Weathering and the Riverine Denudation of Continents [Paperback]

In this monograph the authors present an overview of the state-of-the-art and use examples or case histories to illustrate the combined role of rock decay and rivers on continental denudation. The Earths surface dynamics would not be conceivable without the fundamental component of?rock weathering and the subsequent transport of solid debris and dissolved components to the coastal ocean through riverine drainage pathways. In other words, continental wear away is highly dependent on the mechanisms that control mineral decay. Moreover, besides the significant role played by rivers in shaping the Earths outer skin, there is the important function that rivers perform in all geochemical cycles, mediating between the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the hydrosphere. Drainage basins and the weathering of rocks that occur therein may be significant sources (or sinks) of carbon dioxide and, hence, play a significant role in affecting the Earths climate.

Introduction.- The Commencement of Continental Denudation: Mechanical Weathering.- The Biological Path to Rock Breakdown.- Chemical Weathering Processes at Earth?s Surface.- Weathering: Intensity and Rates.- The Wearing Away of Continents.- Concluding Comments.

P. J. Depetris is a senior researcher at Argentinas National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) and, concurrently, Emeritus Professor at C?rdoba National University (Argentina). He has focused on surface geochemistry and his recent work has included the study of Patagonias rivers as sources of material transported to the southern coastal ocean, and other hydrological and climatic aspects in southern South America.

A.I. Pasquini is Assistant Professor at C?rdoba National University and a researcher in Argentinas CONICET. Her recent work has been devoted to the study of natural and anthropogenic riverine geochemical processes; hydrological dynamics have also been thorl#