Controls on the stable Ca isotopic signature of the soil cation exchange pool
There is considerable variability in δ44Ca measurements of the soil cation
exchange pool worldwide (~3‰). Even among locations with similar vegetation and
climate, the soil cation exchange pool can exhibit variability in δ44Ca comparable to what has been measured globally. To
investigate the factors influencing soil exchange pool δ44Ca, we've complimented
global measurements of soil exchange pool δ44Ca with measurements of stable Ca
isotopes in two tropical research watersheds within the Luquillo Critical Zone
Observatory in Puerto Rico. These two watersheds have similar climate and
vegetation, but contrasting lithology. This unique situation allows us to
investigate the influence bedrock exerts on soil cation exchange δ44Ca.
In addition we've developed a Ca isotope box model that allows us to track the
movement of Ca into, out of and between Ca pools and how these fluxes change
the δ44Ca of each Ca pools.
Publications and Presentations
1. Takagi, K., A. Kurtz, 2013. Stable Ca isotopes as a new tool to investigate biogeochemical cycling of Ca in two tropical catchments in Puerto Rico. 2013 Gordon Research Conference: Catchment Science: Interactions of Hydrology, Biology & Geochemistry. (Poster)
2. Goldsmith, S. T., S. Porder, A. Kurtz, Takagi, K.. Evaluation of shallow flow pathways and relative contributions to solute fluxes in a tropical small mountainous river: Luquillo, Puerto Rico. 2013 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting. (Co-Author of Presentation)
