Weathering and Soil Forming factors

Weathering is brought about by…

physical, chemical, and biological processes that form regolith/parent materials

Disintegration that results in the physical breakdown of rock without significant change in chemical composition

physical weathering(wind, water, glaciers)

Decomposition that results from the primary minerals

Chemical weathering

The living agents are responsible for decomposition and disintegration of rocks and minerals

Biological weathering

The 5 soil forming factors

Climate, organisms, parent material, relief(topography), and time

… and … affect the rates of chemical, physical, and biological processes responsible for weathering

temperature and precipiation

… influence the development of soil characteristics and are sources of organic matter essential for soil chemical and physical properties

Living organisms

Earthworms, termites, and rodents act as…

mixing agents

…helps stabilize the soil and protects it from soil erosion

natural vegetation

…influences the rate or runoff and erosion from the soil surface and the infiltration of water

topography