CO2 drawdown from weathering is maximized at moderate erosion rates

Editor’s summaryThe role of erosion in the modulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide has been challenging to untangle because increased weathering fluxes do not always result in the drawdown of this greenhouse gas. Bufe et al. found that carbon dioxide drawdown peaks at a range of erosion rates that are much lower than the most active mountain belts. Peak drawdown occurs in various places on the planet, but very actively eroding landscapes are likely contributing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. This observation helps to reconcile conflicting data on the role of weathering and atmospheric carbon dioxide. —Brent Grocholski