Chemical Weathering In Limestone And Granite

Granite and limestone are two of the most common and widely distributed rocks on earth.

Chemical weathering in limestone and granite. Chemical weathering involves the decomposition of rocks due to chemical reactions between minerals such as calcite with water and gases in the atmosphere e g. The grand canyon for example was formed to a large degree by the mechanical weathering action of the colorado river. They are however very different in their composition appearances and uses. Chemical weathering some material on this page borrowed from usgs.

This causes the limestone to dissolve. Although the science behind the formation of these types of rocks is complex you can. Calcite is the major component of limestone typically more than 95 and under surface conditions limestone will dissolve to varying degrees depending on which minerals it contains other than calcite as shown in figure 5 12. Mechanical weathering occurs when water drips or flows over rock for prolonged periods.

A gravestone made of granite will therefore resist fracturing cracking and chipping longer than a sandstone marker found in the same location. The little chunks of granite are weathering and accumulating in topographic lows. Both have been used as key building blocks over the centuries. Carbon dioxide from the respiration of animals and ourselves is one cause of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

For example granite and gabbro are hard rocks that are weathered only slowly. Limestone also dissolves at relatively shallow depths underground forming limestone. Granite is extremely hard and less affected by the freeze thaw cycle the forces of abrasion and the surface exfoliation processes that are all a part of physical weathering. Carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.

The solution of soluble minerals is particularly important in limestone landscapes. Two important ones are rock salt and limestone. 5 2 chemical weathering. Water causes both mechanical weathering and chemical weathering.

Chemical weathering can produce caves made of limestone some types of rock are not easily weathered by chemicals.