HYDRATION: UPSC Daily Important Topic | 1 April 2022

■ HYDRATION

◇ Hydration is the chemical addition of water that involves the rigid attachment of H+ and OH- ions to the atoms and molecules of a mineral.

◇ When rock minerals take up water, the increased volume creates physical stresses within the rock. For example, iron oxides are converted to iron hydroxides which are larger in volume.

◇ Hydration is reversible, and continued repetition of this process causes fatigue in the rocks and may lead to their disintegration.

◇ The volume changes in minerals due to hydration will also help in physical weathering through exfoliation and granular disintegration.

◇ Hydration is reversible, and continued repetition of this process causes fatigue in the rocks and may lead to their disintegration.

◇ The volume changes in minerals due to hydration will also help in physical weathering through exfoliation and granular disintegration.