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The chemical composition of soil in a certain area was found to differ from

that of the bedrock beneath it. Which statement would best explain the
difference in chemical composition?
A. Water washed iron oxide from the A horizon to the D horizon.
B. Water, wind, and gravity transported weathered particles of rock to
new locations.
OC. The soil layers were mature because a large amount of time had
passed.
D. The climate, especially rain and extreme temperatures, caused the
soil to develop.

User Alexmngn
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2 Answers

6 votes
*B. Water, wind, and gravity transported weathered particles of rock to new locations.

This option offers the most compelling explanation for the observed disparity in chemical composition. It posits that the soil's distinctive composition in the designated area is attributable to the intricate interplay of natural forces, specifically the transportation of weathered rock particles by water, wind, and gravity.
User Yury Wallet
by
8.8k points
2 votes

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best explains the difference in chemical composition between the soil and the bedrock is B. Water, wind, and gravity transported weathered particles of rock to new locations.

When water, wind, and gravity come into play, they can transport weathered particles of rock to different areas. This process, known as erosion, can result in the deposition of these particles in a different location from the bedrock. Over time, as these transported particles accumulate and mix with other materials, they can contribute to the formation of soil with a different chemical composition compared to the underlying bedrock.

For example, water can carry dissolved minerals and ions from the upper layers of soil (A horizon) to deeper layers (D horizon) through a process called leaching. This can result in a different chemical composition between these soil layers.

In addition, weathering processes like physical breakdown, chemical reactions, and biological activities can also contribute to the alteration of the chemical composition of the soil. These weathering processes can be influenced by factors such as climate, including rain and extreme temperatures (option D), which can accelerate or enhance the breakdown and alteration of minerals in the soil.

Overall, the transportation of weathered particles by water, wind, and gravity, along with weathering processes influenced by climate, can lead to differences in the chemical composition of the soil compared to the bedrock beneath it.

User Laaksom
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8.6k points