What is biological weathering?
Rocks and minerals are sometimes considered sterile, timeless pieces of earth. However, they are often broken down due to various weathering processes, even at microscopic levels. One of these processes is called biological weathering.IdentificationBiological weathering can be defined as the disintegration of rocks and minerals due to the chemical and/or physical agents of a biological organism.TypesThe types of organisms that can cause biological weathering are varied. They can include everything from bacteria to a variety of animals and insects to plants, moss and lichen.FunctionThe function of biological weathering depends on the organism that is causing it. Plants often cause weathering when their roots grow into rocks, and animals are physically abrasive as they move on or against rocks. Bacteria, on the other hand, cause biological weathering due to chemical conversions, typically.EffectsThe effects of biological weathering are fairly simple. This form of weathering, like all for
