Advances in the Use of Synchrotron Radiation to Elucidate Environmental Interfacial Reaction Processes and Mechanisms in the Earth’s Critical Zone

Abstract The delicate interplay of various Earth’s systems processes in the Critical Zone is vital in ensuring an equilibrium across the different spheres of life. The upper crust forms a thin veneer on the Earth’s surface that is defined by an interconnected network of brittle structures. These brittle structures enable various Earth System processes. Increased anthropogenic interactions within the very upper crust have seemingly resulted in a growing number of negative natural effects, including induced seismicity, mine water drainage and land degradation. Brittle structures across South Africa are investigated. These structures include various fractures and dykes of different ages and geodynamic evolutions. The orientation of these structures is compared to the underlying tectonic domains and their bounding suture zones. The orientations corroborate an apparent link between the formation of the brittle structures and the tectonic evolution of the southern African crust. Reactivation and the creation of new structures are also apparent. These are linked to the variability of the surrounding stress field and are shown to have promoted magmatism, e.g., Large Igneous Provinces, and the movement of hydrothermal fluids. These fluids were commonly responsible for the formation of important mineral deposits. The preferred structural orientations and their relationship to underlying tectonic zones are also linked to fractured groundwater aquifers. Subsurface groundwater displays a link to structural orientations. This comparison is extended to surficial water movement. Surface water movement also highlights an apparent link to brittle structures. The apparent correlation between these Earth’s systems processes and the interconnectivity developed by brittle structures are clear. This highlights the importance of high-resolution geological and structural mapping and linking this to further development of the Earth’s Critical Zone.

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Connecting Modern Soil and Paleosol Communities: Improving Climate Proxies and Our Understanding of Earth's Critical Zone

CSA News ◽

10.2134/csa2014-59-10-10 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (10) ◽

pp. 24-25

Author(s):

Steven G. Driese ◽

Michael H. Young ◽

Eric C. Brevik

Keyword(s):

Critical Zone ◽

Modern Soil ◽

Climate Proxies ◽

Earth’S Critical Zone

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The Earth’s Critical Zone Science and its Research Progress

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.295-298.2138 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 295-298 ◽

pp. 2138-2142

Author(s):

Wei Hua Zhang ◽

Yan Yang ◽

Jun Ying Jin

Keyword(s):

Critical Zone ◽

Research Progress ◽

Biological Processes ◽

Climatic Anthropogenic ◽

Interdisciplinary Concept ◽

Earth’S Critical Zone ◽

Tectonic Forcing

A promising and involving interdisciplinary concept-the earth’s critical zone science is introduced in this paper. Within the earth’s Critical Zone, the coupled chemical, physical and biological processes which define Earth’s weathering engine are driven by climatic, anthropogenic, and tectonic forcing. Followed by the concept and specific questions related to the critical zone were given. Finally, current research in order to understand the Critical zone was reviewed.

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Erratum: “Annealing-time dependence in interfacial reaction between poly-Si electrode and HfO2∕Si gate stack studied by synchrotron radiation photoemission and x-ray absorption spectroscopy” [Appl. Phys. Lett. 89, 012102 (2006)]

Applied Physics Letters ◽

10.1063/1.2364452 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 89 (16) ◽

pp. 169902 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H. Takahashi ◽

J. Okabayashi ◽

S. Toyoda ◽

H. Kumigashira ◽

M. Oshima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Synchrotron Radiation ◽

Time Dependence ◽

Interfacial Reaction ◽

Absorption Spectroscopy ◽

Annealing Time ◽

Gate Stack ◽

X Ray ◽

X Ray Absorption ◽

Synchrotron Radiation Photoemission

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A New Focus on the Neglected Carbonate Critical Zone

Eos ◽

10.1029/2021eo163388 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 102 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan Martin ◽

Paloma De Grammont ◽

Matthew Covington ◽

Laura Toran

Keyword(s):

Critical Zone ◽

Earth’S Critical Zone

Studies of Earth’s critical zone have largely focused on areas underlain by silicate bedrock, leaving gaps in our understanding of widespread and vital carbonate-dominated landscapes.

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