ES550- Geomorphology

LAB 3: Weathering

Name:_____________________________________

Lab Period (Tues/Fri):____________________________

Lab Purpose and Objectives

Physical and chemical weathering not only shape the topography of our landscape, but they
also play an integral role in the global carbon cycle through their influence in carbon
sequestration. In this lab, we will perform an experiment using Alka Seltzer tablets to study
how physical and chemical weathering can be inter-related. We will then use real-world
data to analyze the factors that influence erosion rates on a variety of spatial scales. Overall,
the two portions of the lab should provide a framework for understanding factors
influencing physical and chemical weathering rates. The real-world data should also give
you an idea of weathering rates and how they vary globally.

Part 1: Model Experiment and Observations (30 pts)

In this experiment we will focus on the two types of weathering, physical and chemical, and
the factors that affect weathering rates. Physical weathering occurs when a rock is broken-
down into smaller pieces by physical means (i.e., breaking the Alka Seltzer tablets) whereas
chemical weathering occurs when a rock is broken-down into its molecular components
from chemical changes (i.e., dissolving the tablets). Many factors affect weathering rates,
including mineral composition, climate, and particle size. We will use Alka Seltzer tablets to
represent rock in order to study potential relationships between weathering rates and
particle size, temperature, and acidity on very short time scales.
a. We have 9 set-ups for the experiment: Whole, broken, and crushed Alka Seltzer tablets
that are each placed in hot water, room temperature water, and room temperature soda.
Based on what you learned about chemical weathering in class and the influence of
particle size on exposed surface area, make a prediction about which liquid

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 combination and tablet size will result in the fastest dissolution. Provide your
reasoning behind your prediction.

b. Fill-out the data table at the end of the lab in order to record results from the 9 set-ups.
Pick a set-up that you want to run, making sure all set-ups are assigned at least one
student. DO NOT START UNTIL DIRECTED!

c. For each set-up, we want to record the time from when the tablet is added to the liquid
until when the tablet appears to be totally dissolved. Note that the same volume of liquid
(hot water, room temp. water, or room temp. soda) and the same volume of Alka Seltzer
is found at each set-up.

d. Add the tablet (whole, broken, or crushed) to the liquid at your set-up and start timing.
The time until the tablet is totally dissolved will vary between set-ups so be sure to
watch yours carefully. Do not shake your set-up while running the experiment. Record
the time from when you add the tablet to when it is totally dissolved (in seconds) in
your table (at the end of the lab) and in the table on the board.

e. Create a bar graph of the data recorded in the table using the graph provided at the
end of the lab. Group your results so that your plot has a similar format as the example
shown on the next page. Use different colors or symbols to denote the different liquids
(hot water, room temp. water, room temp. soda) used in the lab. Be sure to label your y-
axis ticks!

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 Example
Bar Graph

f. Is there a relationship between particle size and weathering rate? If so, explain why
the relationship occurs. If not, explain why you think there is no relationship. Provide
dissolution times obtained from the experiment to help explain your reasoning.

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g. Compare the weathering rates for the room temperature and hot water set-ups. Is there
a relationship between water temperature and weathering rate? If so, explain why
the relationship occurs. If not, explain why you think there is no relationship. Provide
dissolution times obtained from the experiment to help explain your reasoning.

h. In this experiment, we attempted to simulate the effects of acid rain by using soda,
which is acidic. Soda is acidic because CO2 + H 2O Û H 2CO3 which breaks down further
into H 2CO3 Û H + + HCO3- . Is there a difference in weathering rate between room
temperature water and room temperature soda? Provide observed time differences
as support. Is this result different than what you expected? Explain why you had
your initial expectations.

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i. In what environment (hot/cold, wet/dry, solid/fractured rock) do you think
weathering rates would be highest? The lowest? Why? Explain your reasoning based
on observations from this lab and what you’ve learned in lecture.

j. This lab is a simplified experiment for many reasons, including the use of only one type
of material for weathering. We deliberately chose a material that weathers very quickly
in order to complete the lab in a short period of time. List one type of material (rock or
mineral) that would weather quickly and one that would weather slowly.

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Part 2: Mathematical Calculations (15 pts)
a. You are asked to assess the erosion rate of a catchment. The granitic rocks are
essentially uniformly spaced within the catchment, which has a map area of 32km 2 . The
sediment transport rate, calculated as the average rate from 30 years of gauging records,

6 kg
is 1.9 ´ 10
yr. Given these data, calculate the average erosion rate of the catchment

over this timescale using units of mm

yr . Describe all of the assumptions you are
making in this analysis.

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b. Halite dissolves in water according to the reaction: NaCl Û Na + +Cl - . Given the
1.58
equilibrium constant at 25°C, K eq =10 , we can calculate the solubility of halite as

S = K eq =6.166 mol L. Thus, when water is saturated with respect to halite at 25°C,
there are 6.166mol NaCl dissolved in 1L of water.

i. Given a global average runoff rate of 0.3 m yr, and assuming that the runoff is

saturated with respect to halite, what is the average denudation rate of halite?

kg
Give your answer in
( yr ´ m ) . (Hint: You will need to find the concentration of NaCl
2

(kg/m3) in a saturated solution. This calculation requires use of the molecular weight
of NaCl (58.443 grams/mole) and that 1000L water is contained in 1m 3.)

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ii. As you can tell, halite is very water soluble. The global average denudation rate of all

kg
earth materials is only 0.13
( yr ´ m ) . What is the ratio of denudation rate of
2

halite compared to the global average?

iii.Considering the high solubility of halite, under what conditions (hot/cold,

wet/dry) would you expect to see halite outcrops (and is minimally eroded) on
the surface? Hint: It is not the same place as where halite forms.

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Part 3: Real-world Applications (16 pts)
a. The table found below is modified from “Chemical weathering in high-sediment-yielding watersheds, New Zealand”
published by Dr. Berry Lyons and Dr. Anne Carey as well as other collaborators. The table contains real-world data collected
from the south island in New Zealand.

New Zealand Erosion Data

Physical Chemical
Watershed Area, Gradient, Precip.,
Erosion Yield, Erosion Yield, Lithology
Name km2 m/km cm/yr
ton/(km *yr) ton/(km2*yr)
2

Cropp 12.2  32120  442 Schist 522 1007

Hokitika 352  6313  145 Schist 38 940

Haast 1020  4500  218 Schist 27 650

Waitaha 223  10325  480 Schist 60 704

Whataroa 445  10325  413 Schist 50 792

Rangitata 1606  946  93 Greywacke 22 230

Rakaia 2808  1981  105 Greywacke 17.5 300

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 i. The physical and chemical erosion yields are erosion rates that have been normalized by area. It is important to
normalize the data by area so you can directly compare fluxes. Which watershed has the largest physical erosion
yield? Which watershed has the smallest physical erosion yield?

ii. Which watershed has the largest chemical erosion yield? Which watershed has the smallest chemical weathering
yield? Are these the same answers as for physical erosion yield? Did you expect them to be the same as for physical
erosion yield? Why or why not?

iii. Look at the other categories listed in the table. These all influence physical and chemical erosion yields. Can you think of
any other factors that may influence erosion yields? Think about factors that may influence how easily precipitation can
come in contact with the rock. List at least 2 more factors and explain why you chose your answers.

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b. Compare the denudation rate to watershed elevation/relief on the right. Be sure to
note the different scales for both axes. The Appalachian Mountains were formed in
the Paleozoic. The Middle Europe data are primarily from the Massif Central and
Ardennes in France, which formed in the late Paleozoic but are associated with
Cenozoic volcanism. The Central Alps are tectonically active today. List all the
potential reasons that the slopes of the curves and the denudation rates are
different in these 3 locations. Your answers do not have to be specific to these
regions! Hint: You should be able to look at the last problem to give you some ideas.

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 Table 1: Dissolution Time (seconds)

Room Temp. Room Temp.

  Hot Water
Water Soda
Whole Tablet      
Broken
     
Tablet
Crushed
     
Tablet

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