Which of the following is the most important weathering process in Karst regions?
Answer Details
The most important weathering process in Karst regions is carbonation. Karst regions are areas that are characterized by soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. Carbonation occurs when carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in rainwater, forming carbonic acid. This carbonic acid reacts with the soluble rocks, causing them to dissolve and form sinkholes, caves, and other distinctive landforms commonly found in Karst regions. Hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown of minerals by water, oxidation involves the combination of minerals with oxygen, and hydration is the process of minerals absorbing water molecules. While these processes can contribute to weathering in Karst regions, carbonation is considered to be the most important process due to the prevalence of soluble rocks in these areas.