Work

Critical zone processes limit alkalinity export from natural basaltic systems

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: . Here we synthesize observations from natural volcanic watersheds to evaluate alkalinity export along the complete reactive pathways from soil to river. Data from basaltic catchments demonstrate attenuation of alkalinity fluxes, leading to reductions in exported alkalinity. This attenuation is probably the result of precipitation of secondary clay and carbonate minerals along subsurface flow paths and during river transport. Although natural weathering systems differ from engineered EW deployments, these observations provide an empirical baseline on watershed-scale alkalinity export. Our results indicate that critical zone processes influence the efficiency with which weathering-derived alkalinity is exported, implying the need to incorporate watershed processes into future assessments of EW CDR.

Source: Nature

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10936-3

Authors: L. A. Derry, K. Maher, O. A. Chadwick

Institutions: Institut de physique du globe de Paris, Cornell University, Stanford University, University of California, Santa Barbara

Language: English

Topic: CO2 Sequestration and Geologic Interactions

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $12,690