High flux effects, surface chemistry

The overall effect of the terrestrial weathering reactions has been the addition of the major ions, DSi, and alkalinity to river water and the removal of O2, and CO2 from the atmosphere. Because the major ions are present in high concentrations in crustal rocks and are relatively soluble, they have become the most abimdant solutes in seawater. Mass-wise, the annual flux of solids from river runoff (1.55 x 10 g/y) in the pre-Anthropocene was about three times greater than that of the solutes (0.42 x 10 g/y). The aeolian dust flux (0.045 X 10 g/y) to the ocean is about 30 times less than the river solids input. Although most of the riverine solids are deposited on the continental margin, their input has a significant impact on seawater chemistry because most of these particles are clay minerals that have cations adsorbed to their surfaces. Some of these cations are desorbed... 

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