There is a sound evidence that water can both destroy and create, though the popular opinion is that water only gives life.  So let us explore the processes that actually destroy by means of water and other conditions.

The first process we will have a look at is weathering.  This process should not be confused with erosion as far as it occurs ‘without movement’, though is also destroys rocks, various minerals and, of course, soil.  There are two types of weathering: physical and mechanical.  Physical weathering destroys the materials in question (rocks, soil, minerals) through straight contact with water, pressure, and other conditions.  Chemical weathering includes direct contact with biological and atmospheric chemicals which consequently destroy the mentioned materials.

Erosion, different from weathering, includes the movement of mud, soil, and rocks caused by the water currents, ice, wind, and other conditions.  Certain amount of erosion is actually beneficial because it is natural, thus excessive erosion can lead to soil destruction and ecosystem damage.

Deposition can be described as laying down certain solid materials from other location to the place of the deposition.  For instance, if a river merges a lake it deposits sediment on the bed of the lake.  This process is mainly advantageous for the building sphere as far as it transports the necessary materials to a place, which probably lacks it.