Hydration
H2O molecules bind to a mineral through HYDRATION
Oxides of Fe and Al are common
Hydrolysis
Water molecules split into hydrogen and hydroxyl components
H often replaces a cation in the mineral
Releases nutrients (eg. K+) and forms secondary minerals
(iii) Dissolution
Cations and anions hydrated until they dissociate
(iv) Carbonation
Acids such as carbonic, nitric and sulphuric acid accelerate
dissolution