GES175, Science of Soils

Physical Properties of Soils

Particle Size
* Physical properties are influenced by particle size Size Classification (USDA): Soil < 2 mm Sand, 2 - 0.05 mm Silt, 0.05 - 0.002 mm Clay, <0.002 mm

Textural Triangle

Clay
55 Sandy Clay Sandy Clay Loam Sandy Loam Loamy Sand 70 Clay Loam

40 Silty Clay Silty Clay Loam 75

60

35 20 10 Sand

Loam

Silt Loam

90

Silt
50 20

Percent Sand

Clayey Soil (fine textured)

Clay
55 Sandy Clay Clay Loam

40 Silty Clay Silty Clay Loam

60

Loamy/Silty Soils (medium textured)

60 35 20 Sandy Clay Loam Loam Silty Clay Loam 75 Silt Loam

90

Silt
70 50 20

Sandy Soils (coarse textured)

20
10 Sand Sandy Loam Loamy Sand 70

50

Soil Structure
granular

Cause and Effect (description in laboratory)

prismatic

Creating Structure

Flocculation
(chemical)

Surface Area

vs

- large grain - aggregate of small particles

Creating Structure
- organic and inorganic glues

Aggregation

Stress Forces
(what breaks the glue)

Lateral

Vertical

Soil Structure:
Surface Horizons Spheriodal

Granular

Poor Management

Massive

Granular

Compaction of Surface Horizons

compaction

- Platy Structure -

Impact on soil compaction?

Structure:
Subsurface

---- Prizmatic ----

Increased length in vertical direction - lateral stress > vertical stress

Blocky Structure:
(subsurface horizons)

Increased (relative) age equates stress fractures

Bulk Densities

Organic soil
Db 0.8 Mg/m3

Bulk Densities Organic soil

Db 0.8 Mg/m3
versus

Compacted Subsoil Db 1.7 Mg/m3

Macroporosity
Well Sorted Sand

Clay Aggregates

Micropores
+

Flocculation

Aggregation

Internal Porosity

Timber Harvest

Volcanic Ash Soil