PROCESS OF WEATHERING

               PROCESS OF WEATHERING

Introduction : 

                      Weathering is the general term applied to the combined action of all processes causing rocks to be disintegrated physically and decomposed chemically because of exposure at or near ty earth's surface.

                     In particular, weathering occurs, where rocks and minerals come in contact wiy the atmosphere, surficial water, and organic life under conditions that are normal to the surface the earth.

                     Weathering helps erosion, but is not a part of it. There can be weathering without erosion and erosion without weathering.

Types of weathering : 

                     There are three main types of weathering,

                   1) Physical Weathering,

                   2) Chemical Weathering,

                   3) Biological Weathering.

1) Physical Weathering : 

                    This process refer to the mechanical disintegration of rocks in which their mineralogical composition is not changed. This is brought about chiefly by temperature changes, e.g., thermal expansion and contraction. The following are some of the importance process of physical weathering.

2) Chemical weathering : 

                     It is also known as mineral alteration, consists of a number of chemical reaction, all these reactions change the original silicate minerals of igneous rock, the primary minerals, into new compounds, the secondary minerals, that are stable in the surface environment.

3) Biological Weathering : 

                     This process of weathering is mainly related to the activities of various organisms. Organisms, mainly plants and bacteria, take part in the transformation of rocks at the surface.