Exploring the intricate interplay between soil and minerals, Larissa and Robbie have initiated a column weathering experiment at the PowerGeolab to investigate enhanced rock weathering in forest soils in Southern Ontario, Canada. Using soil from Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, twenty-one columns were filled and amended to evaluate variations in pH, cation availability, and total carbon content.
The experiment seeks to replicate the weathering processes of wollastonite (CaSiO3) and diopside (CaMgSi2O6) by reconstructing soil horizons within the columns and subjecting them to wetting and drying cycles, aiming to decipher underlying mechanisms.
Key parameters including dissolved inorganic carbon, major cations (i.e., calcium and silicon), and pH levels in column drainage waters are being analyzed to gain insights into mineral weathering rates and their role in CO2removal.
This research not only enhances our comprehension of soil dynamics but also provides crucial insights for ecosystem management and sustainable land practices, particularly in addressing climate change challenges.