The Geological Cycle of Atacama Desert Nitrate Deposits, Northern Chile
This page lists all metadata that was entered for this dataset. Only registered users of the CRC1211DB may download this file.
Feature
Request download
Citation
Citation Options
Identification
| Title: | Main Title: The Geological Cycle of Atacama Desert Nitrate Deposits, Northern Chile |
| Description: | Abstract: In this thesis, I investigate the origin and post-depositional evolution of nitrate deposits in the Atacama Desert, which host the largest natural nitrate accumulations on Earth. I integrate field observations with chemical and stable isotope analyses (δ¹⁸O, Δ¹⁷O, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S) across all deposit types. The consistently high Δ¹⁷O and δ¹⁸O values confirm an atmospheric origin linked to ozone-driven photochemical reactions. Lower isotope values in vein-hosted deposits indicate partial oxygen exchange with fossil hydrothermal waters during interaction with hot, saline, acid fluids. Geological, mineralogical, and sulfur isotope evidence further supports hydrothermal dissolution and reprecipitation of pre-existing atmospheric nitrate. Based on these results, I propose a two-stage geological cycle involving atmospheric deposition followed by tectonically driven hydrothermal recycling. Nitrogen isotope data show no significant microbial overprinting. This work demonstrates that Atacama nitrate deposits record a coupled atmospheric–geological system shaped by hyperaridity, tectonics, and magmatism. |
| Identifier: | http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/79735 (URL) |
| Citation Advice: | Riffo Contreras, C. J. (2026). The geological cycle of Atacama Desert nitrate deposits, Northern Chile [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cologne]. Kölner UniversitätsPublikationsServer (KUPS). http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/79735 |
Responsible Party
| Creator: | Camila Javiera Riffo Contreras (Author) |
| Publisher: | University of Cologne (or Universität zu Köln) |
| Publication Year: | 2026 |
Topic
| CRC1211 Topic: | Climate |
| Related Subproject: | D3 |
| Subject: | Keyword: Stable Isotope Geochemistry |
| Geogr. Information Topic: | Environment |
File Details
| Filename: | Dissertation_Riffo_Camila.pdf |
| Data Type: | Text - Dissertation |
| File Size: | 7.6 MB |
| Date: | Other: 19.01.2026 (Disputation) |
| Mime Type: | application/pdf |
| Data Format: | |
| Language: | English |
| Status: | Completed |
Constraints
| Download Permission: | Only Project Members (Download Embargo will be lifted after project end) |
| General Access and Use Conditions: | According to the CRC1211DB data policy agreement. |
| Access Limitations: | According to the CRC1211DB data policy agreement. |
| Licence: | [CRC1211DB] Data policy agreement |
Geographic
Specific Information - Publication
| Publication Status: | Accepted |
| Review Status: | Not peer reviewed |
| Publication Type: | Article |
| Article Type: | Electronic |
| Source: | Kölner UniversitätsPublikationsServer (KUPS) |
| Source Website: | http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/79735 |
| Number of Pages: | 115 (1 - 115) |
Metadata Details
| Metadata Creator: | Camila Javiera Riffo Contreras |
| Metadata Created: | 28.04.2026 |
| Metadata Last Updated: | 28.04.2026 |
| Subproject: | D3 |
| Funding Phase: | 2 |
| Metadata Language: | English |
| Metadata Version: | V50 |
Metadata Export
| Metadata Schema: |
Dataset Statistics
| Page Visits: | 119 |
| Metadata Downloads: | 0 |
| Dataset Downloads: | 0 |
Dataset Activity
Feature
DownloadBy downloading this dataset you accept the license terms of [CRC1211DB] Data policy agreement and CRC1211DB Data Protection Statement
Adequate reference when this dataset will be discussed or used in any publication or presentation is mandatory. In this case please contact the dataset creator.
Adequate reference when this dataset will be discussed or used in any publication or presentation is mandatory. In this case please contact the dataset creator.
