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How does biological weathering work in context of rock weathering? 

Clay minerals
Petrography
Schizophyllum commune
Dharwar Craton
Water transport
Best insight from top research papers

Biological weathering in the context of rock weathering involves microbial activities that contribute significantly to the alteration of rock surfaces. Microorganisms, such as Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria , play crucial roles in mineral weathering processes. For instance, Actinobacteria have been found to leach minerals from granite, leading to the formation of secondary minerals like kaolinite and vermiculite . Additionally, chemolithotrophic bacteria like Fe(II) oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) are capable of oxidizing silicate-bound iron, accelerating weathering rates and influencing the overall biogeochemical cycling of elements in rock outcrops . Furthermore, fungi like Schizophyllum commune contribute to biophysical and biochemical weathering by exerting mechanical pressure, secreting organic acids, and enhancing dissolution of minerals like quartz, ultimately leading to rock degradation . These microbial activities highlight the diverse mechanisms through which biological weathering impacts rock surfaces.

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Papers (5)Insight
Journal Article•DOI
The Organisms on Rock Cultural Heritages: Growth and Weathering
Xueping Chen, Fayan Bai, Jizhong Huang, Yong-Sheng Lu, Yu-Huan Wu, Juan Yu, Shuang Bai 
01 Sep 2021-Geoheritage
Biological weathering, driven by microorganisms like mosses and lichens, plays a key role in deteriorating rock cultural heritages by facilitating various bioweathering processes and interactions, intensifying weathering in specific microhabitats.
Open access•Journal Article•DOI
Organic acids, siderophores, enzymes and mechanical pressure for black slate bioweathering with the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune
Julia Kirtzel, Nico Ueberschaar, Tanja Deckert-Gaudig, Katrin Krause, Volker Deckert, Volker Deckert, Geoffrey M. Gadd, Erika Kothe 
01 Apr 2020-Environmental Microbiology
29 Citations
Biological weathering involves basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune secreting organic acids, siderophores, enzymes, and applying mechanical pressure to degrade black slate, releasing metals and forming new mineral phases like whewellite.
Open access•Journal Article•DOI
The Weathering Microbiome of an Outcropping Granodiorite.
Stephanie A. Napieralski, Eric E. Roden 
14 Dec 2020-Frontiers in Microbiology
5 Citations
Biological weathering involves microorganisms, like chemolithotrophic Fe(II) oxidizing bacteria, oxidizing minerals like silicate-bound Fe(II) for energy, accelerating weathering and interacting with organotrophic microorganisms in rock weathering.
Open access•Journal Article•DOI
The origin and role of biological rock crusts in rocky desert weathering
Nimrod Wieler, Hanan Ginat, Osnat Gillor, Roey Angel 
19 Mar 2019-Biogeosciences
22 Citations
Biological weathering in rock surfaces involves microbial biofilms secreting extracellular polymeric substances that reduce water loss, limit salt transport, and stabilize the surface, mitigating geomorphic processes in arid environments.
Open access•Journal Article•DOI
Bio-weathering of granites from Eastern Dharwar Craton (India): a tango of bacterial metabolism and mineral chemistry
Arpitha Chikkanna, Arpitha Chikkanna, Devanita Ghosh, Krishnan Sajeev 
12 Apr 2021-Biogeochemistry
4 Citations
Biological weathering involves microbial communities like Actinobacteria breaking down rock minerals, releasing nutrients, forming secondary minerals, and altering the rock's composition over time.

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