Weathering Rates and Biogeochemical Cycles in a Tropical Forest Soil

9406263 Brantley PI will investigate rates of weathering reactions and mineral- derived nutrient cycling within a well-instrumented site in a humid-tropical climate in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. This project is in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey and takes place on a (USGS) WEBB and (NSF) LTER site in the Icacos watershed. Understanding rates and mechanisms of chemical weathering is a key to developing global carbon dioxide budgets and resulting global change. Results will also provide new insights into weathering and biogeochemical cycles in tropical environments, which, though comprising only 25% of the Earth's surface, contribute almost 40% of the river ionic load to the world's oceans.