Hydrolysis.

Secondary Minerals

Clay minerals: Kaolinite, Smectite , illite, Vermiculite, Chlorite, etc.

Aluminum oxides and hydroxides: Gibbsite, Diaspore, Boehmite

Iron oxides and hydroxides: Hematite, Goethite, Lepidocrosite, Limonite

Mn oxides and hydroxides: Pyrolusite, Romanechite, Manganite

Note that mechanical weathering breaks up rocks into smaller pieces, which are more
susceptible to hydrolysis due to the greater surface area exposed to acidic water. Also,
soluble silica (H4SiO4) and metal cations (e.g., magnesium, Mg2+, calcium, Ca2+; sodium
Na+; potassium, K+) released during hydrolysis are dissolved materials that become part
of the water.

The dissolved ions thus added to water may precipitate elsewhere and ultimately be
transformed to inorganic chemical sedimentary rocks. dissolved silica generally
precipitates as secondary silica away from the site of its production.

The carbonate and sulfate minerals are highly soluble compared to the alumino-silicates
The major carbonate minerals are calcite and dolomite. The major sulfate mineral is
gypsum. Na- and K- generally deposit as chlorides or sulfates. These minerals are called
evaporates, which are readily soluble in water and hence only found in deserts.
Carbonation.Complete Dissolution of Carbonate minerals

Consider water at pH 12 in contact with CaCO3. Any CaCO3 after dissolution will dissociate
into calcium and carbonate ions. The carbonate ions thus formed will remain as carbonate
ions at pH 12. Ksp equilibrium will be attained quickly and dissolution shall stop.
K sp [CaCO3 ] [Ca 2 ].[CO32 ] 5x10 9 At Equilibriu m, [Ca 2 ] [CO32 ] 7.77 x10 5 M

Now Consider water at pH 5.6 in contact with CaCO 3. Any CaCO3 after dissolution will
dissociate into calcium and carbonate ions. The carbonate ions thus formed will mostly be
converted to bicarbonate ions. Thus Ksp equilibrium will not be attained and more CaCO3
will be dissolved. The pH of the solution will also go up as more and more CaCO 3 is
dissolved. Finally, Ksp equilibrium will be attained at some pH > 5.6, but the amount of
CaCO3 dissolved in this case is much higher.

As more and more acidic water comes to contact with the carbonate rock, the rock will be
completely dissolved.
Carbonatio n : CaCO3 (s) H Ca 2 HCO 3

Carbonation is a common method of dissolution of sedimentary and metamorphic carbonate

rocks like limestone, dolomite, marble, etc.
Weathering.continued The process of weathering is quite
The resistance of various minerals to weathering is similar, irrespective of the rock being
summarized below, weathered,
1. Quartz is not weathered
2. Other primary alumino-silicate
minerals are weathered to
secondary minerals such as clays,
and various metal oxides.
3. The ferrous ions in iron oxides are
oxidized to ferric ions by
atmospheric oxygen.
4. Ca- and Mg- ions leached from
primary minerals may precipitate
as carbonates or sulfates and
arid/semi-arid regions
5. Na- and K- may deposit as
chlorides in desert regions.
6. Substantial amounts of Na, K, Ca
and Mg cations and chloride and
sulfate anions are discharged into
the ocean through surface runoff
Fate of the Rock
Quartz is very resistant to weathering and hence will gradually be broken down to sand. Thus,
with the progress of weathering, the original rock will be converted to a mixture of sand, other
un-weathered primary minerals and secondary minerals like clay and metal oxides/hydroxides.
Weathering and Climate Chemical Weathering Pictures
WeatheringFormation of Regolith
Regolith is a layer of loose (un-lithified) soil and rock debris that overlies and blankets
bedrock . Regolith is formed by physical and chemical weathering of bedrock.

The top layer of the regolith is

gradually colonized by bacteria and
small plants.

The dead organic matter is decomposed

into humus, which is mixed with the top
part of regolith and this mixture is
called the soil.

Soil is that part of the regolith down to the

deepest penetration of plant roots.
How Soil is Formed
If left undisturbed, humid and semi-arid soils develop layers called horizons.
O-Zone: Surface litter and non- or partially decomposed organic matter (top soil)
A-Zone: Mostly humus (fully decomposed organic matter). Some inorganic matter (top soil)
E-Zone : Mostly inorganic material (sand and silt), some humus. Strong leaching. (sub soil)
B_Zone: Deposits of clay, iron and aluminum oxides and some humus. (subsoil)
C-Zone: Partially weathered bedrock (regolith)
Topsoil and Subsoil

O and A Horizon..Topsoil
Only a few meters deep; provides the richest amount of organic matter for germinating
seeds since plants and animals decay on the ground level. As decomposition occurs in the
topsoil, microorganisms, from bacteria to fungi, populate the soil to keep the decaying
process active.
E and B Horizon..Subsoil
Subsoil does not have high organic matter concentrations but offers rich minerals for root
systems. Minerals from the topsoil find their way down into the subsoil through water
runoff;
C Horizon..Regolith
R Horizon...Bedrock