ABSTRACT
Soil component interactions lead to the formation of interfaces and aggregates that are central to soil function and therefore a¦ect the fate of pollutants and nutrients (Figure 10.1). Heterogeneous reactions among soil solids, liquids, and gases a¦ect the capacity of this portion of the Earth’s surface to contribute to the “membrane” that sustains water and soil quality (Colin et al., 1992). ¤is nite capacity of soil to detoxify pollutants and support ecosystem primary productivity is then modulated by soil
10.2 Biosynthesis and Humication ...........................................................................................10-3 10.3 Coupled Biogeochemical Weathering Processes ..............................................................10-4
10.6 Conclusions and Future Prospects ....................................................................................10-26 Acknowledgments ...........................................................................................................................10-26 References .........................................................................................................................................10-26
biogeochemical processes. As discussed in this chapter, nite and dynamic capacity is re¥ected in the sensitivity of soil biogeochemistry to inputs and changes in environment, including anthropogenic e¦ects. As one open system component of Earth’s terrestrial surface, soils change in response to the structure and function of superimposed vegetation and underlying bedrock, as well as the meteoric forcing and interceding ¥uid ¥uxes. ¤e entirety of that system, termed the critical zone (CZ), exhibits an open system character, strong disequilibrium, and dynamic reaction chemistry (NRC, 2001).
