<blockquote>
  <p>But I don't understand the part of "degradation action" in the question, I think underground water only replaces the plant material in trees...</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Degradation refers to the process of aqueous dissolution of the organic materials; the fact is, organic materials are generally quickly dissolved after the death of a living organism...degraded into nothing before the fossilization process can even start. (Think of the carbon cycle and how organic compounds are re-used over and over again over the eons of life on this planet.)</p>

<p>It's a bit of a misnomer in this case because it ignores the simultaneous replacement of that organic matter with inorganic siliceous materials. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-18T05:50:07.697Z
2017-06-18T05:50:07.697Z
Knob Scratcher
<p>In my book, I came across this question:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Give reason why formation of petrified tress is considered as a degradation and a sedimentation action of the underground water.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>My book explains that underground water replaces the original plant material in trees with silica and other inorganic materials, and states this as a sedimentation action of underground water. But I don't understand the part of "degradation action" in the question, I think underground water only <strong>replaces</strong> the plant material in trees so why we consider this to be a degradation action? Or the degradation action mentioned in the question is something else? And if yes, could you explain it for me? Thanks in advance!  </p>

<sedimentology><underground-water>
Formation of petrified trees
Asmaa
# Formation of petrified trees

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-06-15)

In my book, I came across this question:

> Give reason why formation of petrified tress is considered as a degradation and a sedimentation action of the underground water.

My book explains that underground water replaces the original plant material in trees with silica and other inorganic materials, and states this as a sedimentation action of underground water. But I don't understand the part of "degradation action" in the question, I think underground water only **replaces** the plant material in trees so why we consider this to be a degradation action? Or the degradation action mentioned in the question is something else? And if yes, could you explain it for me? Thanks in advance!

**Tags:** sedimentology, underground-water


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-06-18. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

> But I don't understand the part of "degradation action" in the question, I think underground water only replaces the plant material in trees...

Degradation refers to the process of aqueous dissolution of the organic materials; the fact is, organic materials are generally quickly dissolved after the death of a living organism...degraded into nothing before the fossilization process can even start. (Think of the carbon cycle and how organic compounds are re-used over and over again over the eons of life on this planet.)

It's a bit of a misnomer in this case because it ignores the simultaneous replacement of that organic matter with inorganic siliceous materials.


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