The Roles of Rock Formation and Weathering in Long-Term Climate Change

Abstract Chapter 7 explores the question: how does rock formation and weathering help drive long-term climate change? This exploration is focused on the chemical processes of rock formation and weathering that release CO 2 to the atmosphere or consume CO 2 from the atmosphere. Weathering of silicate rocks uses atmospheric CO 2 , whereas weathering of organic-carbon-rich rock (e.g. coal) releases CO 2 . Feedbacks between atmospheric CO 2 content, global climate state, and the rates of chemical we