EZHILMATHI.

S
2015006015
Biological
weathering is the
weakening and
subsequent
disintegration of rock
by plants, animals
and microbes
Organic weathering
It is the disintegration of
rocks as a result of the
action by living organisms
Plant and animals have a
significant effect on the
rocks as they penetrate or
burrow into the soil
Biological weathering can work with physical weathering,
for example root exert pressure which helps to weakening
rocks
It can also produce chemical weathering, for example where
microorganisms produce organic acids which help to
dissolve minerals
Microscopic organisms can produce organic chemicals that
can contribute to the rock’s mineral weathering
The roots penetrate into the soil in search of
nutrients and water
They go through cracks or joints in the rocks and as
they grow they progressively crack the rock apart
They also emit organic acids that aid to dissolve the
rock’s minerals
Although the process is physical, the pressure is
exerted by a biological process
Algae, moss, lichens and bacteria break down rock
minerals by altering the rock’s chemical composition
Lichen is fungi and algae living together in a
symbiotic relationship
Fungi release chemicals that break down rock
minerals; the minerals thus released from rock
consumed by algae
These compounds can break down iron and aluminum
minerals in the rocks
They release acidifying molecules and chelating compounds
The amount of biological activity that breaks down
minerals depends on how much life is in that area
They arise out of bio-chemical reactions
They also bring about moist chemical micro-environments
This can move rock fragments to the surface
Moles, squirrels and rabbits can speed up the development
of fissures
Piddock shells drill into rocks for protection by releasing
acids to dissolve the rocks
There are many small animals that eat away the rock’s
minerals and bore hole so as live inside it
This equally dig, crash, and widen the
cracks and wind up fragmenting the
rocks apart
These activities include mining, road
construction, and housing developments
 Historically, scientists have studied weathering as an abiotic
process.
 In the mid 1980’s, scientists studying geothermal sediments
from Yellowstone found the some of the first evidence of
biological weathering when they discovered iron-silicate
minerals in association with bacterial remains.
 The first application that included biological weathering in
LAPSUS was Temme and Veldkamp’s study in South Africa.
 The original implementation of biological weathering was
developed by Minasny and McBratney, 2006.
Biological weathering and the long-term carbon
cycle: integrating mycorrhizal evolution and
function into the current paradigm
Crystalline nanotube-forming bacteria help
crumble mountains in a tropical rainforest
 http://www.eartheclipse.com
 Das, Dilip kumar/ 1996/ introductory soil science
 http://www.thelonelyspore.com
Thank u