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Rebecca DeCamp

Rebecca DeCamp. Section 1-4 Weathering and Soil formation . Weathering. The breakdown of rock into smaller pieces Two basic types- mechanical & chemical M echanical- caused by physical means Chemical- chemical breakdown of rock into new substances . Rates of weathering (1).

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Rebecca DeCamp

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  1. Rebecca DeCamp Section 1-4 Weathering and Soil formation

  2. Weathering • The breakdown of rock into smaller pieces • Two basic types- mechanical & chemical • Mechanical- caused by physical means • Chemical- chemical breakdown of rock into new substances

  3. Rates of weathering (1) • The more something weathers- the more the surface area increases • Differential Weathering- when soft rocks get worn away leaving harder rocks behind • The smaller the rock- the faster it will weather • The rate of weathering depends on the climate

  4. Rates of weathering (2) • Weathering depend on elevations in the sense that place of higher elevation are exposed

  5. From bedrock to soil (1) • The rock where soil comes from – parent rock • Decayed plant and animal matter – humus • Soil layers from top to bottom –Topsoil, Subsoil, Bedrock • Tropical soils have plenty of Humus but lots of leaching • Desert soils are very dry and can even be toxic

  6. From bedrock to soil (2) • Temperate soils have lots of chemicals, little leaching, and plenty of water making for very fertile land • Arctic soils are much like desert soils in the sense that they are bad for plants.

  7. Soil conservation (1) • Soil conservation essential to agriculture, building, and the well-being of the environment • Soil provides housing for animals • Soil stores water • Erosion- process by which wind and water transport sediment to different locations

  8. Soil conservation (2) • Farmers plant cover crops to prevent soil eroding away between harvests • Rotating crops helps keep vital nutrients in the soil • Contour plowing and terracing helps to prevent erosion by water

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