Factors responsible for chemical weathering
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Answer:
There are many causes of chemical weathering, I will list and describe them.
Water- This is the most important cause of chemical weathering. The water weathers the rock by dissolving it into the water.
Oxygen- This is also an important cause of chemical weathering. Do you remember when you were a little kid and you left your bike outside while it was raining and it rusted? Well, iron combines with oxygen in the presence of water. This process is called oxidation. The outcome is rust. Rock that contains iron also oxidizes.
Carbon Dioxide- This dissolves in rainwater, the result a weak acid called carbonic acid, this outcome easily weathers marble and limestone.
Living Organisms- That's right, even living things can weather rocks. What kinds of living things you ask? Yes, trees. when a seed sprouts its roots push into cracks in rocks. As the roots grow they start to produce a weak acid that slowly dissolves the rock around the root.
Acid Rain- The burning of various chemicals for energy can pollute the air with sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen. When these chemicals mix with water vapor to form acid rain, then the acid rain mixes with the raindrops to form acid rain. Acid rain causes very rapid chemical weathering.
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