Organic (Biological) Weathering Explained

Organic (Biological) Weathering Explained Organic weathering, also called bioweathering or biological weathering, is the general name for biological processes of weathering that break down rocks. This includes the physical penetration and growth of roots and digging activities of animals (bioturbation), as well as the action of lichens and moss on various minerals.   How Organic Weathering Fits Into the Larger Geological Picture Weathering is a process by which surface rock breaks down. Erosion is a process by which weathered rock is moved by natural forces such as wind, waves, water, and ice. There are three types of weathering: Physical or mechanical weathering (for example, water gets into cracks in rock and then freezes, pushing against the rock from the inside);Chemical weathering (for example, oxygen interacts with iron in rocks, causing the iron to turn to rust and thus weakening the rock)Organic or biological weathering (for example, the roots of a tree grow into boulders in the soil and splitting the boulders apart over time) While these different types of weathering can be described as different from one another, they also work together. For example, tree roots may split boulders more easily because the rocks have been weakened as a result of chemical or physical weathering.   Plant-Related Biological Weathering Tree roots, because of their size, cause a significant amount of biological weathering. But even much smaller plant-related actions can weather rocks. For example: Weeds pushing through road surfaces or cracks in boulders can expand gaps in the rock. These gaps fill with water. When the water freezes, the roads or boulders crack. Lichen (fungi and algae living together in a symbiotic relationship) can cause a great deal of weathering. Chemicals produced by fungi can break down the minerals in rocks. Algae consume the minerals. As this process of breakdown and consumption continues, rocks start to develop holes.  As described above, holes in rocks are vulnerable to physical weathering caused by the freeze/melt cycle. Animal-Related Biological Weathering Animal interactions with rock can cause significant weathering. As with plants, animals can set the stage for further physical and chemical weathering. For example: Tiny burrowing animals secrete acids or scrape their way into rock to create rocky burrows. This process weakens the rock and actually starts the weathering process.Larger animals leave feces or urine on rock. The chemicals in animal waste can corrode minerals in rock.Larger burrowing animals shift and move rock, creating spaces where water can accumulate and freeze. Human-Related Biological Weathering Human beings have a dramatic weathering effect. Even a simple path in the woods has an impact on the soil and rocks that make up the path. Major changes affected by humans include: Construction moving, scoring, and smashing rock for construction of buildings and transportation systemsMining massive projects involve stripping entire hillsides or making major changes to or removing rock from under the surface of the EarthAgriculture in addition to moving rocks to make farming possible, human beings also change the composition of the soil through fertilization and application of herbicides.

Free Essays on Slaying The Minotaur

On Slaying the Minotaur Plato’s â€Å"Phaedo† discusses many human difficulties and attempts to discover ways to overcome such difficulties. The most important deficiency is the human condition the â€Å"Phaedo† deals with concerns death and the continuation of the spirit into an afterlife. The plot centers around Socrates and two of his fourteen students who are present named Cebes and Simmias. Socrates, throughout the dialogue, undertakes a task attempting to deny the time where people are most human, the point of death. Socrates tries to show his students an avenue to salvation through a philosophic life. This essay outlines Socrates arguments attempting to overcome and solve the human fear of a final death. Socrates willingly accepts death, but Cebes and Simmias are unhappy about his death. The two don’t understand death as Socrates does; they are not on his level. Cebes and Simmias worry they will die without the comprehension of death Socrates possesses. They are emotionally attached to Socrates and fear death. Socrates must wean both Simmias and Cebes from their attachment to him and to show them not to fear death. Therefore, Socrates must set an example for not only those two, but also for others who fear death and he declares, â€Å"I should make my defense against these charges just as in the Law of court† (63B). To calm those fears Socrates gives a speech declaring that at death the Soul completely separates from the body. Socrates puts emphasis on the soul because the body is dying; he recognizes the body and raises the soul. To accomplish his mission Socrates employs three arguments, that of contraries and that from recollection, followed by his â€Å"se cond sailing†. In the argument of contraries Socrates states, â€Å"let’s investigate whether it’s necessary for whatever has some contrary to be from no where else but from its own contrary† (70E). He uses the examples of opposites such as little to... Free Essays on Slaying The Minotaur Free Essays on Slaying The Minotaur On Slaying the Minotaur Plato’s â€Å"Phaedo† discusses many human difficulties and attempts to discover ways to overcome such difficulties. The most important deficiency is the human condition the â€Å"Phaedo† deals with concerns death and the continuation of the spirit into an afterlife. The plot centers around Socrates and two of his fourteen students who are present named Cebes and Simmias. Socrates, throughout the dialogue, undertakes a task attempting to deny the time where people are most human, the point of death. Socrates tries to show his students an avenue to salvation through a philosophic life. This essay outlines Socrates arguments attempting to overcome and solve the human fear of a final death. Socrates willingly accepts death, but Cebes and Simmias are unhappy about his death. The two don’t understand death as Socrates does; they are not on his level. Cebes and Simmias worry they will die without the comprehension of death Socrates possesses. They are emotionally attached to Socrates and fear death. Socrates must wean both Simmias and Cebes from their attachment to him and to show them not to fear death. Therefore, Socrates must set an example for not only those two, but also for others who fear death and he declares, â€Å"I should make my defense against these charges just as in the Law of court† (63B). To calm those fears Socrates gives a speech declaring that at death the Soul completely separates from the body. Socrates puts emphasis on the soul because the body is dying; he recognizes the body and raises the soul. To accomplish his mission Socrates employs three arguments, that of contraries and that from recollection, followed by his â€Å"se cond sailing†. In the argument of contraries Socrates states, â€Å"let’s investigate whether it’s necessary for whatever has some contrary to be from no where else but from its own contrary† (70E). He uses the examples of opposites such as little to...

Compare Financial alternatives for major purchases Speech or Presentation

Compare Financial alternatives for major purchases - Speech or Presentation Example the currently commercially available technologies (Americanrivers, 2011).The construction of dams also allow for the creation of many opportunities for water sports, the construction of campsites, hiking and biking trails as well as hotels, lodges, and many other businesses around the lakeshore. The increase in tourism in the area along with all the improvements in infrastructure around the area will help develop the local economy and benefit all surrounding communities. The subject of dam construction has been a hotly debated issue especially since the 1960’s when the environmental impact of dam construction started to be considered and analyzed. To start with constructing a new dam is an incredibly expensive and complex undertaking, usually with total project costs running into the billions and taking numerous years to complete (Pottinger, 1996). When a dam is constructed in a river system the whole balance of the ecosystem upstream and downstream of the newly constructed dam will be negatively affected or even completely destroyed as a direct consequence of disrupting the natural seasonal flow of the river system. Prior to the construction of the dam, the river has a natural flow that responds to the seasonal changes and brings a constant flow of debris and sedimentation that helps bring food and nutrients for all the natural wildlife living in the river system. After a dam is constructed the flow of the water is artificially limited and c ontrolled so the flow is usually constant and very restricted and only increased to decrease water levels or increase power production and does not correlate natural seasonal fluctuations. Furthermore all the sedimentation and the necessary food and nutrients carried with it will now be deposited in the impoundment upstream of the dam, destroying the ecosystem and killing most of the natural wildlife downstream. The evaporation rate of the river system will be significantly higher because of the vastly greater surface area