Describe the main processes of mechanical weathering, and the types of materials that are produced when mechanical weathering predominates
There are five processes of mechanical weathering; for instance, abrasion, pressure release, thermal expansion and contraction, and crystal growth. Abrasion is the process by which erosion might take place in four diverse ways. Pressure release is the process caused by the ultimate expansion and fracturing of the underlying rocks via the removal of the substances that overlies through erosion (Plummer, Carlson & Hammersley, 2016). Thermal expansion and contraction is the process by which the rocks absorb the intense heat, which emanates from the solar radiation and expands during the day. The reverse process is repeated during the night and ultimately leads to the splitting of the rocks along the cracks and later into blocks. There are different types of materials that are released when mechanical weathering predominates. The materials produced include fine rocks, soil, and blocks.
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Describe the main processes of chemical weathering.
The main processes includes; hydrolysis and oxidation. Hydrolysis involves the dissolving of the minerals completely where their components alternate into solution. The process is written in chemical formulae as shown below;
CaAl2Si2O8 + H2CO3 + ½O2 —-> Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + Ca2+ + CO32-
plagioclase + carbonic acid —-> kaolinite + dissolved calcium + carbonate ions
The oxidation process involves the oxidation of the available ions such as ferromagnesian silicate with the dissolution of the available iron. The chemical process is written in a chemical form as shown below; Fe2SiO4+ 4H2CO3 —> 2Fe2+ + 4HCO3– + H4SiO4
olivine + (carbonic acid) —> dissolved iron + dissolved carbonate + dissolved silicic acid (Plummer, Carlson & Hammersley, 2016).
What are the products of chemical weathering of minerals such as feldspar, ferromagnesian silicates, and calcite
For calcite the products are;
calcite + hydrogen ions + bicarbonate —–> calcium ions + bicarbonate (Earle, 2018).
CaCO3 + H+ + HCO3– —–> Ca2+ + 2HCO3–
For Feldspar, the products are;
plagioclase + carbonic acid —-> kaolinite + dissolved calcium + carbonate ions
CaAl2Si2O8 + H2CO3 + ½O2 —-> Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + Ca2+ + CO32-
The products are clay minerals, potassium, calcium in solution, and sodium (Earle, 2018).
For Ferromagnesian and Silicate form the products such as; Quartz, clay minerals, and dissolved ions.
Explain the type of weathering processes that are likely to have taken place to produce a sand sized sediment deposit
When the chemical weathering process takes place, there is likely to be a higher formation of sandy soils and clay sands. Soil scientists allude that the formation of such sand soils and clay are bound to be given out when there is a relatively higher amount of temperature in the chemical weathering process in the soil formation (Earle, 2018). On the other hand, the unconsolidated sediments are believed to be formed by the presence of the same chemical process. Still, the biochemical process of the soil formation dominates in the process.
Discuss the relationships between weathering and soil formation and the origins of soil horizons
There is a close relationship between weathering and soil formation and the sources of the soil's horizons. The weathering process and soil formation interact in the formation of soil horizons (Earle, 2018). The soils are bound to form via the accumulation of the decayed matters, which results, into the formation of soil horizons.
Explain the geological carbon cycle, and how variations in rates of weathering can lead to climate change
The geological carbon cycle alludes to the process by which the carbon cycle is associated with the rock cycle, and weathering and dissolution emanate. When the carbon (vi) oxide concentration is massive in the atmosphere, the climatic temperatures become higher. Hence, it speeds up the chemical weathering process by absorbing most carbon (vi) oxide in the atmosphere and mitigating the greenhouse effect (Earle, 2018). The process will ultimately lead to climate cooling.
Describe the differences between cobbles, pebbles, sand, silt, and clay
Cobbles is a clast of rock which is defined on the Udden-Wentworth scale as possessing between 64 to 256 millimeters; it is larger than a pebble in the size of its particle. Pebbles are a clast particle possessing a size between 4 to 64 millimeters (Derakhshan-Babaei, Nosrati, Tikhomirov, Christl, Sadough & Egli, 2020). Sand is a granular particle that has a diameter ranging between 0.02 to 2 millimeters. Silt are dust-like that are deposited by water, wind, or ice. Silt is composed of small rocks and mineral particles. Clay is termed as a type of fine-grained particles that contains hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, and it develops a plasticity structure when it is wet.
Explain the extent to how clasts can be transported by moving water or by wind
Clasts can be carried away by moving water in the streams or being picked up by the wind. Rivers and other moving waters are bound to carry away the particles from the eroded rocks (Earle, 2018). When the energy utilized in the carrying of such particles is not enough, the particles are dropped off in the process and remain sediments.
Explain the features of sedimentary rocks, including grain characteristics, sedimentary structures, and fossils, to the interpretation of past depositional environments and climates
Sedimentary rocks are formed when there is an accumulation of small particles in the form of organic particles on the ocean floor and other water bodies. If the particles are lighter, the size and texture of the sedimentary rock will be smaller and vice-versa (Earle, 2018). The fossil compositions are derived from the biochemical and organic composition of the sedimentary rocks.
Explain the importance of and differences between groups, formations, and members
These are groups of geologists who study sedimentary rocks. They form the groups and membership in ensuring that the work has become manageable among the available units. The geologists in this case, regard the formation as the main stratigraphic unit. Formation is distinct bed from others (Earle, 2018). Groups are therefore regarded as a series of formations classified together, which could also be a few thousand to represent a series of rocks. On the other hand, a formation could also be sub-divided into smaller groups to represent members, where each member has a distinct lithology.
References
Derakhshan-Babaei, F., Nosrati, K., Tikhomirov, D., Christl, M., Sadough, H., & Egli, M. (2020). Relating the spatial variability of chemical weathering and erosion to geological and topographical zones. Geomorphology , 107235.
Earle, S. (2018). Physical geology . Victoria, B.C. : BCcampus, BC Open Textbook Project
Plummer, C. C., Carlson, D. H., & Hammersley, L. (2016). Physical geology . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Education, Inc.
