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    Types of Weathering

    Uploaded by

    amber psyche

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Types of Weathering - Chemical

    Chemical weathering is the weakening and subsequent disintegration of rock by chemical


    reactions. These reactions include oxidation, hydrolysis, and carbonation. These processes either
    form or destroy minerals, thus altering the nature of the rock’s mineral composition.
    Temperature and, especially, moisture are critical for chemical weathering; chemical weathering
    of rock minerals generally occurs more quickly in hot, humid climatic regions.

    Oxidation is the reaction of rock minerals with oxygen, thus changing the mineral composition
    of the rock. When minerals in rock oxidize, they become less resistant to weathering. Iron, a
    commonly known mineral, becomes red or rust colored when oxidized.

    Olivine Limonite
    Figure 5. The iron in olivine (Fe2SiO4) is reduced and the iron in limonite (Fe2O3.H2O) is oxidized. In
    addition, the release of silicon and hydration makes the mineral more susceptible to physical
    weathering. (Image on the left courtesy of USGS. Image on the right courtesy of
    http://www.csmate.colostate.edu).

    Carbonation is the process of rock minerals reacting with carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is
    formed when water combines with carbon dioxide. Carbonic acid dissolves or breaks down
    minerals in the rock.
    CO2 + H2O → H2CO3

    (carbon dioxide + water → carbonic acid)

    CaCO3 + H2CO3 → Ca2+ + 2HCO3-


    (calcite + carbonic acid → calcium + bicarbonate)

    Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction caused by water. Water changes the chemical composition and
    size of minerals in rock, making them less resistant to weathering. Click on the video clip below
    to see hydrolysis of a relatively weathering resistant mineral, feldspar. When this mineral is
    completely hydrolyzed, clay minerals and quartz are produced and such elements as K, Ca, or Na
    are released.

    A hydrolysis reaction of orthoclase (alkali feldspar), a common mineral found in igneous rock,
    yields kaolinite, silicic acid, and potassium.

    2KAISi3O8 + 2H+ + 9H20 → H4Al2Si2O9 + 4H4SiO4 + 2K+

    (orthoclase + water → kaolinite + silicic acid + potassium)


    Chemical Weathering

    Chemical weathering is caused by rain water reacting with the mineral grains in rocks to form
    new minerals (clays) and soluble salts. These reactions occur particularly when the water is
    slightly acidic.

    Where does it occur?


    These chemical processes need water, and occur more rapidly at higher temperature, so warm,
    damp climates are best. Chemical weathering (especially hydrolysis and oxidation) is the first
    stage in the production of soils.
    How does it occur?
    There are different types of chemical weathering, the most important are:

    Solution - removal of rock in solution by acidic rainwater. In particular, limestone is weathered


    by rainwater containing dissolved CO2, (this process is sometimes called carbonation).

    Hydrolysis - the breakdown of rock by acidic water to produce clay and soluble salts.

    Oxidation - the breakdown of rock by oxygen and water, often giving iron-rich rocks a rusty-
    coloured weathered surface.

    The disadvantage of weathering is the deterioration of a surface.


    The weather warmed up and there was lots of fog, so we uncovered the slab. Snow fell soon
    afterward, and we couldn't work for 25 days. When we came back to the jobsite we removed 2 to
    3 feet of snow and found that much of the slab was covered with 3 to 4 inches of ice. We used
    potassium chloride to melt the ice so it could be scraped off. Workers noticed that the concrete
    surface looked milky and seemed to be covered with a cream-colored cement film.
    Advantage of weathering is that it dilutes dumped chemicals on soil surfaces.
    When soil is contaminated with these substances, it can hurt the native environment. Many
    of these substances are just as toxic to plants as they are to humans. In addition, since soil is
    the “earth’s kidney,” contaminants can trickle through the soil and get to our water supply.

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