An overview of the research progress and problems of rock physical weathering

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2022.00097

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2023, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (2): 281-287.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2022.00097

Previous Articles Next Articles

An overview of the research progress and problems of rock physical weathering

Bingqi Zhu¹(), Chen Sun¹^,², Jiaxin Zhang¹^,²

^1.Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes，Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research，Chinese Academy of Sciences，Beijing 100101，China
^2.College of Resources and Environment，University of Chinese Academy of Sciences，Beijing 100049，China

Received:2022-05-04 Revised:2022-06-09 Online:2023-03-20 Published:2023-04-12

Abstract

Abstract:

This paper briefly reviews the recent theoretical research progress， understanding and existing problems of physical weathering of surface rocks in academia. The theory of "subcritical crack"， "Climate driven" and the development of subcritical cracks， the influencing factors of rock weathering-single-factor's effect and comprehensive effect （essentiality and universality）， the impact driven or thermal cycle driven on physical weathering in the planetary-scale， are expounded and commented one by one， and new suggestions are put forward for the future research prospects.

Key words: physical weathering/mechanical weathering, rock failure, subcritical crack, climate-forcing/climate-dependent, thermal fatigue/thermal cycling

CLC Number:

P313

Bingqi Zhu, Chen Sun, Jiaxin Zhang. An overview of the research progress and problems of rock physical weathering[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2023, 43(2): 281-287.

References 65

1	Heimsath A M， Dietrich W E， Nishiizumi K，et al.The soil production function and landscape equilibrium［J］.Nature，1997，388（6640）：358-361.
2	Kirchner J W， Riebe C S， Ferrier K L，et al.Cosmogenic nuclide methods for measuring long-term rates of physical erosion and chemical weathering［J］.Journal of Geochemical Exploration，2006，88（1）：296-299.
3	Delbo M， Libourel G， Wilkerson J，et al.Thermal fatigue as the origin of regolith on small asteroids［J］.Nature，2014，508（7495）：233-236.
4	Collins B D， Stock G M.Rockfall triggering by cyclic thermal stressing of exfoliation fractures［J］.Nature Geoscience，2016，9（5）：395-400.
5	Eppes M C， Keanini R.Mechanical weathering and rock erosion by climate-dependent subcritical cracking［J］.Reviews of Geophysics，2017，55（2）：470-508.
6	Lebedeva M I， Brantley S L.Weathering and erosion of fractured bedrock systems［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，2017，42（13）：2090-2108.
7	McAllister D， Warke P， McCabe S.Stone temperature and moisture variability under temperate environmental conditions：implications for sandstone weathering［J］.Geomorphology，2017，280：137-152.
8	Shobe C M， Hancock G S， Eppes M C，et al.Field evidence for the influence of weathering on rock erodibility and channel form in bedrock rivers［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，2017，42（13）：1997-2012.
9	Eppes M C， Magi B， Scheff J，et al.Warmer，wetter climates accelerate mechanical weathering in field data，independent of stress‐loading［J］.Geophysical Research Letters，2020，47（24）：2020GL089062.
10	Murphy B P， Johnson J P L， Gasparini N M，et al.Chemical weathering as a mechanism for the climatic control of bedrock river incision［J］.Nature，2016，532（7598）：223-227.
11	Richter D D， Eppes M C， Austin J C，et al.Soil production and the soil geomorphology legacy of Grove Karl Gilbert［J］.Soil Science Society of America Journal，2020，84（1）：1-20.
12	Kasting J F.The Goldilocks planet？How silicate weathering maintains Earth “just right”［J］.Elements：An International Magazine of Mineralogy，Geochemistry，and Petrology，2019，15（4）：235-240.
13	Lu M， Hedin L O.Global plant-symbiont organization and emergence of biogeochemical cycles resolved by evolution-based trait modelling［J］.Nature Ecology & Evolution，2019，3（2）：239-250.
14	Phillipson M C， Emmanuel R， Baker P H.The durability of building materials under a changing climate［J］.Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews：Climate Change，2016，7（4）：590-599.
15	Walker J C G， Hays P B， Kasting J F.A negative feedback mechanism for the long‐term stabilization of Earth's surface temperature［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Oceans，1981，86（C10）：9776-9782.
16	Macdonald F A， Swanson-Hysell N L， Park Y，et al.Arc-continent collisions in the tropics set Earth's climate state［J］.Science，2019，364（6436）：181-184.
17	Isson T T， Planavsky N J， Coogan L A，et al.Evolution of the global carbon cycle and climate regulation on earth［J］.Global Biogeochemical Cycles，2020，34（2）：e2018GB006061.
18	Ravina I.The electrical double layer as a possible factor in desert weathering［J］.Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie，1974，21：13-18.
19	Walder J， Hallet B.A theoretical model of the fracture of rock during freezing［J］.Geological Society of America Bulletin，1985，96（3）：336-346.
20	Jiménez‐González I， Rodríguez‐Navarro C， Scherer G W.Role of clay minerals in the physicomechanical deterioration of sandstone［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Earth Surface，2008，113（F2）：F02021.
21	Roering J J， Marshall J， Booth A M，et al.Evidence for biotic controls on topography and soil production［J］.Earth and Planetary Science Letters，2010，298（1/2）：183-190.
22	Al-Omari A， Brunetaud X， Beck K，et al.Effect of thermal stress，condensation and freezing-thawing action on the degradation of stones on the Castle of Chambord，France［J］.Environmental Earth Sciences，2014，71（9）：3977-3989.
23	Eppes M C， Willis A， Molaro J，et al.Cracks in Martian boulders exhibit preferred orientations that point to solar-induced thermal stress［J］.Nature Communications，2015，6（1）：1-11.
24	Bost M， Pouya A.Stress generated by the freeze-thaw process in open cracks of rock walls：empirical model for tight limestone［J］.Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment，2017，76（4）：1491-1505.
25	Eppes M C， Magi B， Hallet B，et al.Deciphering the role of solar-induced thermal stresses in rock weathering［J］.Bulletin，2016，128（9）：1315-1338.
26	Wang Z T， An Z S.A simple theoretical approach to the thermal expansion mechanism of salt weathering［J］.Catena，2016，147：695-698.
27	Lamp J L， Marchant D R， Mackay S L，et al.Thermal stress weathering and the spalling of Antarctic rocks［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Earth Surface，2017，122（1）：3-24.
28	Atkinson B K.Subcritical crack growth in geological materials［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Solid Earth，1984，89（B6）：4077-4114.
29	Anderson T L.Fracture Mechanics：Fundamentals and Applications［M］.Boca Raton，USA：CRC Press，2017.
30	Griggs D T.The factor of fatigue in rock exfoliation［J］.The Journal of Geology，1936，44（7）：783-796.
31	Hall K.Rock moisture content in the field and the laboratory and its relationship to mechanical weathering studies［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，1986，11（2）：131-142.
32	Hall K， Hall A.Weathering by wetting and drying：some experimental results［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，1996，21（4）：365-376.
33	Halsey D P， Mitchell D J， Dews S J.Influence of climatically induced cycles in physical weathering［J］.Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology，1998，31（4）：359-367.
34	Matsukura Y， Takahashi K.A new technique for rapid and non-destructive measurement of rock-surface moisture content； preliminary application to weathering studies of sandstone blocks［J］.Developments in Geotechnical Engineering，2000，84：47-54.
35	Sass O.Rock moisture measurements：techniques，results，and implications for weathering［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，2005，30（3）：359-374.
36	Burke B C， Heimsath A M， White A F.Coupling chemical weathering with soil production across soil‐mantled landscapes［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，2007，32（6）：853-873.
37	Burnett B N， Meyer G A， McFadden L D.Aspect‐related microclimatic influences on slope forms and processes，northeastern Arizona［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Earth Surface，2008，113（F3）：F03002.
38	Owen J J， Amundson R， Dietrich W E，et al.The sensitivity of hillslope bedrock erosion to precipitation［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，2011，36（1）：117-135.
39	Mol L， Viles H A.The role of rock surface hardness and internal moisture in tafoni development in sandstone［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，2012，37（3）：301-314.
40	Larsen I J， Almond P C， Eger A，et al.Rapid soil production and weathering in the Southern Alps，New Zealand［J］.Science，2014，343（6171）：637-640.
41	De Haas T， Conway S J， Krautblatter M.Recent （Late Amazonian） enhanced backweathering rates on Mars：Paracratering evidence from gully alcoves［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Planets，2015，120（12）：2169-2189.
42	Gerber E， Scheidegger A E.Stress-induced weathering of rock masses［J］.Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae，1969，62（2）：401-415.
43	Small E E， Anderson R S， Hancock G S.Estimates of the rate of regolith production using ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al from an alpine hillslope［J］.Geomorphology，1999，27（1）：131-150.
44	Wells T， Binning P， Willgoose G.The role of moisture cycling in the weathering of a quartz chlorite schist in a tropical environment：findings of a laboratory simulation［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，2005，30（4）：413-428.
45	Humphreys G S， Wilkinson M T.The soil production function：a brief history and its rediscovery［J］.Geoderma，2007，139（1/2）：73-78.
46	Elliott C.Influence of temperature and moisture availability on physical rock weathering along the Victoria land coast，Antarctica［J］.Antarctic Science，2008，20（1）：61-67.
47	Moores J E， Pelletier J D， Smith P H.Crack propagation by differential insolation on desert surface clasts［J］.Geomorphology，2008，102（3）：472-481.
48	West N， Kirby E， Bierman P，et al.Aspect-dependent variations in regolith creep revealed by meteoric ¹⁰Be［J］.Geology，2014，42（6）：507-510.
49	Riebe C S， Kirchner J W， Finkel R C.Long-term rates of chemical weathering and physical erosion from cosmogenic nuclides and geochemical mass balance［J］. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta，2003，67（22）：4411-4427.
50	Riebe C S， Kirchner J W， Finkel R C.Erosional and climatic effects on long-term chemical weathering rates in granitic landscapes spanning diverse climate regimes［J］.Earth and Planetary Science Letters，2004，224（3/4）：547-562.
51	Clift P D.Controls on the erosion of Cenozoic Asia and the flux of clastic sediment to the ocean［J］.Earth and Planetary Science Letters，2006，241（3/4）：571-580.
52	Molnar P， Anderson R S， Anderson S P.Tectonics，fracturing of rock，and erosion［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Earth Surface，2007，112（F3）：F03014.
53	Dixon J L， Heimsath A M， Amundson R.The critical role of climate and saprolite weathering in landscape evolution［J］.Earth Surface Processes and Landforms，2009，34（11）：1507-1521.
54	Schoonejans J， Vanacker V， Opfergelt S，et al.Kinetically limited weathering at low denudation rates in semiarid climatic conditions［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Earth Surface，2016，121（2）：336-350.
55	Moses C， Robinson D， Barlow J.Methods for measuring rock surface weathering and erosion：a critical review［J］.Earth-Science Reviews，2014，135：141-161.
56	West N， Kirby E， Bierman P，et al.Regolith production and transport at the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory，part 2：insights from meteoric ¹⁰Be［J］.Journal of Geophysical Research：Earth Surface，2013，118（3）：1877-1896.
57	Vázquez M， Ramírez S， Morata D，et al.Regolith production and chemical weathering of granitic rocks in central Chile［J］.Chemical Geology，2016，446：87-98.
58	Heimsath A M， DiBiase R A， Whipple K X.Soil production limits and the transition to bedrock-dominated landscapes［J］.Nature Geoscience，2012，5（3）：210-214.
59	Von Blanckenburg F.The control mechanisms of erosion and weathering at basin scale from cosmogenic nuclides in river sediment［J］.Earth and Planetary Science Letters，2005，237（3）：462-479.
60	Persico L P， McFadden L D， Frechette J D，et al.Rock type and dust influx control accretionary soil development on hillslopes in the Sandia Mountains，New Mexico，USA［J］.Quaternary Research，2011，76（3）：411-416.
61	Portenga E W， Bierman P R.Understanding Earth's eroding surface with ¹⁰Be［J］.GSA Today，2011，21（8）：4-10.
62	Ryb U， Matmon A， Erel Y，et al.Controls on denudation rates in tectonically stable Mediterranean carbonate terrain［J］.Bulletin，2014，126（3/4）：553-568.
63	Levenson Y， Ryb U， Emmanuel S.Comparison of field and laboratory weathering rates in carbonate rocks from an Eastern Mediterranean drainage basin［J］.Earth and Planetary Science Letters，2017，465：176-183.
64	Hörz F， Schneider E， Gault D E，et al.Catastrophic rupture of lunar rocks：a Monte Carlo simulation［J］.The Moon，1975，13（1）：235-258.
65	Hörz F， Cintala M.The Barringer Award address-presented 1996 July 25，Berlin，Germany：impact experiments related to the evolution of planetary regoliths［J］.Meteoritics and Planetary Science，1997，32：179-209.

An overview of the research progress and problems of rock physical weathering

RichHTML

PDF

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

References 65

Related Articles 1

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments