WEATHERING

Weathering is defined as a process of decay, disintegration and decomposition

under the influence of certain physical and chemical agencies.

The process of weathering depends upon the following three factors:  Nature
of rocks  Length of time  Climate
TYPES OF WEATHERING
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
The chemical decomposition of the rock is called chemical weathering
which is nothing but chemical reaction between gases of the atmosphere and
minerals of the rocks.
Some commonly occurring processes in chemical weathering;
a. SOLUTION-Dissociation of minerals into ions, greatly aided by the presence
of CO2 in the soil profile, which forms carbonic acid (H2CO3) with
percolating rainwater.
b. OXIDATION- The combination of oxygen with a mineral to form oxides and
hydroxides or any other reaction in which the oxidation number of the
oxidized elements is increased.
c. REDUCTION- The release of oxygen from a mineral to its surrounding
environment: ions leave the mineral structure as the oxidation number of the
reduced elements is decreased.
d. HYDRATION- Absorption of water molecules into the mineral structure. Note:
this normally results in expansion, some clays expand as much as 60%, and by
admitting water hasten the processes of solution, oxidation, reduction and
hydrolysis.
e. HYDROLISYS-Hydrogen ions in percolating water replace mineral cations: no
oxidation-reduction occurs.
f. LEACHING- The migration of ions produced by the above processes. Note: the
mobility of ions depends upon their ionic potential: Ca, Mg, Na, K are easily
leached by moving water, Fe is more resistant, Si is difficult to leach and
Al is almost immobile.
g. CATION EXCHANGE- Absorption onto the surface of negatively charged clay of
positively charged cations in solution, especially Ca, H, K, Mg.

MECHANICAL WEATHERING
The processes of mechanical weathering
a. MECHANICAL UNLOADING-Vertical expansion due to the reduction of vertical
load by erosion. This will open existing fractures and may permit the
creation of new fractures.
b. MECHANICAL LOADING- Impact on rock, and abrasion, by sand and silt size
windborne particles in deserts. Impact on soil and weak rocks by rain drops
during intense rainfall storms.
c. THERMAL LOADING- Expansion by the freezing of water in pores and fractures
in cold regions, or by the heating of rocks in hot regions. Contraction by
the cooling of rocks and soils in cold regions.
d. WETTING AND DRYING- Expansion and contraction associated with the repeated
absorption and loss of water molecules from mineral surfaces and structures
e. CRYSTALLIZATION- Expansion of pores and fissures by crystallization within
them of minerals that were originally in solution. Note: expansion is only
severe when crystallization occurs within a confined space.
f. PNEUMATIC LOADING -The repeated loading by waves of air trapped at the
head of fractures exposed in the wave zone of a sea cliff.
BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING
The weathering process related to the activities, if microorganism such as
bacteria as well as plants and animals are termed as organic weathering.
Animals moving through cracks can break rocks.
Roots of plants.
SCALE OF WEATHERING
Scale of weathering refers the rate and intensity of weathering. It may be
less intensive, most intensive or moderate, depending upon the following
factors.
1. Nature of weathering agencies involved.
2. Nature and composition of rocks involved.
3. Type of weathering takes place. Weather and climate condition of the
region
SOILS
Soils are the products of disintegrated and decomposed rocks.
Weathering is the key process of the formation of soil.
Soils are unconsolidated fragments ranging in size 60 micron - 2mm.
Soil Profile
Top layer (consists of loose particles)
Second layer (not compacted much)
Third layer (compact layer)
Last layer (rocky)
FORMATION OF SOIL
Weathering
It is the natural process of disintegration and decay of rocks, due to the
impact of various natural agencies like atmospheric gases moisture, sun’s
heat, wind, running water, glaciers and other organisms and human beings.
Erosion
The process of the removal of weathered product by wind, river or any other
agents are called erosions.
Transportation
It refers movement of eroded particles from one place to another.
Deposition and sedimentation
Deposition of particles will take place whenever the velocity of transporting
agents like wind is arrested.
Sedimentation is the process of deposition of sediments.
Classification of Soil
Major classifications:
1. Cohesive Soil:Soil particles held under cohesion. E.g.:-Clay soil
2. Non-Cohesive Soil:No cohesion involved b/n soil particle. E.g.:-sand
3. Transported Soil:The soil particles are transported from the point of
origin and
deposited somewhere away from their source. E.g.:-River sand
4. Residual Soil: They are also called in–situ-soils. They are formed at
there at
their source point itself. E.g.:-Pit sand, Lateritic Soil
Based on their composition:
1. Clayey Soil–Rich in clay
2. Sandy Soil – Rich in sand
3. Gravelly Sand–Gravel mixed sandy soil
4. Clayey Sand – Clay rich sand
5. Sandy Clay– Sand rich in clay
6. Lateritic Soil – Rich in laterite
7. Black Cotton Soil– Black soil rich in most Montmorrilonite clay
8. Red Soil – Red in color rich in iron
9. Loamy Soil– Mixture of sand, silt and clay
Based on their places of origins:
1. Desert soil:Light brown soil contains nitrogen and favorable for
vegetation if
there is water content.
2. Alluvial Soil: Formed along river bed.
3. Coastal sand: Formed in coastal plains having Saline in character due to
the presents of chlorides.
4. Mountainous soil: Found in Himalayas.5. Peat soil: Formed due to decaying
of vegetable matter, derived from Marshy land.
WORK OF RIVERS, WIND AND SEA AND THEIR ENGINEERING IMPORTANCE
Rivers, wind, moving ice and water waves are capable of loosening, dislodging
and carrying particles of soil, sediment and larger pieces of rock. They are
therefore described as the agents of erosion.
The work of erosion performed by rivers results in the widening and deepening
of their valleys. The rate of erosion is greatly enhanced in times of flood.
Rivers are also agents of transport, and carry much material in suspension,
to re-deposit part of it along their course further downstream, or in lakes,
or in times of flood as levees and over the flood plain; ultimately most of
the eroded material reaches the sea. Some matter is carried in solution and
contributes to the salinity of the oceans. The energy which is imparted to
sediment moved by a stream, the finer particles in suspension and the coarser
(including boulders) rolled along the bed during floods, performs work by
abrading the channel of the river. Hollows known as pot-holes are often worn
in the rock of a riverbed by the grinding action of pebbles which are swirled
round by eddying water. Such a water-worn rock surface is easily recognized,
and if observed near but above an existing stream it marks a former course at
a higher level.