ATF 105 PRINCIPLES OF SOIL SCIENCE
MODULE 4 ASSIGNMENT 7/5/25
PROCESSES OF CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
WEATHERING.
Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down by physical, chemical and biological
agenst to form soil. It occurs naturally over a long period of time and the type of weathering is
described according to which agent acts on the rocks.
(1) PHYSICAL WEATHERING
This is the breakdown of rocks as a result of physical forces acting upon them. Examples of
physical weathering include the following:
a. Expansion and Contraction of Rocks Due To Temperature Change.
When temperatures rise the rocks expand, the opposite happens when the cold weather sets in.This
weakens the rock and they break into smaller fragments. In some dry lands the day temperature may
rise up to 40°Cwhile night temperature falls to below 12°C. This serious variation causes the rocks
to fragment e.g. in Sudan.
b. F r e e z e and thaw.
In this process water collects in rock crevices in liquid form. During the cold season the water in the
crevices freezes and expands forcing the rocks to breakdown. This is repeated again and again as
weather and seasons change resulting to continuous breakdown of the rocks.
c. Exfoliation
This is the peeling away of the outer layer of the rocks due to the action of water and heat. The rock
absorbs water and expands. When the temperatures rise the water evaporates leaving a weakened
outer layer which peels off. Careful observation of rocks show tiny cracks on the surface and some
fragments at its base indicates continuous exfoliation.
d. A b r a s i o n
In this type of weathering, the rocks are worn away by the action of ice, water and wind. As these
agents carry rocks across the surface of others the rubbing off or abrasion occurs as well.
e. Volcanic Activity
It also causes weathering by heating rocks into ash and creating gas pores which weakens them.
f. Human Activity
Human activities such as drilling, quarrying, mining, and civil construction work all cause weathering
by forcefully breaking rocks. They also grind rocks into powder and carry it away to other places
(2) CHEMICAL WEATHERING
Chemical weathering results from the chemical reaction of the rocks with water, air or other
substances. There are several processes in chemical weathering which include
(a) Hydrolysis
In this process water reacts with molecules in the rock breaking them and causing it to crumble. For
example when water reacts with a magnesium oxide contained in a rock, the product obtained is
Magnesium hydroxide. Magnesium hydroxide is a liquid and thus the rock will weaken and finally
break up.
(b) Oxidation and reduction
In this process the minerals found in rocks reacts with oxygen to form oxides. In another reaction
rock comprising of Iron II compound in a rock will be reduced to Iron III compound when
Subjected to conditions of low oxygen. This will result to formation of soil with a different
chemical composition.
(c) Dissolution
In this type of weathering water dissolves some minerals in the rocks especially salts and limestone.
It carries away these minerals as solution. This changes the composition of the soil that forms from
the rocks subjected to dissolution.
(c) Acidic rain.
Rain water dissolves sulphur dioxide from polluted air to form sulphuric acid. This acid will react
with minerals in some rocks to form sulphates ad as such changes the composition of the soil
formed by those rocks.
(3) BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING.
This process occurs as a result of breakdown of rocks by living organisms. Both plants and
Animals act on rocks prompting them to weather faster. Examples of this include:-
(a) Plant roots which grow into rock cracks.
As they increase in size, they force the rocks to break up. This it has been observed on the cliff face
along Limuru – Mai Mahiu road and other areas.
(b) Animal waste reactions
Some animal waste contains reactive compounds that dissolve or react with minerals in rocks. E.g.
Ammonia from animal waste reacts with metallic ions and form soluble compounds which will
dissolve away and make the rock break down. The waste will also change the composition of the
soil formed.
(b) Animal activity
Also contributes to biological weathering in various ways. From large creatures to small ones,
burrowing animals break down rocks causing weathering.
Large hooved animals, break rocks as they move on rocky areas .over a long period of time, they
hew out deep tracks even on hard rocks
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it is correct to conclude that the processes of weathering are many and
varied, each contributing its bit to create soil. Now that soil is very important to our survival and the
time it takes to form, then it makes it more important to conserve that which is already with us.
