biological weathering

• what is biological weathering?


  The breakdown of rocks by organic activity
• How can biological weathering operate at the coast?

  • Thin plant roots weaken the cliff face
  • Weak (carbonic) acids can be produced from decaying vegetation
  • birds and animals dig burrows into cliffs
  • marine organisms burrow into rocks (eg piddocks) or of secreting acids (limpits)
• what marine animal can secrete acids?


  eg limpits
• what marine animal can burrow into rocks?


  eg piddocks
• are carbonic acids strong or weaK?

  weak