Sen Xu analyzed the changes in weathering fluxes from the headwaters of the Yangtze River over a period of seven years. During this time, climate warmed substantially, and Sen’s data show a substantial increases in solute fluxes from evaporite weathering (especially in the permafrost-rich headwaters of the JSR river). These changes could enhance secondary carbonate precipitation and lead to CO2 release. In addition, sulfide weathering becomes relatively more important than silicate and carbonate weathering reactions. This finding implies that warming and hydrological changes lead to a shift toward less CO2 drawdown and more CO2 release from rock weathering.
About: Xu, S., Bufe, A., Kemeny, P.C., Klaus, M., Zhong, J., Ma, T., Li, D., Li S.L., (2025). Climate warming and strengthened hydrologic cycle accelerate CO2 release from rock weathering. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 407, 174-192. Journal Link