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Geology > Weathering and Soils > Flashcards

Weathering and Soils Flashcards

1
Q

Physical weathering

A

accomplished by physical forces that break rocks into smaller and smaller pieces without changing rock’s mineral composition

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2
Q

Chemical weathering

A

a chemical transformation of rock into one or more new compounds

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3
Q

Examples of physical weathering

A

Frost wedging; Biological activity; Unloading

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4
Q

Examples of chemical weathering

A

Hydrolysis; Dissolution; Oxidation

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5
Q

Hydrolysis

A

reacts with acid/ water to form clays

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6
Q

Dissolution

A

carbonate (rock) and acid rain create calcium carbonate solution; Causes sinkholes and caves

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7
Q

Oxidation

A

rock with O2 or groundwater with Fe is powerful agent that makes rock red

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8
Q

Tropical

A

Strong chemical

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9
Q

Polar

A

slight mechanical

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10
Q

Desert

A

slight mechanical

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11
Q

Mid-latitude

A

strong chemical and strong mechanical (Michigan)

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12
Q

Differential erosion

A

Different rock types weather differently; Rocks weather at different rates of weakening due to exposure

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13
Q

Granite

A

exfoliation; hydrolysis

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14
Q

Basalt

A

Chemical (oxidation)

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15
Q

Sandstone

A

granual disintegration

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16
Q

Limestone

A

dissolution

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17
Q

Shale

A

granual disintgration into clay

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18
Q

Use of gravel

A

drains very fast

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19
Q

Use of loam

A

best for plants; contains lots of organics

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20
Q

Use of silt

A

oor aeration; compacts easily

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21
Q

Use of Sand

A

drains fast

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22
Q

use of clay

A

absorbs water; doesn’t let water pass through

23
Q

Leaching

A

soulable material washed away

24
Q

Eluviation

A

washes fine material downward

25
Q

Bioremediation

A

use of bacterium to consume and break down hydrocarbons and other pollutents in soil

26
Q

Pros of Bioremediation

A

Less costly; Minimum distruption of site; Enviormentally friendly

27
Q

Cons of Bioremediation

A

Slow response; Has to be specificly tailored to each site; Most successful in soil that maintains 70 degrees

28
Q

Thermal soil remediation

A

Heating contaminated material to evaporate hydrocarbon impurities and water

29
Q

Air Sparging

A

Large volumes of air injected into polluted soil to force pollutents outward then treated by carbon filter

30
Q

Encapsulation

A

Mixing polluted soil with lime, cement, and concrete

31
Q

Ways to conserve soil

A

No till farming; Put up break wall to protect from wind; “Let the land be your leader”

32
Q

“Keep it covered”

A

No till farming; Cover soil with mulch, plastic, or latex; Plants to protect top soil

33
Q

“Let the land be your leader”

A

follow natural topography; Like terracing

34
Q

Rockfall

A

Boulders; Frost wedging

35
Q

Rock slide

A

Sedimentary; Slides down bedding plane

36
Q

Avalanche

A

Fast movement of snow; Caused by weak layer of snow; Usually in Spring

37
Q

Mudflow

A

Clay mixed with water; Usually in Spring; Snow melt; Very fluid

38
Q

Lahar

A

Volcanic ash mixed with water

39
Q

Slump

A

Saturation of water causes soil below surface layer to drop downhill

40
Q

Creep

A

Slow movement of soil; Causes tiliting of objects; Due to freezing/thawing

41
Q

Solification

A

Arctic climates; Spring; When top layer melts, moves slowly over perma-frost

42
Q

Factors influencing mass movement

A
  1. Amount of moisture; 2. Angle of slope; 3. Lack of vegetation; 4. Rock Type; 5. Roundness of Particle
43
Q

Angle of repose

A

maximum angle sediment can retain; Based on size and shape of particle; Large particle + large angle of repose

44
Q

Causes of landslide?

45
Q

How to prevent Mass movement?

A
  1. Fence/Wall; 2. Leaving enough space; 3. Planting Vegetation; 4. Provide good drainage (most expensive, but best way)
46
Q

Importance of Soil

A

Supports animal and plant life; Provides habitat for wide range of organisms; Influences distribution of plant species

47
Q

Factors controlling Soil Formation

A
  1. Climate; 2. Organisms; 3. Relief (topography); Parent material; Time
48
Q

Pedalfer soil

A

Eastern United States; Contains Al + Fe; Has large Zone of Leaching; Under forest vegetation; Temperate humid climate; Brown colored, sandy

49
Q

Pedocal Soil

A

Western United States; Contains high levels of Calcium carbonate; Whitish in Color; Dry grasslands and brush vegetation; Temperate dry climate; Large Bedrock

50
Q

Laterite Soil

A

(Not much in USA); Hot and wet tropical climates; Intense chemical weathering; Lots of water; High in iron, Red color; Poor growing soil; Super thin top soil

51
Q

Which rocks weather the most rapidly?

A

Sedimentary; Because only lithified together

52
Q

What rocks weather the least? The exception?

A

Igneous and metamorphic; Marble is exception

53
Q

What mineral is most resistant to weathering?

Geology (8 decks)

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