Hydrolysis

A chemical weathering process by which water dissolves minerals releasing nutrients which can be taken up by plants from the soil solution. The process can be considered as taking place over a couple of stages, with the initial stage being that of water entering the soil and then working its way through the soil profile. During this stage the water makes initial contact with soil minerals which contain ions, primarily cations.

With the presence of water now being in contact with the soil minerals the next stage is that of the water molecules breaking the bond between the different chemical ions, gradually dissolving the mineral. This releases ions, which includes nutrients (for example potassium, calcium, magnesium), into the soil solution. These are now available for plant growth, unless they are leached from the soil.

Hydrolysis, or the outcome of this process, contributes to soil fertility and soil pH, and is itself influenced by soil pH, temperature, the chemical composition of minerals within the soil, and especially soil moisture content. This process would be more influential in soils located in areas with high rainfall, in contrast to areas with low rainfall and prolonged dry periods.