Here's why:
* Gabbro and Diorite: These are igneous rocks rich in feldspar minerals.
* Hydrolysis: This is a chemical weathering process where water reacts with minerals, breaking them down. In this case, water containing dissolved carbon dioxide (forming carbonic acid) reacts with feldspar minerals.
* Clay Mineral Formation: This reaction breaks down feldspar, releasing ions like potassium, sodium, and calcium into solution, and forming clay minerals.
Therefore, the formation of clay minerals from gabbro or diorite is a direct result of chemical weathering, specifically hydrolysis.
