Project description
A deep analysis of floodplain weathering
Earth’s climate is influenced by chemical weathering, a process essential for regulating CO2 levels. While studies have explored weathering in eroding landscapes, the role of floodplain sediments remains overlooked. Recent estimates suggest that these sediments may contribute more than 50 % of the global weathering flux, yet we lack a robust framework to quantify this phenomenon. With this gap in mind, the ERC-funded FloW project will develop a comprehensive model of weathering fluxes associated with sediment transport and storage in floodplains. FloW aims to enhance our understanding of the global carbon cycle and improve predictions of Earth’s climate responses to natural and human-induced changes.
Objective
Chemical weathering of rocks is central to Earths biogeochemical cycles. It exchanges CO2 with the atmosphere, balances CO2 emission from the mantle, and stabilizes Earths climate. Years of research have established data and models of weathering in eroding landscapes, because erosion supplies unweathered rocks to the surface of the Earth. However, the sediment eroded from mountains can continue to weather during temporary storage in wide floodplains. Recent estimates indicate that floodplain sediments may contribute over 50% of the global weathering flux; yet, we do not have a framework to quantify floodplain weathering or predict its sensitivity to climate and tectonics.
A quantitative understanding of floodplain weathering will allow building new models of the global carbon cycle, and it will increase the accuracy of tools to predict Earths response to natural and anthropogenic perturbations in CO2.
I propose an ambitious, innovative, and multidisciplinary research program to develop, quantify, and test a model for weathering fluxes as a function of sediment transport and storage on floodplains. The predictive power of the model will be tested against new data from floodplains influenced by different tectonic and climatic boundary conditions. Thus, FloW will yield a novel framework to link physical and chemical mass fluxes across Earths surface, potentially transforming the power of simulations of Earths carbon cycle and climate evolution.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.