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Carbonates in the Critical Zone
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  • Matthew David Covington,
  • Jonathan B. Martin,
  • Laura Toran,
  • Jennifer Macalady,
  • Pamela L Sullivan,
  • Angel A Garcia,
  • James B. Heffernan,
  • Wendy D. Graham,
  • Natasha Sekhon
Matthew David Covington
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jonathan B. Martin
Department of Geology University of Florida, Department of Geology University of Florida
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Laura Toran
Temple University, Temple University
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Jennifer Macalady
Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania State University
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Pamela L Sullivan
Oregon State University, Oregon State University
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Angel A Garcia
James Madison University, James Madison University
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James B. Heffernan
Duke University, Duke University
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Wendy D. Graham
University of Flordia, University of Flordia
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Natasha Sekhon
Brown University
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Abstract

Earth’s Critical Zone (CZ), the near-surface layer where rock is weathered and landscapes co-evolve with life, is profoundly influenced by the type of underlying bedrock. Previous studies employing the CZ framework have focused almost exclusively on landscapes dominated by silicate rocks. However, carbonate rocks crop out on approximately 15% of Earth’s ice-free continental surface and provide important water resources and ecosystem services to ~1.2 billion people. Unlike silicates, carbonate minerals weather congruently and have high solubilities and rapid dissolution kinetics, enabling the development of large, interconnected pore spaces and preferential flow paths that restructure the CZ. Here we review the state of knowledge of the carbonate CZ, exploring parameters that produce contrasts in the CZ in different carbonate settings and identifying important open questions about carbonate CZ processes. We introduce the concept of a carbonate-silicate CZ spectrum and examine whether current conceptual models of the CZ, such as the conveyor model, can be applied to carbonate landscapes.We argue that, to advance beyond site-specific understanding and develop a more general conceptual framework for the role of carbonates in the CZ, we need integrative studies spanning both the carbonate-silicate spectrum and a range of carbonate settings.