Foundation University

College of Agriculture

Dumaguete City

SSC101
Laboratory Exercise 1
Soil Profile Examination
Members:
Aguia, Jun Mark A.
Buena, Janros Athaniel
Ibañez, Karl David
Torres, Nathaniel
Nonilon, Mamac

Instructor:
Johhane M. Maictin-Dael

Date of Submission:
November 22, 2022
 Laboratory Exercise No.1 Soil
Profile Examination

INTRODUCTION
The soil is a consequence of the action of climate and carrying on with life structures on the parent material as formed by
geographical spot of the site. With time, a soil makes characteristics which make it unquestionable from various soils in various
locales. These qualities over the long haul conclude the sensibility of a particular soil to a particular land use, for instance whether as a
gather land for private explanation.
In soil outline and depiction work, the various properties that conclude soil productivity are surveyed and recorded. Soil
evaluation may be finished on new road cuts, as of late dug pits or on soil materials accumulated using soil drills. Soil tests are
typically taken from each horizon for research focus assessment of soil physical, substance and normal properties.
OBJECTIVE
To be able to recognize characteristics which differentiate soils from one another.
MATERIALS
Spade or soil auger
Meter stick
Spot plates
Beaker
Marking pen

PROCEDURE
1. The students will describe two soil profiles (upland and lowland).
Steps in soil description:
a. Differentiate the soil horizons by carefully observing variations in color, texture. Friability, degree of compaction, presence
of stones with depth, etc.
b. Mark the boundaries between soil horizons using sticks and measure their depths by starting from the surface (measurement
starts with zero, e.g. 0-10 cm).
c. Identify the different horizons (O, A, B, C, R).
d. Determine their color, stickiness, reaction to H:O, and presence of roots.
e. Make a general description of the soil profile in site by completing the table below.
RESULTS

Table 1. Horizon characteristics of upland soil.

RXN TO PRESENCE
HORIZON
DEPTH COLOR TEXTURE STRUCTURE H2O2 OF ROOTS pH

It bubbled and became

Horizon O Granular 4.5
2.1 inches Black Sandy loam thick. Yes

It bubbled but not thick as

Horizon A 1.3 inches 5.7
Dark brown Sandy loam Granular O horizon. Yes
It didn’t react at first but
after a few second it
Horizon B 0.9 inches bubbled because the clay 5.9
Brown Clay loam Platy No
water can’t really penetrate
and the clay turned sticky.
It didn’t react after the
hydrogen peroxide was
Sandy Clay poured and after a few
Horizon C 3.2 inches Yellowish 6.7
Blocky second it bubbled, but this No
brown
time it was quicker than
horizon .
Sub-angular
blocky It bubbled, maybe because
Regolith 7.3
Light brown Silty Clay there is a soil but there are No
too many stone I think it
react because of the soil
Figure 1.1. Upland soil Figure 1.2. Horizon 0 Figure 1.3. Horizon A Figure 1.4. Regolith

Figure 1.5. Horizon C Figure 1.6. Horizon B

Table 2. Horizon characteristics of lowland soil.
PRESENCE
RXN TO
HORIZON OF ROOTS
DEPTH COLOR TEXTURE STRUCTURE H2O2 pH
3.6 It bubbled and became Yes 5.5
Horizon O thick
inches Black Silty clay Granular
It bubbled but more 5.7
3.6
Horizon A thicker than O horizon Yes
inches Black Silty clay Granular
The soil is smooth like 6.1
clay before the hydrogen
2.7 peroxide was poured and
Horizon B Silty clay No
inches Brown Platy after the hydrogen
loam
peroxide was poured it
bubbled.
It didn’t react after the 6.9
hydrogen peroxide was
poured and after a few
5.1
Horizon C Sandy clay Blocky second it bubbled, but No
inches
this time it was quicker
than horizon.

It bubbled, maybe 7.8

because there is a soil but
Sub-angular
Regolith Silty clay there are too many stone No
blocky
I think it react because of
the soil
Figure 2.1. Lowland soil Figure 2.2. Topsoil Figure 2.3. Horizon B Figure 2.4. Horizon C

Figure 2.5. Regolith

SUMMARY

In summary, the characteristics of horizons from upland and lowland is a little bit different on their horizons O and A, which
are part of the top soil. It is because in upland, there is a less water found and while on lowland there is water or water might be
present depending on the temperature. In the other horizons, the texture and structure are almost the same which are commonly silt
and clay. On the reaction of the hydrogen peroxide to soil, it depends on how many SOM or organisms are present in the soil. The
presence of roots also depends on the plants that are present near the soil.