Deep Rock Weathering Episode 3 – Reagents that Dissolve Minerals
Channel: Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum
Date: 2023-02-01

A science animation designed by Friedhelm von Blanckenburg (GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ); Produced by Andreas Schulz (Filmbüro Potsdam).

To weather rock, reagents are required. For example, CO2 is found in rainwater as carbonic acid or CO2 is produced by plant roots and by microbes. Through the large fractures carbonic acid and CO2 reach great depth – dissolved in water. Through the fine fractures they reach the interior of the rock. There they dissolve minerals, like the feldspar. New, completely different minerals form, for example clay minerals. They create fine fractures through which water with carbon can penetrate further and the weathering begins again.

Watch the complete version of this movie here:
https://youtu.be/7Kl_d4ufL-Q

CC BY 4.0 GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences / Filmbüro-Potsdam
DOI: 10.48440/gfz.3.3.2022.006