5 PROCESSES OF CHEMICAL WEATHERING

Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at the earth's surface, by action of rainwater, extremes of temperature and biological activities. It does not involve the removal of rock materials. 

Chemical weathering is the weakening and subsequent disintegration of rock by chemical reactions. 

5 PROCESSES OF CHEMICAL WEATHERING

The following are 5 processes of chemical weathering

Hydrolysis

this is chemical breakdown of substance when combined with water. Therefore hydrolysis is break down of rock due to reaction between rock and water. The most common example of hydrolysis is feldspar which can be found in granite changing to the clay. When it rains water seep down into the ground and come into contact with granite rock. The feldspar crystals within the granite reacts with the water and are chemically altered to form clay minerals which weaken the rock.
Hydrolysis

Oxidation

this is weakening of the rock due to its reaction with oxygen.The oxidation is the process which cause rust. It occur when oxygen in water reacts with the mineral iron in rocks, which cause them to rust. Oxidation is effective in presence of moisture. Example of oxidation is when ferrous oxide is oxidized to ferric oxide which is reddish brown in color.

Carbonation

this is mixing of water with carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid. It occur in limestone and chalk regions where the weak carbonic acid react with limestone or chalk to form calcium hydrogen carbonate which dissolve in water. The process of carbonation is responsible for formation of surface and subterranean limestone features in karst region.
Carbonation AS CHEMICAL WEATHERING PROCESS

Hydration

is the absorption of water in the mineral structure. A good example of hydration is the absorption by anhydrate resulting into formation of gypsum. Hydration expands volume and also results into rock deformation. 

Dehydration

this is removal of water from rock or mineral structure. A good example of dehydration is the removal of water from limonite, resulting into formation of hematite.

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