Physical Weathering
Physical Weathering
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How physical weathering due to urbanization and industrialization speeds erosion
How physical weathering due to urbanization and industrialization speeds erosion
Weathering is a word that defines the overall process by which rocks are broken down at the Earth's surface into sediments, clays, soils, and water-soluble compounds. Weathering usually begins when the earth's crust is raised by tectonic processes. Weathering causes the physical breakage and chemical decomposition of exposed rocks, and the dislodged rock pieces and alterations products are moved away by the erosion process.
Urbanization is an unavoidable trend in human growth and an essential emblem of scientific and technological advancement. It is well understood that urbanization causes significant changes in human civilization, such as the encouragement of economic development, the expansion of an urban region, and an improvement in the material conditions of life. However, urbanization can cause many environmental issues and problems, such as climate change, pollution, and loss of agricultural productivity, while also increasing the population's exposure to major risk factors for disease, particularly those associated with deteriorating environmental conditions. Soil erosion is an important environmental issue all over the world. Urbanization has the potential to drastically alter land use types and the ecosystem services they provide.
Industrialization is the process of social and economic transformation of human society from an agrarian to an industrial society. It is possible to say that industrialization is primarily concerned with technological advancements, as well as economic and social transformation. Enhanced food production, improved infrastructure to expand ecotourism prospects, more efficient conservation and use of resources, more efficient modes of transportation, less reliance on fossil fuels and natural wood fuels, and so on are all aspects of industrialization. Although industrialization is the road to wealth and a better way of life, it has a negative impact on the environment and ultimately contributes to climate change.
Erosion can also be exacerbated by urban and suburban development, particularly if developers disregard the natural nature of the soil. Building construction frequently begins with the removal of any plants or other natural soil erosion defenses. Some landscapers replace natural ground cover with plant species that are not suited to the area, and these plants may be less efficient at preventing erosion. Removing ground cover and replacing it with plant species that may not be suitable for the local environment reduces erosion barriers, increasing the likelihood of soil loss. Furthermore, building on unstable ground, such as hillsides near bodies of water, increases the likelihood of landslides, which can devastate local vegetation and leave wide amounts of earth prone to erosion.
A variety of mining operations can produce erosion. By removing large sections of topsoil, strip mining exposes layers under the topsoil to wind and water. Mining operations usually necessitate massive amounts of water as part of the process, and the outflow of this water may carry a significant amount of earth with it. Toxic chemicals and other substances used in industrial mining operations can exacerbate the problem by eradicating plant species in the area, and even if the mining company replaces the earth after the operation closes, it can take a long time for enough plant life to replenish itself to prevent further erosion. Mining operations contribute significantly to erosion, particularly at the local level.
Many mining activities, such as strip mining and mountaintop removal, necessitate the movement of massive amounts of dirt. These procedures expose a big amount of loose soil to the elements, and they frequently necessitate a large amount of water, which can worsen the erosion process. Even when the mining process is completed and the earth is replaced, it lacks the established flora that helped it maintain its coherency before removal, and erosion will continue to be a concern until plants can re-establish themselves.
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