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Chapter 6 Weathering and Soil

Chapter 6 Weathering and Soil . Types of Weathering. Mechanical Weathering – Breaks apart rock without changing its chemical composition Examples Plant roots grow into the cracks of rocks Animals burrowing Ice Wedging. Types of Weathering.

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Chapter 6 Weathering and Soil

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  1. Chapter 6Weathering and Soil

  2. Types of Weathering • Mechanical Weathering – Breaks apart rock without changing its chemical composition • Examples • Plant roots grow into the cracks of rocks • Animals burrowing • Ice Wedging

  3. Types of Weathering • Chemical Weathering – Breaks up rocks due to a change in their chemical composition. (Water and Oxygen are factors) • Examples • Acid Rain • Rust

  4. Mechanical vs. Chemical Chemical Mechanical

  5. Ice Wedging • Type of mechanical weathering • This happens when water gets inside rocks, freezes, and then expands causing the rock to break.

  6. Carbonic Acid • When water mixes with carbon dioxide in the air, carbonic acid forms. • Type of chemical weathering • Comes in contact with different rocks, and reacts with the minerals in them.

  7. Oxidation • Oxidation occurs when a material is exposed to water and the oxygen in the air. • This causes “rust” • Type of chemical weathering.

  8. Climate and Weathering • Cold climates – mechanical weathering breaks down rocks rapidly through ice wedging • Chemical weathering is more rapid in warm, wet climates. (tropical areas) • Lack of moisture and cold climates keeps chemical weathering at a minimum.

  9. What is Soil? • Soil – A mixture of weathered rocks, decaying organic matter (plants & animals), mineral fragments, water, and air. • Sediments + Organic Matter = Soil

  10. What is Humus? • Humus – Dark colored organic matter found in soil; made of decayed plants and animals.

  11. Soil Profile – Vertical section of the different soil layers. • Horizon – Each layer in the soil profile. (Three Horizons: A, B, and C)

  12. Horizons • Horizon A • Most evolved • Known as topsoil • More humus and smaller rock and mineral particles than other layers. • Horizon B • Less evolved • Lighter in color • Some plant roots reach here

  13. Horizons Continued • Horizon C • Bottom layer of soil profile • Contains partly weathered rock • Solid rock

  14. Layers of Soil

  15. Process of Soil Formation

  16. Leaching • Removal of soil materials dissolved in water. • Occurs throughout all three Horizons.

  17. When does Desertification occur? • When soil is dry due to lack of rain combined with poor farming practices and over – grazing.

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