Controls on major solutes within the drainage network of a rapidly weathering tropical watershed

摘要: [1] Surface water chemistry in the main stem and source points of Rio Icacos basin (Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico) was studied to investigate factors regulating spatial variability major solutes a rapidly weathering landscape. We sampled along as well at small high elevation where fresh bedrock is frequently exposed, low floodplain/colluvial plain stem. Concentrations silicon, alkalinity, sum base cations were lower than stem, lowest low-elevation points. Calcium sodium dominant all sampling after sea-salt correction, reflecting plagioclase feldspar throughout basin. The partial pressure carbon dioxide (pCO2) tended be higher, HCO3− concentrations lower, other positions When coupled with relatively Si cations, this suggests that availability primary reactive minerals, rather carbonic acid concentrations, limits these sources. Mechanical denudation appears enhance chemical rates not only by refreshing mineral surfaces but also contributing from decomposition organic-rich material landslides, which occur frequently. depend primarily on hydrolysis conditions.