Which type of weathering impacts the chemical composition of rocks?

Chemical weathering refers to the process in which the chemical composition of rocks is altered through chemical reactions. This can occur when minerals within the rocks react with water, acids, oxygen, or other substances. For instance, when granite weathers chemically, the feldspar it contains can transform into clay minerals through hydrolysis—a reaction with water—which changes not only the structure but also the chemical makeup of the rock.

Chemical weathering is crucial in soil formation, nutrient cycling, and the overall breakdown of rock material over time. It contributes to the weathering of minerals and can lead to the creation of secondary minerals that are essential for plant life, making it a vital process in ecosystems. This process contrasts with the other types of weathering, which do not significantly affect the chemical composition. For example, mechanical weathering involves the physical breaking apart of rocks without altering their chemical structure, and biological weathering often refers to the influence of living organisms on rock weathering but does not primarily change the chemical composition of the rocks themselves.