CO(2) drawdown from weathering is maximized at moderate erosion rates. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38452079/)

These scientists wanted to understand how erosion, which is the process of rocks and soil being worn away by things like water and wind, affects the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over long periods of time. They studied data from streams in different mountain areas and looked at how erosion impacts the breakdown of minerals in the rocks.

They found that when erosion rates are just right, around 0.07 millimeters per year, it helps to remove carbon dioxide from the air. This is because the minerals in the rocks react with carbon dioxide, taking it out of the atmosphere. However, if erosion rates are too slow or too fast, this process doesn't work as well and can even release more carbon dioxide back into the air.

By understanding this balance between erosion and carbon dioxide removal, the scientists can better predict how the Earth's carbon cycle is affected by things like mountain building and changes in the Earth's crust. This helps us learn more about how our planet works over millions of years.

Bufe A., Rugenstein JKC., Hovius N. CO(2) drawdown from weathering is maximized at moderate erosion rates. Science. 2024 Mar 8;383(6687):1075-1080. doi: 10.1126/science.adk0957. Epub 2024 Mar 7.