Weathering and Erosion. Weathering Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals as...
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Transcript of Weathering and Erosion. Weathering Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals as...
Weathering and Erosion
Weathering
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals as well as artificial materials through contact
with the Earth's atmosphere, biota and waters.
Weathering by frost wedging
Mechanical weathering
mechanical weathering is a physical process.
Water weathered tree
How is a plant or animal an agent of mechanical weathering?
Plants and animals are agents of mechanical weathering. The seed of a tree may sprout in soil that has collected in a cracked rock. As the roots grow, they widen the cracks, eventually breaking the rock into pieces. Over time, trees can break apart even large rocks. Even small
plants, such as mosses, can enlarge tiny cracks as they grow.
Animals that tunnel underground, such as moles and prairie dogs, also work to break apart rock and soil. Other animals dig and trample rock aboveground, causing rock to slowly
crumble.
Biological weathering
Roots growing
into rock
Animals burrow
Badger
Erosion
Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are removed from the Earth's surface
by natural processes such as wind or water flow
Erosionby wind
Erosion by water
Leaching
Leaching is the process of extracting minerals from a solid by dissolving
them in a liquid
Rain water is slightly acidic
Rain water is slightly acidic because Carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid
when mixed with water
Major factors involved in how fast weathering occurs
Climate, mineral composition, amount of water
Soil Horizons
The layers in a soil profile are called horizons
Soil horizons
soil and climate related
Warmer temperatures and high rainfall increase rate of soil formation. Cooler
temperatures and less rain slow it down.
Conserve soil
Some ways to conserve soil are Contour farming/shelter belts, cover
crops, and strip crops.
Shelter belt
Contour farming
Cover crops
Strip crops
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