GROUP 8

NAME SURNAME STUDENT NUMBER

1.SINESIPHO MNGUNI 202226796
2.APHELELE MPAMA 202014675
3.TLOTITSO MPHOMELA 202101291
4.LWANDO MPHATHI 202005883
5.ANOXOLO MOYENI 202248897
6.NKOSIYETHU MLOBOTHI 202218510
7.ZIMI PRUDENCE MOLISI 202249882
8.KGOPOTSO PARIS MOHLABYA 202244784
9.BULUMKO MLAMLA 202238322
10.ZINATHI MNCONO 202246382
11.MOSES YASSEN 201927519
12.SIBULELE MPUMI 202118114
13.SINETHEMBA MTSEPHEYI 202210773
14.LUNGISA MTHITHALA 202220761

COUSE CODE : AGS 211

TASK : PRACTICAL
INTRODUCTION

The typical laboratory method for figuring out a soil's particle size distribution is called a
particle size analysis. The ultimate soil particles (discrete particles), which can be of different
sizes and develops, constitute soil (Gee,2002). The initial response of soils when applied to
applications can be considerably affected by particle size distribution. Mineral particles make
up soils, and the size and arrangement of these particles greatly affects the soil's
characteristics. In mechanical analysis, the range of particle sizes present in a soil is
determined and reported as a percentage of the total dry weight. The following two
techniques are usually employed to determine the soil's particle-size distribution: Sieve
testing, and hydrometer measurement (Downie, and Crosky, 2012). In this application,
hydrometer techniques were applied. The procedure involves a hydrometer to quantitatively
determine the physical proportions of three primary soil particle sizes as determined by their
settling speeds in an aqueous solution. The sodium hexametaphosphate solution is used to
disperse soil aggregates, and the hydrometer method of determining particle size analysis
(sand, silt, and clay content) is based on subsequent measurement based on changes in
suspension density. The basis for hydrometer analysis is the movement of soil particles in
water. Depending on the way it looks, size, weight, and viscosity of the water, the particles of
a soil specimen distributed in it go under at different rates. It is assumed for simplicity that all
soil particles are spherical (Jury,2004).

AIM

The aim of the practical was to determine the soil particle size analysis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

• Weighed 25g of soil sample into an extraction bottle.

• Added 10 ml sodiumhemaxametaphosphate to the soil sample in the extraction bottle.

• Added 10 ml of distilled water to the mixture and cap.

• The mixture was shaken and transferred to the electric stirrer to stir for 2 minutes.

• The mixture was transferred into a 1L measuring cylinder.

• The plunger was used to agitate the mixture.

• The hydrometer reading was taken after 40s.

• Again, the plunger was used to agitate the mixture.

• The hydrometer reading was taken after 2 hrs.

• The hydrometer reading of the blank was taken.

• The hydrometer reading was corrected by subtracting the value of the blank

RESULTS

• CYLINDER 1

-Hydrometer reading of blank is 1g

- Mass of weighed dry soil sample = 25.04g

-Hydrometer reading after 40s = 1.811g

-Corrected hydrometer after 40s = 1.811- 1

= 0.811

Hydrometer reading after 2 hrs. = 1.111

-Corrected hydrometer reading at 2hrs. = 1.111- 1

=0.111g

Cylinder 1

corrected hydrometer readings at 40 sec

%Sand= × 100
mass of dried soil sample used

0,811
= × 100
25,04

=3.24%

corrected hydrometer readings at 2 hrs

%Clay= ×100
mass of dried soil sample used

0,111
= × 100
25,04

=0.44%
%Slit=100 - (Sand + Clay)

=100 - (3.24 + 0.44)

=96.32%

Therefore, the textural class of the soil is slit.

• CYLINDER 2

- Hydrometer reading of blank is 1g

- Mass of weighed dry soil sample = 25.01g

- Hydrometer reading after 40s = 1.3811g

- Corrected hydrometer reading after 40s =1.3811-1

=0.3811g

-Hydrometer reading after 2hrs=1.128

-Corrected hydrometer reading at 2hrs=1.128 – 1 =0.128 g

Cylinder 2

corrected hydrometer reading at 40 sec

%Sand= × 100
mass of dried soil sample used

0,3811 g
= ×100
25,01 g

=1.52%

corrected hydrometer reading at 2 hrs

%Clay= ×100
mass of dried soil sample used

0,128 g
= ×100
25,01 g

=0.51%

%Slit=100 – (%Sand + %Clay)

=100 – (1.52 + 0.51)

 =97.97%

Therefore, the textural class of the soil sample is slit.

DISCUSSION

A hydrometer is a useful tool for conducting a particle size analysis of soil samples. The
hydrometer measures the specific gravity of the soil suspension in water, allowing for the
determination of the percentage of soil particles of a specific size within the sample.

The hydrometer method involves preparing a soil suspension in water, allowing it to settle,
and then measuring the specific gravity of the suspension at various times using a
hydrometer. The specific gravity measurements are then used to calculate the percentage of
soil particles of a specific size within the sample. The hydrometer method is particularly
useful for determining the percentage of fine-grained soils, such as slit and clay, within a soil
sample. However, it may not be as accurate for coarser-grained soils, such as sands and
gravels. It is important to follow proper procedures when conducting a particle size analysis
using a hydrometer. This includes ensuring that the soil sample is well-mixed and
homogenous, allowing sufficient settling time for the soil particles to settle out of the
suspension, and ensuring that the hydrometer is properly calibrated before taking
measurements. Overall, the hydrometer method is a useful tool for conducting a particle size
analysis of soil samples, particularly for fine-grained soils.

CONCLUSION

For attempts we concluded that the textural class of this soil was slit. Which then means that
this soil is comprised mainly of intermediate sized particles, it is fertile, fairly well drained
and holds more moisture than sandy soil but is easily compacted.
PART2

INTRODUCTION

The pH of a soil is a way to measure how acidic or alkaline it is. Thomas (2018) says that the
pH of the soil is a key property that can be used to make both qualitative and quantitative
analyses about the soil. Soils with a pH below 7 are acidic, and soils with a pH above 7 are
alkaline. Either litmus paper or a pH meter can be used to test the pH of the dirt. It's
important to test the pH of the soil because it shows what kind of nutrients are in the soil.
When the pH is too high, the NPK nutrients won't mix in water. Also, to know how much
lime needs to be added to keep the pH of the earth at its best.

Soil is an important natural resource that helps a lot of people live. Organisms that depend on
dirt for shelter, food, and other parts of their lives are called "soil life." The main thing that
soil pH testing does is check how acidic the soil is, or if it is easy for plants and soil creatures
to live in and if it helps break down organic matter so that minerals and nutrients can get to
the plants. When plants or other types of foliage don't have enough of these nutrients and
minerals, they are more likely to get diseases, have weak roots, and have trouble making

fruit, which leads to low yields (Xu et al., 2020). The goal of the experiment was to find out
the pH of two samples so that we could see how well they supported plant life and earth
organisms.

Over time, scientists have come up with a way to measure the acidity of the soil in a lab. This
method is called soil pH. Most people agree that the pH (KCl) of a soil is a good way to tell
how acidic it is. When a diluted solution of potassium chloride (KCl) is used in the test
instead of water (H2O), which gives the pH (H2O) value, the result is the pH (KCl) value.
Most of the time, the pH (KCl) values are one pH unit less than the pH (H2O) readings. A
soil is acidic if its pH (KCl) is less than 4.80. A soil pH report is basically like taking a
patient's temperature. If a person's temperature is above 37°C, it means they have an illness,
and the higher the temperature, the worse the infection. But it doesn't say what kind of
sickness it is or how much medicine needs to be taken. In the same way, if a soil's pH (KCl)
is less than 4.5, it means that the soil is too acidic, but it doesn't tell how much lime is needed
(Senwen,2007).
AIM

The aim this practical was to determine the pH in KCL solution and in distilled water.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

Measuring pH in KCl solution

10g of soil sample was weighed into a beaker.25 ml of KCL solution was added to the
solution. The soil suspension was stirred for 30 minutes. The pH meter was inserted, and
readings were taken.

Measuring pH in distilled water

10g of soil sample was weighed into a beaker.25 ml of distilled water was added to the
solution. The soil suspension was stirred for 30 minutes. The pH meter was inserted, and
readings were taken.

RESULTS

The pH of KCL solution is 3,6 which means that the soil is acidic. Also, the pH measured of
distilled water is 6,5 which means that the soil is acidic.

DISCUSION

Soil pH is normally measured by water and KCl and when it’s measured in water the normal
pH level range is 5.5 to 7.0 and when it comes to comes to KCl normal pH level range is 4.5
to 6.0 pH influence the growth of plants because plants grown in different pH levels when
10.04 g of dried soil is mixed with water the pH level is 6.5 this implies that the soil is
slightly acidic that means most plants may grow in this pH level because 6.5 is the most
considered range level to grow most plants water is one of the factors that influences acidity
of the soil yet the soil is slightly acidic. When it comes to 10.14 g of dried soil that is mixed
with KCl the pH was 3.6 this result to an acidic soil normally when KCl is used to determine
pH the pH level range is 4.5 to 6.0 in this experiment the pH level reading was lower than the
expected value maybe because of human error or this sample was to saturated by KCl that
lead to high acid levels in this acidic soil there are some plants that may be grow in acidic
conditions but not most plants according to normal considered pH levels for example Foliage
plants.
CONCLUSION

REFERENCE

Gee, G.W. and Or, D., 2002. 2.4 Particle‐size analysis. Methods of soil analysis: Part 4
physical methods, 5, pp.255-293.

Jury, W.A. and Horton, R., 2004. Soil physics. John Wiley & Sons.

Downie, A., Crosky, A. and Munroe, P., 2012. Physical properties of biochar. In Biochar for
environmental management (pp. 45-64). Routledge.

Sewen 2007. Soil Acidity. Landbou article, available at https://sewen.co.za Accessed: 01

May 2023.

Thomas, G. W. (2018). "Soil pH and Soil Acidity". Methods of Soil Analysis. SSSA Book
Series. pp. 475–490.

Xu, H., Xu, D., Chen, S., Ma, W., & Shi, Z. (2020). Rapid determination of soil class based
on visible-near infrared, mid-infrared spectroscopy, and data fusion. Remote Sensing