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Paleoclimate

Silicate weathering feedback hindered by clay formation

The chemical weathering of silicate rocks plays a central role in stabilizing our climate through CO2 drawdown. Li isotopic evidence from a prolonged Eocene warming event suggests clay formation may disrupt this feedback on intermediate timescales.

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Fig. 1: Lithium isotope ratios, denoted as δ7Li, reflect the predominant weathering style of a river’s catchment.

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Correspondence to Michael J. Henehan.

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Henehan, M.J. Silicate weathering feedback hindered by clay formation. Nat. Geosci. 16, 663–664 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01242-y

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