Mineral weathering is the process by which minerals in rocks and soils break down and dissolve due to exposure to water, atmospheric gases, and biological activity. This process plays a crucial role in the cycling of nutrients and minerals in ecosystems, as well as the formation of soil and sediment. Mineral weathering can be both physical, such as through frost shattering, and chemical, through reactions with water and acids. The products of mineral weathering can have important implications for water quality, nutrient availability, and the stability of landscapes. Researchers in this area study the rates and mechanisms of mineral weathering, its impacts on ecosystems, and its role in global geochemical cycles.