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Hydrolysis
is the reaction of mineral decomposition under the influence of water, which results in the detruction and rearrangement of their crystalline lattices. It is characteristic of strong bases and weak acids. In addition to this, there takes place the evacuation of properly soluble compounds of strong bases (alkali and alkaline earths) on the one hand, and the adjoining of hydroxyl ions on the other. This leads to the formation of low-soluble disintegration products of primary minerals in new condition. An example is the transformation of feldspar to kaolinite under the influence of hydrochloric acid:
Sedimentary rocks are the ones that are the most susceptible to decomposition as a result of dissolution. Dissolution happens most readily in humid and hot climates (ie the tropics, etc) and also in marine environments.
Not applicable at this reading level.
