Soil The following power point was adapted from Ryan P. Murphy. A full collection of his amazing power points can be found at: http://sciencepowerpoint.com/in dex.html
Feb 24, 2016
Soil
The following power point was adapted from Ryan P. Murphy. A full collection of his amazing power points can be found
at: http://sciencepowerpoint.com/index.html
Weathering is the process that will, overtime, create soil.
Soil is a mixture of weathered rock and decaying organic material.
Soil Formation
•Soil is formed as rock is broken down by weathering and is mixed with other materials on the surface by burrowing animals. •Soil is constantly being formed wherever bedrock is exposed. •Bedrock is the solid layer of rock beneath the soil.
Five Factors That Affect Soil Formation
1. Climate: temperature and rainfall
2. Plants and animals3. Topography: flat lands
are more fertile than hilly lands
4. Parent material 5. Time: more time =
healthier soil
Four Steps To Soil Formation1. Bedrock disintegrates
Four Steps To Soil Formation1. Bedrock disintegrates2. Parent material forms
Four Steps To Soil Formation1. Bedrock disintegrates2. Parent material forms3. Organic matter collects forming humus
Four Steps To Soil Formation1. Bedrock disintegrates2. Parent material forms3. Organic matter collects4. Thick vegetation grows and gives back to the soil
Soil Composition•Soil is a mixture of rock particles, minerals, decayed organic material, air, and water. •The type of rock particles and minerals depends on the bedrock that was weathered and the type of weathering. •Sand, Silt, and clay make up the portion of soil that comes from weathered rock.
Humus•Decayed, organic material in soil•Dark in color•Forms from decaying plant and animal material•Creates spaces in soil for air and water•Rich in nutrients that plants need to grow
Color Of Soil- helps determine what soil is made of and its health
Black Soil• Lots of organic matter (carbon)• May be poorly drained• Usually fertile
Brown Soil• Lots of sand and clay• Well drained• Good soil
Light brown, white, orange, red, yellow
• Many compounds present (iron, manganese, sulfur)
• High is salt• Not as healthy• Iron turn rust color
when it mixes with oxygen (oxidation)
Particles of Soil
• The type of soil depends on its particles• The combinations of particle size can
determine how well plants grow in soil
Soil Texture and Particle Size• Gravel: 2-7.5cm
Soil Texture and Particle Size• Gravel: 2-7.5cm• Sand: 2-.125mm
Soil Texture and Particle Size• Gravel: 2-7.5cm• Sand: 2-.125mm• Silt
Soil Texture and Particle Size• Gravel: 2-7.5cm• Sand: 2-.125mm• Silt• Clay
Soil Horizons•Soil Horizon is a layer of soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above or below it.
• O – organic layer (leaves, pine needles, twigs, decay)
• A – Top Soil: dark color is from the mixing of humus with weathered materials
• E – Eluviated zone; movement of dissolved materials from A horizon
• B – Sub Soil; Illuviated zone – contains soil materials leeched from above
• C – Parent Material; partially weathered mineral particles
• D/R - Bedrock
Rate of Soil Formation
•Depends on climate and type of rock•Weathering occurs most rapidly in a warm, rainy, climate•Some rocks, like limestone, weather faster than other types of rock, like granite.