Lopez, Jhun Jhun T.

September
Name: _________________________ Date Performed: ___________
24, 2020
B3L-Group 1 October 1,
Section/Group No.: _______________ Date Submitted: ___________
2020

EXERCISE 1. THE ORIGIN OF SOILS

PART 1. FACTORS OF SOIL FORMATION

WORKSHEET 1.1.1. Influence of parent material on soil formation

Recognizable soil layers Solum Features

Profile Plate
based on solum* (color, thickness)**

Plate 1a
Parent material:
Basalt A Brown, thin
______________________

Plate 1b
Parent material:
Basalt A Brown, thin
______________________

Plate 1c
Parent material:
Limestone A Brown, thin
______________________

*Presence of A, E, B horizons singly or in combination.

**Compare only residual and transported parent materials.
WORKSHEET 1.1.1 (con’t). Influence of parent material on soil formation

Recognizable soil layers Solum Features

Profile Plate
based on solum* (color, thickness)**

Plate 1d
Parent material:
Colluvium A black, thin
______________________

Bw gray, thick

Plate 1e
Parent material:
Alluvium A green and brown, thin
______________________

Bw light brown, thick

Plate 1f
Parent material:
Volcanic ash A dark brown, thin
______________________

Bw dark to light brown, thick

*Presence of A, E, B horizons singly or in combination.

**Compare only residual and transported parent materials.

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How many horizons (A, E and B) within the solum can you identify
from each plate?

No. of
Profile Plate:
horizons:
1a 1
1b 1
1c 1

1d 2

1e 2

1f 2

Compare the degree of development between soils formed from

residual and transported parent material (based on the number
of distinct A, E, B horizons).

Soils formed from transported parent material are more developed due
to different factors that contribute to the development like water, wind,
gravity and ice. This is quite different from the residual parent material
because soils formed through bedrock itself.

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WORKSHEET 1.1.2. Influence of climate on soil formation

Recognizable soil layers Solum Features

Profile Plate
based on solum (color, thickness)

Plate 2a A A - dark brown, thin

Rainfall Intensity: Bw Bw- dark brown, thin
Bk Bk- light brown, thick
Low
_______________

Plate 2b A A- black, thick

Rainfall Intensity: AB AB- black, thick
Medium Bk Bk-brown, thin
_______________

Plate 2c A A-black, thin

Rainfall Intensity: AB AB-black, thin
High Rainfall Bw Bw- brown, thick
_______________

Note: The scales are different among plates.

What does letter "k" stand for?

Accumulation of calcium carbonate

Compare the three (3) plates according to the location of

horizon(s) with letter "k".
Presence of k is almost the same in the given 3 plates. However, it is
somehow different in their location depending on the amount of rainfall.
The high rainfall, k is present in a deeper horizon whereas low rainfall, k
is not that deeper.

What is the role of climate on the position of "k" in the profile?

Climate factor, specifically precipitation contributes to the leaching
activity where water moves through the soil. This is the reason why
calcium carbonate accumulates below due to downward movement of
water.

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WORKSHEET 1.1.3. Influence of vegetation on soil formation

Recognizable soil layers Solum Features

Profile Plate
based on solum (color, thickness)

Plate 3a A Black, thick

Vegetation: AB Black thick
Grassland
_______________

Plate 3b A Black, thin

Vegetation: E White, thin
Forest Bhs Brown, thick
_______________ Bw Bw, thick

Which plate has thicker dark surface layer? Explain the

difference in thickness of the surface layer. (Hint: With roots as
source of OM, take note of the difference between the root
systems in grass and forest trees).
Grassland had thicker dark surface layer because of thicker root system
that contributes to high organic matter. Also, the root system in
grassland in only superficial thus, it'll highly contribute to organic
matter. Forest is not that thicker because root system in this vegetation
if far different from Grassland because it deeply penetrate beyond
surface, thus less organic matter.

What is the source of dark color for both soils? Which plate has
darker color? Why?

The source of dark color for both soils in the aforementioned vegetation
is the organic matter. As mentioned, Grassland has the darker color
because of its root system present on the surface and has a greater
underground plant biomass.

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WORKSHEET 1.1.4. Influence of topography on soil formation

Recognizable soil Solum Features

Profile Plate
layers based on solum (color, thickness)

Plate 4a E E- white, thin

Topography: Bhs Bhs- brown, thick
Well-drained BC Bs- brown, thick

Plate 4b Ap Ap- dark brown thin

Topography: A A- dark brown, thin
Moderately well- Bw Bw- brown, thick
drained: Bg Bg- gray, thick

Plate 4c A A- gray, thin

Topography: E E- gray, thin
Somewhat poorly Btg Btg- gray, thick
drained:

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WORKSHEET 1.1.4 (con’t). Influence of topography on soil formation

Recognizable soil layers Solum Features

Profile Plate
based on solum (color, thickness)

Plate 4d A White, thin

Topography:
Poorly drained:

What is the meaning of "g" in the label of horizon(s)? Explain

how “g” horizon forms.
A water-logged layer. It is formed if water was not able to penetrate
within, that is, water is unable to reach specific horizon which also has
something to do with the soil's water table

What color is common among horizons or layer(s) showing "g"

letter in their label?
Gray

What is the meaning of mottles?

Mottles refers to splotches of red or gray color in the soil due to poor
drainage soils where reduction and oxidation of Fe is happening.

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WORKSHEET 1.1.5. Influence of time on soil formation

Recognizable soil layers Solum Features

Profile Plate
based on solum (color, thickness)

Plate 5a A A-black, thin

Very young: Bw Bw- brown, thick
Inceptisol
_______________

Plate 5b
Ap Ap- brown, thin
Young: E E- light brown, thin
Alfisol Bt Bt- brown, thick
_______________

Plate 5c A A- brown, thin

Mature: E E- yellow, thin
Ultisol Bt Bt- reddish brown , thick
_______________

Plate 5d
Ap Ap- dark red, thin
Very old: Bo Bo- red orange, thick
Oxisol
_______________

How many horizons (A, E, and B) within the solum can you count
from each plate (5a-5d)?

No. of
Profile Plate:
horizons:
5a 2

5b 3

5c 3

5d 2

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Which plates have shown red color in their profile? Compare the
intensity of red color for these soils.*
Plates 5c and 5d
Intensity ranking:
5d- 3
5c-1

-----------------
*Intensity Ranking: 1, 2, 3
1 – Least intense
3 – Most intense

What is the source of red color in soils?

Accumulation of iron

State observable relationship between the age and color of

soils.
Increase in age, results in a redder soil due to accumulation of iron