Threats to Soil

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Soil can be weathered away by several things. It can also be damaged by chemicals. This page will tell you more about the threats of soil.

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Physical Weathering

Physical weathering is a categorization of processes where environmental factors break down rocks or the environment. This can happen in various ways, such as water breaking down rock/moving material away. Most commonly with soil we can see rainwater, rivers, streams, or other sources of water take soil away with it as it rushes by. This specific process is an example of erosion.

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Chemical Weathering

Chemical weathering is the process where rocks and environment are broken down by reacting with certain chemicals. Chemical weathering can threaten soil in a variety of ways. Processes such as acidification, dissolution, and oxidation can all damage the soil, or make it inhabitable for life.

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Biological Weathering

Biological weathering occurs when plants use their roots to breakdown rocks which are in the way of them. Biological weathering can threaten soil. Chemical reactions and mechanical force caused by biological reactions can threaten soil. Animals also can threaten soil by digging into the ground. Cartain human activities can also be counted as biological weathering, as humans are living organisms.

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