Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Sediments are most often transported by water (fluvial processes), wind (aeolian
processes) and glaciers. Beach sands and river channeldeposits are examples of fluvial
transport and deposition, though sediment also often settles out of slow-moving or
standing water in lakes and oceans. Desert sand dunes and loess are examples of
aeolian transport and deposition. Glacial moraine deposits and till are ice-transported
sediments.
WEATHERING
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soil and minerals as well as wood and
artificial materials through contact with theEarth's atmosphere, biota and waters.
Weathering occurs in situ, roughly translated to: "with no movement", and thus should
not be confused with erosion, which involves the movement of rocks and minerals by
agents such as water, ice, snow, wind, waves and gravity and then being transported
and deposited in other locations.
Two important classifications of weathering processes exist physical and chemical
weathering; each sometimes involves a biological component. Mechanical or physical
weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and soils through direct contact with
atmospheric conditions, such as heat, water, ice and pressure. The second
classification, chemical weathering, involves the direct effect of atmospheric chemicals
or biologically produced chemicals also known as biological weathering in the
breakdown of rocks, soils and minerals. [1] While physical weathering is accentuated in
very cold or very dry environments, chemical reactions are most intense where the
climate is wet and hot. However, both types of weathering occur together, and each
tends to accelerate the other. For example, physical abrasion (rubbing together)
decreases the size of particles and therefore increases their surface area, making them
more susceptible to rapid chemical reactions. The various agents act in concert to
convert primary minerals (feldspars and micas) to secondary minerals (clays and
carbonates) and release plant nutrient elements in soluble forms.
ROCK CYCLE
The rock cycle is a basic concept in geology that describes the time-consuming
transitions through geologic time among the three
main rock types: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. As the diagram to the right
illustrates, each of the types of rocks is altered or destroyed when it is forced out of its
equilibrium conditions. An igneous rock such as basalt may break down and dissolve
when exposed to the atmosphere, or melt as it is subducted under a continent. Due to
the driving forces of the rock cycle, plate tectonics and the water cycle, rocks do not
remain in equilibrium and are forced to change as they encounter new environments.
The rock cycle is an illustration that explains how the three rock types are related to
each other, and how processes change from one type to another over time.
The Rock Cycle is a group of changes. Igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock
or into metamorphic rock. Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic rock or into
igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change into igneous or sedimentary rock.
SILICATES
A silicate is a compound containing an anionic silicon compound. The great majority of
the silicates are oxides, but hexafluorosilicate([SiF6]2) and other anions are also
included.
Silicates are the most widespread of the minerals. They are made up of oxygen and
silicon the number one and number two most abundant elements in the earth's crust. By
themselves they make up over 90% of the weight of the earths crust. Most rocks are
composed mainly of this class of minerals.