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Weathering and Soil
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Abrasion | the grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or sand particles |
chemical weathering | the process by which rocks break down as a result of chemical reactions |
acid precipitation | rain, sleet, or snow that contains a high concentration of acids |
Differential weathering | the process by which softer, less weather resistant rocks wear away at a faster rate than harder, more weather resistant rocks do |
soil | a loose mixture of rock fragments, organic material, water, and air that can support the growth of vegetation |
parent rock | a rock formation that is the source of soil |
Bedrock | the layer of rock beneath soil |
soil texture | the soil quality that is based on the proportions of soil particles |
soil structure | the arrangement of soil particles |
humus | dark, organic material formed in soil from the decayed remains of plants and animals |
leaching | the removal of substances that can be dissolved from rock, ore, or layers of soil due to the passing of water |
Soil conservation | a method to maintain the fertility of the soil by protecting the soil from erosion and nutrient loss |
erosion | the process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another |
weathering | the natural process by which atmospheric and environmental agents, such as wind, rain, and temperature changes, disintegrate and decompose rocks |
mechanical weathering | the process by which rocks break down into smaller pieces by physical means |