Rocks and Petrology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does sedimentation refer to?

  • Compaction and cementation of sediments
  • Formation of metamorphic rocks
  • Weathering, transport, and deposition (correct)
  • Study of rocks

Which of the following elements is most abundant in the Earth's crust?

  • Oxygen (correct)
  • Silicon
  • Iron
  • Aluminum

What are igneous rocks formed from?

Solidification of hot molten material such as magma and lava.

True or False: Metamorphic rocks can form from igneous and sedimentary rocks.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The process of __________ involves the breakdown of rocks due to physical or chemical processes.

<p>weathering</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the sedimentary rock with its corresponding characteristic:

<p>Sandstone = Forms from compacted sand Limestone = Forms from calcium carbonate Bituminous coal = Forms from plant remains Shale = Forms from compacted clay</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is soil composed of?

<p>Solids (minerals and organic matter), liquid, and gases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor of soil formation according to Hans Jenny?

<p>Leaching (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

True or False: The C horizon is the layer of soil characterized by organic matter.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process leads to soil mixing by animals?

<p>Bioturbation</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Weathering and Soil Formation

  • Weathering: The breakdown of rocks into sediments through physical and chemical processes.
  • Soil Formation: Involves the interaction of weathered materials with organic matter and biotic factors.

Difference between Sedimentation and Lithification

  • Sedimentation: Encompasses weathering, transport, and deposition of materials.
  • Lithification: Refers to compaction and cementation, transforming unconsolidated materials into consolidated rock.

Types of Rocks

  • Petrology: Study focusing on rock composition, structure, and origin.
  • Igneous Rocks: Formed from solidification of molten materials.
    • Most abundant in Earth's crust (approx. 95%).
    • Intrusive Igneous: Slow cooling, coarse texture (e.g., granite, gabbro).
    • Extrusive Igneous: Rapid cooling, fine texture (e.g., basalt, rhyolite).
  • Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from compaction and cementation of sediments, can originate from biological materials (e.g., coal).
  • Metamorphic Rocks: Form from existing rocks altered by heat and pressure (e.g., limestone to marble).

Rock Cycle

  • Represents continuous transformation of rock types (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) over geological time.

Abundant Elements in Earth's Crust

  • Oxygen (46.6%)
  • Silicon (27.72%)
  • Aluminum (8.13%)
  • Iron (5.00%)
  • Calcium (3.63%)
  • Sodium (2.83%)
  • Potassium (2.59%)
  • Magnesium (2.09%)
  • Other elements (1.41%)

Minerals and Mineralogy

  • Minerals: Naturally occurring inorganic substances with a defined structure and composition (e.g., kaolinite).
  • Mineralogy: Study of mineral structures and properties.

Weathering Processes

  • Physical Weathering: Breakdown by physical forces (e.g., freeze-thaw, thermal expansion).
  • Chemical Weathering: Alters minerals through chemical reactions (e.g., hydrolysis, oxidation).
  • Biological Weathering: Involves living organisms facilitating rock breakdown (e.g., root wedging).

Soil Definition and Horizons

  • Soil: A natural body composed of minerals, organic matter, liquid, and gases, distinguished by horizons.
  • O Horizon: Organic layer, various decomposition stages.
  • A Horizon: Topsoil enriched with organic material.
  • E Horizon: Zone of eluviation, lighter in color due to leached materials.
  • B Horizon: Subsoil, accumulation of leached materials.
  • C Horizon: Partially weathered parent material.
  • R Horizon: Unweathered bedrock.

Factors of Soil Formation (CLORPT)

  • Climate: Affects weathering rates and soil formation.
  • Organic matter: Contributes to nutrient availability and soil structure.
  • Relief/Topography: Influences erosion and sediment deposition.
  • Parent Material: Base material from which soil develops.
  • Time: Duration impacts horizon development and soil maturity.

Soil Horizonation and Processes

  • Horizonation: Differentiation of initial materials into distinct soil profiles through processes like eluviation and illuviation.
  • Pedoturbation: Soil mixing involving organisms and environmental factors.

General Processes of Soil Formation

  • Addition: Enrichment through organic and inorganic inputs.
  • Removal: Erosion and leaching processes leading to material loss.
  • Transformation: Decomposition, synthesis, and mineralization affecting soil composition.

Key Soil Concepts

  • Concretions: Compact, cemented masses of mineral matter in soil.
  • Hectare Furrow Slice: A measure representing soil mass for agricultural assessments.### Soil Terminology
  • Pedon: The smallest unit of soil that can be recognized as an individual, influenced by activities of plants, animals, humans, and physical processes such as freeze-thaw cycles and leaching.
  • Polypedon: A collection of multiple homogeneous pedons, forming a larger soil unit.

Soil Composition and Processes

  • Saprolite: Chemically weathered rock that remains in situ; retains the structure of the original rock.
  • Hardening: A process leading to a reduction in the volume of voids caused by collapse, compaction, and the filling of voids with materials like fine earth and carbonates.

Soil Horizons and Profiles

  • Soil Horizon: A layer parallel to the soil surface characterized by unique physical, chemical, and biological properties that differ from adjacent layers.
  • Soil Profile: A vertical section that shows all soil materials altered by chemical, physical, and biological processes; made up of distinct soil horizons.

Soil Chemical Changes

  • Salinization: The buildup of soluble salts, including sulfates and chlorides of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, commonly found in salic horizons.
  • Alkalization/Solonization: The process of sodium ion accumulation on exchange sites within the soil.
  • Dealkalization/Solodization: The leaching process that removes sodium ions and salts from nitric horizons.
  • Podzolization/Silication: Involves the chemical movement of aluminum and iron, contributing to soil profile development.

Transitional Horizons

  • Transitional Horizon: A layer that exhibits characteristics of two distinct horizons, with one horizon being more dominant (for example, an AB horizon where characteristics of A are more pronounced than B).

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