A Source-to-Sink Study of Chemical Weathering in the Fly River System

P.I.将检验这样一个假设，即弗莱河的溶质通量主要由快速侵蚀的高地控制，而低地洪泛区的风化作用提供了额外的碱度，并主导了成土黏土矿物和金属氧化物向帕利亚湾的通量。PI将通过河流系统在若干地点对土壤核、悬浮沉积物和溶质进行分析。建议的工具套件是主要元素分析，Sr和Nd同位素，溪流和土壤样品的Ge/Si，以及悬浮沉积物和土壤的定量矿物学。该项目将提供对河流系统的化学风化过程的深入了解。就更广泛的影响而言，这项工作是致力于理解全球环境的更大努力的一部分，这对社会很重要。它还将有助于学生的教育/培训，并将导致来自美国和巴布亚新几内亚的科学家之间的合作。

Kurtz 0549037The P.I. will test the hypothesis that the solute flux of the Fly River is dominated by the rapidly eroding uplands, while weathering in the lowland floodplain contributes additional alkalinity and dominates the flux of pedogenic clay minerals and metal-oxides to the Gulf of Paria. The PI will carry out analysis of soil cores, suspended sediments, and solutes at a number of locations through the river system. The suite of tools proposed is major element analysis, Sr and Nd isotopes, Ge/Si of stream waters and soil samples, and quantitative mineralogy of suspended sediments and soils. The project will provide insight in the chemical weathering processes occurring along the river system within the source to sink context.In terms of broader impact, this work is part of a larger effort dedicated to understanding the global environment, which is important for society. It will also contribute to the education/training of students and will lead to collaboration between scientists from the US and Papua New Guinea.