Infiltration depth, rooting depth, and regolith flushing-A global perspective.

ABSTRACT: In the vegetation root zone, infiltration (Inf) parts in two directions with distinct Earth-system functions. One goes up as evapotranspiration (E + Tr), returning Inf to the atmosphere (short-circuiting) and affecting short-term weather/climate and the carbon cycle. The other goes down as deep drainage (DD), flushing the regolith, mobilizing nutrients/contaminates and dissolved minerals into aquifers and rivers, eventually reaching the ocean (long-circuiting) thus regulating global biogeochemical cycles and long-term climate. We ask, what is the modern-day global structure in short- vs. long-circuiting? What forces and feedbacks create such structures? Synthesizing site-studies aided by global modeling, we found that: (i) long-circuiting prevails in even

SUBMITTER: Fan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11645107 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature