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26 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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what is weathering |
slow, continual breakdown of rock at earths surface by physical and chemical processes |
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order of how it goes |
rock - regolith - sediment - soil |
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what rocks are most susceptible |
metamorphic and igneous |
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mechanical (physical weathering) |
no change in chemistry, increases surface area |
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chemical (decomposition) |
weakening of chemical structure and bonds usually stabalize minerals |
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controls on weathering |
primary:rock type and mineral composition climate secondary: rock texture, topography, vegetation and soil chemistry |
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chemical weathering is strongest with |
high precip and high temp |
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physical weathering is strongest with |
low temp and moderate precip |
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examples of physical |
frost action crystallization pressure unloading |
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crystallization |
expansion and stress within materials due to crystals messing with it |
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pressure unloading |
rocks formed under high heat and pressure expand and 'relax' at surface |
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types of chemical weathering |
dissolution hydrolysis oxidation |
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dissolution |
water being a universal solvent persistently dissolves hard rocks carbonation major process in karst topography |
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hydrolysis |
reaction of minerals with dissociated water |
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acid rainwater |
contains carbonic acid |
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oxidation |
loss of electrons from a mineral to an oxygen ion 1v1 on rust gives color to stuff |
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biological activity also weathers stuff, how? |
roots wedge into rock fractures, cracks rock rodent burrows lichens and fungus |
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what is soil? |
weathered sediments, minerals, organic matter |
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pedology |
study of soil as a natural body formed by biochemical processes |
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pedon |
horizonated soil unit described by parent material, color, structure, acidity |
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5 controls on soil development |
1.parent material 2.topography 3.climate 4.time 5.organic activity |
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parent material |
raw material residual soil transported soil |
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topography |
slope-erosion and deposition affects thickness and drainage aspec- moisture and plant cover |
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climate |
T and P control rates of chemical, physical and biological processes same material diff climate = diff soil |
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time |
takes a while dude |
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organic activity |
dominant plants- affect erosion, nutrient uptake organisms and stuff aid in decomposition |
