How the composition of sandstone matrices affects rates of soil formation

Soils deliver multiple ecosystem services and their long-term sustainability is fundamentally controlled by the rates at which they form erode. Our knowledge understanding of soil formation not commensurate with that erosion, in part due to difficulty measuring former. However, developments cosmogenic radionuclide accumulation models have enabled scientists more accurately constrain soils from bedrock. To date, all three major rock types – igneous, sedimentary metamorphic lithologies been examined such work. Soil measured compared between these types, but impact characteristics on rates, as matrices mineralogy, seldom explored. In this UK-based study, we used analysis investigate whether lithological variability sandstone governs pedogenesis. were two arable hillslopes Woburn Hilton, are underlain different arenite sandstone. Rates faster Woburn, suggest fact less cemented Hilton. Similarly, Hilton found be than those other sandstone-based sites UK, compiled a global inventory studies soils. We cementing agents present matrix-abundant wackes studied previously may afford sandstones greater structural integrity resistance weathering. This work points importance factoring bedrock into our biogeochemical cycles underpin.