Skip to main content
Contribution to Book
Influence of Chemical Weathering on Hillslope Forms
Treatise on Geomorphology (2013)
  • S. M. Mudd, University of Edinburgh
  • K. Yoo, University of Minnesota
  • Emmanuel J. Gabet, San Jose State University
Abstract
Chemical weathering affects hillslope form through dissolution and mineral transformations that lower the surface. In addition, mineral transformations affect the rheology, hydrology, and nutrient cycling of soils, all of which alter the geomorphic processes sculpting landscapes. Soil rheology is altered by the weakening of rocks from chemical weathering and by changes in soil cohesion from the formation of clays, a major product of weathering reactions. Clay formation can also decrease a soil's hydraulic conductivity and infiltration capacity, thereby altering the partitioning of surface and subsurface flow and potentially increasing rates of hillslope erosion by overland flow. Changes in the hydrological characteristics and nutrient cycling of a soil can affect the plants and animals that disturb and displace it. The complex interactions of these processes suggest that chemical weathering can either accentuate or dampen landscape dissection and relief generation. Keywords
Keywords
  • Bioturbation,
  • Chemical weathering,
  • Critical zone,
  • erosion,
  • Geomorphology,
  • Hillslope,
  • Landscape evolution,
  • Sediment transport,
  • Soil production,
  • soils,
  • weathering profile
Publication Date
2013
Editor
John F. Shroder
Publisher
Academic Press
ISBN
9780080885223
DOI
10.1016/B978-0-12-374739-6.00148-2
Publisher Statement
SJSU users: use the following link to login and access the article via SJSU databases
Citation Information
S. M. Mudd, K. Yoo and Emmanuel J. Gabet. "Influence of Chemical Weathering on Hillslope Forms" London, UK; Waltham, MA; San Diego, CATreatise on Geomorphology Vol. 7 (2013) p. 56 - 65
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/emmanuel_gabet/34/