Formation of Eluvial Soils of Different Genetic Types

According to V.A. Priklonskii, weathering or erosion represents processes of a special nature occurring in rocks which result in a change of composition, state and properties of the rocks, including their strength. These processes occur under the influence of various physical phenomena (physical weathering), chemical processes and transformations (chemical weathering) and the effect of various forms of organisms and vegetation (organic weathering). Organic (or biochemical) weathering produces changes in the physical and mechanical properties of rocks similar to those that occur as a result of physical and chemical weathering. Weathering produces continental formations of a special genetic type, viz., eluvia of different ages, genesis and conditions of deposition.