The Impact Weathering Has Had on Human Activity

The Impact Weathering Has Had on Human Activity

Weathering has impacted human activity in a variety of ways. There are

both positive and negative aspects of the result of weathering.

Firstly, the negative impacts are to be discussed. Weathering often

seems to be at a higher rate in urban areas than that of rural areas

due to the large volumes of gases and pollution given out by

industries and vehicles. When coal and oil are burnet sulphur dioxide

is releases and when it combines with water vapour in the air dilute

sulphuric acid is the product. Nitrogen oxides combine in a similar

way to produce nitric acid. The result is acid rain. The acid rain

chemically weathers materials away by decomposing the minerals. London

is widely known for burning large doses of fossils fuels increasing

the amount of acid rain. This rain has then fallen on buildings such

as St. Paul’s Cathedral and increased chemical weathering leading to

deterioration on its surface. Also, if cracks and joints present will

have allowed this rain to enter and chemically weather there as well

as on the surface. This chemical weathering has also been enhanced due

to the extremely large presence of birds in the area, particularly

pigeons whose faeces contribute to the chemical weathering. Very

recently this has had an impact because it has been such an economic

cost of £40 million to restore the western front of the building.

Sulphur dioxide also reacts with calcium carbonate which is a main

component of limestone. This causes limestone buildings to develop a

soft outer crust which in time is likely to exfoliate. This has

happened to the building of Oxford university whi...

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Weathering in southwest England, in particular Dartmoor has created

China clay. The granitic rock there containing feldspar s decomposed

by hydrolysis to form the white clay Kaolin. China clay production in

Southwest England was estimated at 150million tonnes by the year 1998.

This material is used to produce porcelain ceramics and paper. It is

employed in natural and synthetic rubber compounds, plastics, white

cement, glass fibre, fertilisers, pesticides, weed killers, paints and

protective coatings, crayons, cosmetics, medicines, and new uses are

constantly being developed. This opens up many industries for the UK

which undoubtedly contributes to a reasonable sum of the UK’s annual

real GDP.

Overall, it be seen that weathering gives both advantages and

disadvantages to human activity in a variety of ways.