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Chapter 4 - Weathering - New
Chapter 4 - Weathering - New
INTRODUCTION
Weathering is a general term describing all changes that result from the
exposure of rock materials to the atmosphere.
Rocks which are deeply buried lies in a different environment physically and
chemically than those exposed on the earth's surface and therefore changes will
take place to accommodate these new conditions.
If they are exposed to the much lower temperatures and pressures at the
surface, to the gases in the atmosphere, and to the elements in water, they
become unstable and undergo various chemical changes and mechanical
stresses.
As a result, the solid bedrock breaks down into loose, decomposed products.
Rock fragments produced by weathering are removed by erosion and the
general term for both weathering and erosion is known as denudation.
Fragmentation of rock
Fragmentation of rock
WEATHERING CLASSIFICATION
There are two classification of weathering
processes which is
(1) Oxidation
(2) Hydration
(3) Hydrolysis
(4) Dissolution
Oxidation
Occurs when oxygen in air assisted by
water combines with minerals to form
oxides.
This is the reaction of mineral with water to produce a new mineral or minerals.
Two substances are essential in the weathering of feldspars; carbon dioxide and water.
The atmosphere and the soil contain carbon dioxide, which unites with rainwater to form
carbonic acid.
If K-feldspar comes in contact with carbonic acid, the following chemical reaction occurs.
The rock increases in volume due to the reaction of the feldsphatic minerals by hydrolysis
process.
The decay of igneous rocks such as granite is largely attributed to the hydrolysis of the
granitic minerals such as feldspars and biotite.
Dissolution
Process whereby rocks and minerals are dissolved in solution, like
salt in water.
Gypsum is less soluble than rock salt but also easily dissolved by
surface water.
Carbon dioxide present in air, water and soils when unite chemically
with certain rock minerals will alter the rock composition.
When masses of granite have been exposed for long period of time
the accumulated weathered product can be seen as clayey granular
residue known as grus.
Spheroidal Weathering
In this type of weathering, a rounded shape is produced.
(1) Colluvium: results from process of creep, whereby soil and weathered bedrock
slowly move downslope due to gravity.
(2) Alluvium: includes all sediment deposited by streams. The deposits are stratified
into layers of silt, sand, gravel and clay.
The specified classification system adopted for residual soil is based upon material
decomposition grades for weathered granite and volcanic rocks by Hencher and
Martin (1982) and weathering classification for mudrocks by Anon (1977).
SOIL PROFILE
Soil Profiles Description
Layer / Horizon Description
Top soil.
A Rich in organic matter. Typically has dark color.
Also called zone of leaching.
Subsoil.
B Also called zone of accumulation.
May contain soluble minerals such as calcite in arid climates (caliche).
These soils have been depleted of nearly all elements except iron and aluminum oxides.
Laterites are derived from the weathering of basalt (mafic parent rock).
They form in tropical climates with very high rainfall.
Laterite The high rainfall has caused leaching of most of the elements and nutrients from the soil.
This is the soil typical of a tropical rainforest. When used for agriculture, the small amount of nutrients is
quickly depleted, and the soil dries to become as hard as a brick.
Weathering classification system for granite and volcanic rocks
(Hencher and Martin, 1982)
VI Residual soil A soil formed by weathering in place but with original texture of rock completely destroyed.
Grade II
Grade III
Grade IV
Weathered slope
Zone 6
Zone 5
The weathered mass of Zone 5 & 6 may come
from weathered material from gred 3 or 4
Zone 6
Zone 5
The weathered mass of Zone 4 may come from
weathered material from gred 1 to 3
Zone 6
Zone 4
Weathering classification system for sedimentary rocks
(Anon, 1977)
Completely All rock material in a degraded condition but Slakes readily in water. Geological pick easily indents surface when pushed.
V
Weathered original mass structure still discernible. Coring not possible by ordinary methods.
Highly More than half of the rock material in a NX size core can be broken and crushed by hand. Rock material plastics does
IV
Weathered degraded condition not readily slake in water
Moderately Hammer blow makes drumming sound possessing strength such that
III Less than half of the rock material in a degraded condition
weathered NX core (55mm) cannot be broken by hand. Rock material not plastic.
Slightly
Discoloration of discontinuity weathered surfaces Hammer blows give a dull note. Needs more than one blow of the geological
weathered II
and some degradation material on discontinuity surface. hammer to break specimen.
Faintly
IB Discoloration of major discontinuity surfaces.
weathered
Q & A
Colluvium
Alluvium
Glacial Drift