Which action can help slow down the process of chemical weathering?
A. burning less fossil fuel
B. using less water in industrial areas
C. removing clay to avoid weakening rocks
D. removing iron oxide to avoid breaking down rocks
D. removing iron oxide to avoid breaking down rocks
The correct answer is A. burning less fossil fuel.
To determine which action can help slow down the process of chemical weathering, let's analyze each option:
A. Burning less fossil fuel: This option is related to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), which can lead to climate change. While climate changes can affect the environment and certain types of weathering indirectly, it doesn't directly slow down chemical weathering.
B. Using less water in industrial areas: Water can play a role in chemical reactions that contribute to weathering. In industrial areas, excessive water usage can lead to increased runoff, which can carry away minerals that play a part in chemical weathering. Therefore, using less water in industrial areas could potentially slow down chemical weathering.
C. Removing clay to avoid weakening rocks: Clay minerals are involved in several chemical weathering processes. By removing clay, some forms of chemical weathering, such as hydrolysis, could be reduced, which might help slow down the overall process. Therefore, removing clay to avoid weakening rocks can potentially slow down chemical weathering.
D. Removing iron oxide to avoid breaking down rocks: Iron oxide, commonly known as rust, can contribute to the breakdown of rocks through a process called oxidation. By removing iron oxide from rocks or preventing its formation, the process of chemical weathering due to oxidation could be slowed down.
Based on the explanations, options C (removing clay) and D (removing iron oxide) both have the potential to slow down the process of chemical weathering.