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Hydration Weathering

Hydration is connected with the impact of water in its liquid or gaseous state upon minerals and parent rock. In the process of hydration, which often accompanies oxidation, there often takes place the inner restructuring of a mineral at the expense of the addition of water. For instance, anhydrite (CaSO4), in the process of hydration is transformed into gypsum (CaSO4 . 2H2O),

and hematite (Fe2O3) becomes limonite (Fe2O3 . nH2O).

Hydration is simultaneous with a marked increase in volume.

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Frost Weathering

Not applicable at this reading level.

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Weathering

Not applicable at this reading level.

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