APES ch. 8 -- Module 25.

1: Weathering and Soil Science

Reading Guide for Friedland 3e
Pages 284-292

1. Describe an example of physical weathering of rock. Answer: Physical weathering can be caused by
water, wind, or variations in temperature such as seasonal freeze-thaw cycles. When water works its
way into cracks or fissures in rock, it can remove loose material and widen the cracks.

2. Describe an example of chemical weathering of rock. Answer: Chemical weathering occurs most
rapidly on newly exposed minerals, known as primary minerals. It alters primary minerals to form
secondary minerals and the ionic forms of their constituent chemical elements. For example, when
feldspar—a mineral found in granitic rock—is exposed to natural acids in rain, it forms clay particles
and releases ions such as potassium, an essential nutrient for plants. Lichens can break down rock in a
similar way by producing weak acids.

3. What are the two main mechanisms of erosion? Answer: The result of two mechanisms. In one, wind,
water, and ice move soil and other materials by downslope creep under the force of gravity. In the
other, living organisms, such as animals that burrow under the soil, cause erosion.

4. Using figure 25.4, list the four main ecosystem services provided by soil. Answer: Soil serves as a
medium for plant growth, as a habitat for other organisms, and as a recycling system for organic
wastes. Soil also helps to filter and purify water.

5. List and give a brief description of the five factors that determine the properties of soil.

a. Answer: Parent material: A soil’s parent material is the underlying rock material from which its
inorganic components are derived.

b. Answer: Climate: Climate influences soil formation in a number of ways. The long-term
accumulation of temperature, humidity, and water affect soil development.

c. Answer: Topography: Topography—the surface slope and arrangement of a landscape—is

another factor in soil formation. Soils that form on steep slopes are constantly subjected to
erosion and, on occasion, to more drastic mass movements of material as happens in
landslides.

d. Answer: Organisms: Many organisms influence soil formation. Plants remove nutrients from
soil and excrete organic acids that speed chemical weathering. Animals that tunnel or burrow—
for example, earthworms, gophers, and voles—mix the soil, uniformly distributing organic and
mineral matter.

e. Answer: Time: The final factor that determines the properties of a soil is the amount of time
during which the soil has developed. As soils age, they develop a variety of characteristics. The
grassland soils that support much of the food crop and livestock feed production in the United
States are relatively old soils.

6. What is humus and in what soil horizon is it found? Answer: The O horizon is most pronounced in
forest soils and is also found in some grasslands. Organic matter is sometimes called humus.

7. What is the E horizon and where is it located? Answer: E horizon—a zone of leaching, or eluviation—
forms under the O horizon or, less often, the A horizon. When an E horizon is present, iron, aluminum,
 and dissolved organic acids from the overlying horizons are transported through and removed from the
E horizon and then deposited in the B horizon.

8. Soils contain different blends of sand, silt, and clay. What is a balance needed between all 3 to promote
ideal plant growth? Answer: Loam soil, which contains equal portions of sand, silt, and clay. Loam soil
creates a perfect conditions for plant roots to grow and access necessary resources.

9. Use figure 25.8 to determine the soil type of the following compositions:

a. 45% clay, 10% silt, 45% sand Answer: Sandy clay

b. 60% silt, 20% clay, 20% sand Answer: Silt loam

c. 70% sand, 0% silt, 30% clay Answer: Sandy clay loam.

10. What type of soil particle (sand, silt, or clay) would be best to line a pit that is to be filled with hazardous
chemicals? Give reasoning for your answer. Answer: Clay is the best soil particle to use because it
has low permeability, making it an effective barrier to prevent hazardous chemicals from entering the
ground and contaminating the surrounding environment.

11. What is CEC and why is it important? Answer: The overall CEC of a soil is a function of the amount
and types of clay particles present. Soils with high CECs have the potential to provide essential cations
to plants and therefore are desirable for agriculture. If a soil is more than 20 percent clay, however, its
water retention becomes too great for most crops as well as many other types of plants

12. What three groups of organisms account for 80 to 90% of the biological activity in soils? Answer:
Fungi, bacteria, and protozoans (a diverse group of single-celled organisms). Rodents and earthworms
contribute to soil mixing and the breakdown of large organic materials into smaller pieces. Earthworms
are one of many organisms that contribute to humus formation in soils.