How can weathering form a mineral deposit?
A) extreme leaching can leave behind elements, such as aluminum, that are valuable
B) weathering can dissolve copper from the top of a mineral deposit and reprecipitate it at depth
C) heavier materials, such as gold and diamond, accumulate near the base of river gravels
D) all of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the options describe processes through which weathering can contribute to the formation of mineral deposits. Extreme leaching can concentrate valuable elements like aluminum (A), weathering can cause the dissolution and reprecipitation of minerals like copper at different depths (B), and the accumulation of heavier materials such as gold and diamonds in river gravels is a common form of placer deposit (C).

How Can Weathering Form a Mineral Deposit