Capillary Water: Definition and Function

Soil acidity can generally be corrected by adding ___ to the soil.

Ability to withstand rapid pH fluctuation.

the breakdown of underlying rocks.

Color indicates that iron has been leached out, leaving oxides of silicon and aluminum.

Hydroscopic Water: Definition and Function

If weathered rock particles have accumulated in place— through the physical and chemical breakdown of bedrock directly beneath the soil.

Soil Texture:

characteristic layered changes with depth.

Used to discern different classes of soil texture based on the plot of percentages for each soil grade.

When soils have reached such a condition of equilibrium.

rock fragments and minerals that will not readily dissolve in water.

Are generally better drained than gentler ones, and they are also subject to rapid runoff of surface water.

Deposition by water in the subsoil.

There is less runoff and higher infiltration, more water is available for soil development and to support vegetation growth, so erosion is not as intense.

Functions of Soil:

Climate differences produce three primary soil-forming regimes:

Color of decomposed organic matter.

A soil-forming regime that occurs in humid tropical and subtropical climates as a result of high temperatures and abundant precipitation.

Have purpose to increase pH of soil.

is a dynamic natural body capable of supporting a vegetative cover.

Depleting nutrients in the soil through flow of water.

Soil water found as a very thin film, invisible to the naked eye, that is bound to the surfaces of soil particles by strong electrical forces.

Soil Horizons:

Most important soil properties:

refers to the particle sizes (or distribution of sizes) that make up a soil.

Four Major Components of Soil:

Sources of Chemical Constituents:

One of the most important components of soil.

Soil Analysis: Instrument Used:

“p” stands for ___ and the “H” stands for ___.

When soils are still in the process of developing toward being in equilibrium with their environmental conditions.

Color indicates a high proportion of calcium or salts.

The collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful.

Water that percolates down through a soil, under the force of gravity.

2 Types of Parent Material:

the process of adding nutrients or other constituents in order to meet the soil conditions that certain plants require.

The decayed remains of plant and animal materials, partially transformed by bacterial action.

Downward removal of soil components by water.

The vertical cross section of a soil from the surface down to the parent material.

Color indicates the presence of iron.

An act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.

Gravitational Water: Definition and Function

Fine particles and substances dissolved from the upper soil are deposited in lower levels, which become dense and may be strongly colored by accumulated iron compounds.

cementlike layer, like a clay hardpan which prevents the downward percolation of water.

Soils contain insoluble materials, soluble materials, and chemical constituents.

the original source of soil water.

Soil pH Analysis: Instrument:

Difference in organic matter content of soil according to location:

If the rock fragments that form a soil have been carried to the site and deposited by streams, waves, winds, gravity, or glaciers.

___, a distinguished soil scientist, observed that soil development was a function of:

Difference in organic matter content of soil according to color: