Question

Chemical weathering occurs faster in warm, tropical climates, although it happens in cold climates as well. Describe some conditions in Antarctica that could lead to chemical weathering.

Answer 1

Answer:

Oxidation, acidification and hydrolisis.

Explanation:

Hello,

It is widely known that chemical weathering occurs when rocks undergo chemical reactions to yield different minerals. Water, acids, and oxygen are  chemical weathering promoters causing dramatic results over the time.

In the Antarctica, the following conditions would produce chemical weathering:

- Oxidation: is understood by formation of oxides when the rocks react with the environmental gaseous oxygen or the inner oxygen in water.

- Acidification: when oxides such as CO₂, NOₓ or SOₓ react with the water in the atmosphere, their corresponding acids are produced so when it rains they fall over the rocks creating sink holes and caves.

- Hydrolysis: it is caused when water dissolves minerals in a rock, producing different mineral compounds. For instance, feldspar crystals inside the granite react by hydrolysis, forming clay minerals which weakens the rock, making it more likely to break.

Best regards.

Answer 2

Oxidation, Dissolving in acid, Hydrolysis ,Water absorption and Hydration