The influence of weathering processes on Si, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Mo stable isotope fractionation in the Critical Zone: a case study from Icelandic soils

Soils play a crucial role in mineral nutrient production and export to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. To improve our knowledge of the sources and processes which govern these vital functions, .i.e., disentangling the complex biogeochemical interactions in soils inaccessible to the observation, understanding the controls on stable isotope fractionation of mineral nutrients in the Critical Zone is essential. For example, as it will be illustrated with a case study in Icelandic soils, combining Si stable isotopes with other stable isotope systems such as Mg, Fe, Zn and Mo can provide new insights into important soil reactions, such as silicate weathering, ion exchanges, redox reactions, organic matter-mineral interactions, and plant recycling