Randomized trial uncovers the impact of tectonic uplift on seawater chemistry in the Tibetan Plateau, suggesting a reevaluation of geological processes.
Key Points
This study aims to test the hypothesis that uplift-driven weathering enhanced seawater lithium isotopes during the Cenozoic.
Presented δ 7 Li records of paleowater over 15 million years from the Tibetan Plateau.
Analyzed both southern humid and northern arid regions of the plateau.
Integrated findings into a global lithium cycle model.
Paleowater δ 7 Li indicates long-term decreases in the northern plateau and low values in the southern plateau.
Results suggest decreased silicate weathering intensity due to climatic cooling and increased exhumations.
Study concludes that tectonic uplifts alone may not account for the rise in seawater δ 7 Li.