Question A series of coral reefs is located near a coastline. In 3–5 sentences, construct an argument about how people can help prevent erosion to the coastline by protecting coral reefs.
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Protecting coral reefs can play a crucial role in preventing erosion along coastlines. Coral reefs act as natural barriers, absorbing and reducing the impact of waves and currents, thereby minimizing erosion on the adjacent shoreline. Additionally, coral reefs support the growth and stability of beach sediments, preventing them from being washed away. By reducing pollution, overfishing, and damaging activities such as bottom trawling, humans can help preserve coral reefs, ensuring their role in protecting coastlines from erosion remains intact.
Explain how the texture of a rock surface affects how fast it physically weathers by water.
The texture of a rock surface directly influences the rate at which it physically weathers when exposed to water. A rough or porous rock surface provides more surface area for water to interact with, increasing the rate of weathering. Water can penetrate the small openings and fractures in the rock, leading to the expansion and contraction of minerals through freeze-thaw cycles, which eventually cause the rock to break apart. Additionally, rough textures create spaces for water to flow and apply pressure, enhancing the erosion process. In contrast, a smooth or impermeable rock surface limits water infiltration, thereby slowing down the physical weathering process. Ultimately, the texture of a rock surface determines the degree of exposed surface area and accessibility to water, directly impacting the speed at which it weathers.
Water plays an important role in the chemical weathering of rock. In 3–5 sentences, identify and explain two agents of chemical weathering to support that statement.
Two agents of chemical weathering are water and oxygen. Water is a universal solvent that can dissolve minerals within rocks, leading to their breakdown. Through a process called hydrolysis, water reacts with minerals such as feldspar and mica, causing them to chemically change and decompose over time. Oxygen, on the other hand, plays a role in oxidation, where it combines with certain elements in the rock, such as iron, to create iron oxide or rust. This process weakens the rock structure, making it more susceptible to physical weathering. Overall, both water and oxygen contribute to the chemical breakdown and deterioration of rocks over time.
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