Weathering by Wetting and Drying: Some Experimental Results

A series of experiments on sandstone and dolerite was undertaken in an attempt to better understand the wetting and drying weathering process. As rock samples are frequently subjected to wet–dry cycles within the simulation of other weathering mechanisms (e.g. freeze–thaw), three common methods of moisture application were used and the influences of these evaluated. It was found that the method of moisture application could affect the nature of the weathering products resulting from wetting and drying. It was also observed that there were changes in the internal properties of the rock (e.g. porosity/microporosity) and that these could influence the synergistic operation of other weathering processes. Although not all of the observations could be explained, it is apparent that wetting and drying has both a direct and an indirect effect on the weathering of rock that has not been taken into account in simulations. Greater cognizance needs to be given to the role of this process both in the field and in laboratory simulations.