Humans can affect weathering (breaking down of rock/soil) in several ways. Humans cause increases in acid rain and pollution, which increase the amount of weathering agents in the air and water, and then on land.
Weathering is a natural process, but human activities can speed it up. For example, certain kinds of air pollution increase the rate of weathering. Burning coal, natural gas, and petroleum releases chemicals such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.
Aside from desertification, there is no doubt that human activities are a major cause of soil erosion in general. Construction of roads and buildings, logging, mining, and agricultural production have resulted in large amounts of soil erosion in the U.S. and around the world.
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Answer:
Humans can affect weathering (breaking down of rock/soil) in several ways. Humans cause increases in acid rain and pollution, which increase the amount of weathering agents in the air and water, and then on land.
Weathering is a natural process, but human activities can speed it up. For example, certain kinds of air pollution increase the rate of weathering. Burning coal, natural gas, and petroleum releases chemicals such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.
Aside from desertification, there is no doubt that human activities are a major cause of soil erosion in general. Construction of roads and buildings, logging, mining, and agricultural production have resulted in large amounts of soil erosion in the U.S. and around the world.