Weathering, Research Paper Example

Weathering is the natural decomposing or wasting of minerals, rocks, and soils at or near the surface of the earth. It loosens and breaks down the surface minerals of rocks, so they can be carried away by agents of erosion which includes ice, water and wind. Weathering converts the rock into sands, clay, and dissolves salts.

Weathering activity differs in different climates in the following ways; temperature, during periods of high temparatures, freezing and thawing rate is extremely high which fastens the rock weathering. Water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, widening the cracks. The other factor is moisture (precipitation level), when there is more rainfall, the chemical weathering will be more as water carry acid that dissolves the rocks (Weathering: The Process of Natural Decay, 2010).

The following are the environmental factors which affect or control the rate of weathering: Climate, weathering depends on certain climatic conditions which determine the level of temperature and the availability of water. Water is essential in both chemical and mechanical reactions. Geology, this is the physical structure of the rock and can significantly affect the rate of weathering. Rocks such as granites are susceptible to weathering process due to mineral composition, and thus high rate of weathering.

Soil or vegetation cover, the level of vegetation increases the rate of weathering. Vegetation increases biological and chemical weathering where it releases the organic acids essential in the process like chelation. Human activities also increase the rate of weathering by influencing concentration of chemical pollutant in the atmosphere by power stations, industry, and vehicle emissions.

Climate is the most significant factor, because water reacts directly with minerals in providing elements, for example, in hydration water is used to produce hydrogen. On the other side, temperature is used in controlling the rates of weathering. Temperature determines the rate of chemical weathering.

References

Weathering: The Process of Natural Decay (2010). Earth’s Dynamic Systems Chapter 10 (pps. 208-237). Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://blue.utb.edu/paullgj/geol1403/lectures/weathering.html