WEATHERING
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soil, and minerals. This is also the process by which rock materials are broken down by the action of physical or chemical process. There are 2 different kinds of weathering: Chemical and Mechanical. Chemical weathering is the process by which rock break down as a result of chemical reactions. Water is a type of chemical weathering that dissolves water into a rock that can break the rock down over years. Another type is acid precipitation that can be rain, sleet, or snow that contains a high concentration of acids. This is caused by burning fossil fuels and a high level of acidity can cause very rapid precipitation. Acid in Groundwater is another way of chemical weathering. This has chemical reactions that occur between acid in the groundwater and rock and breaks the rock down (EX: Caverns). Another type of chemical weathering is Acid in Living Things. Lichens grow on rocks and trees and slowly break down the rock. Lastly, there is air where oxygen in the air reacts with iron and forms rust like oxidation. Mechanical weathering is the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces by physical means. Just like Chemical, Mechanical has many different types like ice. This is the alternate freezing and thawing of soil and rock- frost action. Another type is Abrasion which is the grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or sand particles (EX: Wind, water,and gravity). Plants is another way Mechanical weathering takes place. This happens when plant roots grow into existing cracks in rocks and expanding roots so they become strong so the crack widens. Another type is animals when any animal that burrows causes mechanical weathering (ants, worms, mice, coyotes, and rabbits). |