Coastal Systems and Landscapes - Weathering Processes

Carbonation

Carbon dioxide in water forms carbonic acid, which dissolves minerals like limestone.

Solution

Involves the dissolving of rock minerals.

Oxidation

Where minerals react with oxygen, often leading to the formation of oxides and altering the material's structure.

List the chemical processes:

Solution, Oxidation, Carbonation

Frost-Shattering

Where water enters cracks in rocks, freezes and expands, eventually causing the rock to fracture.

Wetting and Drying

Rocks rich in clay expands when they get wet, resulting in cracks forming in those rocks.

Salt Crystallisation

Salt water ends up in cracks and evaporates to form salt crystals which expand the crack. May also involve corrosion if there is a presence of iron.

Onion Skin

Involves temperature changes influenced by the Earth’s diurnal cycle. As the core is at a different temperature to the outer surface, it creates layers which eventually peel off.

List of mechanical/physical processes:

Onion Skin, Salt Crystallisation, Frost-Shattering, Wetting and Drying.

Plants

Plant roots grow into cracks in the cliff. Cracks get bigger when the rocks get bigger

Water

Involves running down from decaying vegetation leading to increased weathering

Birds

These create habitats by digging into the cliff face. E.g. Puffins, Sand Martins…

Marine Organisms

Examples include Piddocks which releases acids to break down the rock.