Which action can help slow down the process of chemical weathering?(1 point)
Responses
removing clay to avoid weakening rocks
removing clay to avoid weakening rocks
removing iron oxide to avoid breaking down rocks
removing iron oxide to avoid breaking down rocks
using less water in industrial areas
using less water in industrial areas
burning less fossil fuel
burning less fossil fuel
Using less water in industrial areas.
To determine which action can help slow down the process of chemical weathering, let's analyze each response option:
1. Removing clay to avoid weakening rocks: Chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks due to chemical reactions. Clay minerals, which are a product of chemical weathering, can contribute to the weakening of rocks. Therefore, removing clay can potentially slow down the process of chemical weathering by eliminating a source of weakness.
2. Removing iron oxide to avoid breaking down rocks: Iron oxide, also known as rust, is a product of chemical weathering and can contribute to the breakdown of rocks. By removing iron oxide, the process of breaking down rocks may be slowed down.
3. Using less water in industrial areas: Water plays a crucial role in many types of chemical weathering processes. For example, water can act as a solvent, allowing minerals to dissolve and react chemically. By reducing the amount of water in industrial areas, the potential for chemical weathering may be decreased.
4. Burning less fossil fuel: Although burning fossil fuels primarily contributes to air pollution and climate change, it indirectly affects chemical weathering. Increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from burning fossil fuels result in more CO2 dissolving in rainwater, forming carbonic acid. Carbonic acid, in turn, can lead to the chemical weathering of certain rocks. Therefore, burning less fossil fuel can help slow down chemical weathering.
Based on the analysis, all of the response options mentioned above can help slow down the process of chemical weathering, but burning less fossil fuel has a more indirect effect by reducing CO2 emissions and subsequent acid rain formation.