Definition
A weathering profile is a vertical assemblage of weathering zones (subsurface zones of alteration differing physically, chemically, or mineralogically from adjacent zones) from the surface soil to the unaltered bedrock. In the actual climate conditions of the Earth, the weathering profiles are best developed in the humid tropics, where depths of 30 up to 100 m are found. The nature of the weathering profile is a complex response to climatic and geologic controls and to long-term changes in surface environmental conditions. Astrobiologists study paleo-weathering profiles (or paleosols) because their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics can give constraints on the climatic, redox, and geological conditions of the surface of the early Earth.
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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Pinti, D.L. (2014). Weathering Profile. In: Amils, R., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1865-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1865-3
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Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics
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Latest
Weathering Profile- Published:
- 26 November 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1865-4
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Original
Weathering Profile- Published:
- 28 April 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1865-3