Mineral weathering in the unsaturated zone from the molecular to macro scale

Información del proyecto

DryMIN

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 701478

DOI

10.3030/701478

Proyecto finalizado el 8 Enero 2019

Fecha de la firma de la CE 4 Marzo 2016

Fecha de inicio 23 Enero 2017

Fecha de finalización 22 Enero 2019

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 183 454,80

Aportación de la UE

€ 183 454,80

Coordinado por

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
United Kingdom

Objetivo

"""Mineral weathering in the unsaturated zone from the molecular to macro scale (DryMIN)”
Earth’s shallow subsurface, or “critical zone,” is of fundamental importance for supporting terrestrial life and maintaining water quality. Perhaps the most vital part of the critical zone is the unsaturated region located nearest to the surface. It is in the unsaturated zone where most plants acquire their nutrients, and where most organic carbon degrades. This zone is also most likely to be affected by future global change due to altered rainfall patterns and evapotranspiration rates across the globe. In order to predict how long-term variations in the water budget will impact nutrient and carbon cycling it is necessary to evaluate the influence of water saturation on mineral weathering reactions. The objective of the proposed research is to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms governing reaction rates as a function of water availability from the molecular to macro scale. This will be achieved through a combination of three scale-spanning experimental studies: 1) humidity buffer experiments investigating molecular-scale changes to mineral surfaces, 2) pore-scale microfluidic experiments, and 3) macro-scale flow-through column experiments. Experimental results will lead to the development of a mechanistic reactive transport model that can better predict reaction rates as a function of water saturation. This research has significant implications for the maintenance of a sustainable nutrient supply for natural and agricultural vegetation, the carbon cycle, and remediation of groundwater resources, issues critical to the long-term sustainable growth of our society. Through this research programme I will: 1) have opportunities for mobility between multiple institutions in Europe, 2) gain tangible skills in analytical techniques, 3) improve transferable communication and management skills, and 4) establish a lasting multi-disciplinary, collaborative European research network."

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › ciencias químicas › química inorgánica › compuestos inorgánicos
• ciencias naturales › ciencias de la tierra y ciencias ambientales conexas › hidrología
• ciencias naturales › ciencias de la tierra y ciencias ambientales conexas › geoquímica › geoquímica de isótopos
• ciencias naturales › ciencias físicas › óptica › microscopía › electron microscopy
• ciencias naturales › ciencias físicas › óptica › espectroscopia › espectroscopia de absorción

Palabras clave

• mineral weathering
• climate change
• nutrient supply

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

Coordinador

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 183 454,80
• Dirección: GOWER STREET ; WC1E 6BT LONDON ; Reino Unido
• Región: London › Inner London — West › Camden and City of London
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 183 454,80