GSC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Spheroidal Weathering, Podzol, Mollisol
23 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
Physical weathering= when rocks are forced wider in a joint. Chemical weathering= when ice freezes and cracks a rock. Spheroidal weathering and weathering rind= corners round out and decrease surface area to slow down weathering process. Rocks can develop a rind to protect from weathering. Relative weathering of carbonates, granite, and basalt= carbonate (weathers quickly b/c vulnerable to acids). Granite (weathers slower because it is more stable). General composition of soil= broken rock, decaying organic matter. Organic component of soil= humus, recycled materials like nitrogen and phosphorous. Products of weathering granite, basalt, and limestone soil horizons= clay minerals, quartz, metal oxides. Bioturbation= bugs and plants tend to mix organic material into layer a. Leaching= rainwater deposits materials like salts and metals into the soil. Spodosol= acidic o horizion, good for forests, bad for agriculture. Mollisol= cool and dry climates good for grass. Ultisols= warm humid environments, result of long term weathering. Farming and fertilizer= synthetic fertilizers are not as good.
