Tuesday, May 19, 2020

CHEMICAL WEATHERING

  PROCESS  OF  CHEMICAL  WEATHERING

Weathering is a geological destructive process which leads to formation of simple compounds from solid rocks of earth crust. When these rocks are broken by chemical reactions occurring due to their exposure to water , oxygen, acids , carbon etc., it is termed as chemical weathering. Chemical weathering is minimum in desert , arctic & alpine conditions.

Types of chemical weathering:

1.SIMPLE  SOLUTION :  H2O + CO2 → H2CO3 ( carbonic acid) formed during rain ,thunder & lightening . Carbonic acid has solublising  properties and so it solublises certain rock minerals & helps in weathering.

2.HYDROLYSIS: water reacts with the minerals found in the rock and break them. Ex. KAlSi3O8 (orthoclase) + HOH  →HAlSi3O8 ( acid silicate clay) + KOH

3.CARBONATION : carbonic acid present in rain water reacts with calcite (CaCO3) present in crevices of rocks and forms bicarbonate ( Ca (HCO3) ) which leaches down to lower layers  and precipitate CaCO3 & liberate CO2 gas. Calcium carbonate so formed accumulate further and leads to karst  topography.

4. OXIDATION :mainly affects Fe2+ iron . Iron mineral like FeS2 ( iron pyrite) oxidises to form hydrated ferric oxide and sulphuric acid. ex. 2FeS2 +7H2O + 15O → Fe (OH)3 + 4H2SO4.

5. HYDRATION : volume increases due to hydration . ex. 2Fe2O3 +3H2O → 2Fe2O3 . 3H2O

 


2 comments:

Biofortification , Examples of Biofortification & Government Schemes

BIOFORTIFICATION Fortification is the process of addition of  micro-nutrients (vitamins & minerals ) which may or may not be naturall...