enhanced rock weathering.

About the Series:
Over the last fourteen years, the Yale School of the Environment (YSE) has hosted this weekly seminar series. The school's flagship forum is designed to bring cutting-edge research and impactful work to the community.

BIOMES stands for 'Bridging Issues & Optimizing Methods in Environmental Studies"

The series is a community-sourced and student-led effort to bring different perspectives to YSE's main stage.

BIOMES | Website | View More Events

Contact the organizers