Experimental sandstone weathering using different wetting and drying moisture amplitudes

Wetting and drying is an acknowledged yet still poorly understood rock weathering process. Previous experiments documented in the literature measure physical changes or mass loss in relation to moisture oscillations but only one study directly compares different moisture amplitudes by using different modes of moisture application. In this experimental study, four sets of sandstone tablets are subjected to 48 h wetting and drying cycles at set moisture content fluctuations of 29, 42, 56 and 63% respectively. A common moisture application, full immersion, is used for all four sets. Mass loss after 52 cycles averaged 0·27%, some three times more than that of the control samples. Average porosity of the samples increased, while water absorption capacities and the saturation coefficients of the samples decreased. No discernable difference in mass loss or change in physical properties was found between the different sample sets. When compared with previous studies, results suggest that the effect of moisture application type may be more of a controlling factor on the weathering effect than actual moisture content achieved. A need to move towards a more standardized approach in wetting and drying experimental studies is emphasized. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.