BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING

GROUP THREE
GROUP MEMBERS
▪ Monique Watson
▪ Tomika Wallace
▪ Darren Mohabir
▪ Darindra Charan
▪ Akeelha Harding
▪ Emmanuel Henry
▪ Shayne James
▪ Reaz Farinha
▪ Amelia Henry
▪ Pratima Ragonauth ( did not contribute)
▪ Randlen Austin
WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING?

Biological weathering only refers to weathering caused

by organisms- animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms
such as bacteria. Biological weathering can work hand in
hand with physical weathering by weakening rock, or
exposing it to the forces of physical or chemical
weathering.
BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING

▪ PHYSICALLY - Biological weathering can be seen in action anywhere,

in a sidewalk cracked by a tree root. The roots of trees, grasses and
other plants can grow into small spaces and gaps in rock. When these
roots grow, they exert pressure on the rock around them, causing the
gaps to widen or even crack.
▪ CHEMICALLY - Plant roots can also weather rock through chemical
processes. When dead roots decompose, they release carbon
dioxide; this is sometimes converted into carbonic acid, which
chemically breaks down rock into soil.
Pictures

Here, we see the effects

the tree roots have on
the rock, slowly
breaking it apart.
Pictures

Here, we see the tree

roots casing damage to
the road, due to the
roots spreading
outwards and pressing
against the asphalt.
BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING

. OUT OF SIGHT - Many micro- organisms in the soil and on the surface
of rock can contribute. Some derive nutrients by taking a combination
of nitrogen from the air and minerals from the rock such as silica. By
removing these minerals, the rock is weakened and is further subject to
other weathering forces such as wind and water.
PICTURES

Micro-organism
growing on the surface
of rocks.
DIAGRAMS

As the seed grows, it

pushes up against the
rock, trying to get past
it.
DIAGRAMS