wymywanie

Wymywanie is a process in which soluble substances are removed from materials by the action of percolating water. In Polish scientific usage the term is applied in geology, soil science, and hydrogeology to describe chemical transport driven by infiltration, and it is closely related to the broader concept of leaching.

In soils, wymywanie refers to the downward movement of dissolved nutrients and minerals from the upper horizons to deeper layers. This can alter soil fertility, as essential elements such as nitrate, potassium, calcium, and magnesium may be depleted at the surface if rainfall and drainage are intense. The rate and extent of wymywanie depend on factors such as rainfall intensity, soil texture and structure, permeability, organic matter content, pH, and the cation exchange capacity of the soil. Prolonged or intensified wymywanie can contribute to the development of lighter, depleted surface horizons and influence groundwater recharge and chemistry.

In rocks and sediments, wymywanie describes the chemical weathering and removal of soluble components by infiltrating water. Dissolution of minerals such as carbonates, sulfates, and certain silicates can transport dissolved ions with groundwater or surface runoff. This process can play a role in karst formation in carbonate rocks, the salinization or dilution of aquifers, and the long-term evolution of geochemical profiles in sedimentary basins.

Wymywanie is distinct from mechanical erosion, which removes material by physical forces. It is primarily a chemical transport process, often occurring in concert with physical processes of infiltration and drainage.