W2 L5 09-03-2023

4. Oxidation and hydration (weathering by

rusting):

 Pyroxene, amphibole, magnetite, pyrite, and

olivine are most susceptible to oxidation because
they have high iron content. Iron contained in
these minerals combines with oxygen and water
to form hydrated iron oxides as follows:
4Fe2+ + 3O2 + 6H2O  2(Fe2O3.3H2O)
Iron-rich minerals + Oxygen + Water Limonite

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5. Hydrolysis: This reaction is responsible for the
formation of clays, the most important mineral in soils.
 A typical hydrolytic reaction occurs when orthoclase
feldspar (silicate mineral) reacts with slightly acidic
water to form clay minerals:
2KAlSi3O8 + 2H+ + 9H2O  H4Al2Si2O9 + 2K+ + 4H4SiO4
Orthoclase feldspar + acid + water  clay mineral (kaolinite) + K ion + soluble silica or
silicic acid

 The ions released from silicate minerals (e.g. K+) in the

weathering process are carried away by rain and river
waters or become important soil nutrients.

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6. Carbonation: is the process of rock minerals reacting
with carbonic acid.
 Carbonic acid is formed when water combines with
carbon dioxide. Carbonic acid dissolves or breaks
down minerals in the rock.
CO2 + H2O → H2CO3
(carbon dioxide + water → carbonic acid)
CaCO3 + H2CO3 → Ca2+ + 2HCO3-
(calcite + carbonic acid → calcium + bicarbonate)

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7. Sulfuric Acid:

 The air in certain areas is polluted with sulfur

oxides. Sulfur oxides are a byproduct of the
burning of coal as a source of energy. These
compounds dissolve in rainwater to form sulfuric
acid.
 Rain that contains sulfuric acid is one type of acid
rain. It is much stronger than carbonic acid.
Sulfuric acid corrodes rocks, metals and other
materials quickly.

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8. Plant Acids:
Plants produce weak acids that dissolve certain
minerals in rocks. Mosses and lichens produce weak
acids that dissolve some of the minerals in the rocks
they grow on in areas of Permafrost.