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Weathering,Erosion And Soil

Weathering
the interaction between the elements in the atmosphere and the rocks exposed at the earths surface. the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals as well as artificial materials through contact with the Earth's atmosphere, biota and waters. occurs in situ, or "with no movement", and thus should not be confused with erosion, which involves the movement of rocks and minerals by agents such as water, ice, wind, and gravity.

Two important classifications of weathering processes :


Mechanical or physical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and soils through direct contact with atmospheric conditions, such as heat, water, ice and pressure. chemical weathering, involves the direct effect of atmospheric chemicals or biologically produced chemicals (also known as biological weathering) in the breakdown of rocks, soils and minerals.

Physical weathering
Physical weathering is the class of processes that causes the disintegration of rocks without chemical change. The primary process in physical weathering is abrasion (the process by which clasts and other particles are reduced in size).

Thermal stress weathering


results from expansion or contraction of rock, caused by temperature changes. is an important mechanism in deserts, where there is a large diurnal temperature range, hot in the day and cold at night .

Frost weathering
This processes include frost shattering, frost-wedging and freeze-thaw weathering. This type of weathering is common in mountain areas where the temperature is around the freezing point of water.

Pressure release
also known as unloading, overlying materials (not necessarily rocks) are removed (by erosion, or other processes), which causes underlying rocks to expand and fracture parallel to the surface.

Hydraulic action
Hydraulic action occurs when water (generally from powerful waves) rushes rapidly into cracks in the rock face, thus trapping a layer of air at the bottom of the crack, compressing it and weakening the rock.

Salt-crystal growth
otherwise known as haloclasty, causes disintegration of rocks when saline (see salinity) solutions seep into cracks and joints in the rocks and evaporate, leaving salt crystals behind. Salt crystallization may also take place when solutions decompose rocks (for example, limestone and chalk) to form salt solutions of sodium sulfate or sodium carbonate, of which the moisture evaporates to form their respective salt crystals.

Biological weathering
Living organisms may contribute to mechanical weathering (as well as chemical weathering, see 'biological' weathering below). The attachment of these organisms to the rock surface enhances physical as well as chemical breakdown of the surface micro layer of the rock.

Chemical weathering
changes the composition of rocks, often transforming them when water interacts with minerals to create various chemical reactions. The complex processes that alter the internal structure of minerals by removing and adding elements.

The decomposition of rock; (3) main groups:


Hydrolysis : the chemical union of water and mineral. Dissolution :is a process whereby rock material passes directly into solution like salt in water. Oxidation : the combination of atmospheric oxygen with a mineral to produce an oxide.

Erosion
Is another big force that breaks or transports rock particles from one place to another by natural processes. The agents of erosion are gravity wind, water, waves, and glaciers.

Wave erosion
Waves have erosional power. The continues pounding of waves along the edges of the land wears away or destroys the land.

Causes of Erosion
Heavy rains: brought by typhoons and monsoon wind result in large amounts of runoff. Floods: suddenly occur and large amounts of sediments are scrapped from the land by runoff and carried into rivers and eventually into the sea.

Forest trees: uncontrolled cutting of trees removes almost all the vegetation with protects the soil. The soil therefore is exposed to erosion by rain. Mining operations: dig out and loosen rocks in the mountains exposing them to further erosion. Grass: a soil cover, reduces the rate of runoff. Uncontrolled grazing of too many animals removes the grass cover and packs the soil more.

Effects of Soil Erosion


Soil erosion that occurs at about the same rate as soil formation is normally a harmless natural process. It may be beneficial for low areas with no fertile soil or it can form caves, beaches, or resorts. But there are more harmful effects of erosion which include the deterioration of farmlands and forests, occurrences of floods and infrastructure.

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