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Hydrological control of river and seawater lithium isotopes

Author

Listed:
  • Fei Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Durham University)

  • Mathieu Dellinger

    (Durham University
    EDYTEM-CNRS-University Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB))

  • Robert G. Hilton

    (Durham University
    University of Oxford)

  • Jimin Yu

    (Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao)
    The Australian National University)

  • Mark B. Allen

    (Durham University)

  • Alexander L. Densmore

    (Durham University)

  • Hui Sun

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhangdong Jin

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao)
    Xi’an Jiaotong University)

Abstract

Seawater lithium isotopes (δ7Li) record changes over Earth history, including a ∼9‰ increase during the Cenozoic interpreted as reflecting either a change in continental silicate weathering rate or weathering feedback strength, associated with tectonic uplift. However, mechanisms controlling the dissolved δ7Li remain debated. Here we report time-series δ7Li measurements from Tibetan and Pamir rivers, and combine them with published seasonal data, covering small ( 106 km2). We find seasonal changes in δ7Li across all latitudes: dry seasons consistently have higher δ7Li than wet seasons, by −0.3‰ to 16.4‰ (mean 5.0 ± 2.5‰). A globally negative correlation between δ7Li and annual runoff reflects the hydrological intensity operating in catchments, regulating water residence time and δ7Li values. This hydrological control on δ7Li is consistent across climate events back to ~445 Ma. We propose that hydrological changes result in shifts in river δ7Li and urge reconsideration of its use to examine past weathering intensity and flux, opening a new window to reconstruct hydrological conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Fei Zhang & Mathieu Dellinger & Robert G. Hilton & Jimin Yu & Mark B. Allen & Alexander L. Densmore & Hui Sun & Zhangdong Jin, 2022. "Hydrological control of river and seawater lithium isotopes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31076-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31076-y
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