ScholarWorks

Title

Using Strontium Isotopes to Quantify Calcium Fluxes from Atmospheric Dust in Carbonates of Southwestern Idaho Soils

Authors

Kellie Wight, Boise State UniversityFollow
Jen Pierce, Boise State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-23-2021

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Jen Pierce

Abstract

Inorganic carbon, or CaCO₃, makes up approximately 40% of global carbon in soils in arid and semi-arid regions (Stanbury et al., 2017). As many soil studies often focus on organic carbon, the role of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) and its formation is not well understood. In addition, the source of the calcium in CaCO₃ is not well known. Potential sources of calcium in southwest Idaho soils include weathered bedrock and/or aeolian dust, whose provenance is also poorly quantified.

This study uses strontium (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) as a calcium proxy to 1) describe the contribution of atmospheric dust to pedogenic carbonates and 2) infer the source of dust in southwestern Idaho.

Recommended Citation

Wight, Kellie and Pierce, Jen, "Using Strontium Isotopes to Quantify Calcium Fluxes from Atmospheric Dust in Carbonates of Southwestern Idaho Soils" (2021). 2021 Undergraduate Research Showcase. 135.
https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/under_showcase_2021/135