Weathering and Erosion

In this chapter we will discuss:

•The difference between chemical and
mechanical weathering and their effects on the
climate
•How soil develops and the factors that affect its
development
•Why soil is important and ways to reduce soil
loss
 Weathering

• Weathering breaks down rock into smaller pieces

called sediments.
• The sediments change gradually into soil.
• Weathering also produces strange rock formations
like the one on page 182. (the soil formation depends
on the amount of weathering that occurs).
• There are two types of weathering: chemical and
mechanical
 Physical Weathering
• Occurs when rocks are broken apart by physical
processes. Their chemical makeup remains the same.
• It is caused by growing plants, burrowing animals, and
expanding ice.
• The plants are nourished by water and nutrients that
seep through cracks. This causes plants to grow.
• The animals loosen sediments and push them to the
surface. Once at the surface other weathering
processes act on them.
• Ice wedging: occurs in
temperate and cold climates
where water enters cracks in
rocks and freezes.
freezing and thawing also breaks
up roads and highways
• As the amount of surface
area increases more rock is
exposed to water and
oxygen.
 Chemical Weathering
• occurs when chemical reactions dissolve the minerals in rock
or change them into different minerals. It also occurs when
naturally formed acids come into contact with other rocks.
• Natural acids - Carbonic acids are formed when water mixes
with carbon dioxide gas in the air or soil. This causes calcite
to dissolve.
• Clay is an end product of weathering. Kaolinite clay forms
when natural acids react with feldspar in granite and other
rocks.
• Oxidation occurs when metallic minerals are
exposed to oxygen and water over prolonged
periods of time (ex. limestone)

Effects of climate
Climate is the pattern of weather that occurs
in a particular area over many
Years.
-in cold climates mechanical weathering
breaks down rocks more rapidly.
-in warm, wet climates, chemical weathering
occurs more rapidly (ex. Amazon). Marble
weathers more rapidly than granite in warm
climates.
 Explain . . .

• the difference between

mechanical and chemical
weathering
• the effects of climate on
weathering
 Soil is a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic
matter, mineral fragments, water, and air.

The Nature of Soil

Factors Affecting Soil Formation
• Climate
• Slope of the land
• Types of rock
• Types of vegetation
• And the amount of time a rock has been weathering
 Soil Composition
• Soil is composed of • Humus is dark in color and
plants, leaves, serves as a nutritional
stems, and animal source for plants.
microorganisms.
• When animals die
they get into the
soil and then
decay.
• This decayed
matter is called
humus.
 Soil Profile
Soil is set up in layers called horizons . These horizons
create the soil profile. Most soils have three horizons.
Horizon A
• top layer of soil, also called topsoil.
• May be covered with twigs, leaves,
and other organic material (litter)
• Litter helps prevent erosions and
holds water.
• It has more humus and mineral
particles than any other layer.
• It is dark in color (color is
determined by the organic material
that is in the soil)
 Horizon B
• Lighter in color, less
fertile
• Has larger particles
• Contains material from
the leaching process.
• Leaching removes
material from Horizon A
through acid, which
dissolves minerals from
the upper layer.
 Soil profile continued
• Horizon C
• Consists partially of
weathered rock and is the
bottom horizon.
• Composed of coarser,
smaller sediments than
other horizons above it.
• Called the parent material of
soil .
• Glacial deposits cover
much of the Midwestern
U. S.
• Soil on glaciers are very
fertile and are a key part
of their (Midwestern
states) agricultural
industry.
 Soil Types
• Different climates
produce different
types of soil.
• The U. S. has 9
different soil types
that vary in color,
depth, texture, and
fertility.
 Explain. . .

• How soil develops from rock

• The different soil horizons
• The factors that affect soil
developments.
 Soil Erosion
Soil is important; if topsoil is eroded away, it becomes
less fertile.
 Causes and Effects of Soil
Erosion
Soil is eroded when it is moved
from the place where it is
formed.
• It is more common on steep
slopes and areas where there
is little vegetation
• Soil forms at the same rate it
is produced.
 Types of Soil Erosion
• agricultural cultivation: is the result of increase in
population. Over time it can reduce soil quality.
• Forest harvesting: removing forests and exposing
soil. This is especially so in tropical rain forests.
The soil here is rich in nutrients but only for a few
years. Once useless, the land is cleared and the
process is repeated, which damages the soil more.
• Overgrazing: when natural vegetation is removed
from land that receives little rain, plants are slow to
grow back. This affects soil because it increases
erosion.
• Urban construction: erodes the soil by wind and
water.
This eroded soil can enter streams causing them to
fill up with sediments.
This damages streams because it covers dwelling
organisms and eggs, clogging the streams or
reducing the downstream water quality.
 Preventing Soil Erosion
There are many things that can be done to prevent
soil erosion. Here are a few things mentioned in the
chapter:
1. Farmers can plant shelter belts of trees, cover bare soils with
decaying plants, graze animals on vegetation instead of plowing
it under, or use no-till farming
2. Plant along natural contours of the land (contour farming).
Terracing can also be done to grow crops.
3. At construction sites, cover exposed land with mulch, mats, or
plastic. Spraying water on exposed land, add topsoil and plant
trees. Also build retaining walls to prevent soil from eroding.
• Explain why soil is important
• Identify human activities that
lead to soil loss
• Describe ways to reduce soil
loss