Calculating Weathering Rates of Stream Catchments in the English Lake District Using Critical Element Ratios, Mass-Balance Budgets and the Magic Model

The weathering rates of forty-seven stream catchments in the English Lake District were calculated using 1) critical element ratios; 2) mass-balance budgets; and 3) the MAGIC model. There was a great deal of variability in the weathering rates of the five different parent material groups (greywacke, slate, andesite, tuff and granite) found in the study area. However when individual catchments were considered, the three methods provided consistent base cation weathering rates. This suggests that any of the methods could be employed for future catchment weathering studies. This paper also explores the implications of the weathering results when considering the possibility of the area becoming acidified due to increased loads of sulphur and nitrogen in the future.