noun
Geological term for the chemical wearing away of rock or minerals, especially by water.
石灰岩は雨水による溶食を受けやすい。
Limestone is susceptible to corrosion by rainwater.
浸食 (erosion) is a broader term for physical wearing away by wind, water, etc., while 溶食 specifically refers to chemical dissolution.
Compound of 溶 (dissolve) and 食 (eat away). The alternate form 溶蝕 uses 蝕 (erode).