Author Question: Explain the processes involved in lithification of sediment into sedimentary rock. What will be ... (Read 62 times)

roselinechinyere27m · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Explain the processes involved in lithification of sediment into sedimentary rock.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Oxidation is a common weathering process. Which group of minerals does it affect most? What minerals do oxidation reactions commonly form? How can you quickly recognize in the field the most common minerals formed by oxidation?

What will be an ideal response?

ndhahbi · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Lithification is the conversion of loose sediment into solid rock. The processes involved are compaction and cementation. The weight of accumulating sediment provides the pressure to compact sedimentary layers. During compaction, sediment grains rotate and repack closely together, which reduces the pore space between the grains. The second step, cementation, involves filling the pore spaces with precipitated minerals. As the environment changes, with increasing pressure and temperature, ions saturated in fluids that runs between the grains of the sediment can precipitate, which fills the pore spaces and surrounds the sediment particles. This makes the grains interlocking into a rock.

Answer to Question 2

Mafic minerals readily weather to form iron oxides and hydroxides; limonite is yellow- brown, and hematite is reddish.