Chemical Weathering of Rocks

1. Chemical Weathering of Rocks Exploring the Environmental and Economic Impact of the End-Products of Chemical Reactions

2. Vocabulary of Instruction environment environmental impact chemical reaction ozone depletion economic impact degradation heavy metals sulfur dioxide rust pollutants end-product acid rain the greenhouse effect

3. Effects of Acid Rain on Rock Materials • Building materials and architecture are affected by acid rain. • Acid rain and dry deposition of acidic particles have played a huge role in corrosion, and they accelerate natural weathering (rain, Sun, snow, and wind) of buildings. • Acid rain affects some materials more than others. • The building materials limestone, marble, and some sandstone are more susceptible to acid rain because they are carbonate stones.

4. Effects of Acid Rain on Rock Materials • Carbonate stones dissolve easily in acid. • This is a huge problem because many statues, historical buildings, tombstones, and monuments are composed of carbonate stones. • Other materials, such as nickel, paint, zinc, and carbon-steel, also deteriorate readily in acid rain. • On the other hand, granite and granite-based rocks, which are composed of silicate materials, are more resistant to acidity. • More modern buildings use granite instead of the carbonate stones.

5. Features Worn Away

6. Comparing Non-Weathered and Weathered Limestone

7. Chemically Weathered Gravestones

8. Another Example of Chemical Weathering

9. Damage from Acid Rain http://www.whatischemistry.unina.it/en/martmarmo.html

10. Effects of an Acidic Environment http://www.geologi.emilia-romagna.it/rivista/2006-23_DelMonte.pdf

11. Formation of Acid Rain http://newacidrain.piczo.com/?g=39597498&cr=3

12. Summary The effects of acid rain are widely known. Acid rain contains a pH of less than four. Acid rain describes any form of precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. Acid rain is corrosive to our environment - both biotic and abiotic. Acid rain has many ecological effects, but none is greater than its impact on lakes, streams, wetlands, and other aquatic environments.

13. Summary • Acid rain makes waters acidic and causes them to absorb the aluminum that makes its way from soil into lakes and streams. • It also damages forests, especially those at higher elevations. • Acid rain flows into streams, lakes, and marshes after falling on forests, fields, buildings, and roads. • Acid rain also falls directly on aquatic habitats.