Earth

New research reveals underground secrets of the Avon River Critical Zone

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Research led by the University of Western Australia has revealed new insights into the landscape profile of Western Australia’s Avon River Critical Zone Observatory.

PhD candidate Jesse Weller from UWA’s School of Agriculture and Environment and Center for Water and Spatial Sciences is lead author of the study published in the journal Earth Surface Processes and Landforms.

The critical zone is a thin layer on the earth’s surface where rocks, soil, water, air, and living organisms interact and play important roles in processes such as water filtration, nutrient cycling, and soil formation.

The researchers used geophysical surveying techniques. Electrical resistivity tomography and passive seismic horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios are used to map deeply weathered clay soils.

The study used ambient seismic noise to determine bedrock depth while revealing subtle differences in sediment and soil layers and horizons.

“The two methods used in the study revealed a detailed subsurface profile of the area,” Weller said.

The clayey soils of this landscape are frequently studied geochemically due to their economic value, particularly for the mining of bauxite, nickel, and cobalt, but they are poorly studied in terms of agricultural and sustainability impacts. has not been studied.

This study focused on landscape variation, showing how vegetation, weathering, and erosion processes shape land.

“These types of landscapes are amazing archives of past climate and tectonic activity, and uncovering the stories hidden within their layers can help us better predict and prepare for future environmental changes. It helps,” Weller said.

“This study highlights the potential of non-invasive geophysical techniques to uncover these unexplored systems and their environmental significance.”

The findings provide insights into sustainable land management and environmental conservation, particularly to address soil degradation and waterlogging, which are key challenges for regional agriculture.

Further information: Jessie Weller et al., Combining electrical resistivity tomography and passive seismic surveys to characterize the subsurface structure of deeply weathered laterite hills within the Avon River Critical Zone Observatory, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (2024). DOI: 10.1002/especially 6026

Provided by University of Western Australia

Citation: New research reveals subsurface secrets of the Avon River Critical Zone (24 January 2025) https://phys.org/news/2025-01-subsurface-secrets-avon-river-critical. Retrieved January 25, 2025 from html

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