SOILS:

WHAT IS A SOIL?
Soil is the upper layer of the earth consisting of organic and inorganic matter, air and water in which plants
grow.
WEATHERING:
Weathering of soils is the gradual breakdown of rocks take place by physical, chemical, and biological
actions.
TYPES OF Definition Factors/Processes
WEATHERING
PHYSICAL Rocks are broken down 1. Temperature changes- during the day
by physical processes and night the rocks expand and contract,
into smaller pieces this causes the rock surfaces to crack and
without changing the break up into smaller pieces which will
chemical composition peel off- this is called EXFOLIATION
of the rocks.
2. Water- water in the cracks freezes when
the temperature drops causing ice to
form. This ice expands and cracks the
rocks. When the temperature increases,
the ice will melt. The continuous freezing
and thawing process breaks down the
rock.
3. Wind- blows small particles of rocks
against other rocks which causes it to
break down.

CHEMICAL Rocks are broken down 1. Carbonation- where carbon dioxide in

by chemical processes the air reacts with rainwater form a weak
that changes the acid (carbonic acid). This acid reacts with
chemical composition rocks to break it up.
of the rocks. This type
of weathering occurs 2. Hydrolysis- is where water reacts with
more frequently in areas certain minerals in rocks to form new
of high rainfall, high compounds that are often soften than the
temperatures and original rock.
greater polluted air
present. 3. Oxidation is when some minerals in
rocks reacts with oxygen in the air to
 form compounds called oxides which
wash away.
4. Solution occurs when some minerals in
rocks dissolve in rainwater and wash
away

BIOLOGICAL Rocks are broken down 1. Plant roots grow into cracks and cervices
by living organisms. and make them wider and deeper as the
roots grows.
2. Burrowing animals tunnel into cracks
and cervices which makes it larger and
causes it to break it up.
3. Earthworms eat soil with their food and
grind it up and pass it out as finely
ground remains.
FUNCTIONS AND TYPES OF SOILS:
Soil has SIX basic components:
COMPONENT
Inorganic rock particles
Water
Air
Mineral nutrients (salts)
Organic matter or humus
Living organisms
FUNCTIONS
To provide support for plant roots and shelter for soil animals
Provides plants with water for photosynthesis.
Dissolves minerals for plants.
Prevents non-waterproof animal from drying out (earthworms)
Provides oxygen for plants and animals.
Provides micro-organisms with oxygen to decompose dead organic matter.
Necessary for healthy plant growth.
Adds minerals to the soil.
Humus binds rock particles together to form soil crumbs
Plant roots bind soil to prevent erosion.
Microorganisms decompose organic matter.
Earthworms and burrowing animals increase soil aeration and fertility.

TYPES OF SOIL:
Soils can be classified into:
● Sandy (sand)
● Silty (silt)
● Clayey (clay)
● Loamy (loam)
VIDEO: Types of soils : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtwMIIRX8TM
From the sedimentation experiment, where a sample of soil is taken and shaken with water and allowed to
settle. The layers of the soil can be seen in the diagram below:

VIDEO: Sedimentation test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeuQeAxJIjs
COMPARING CLAY AND SANDY SOILS:
PROPERTY SANDY SOIL CLAY SOIL
PARTICLE SIZE Large Small
AIR CONTENT High Low
WATER CONTENT Low High
DRAINAGE Good (high) Poor
MINERAL NUTRIENT CONTENT Low High

Silt soil- in the middle of sand and clay.

LOAM: This is considered the ideal soil with a mixture of sand, clay and silt. The best of both sand and
clay are combined in loam. Loam retains (holds) water well but does not become waterlogged (like clay) and
it contains a good quantity of air and nutrients.
SOIL PROFILES:
Soil is made up of layers known as SOIL HORIZONS. A soil profile is a vertical section through the soil
showing its horizons. Each horizon may differ in composition, structure, texture, and colour. Most soils have
3 horizons (A, B and C) however, some other horizons are O and R (parent rock).
SOIL FERTILITY:
A fertile soil can support the healthy growth of many plants. Soil fertility can be affected by physical and
chemical properties:
Physical properties Chemical properties
Depends on the soil’s texture- must have a Depends on the nature of parent rock and the amount of
balanced mixture of small and large particles: organic matter present.
Contains a good quantity of water and air Contains all necessary minerals
Drains well Has a pH between 6.0 to 7.5 (which most plants grow in)
Is loose for plants roots to grow and animals
to burrow

FACTORS INFLUENCING SOIL FERTILITY:

❖ HUMUS- which is formed by micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) decomposing dead and waste
organic matter. Humus is important because it can:
♦ Improve the mineral content

♦ Improve water content by absorbing and retaining water

♦ Improves air content and drainage by binding soil particles together

❖ SOIL ORGANISM- these are important to increase soil fertility such as:

♦ Bacteria and fungi decompose dead organic matter

♦ Earthworms improves aeration and drainage

♦ Nematodes (roundworms) help to add nitrates to the soil by eating bacteria and fungi and
releasing ammonium compounds which is then converted into nitrates.
VIDEO: Living organisms in soils: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qas9tPQKd8w
SOIL EROSION
Soil erosion is the wearing away of the upper layers of soil due to the action of wind and water.
CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION:
● RAINFALL breaks down the soil and disperses it, then it can be washed away as runoff.
● WIND picks up loose soil and carries it away.
● DEFORESTATION where trees are removed and there are no roots to bind the soil. It now becomes
loose and is exposed to rainfall and wind.
● BAD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES such as leaving the soil exposed/barren after harvesting,
overgrazing by animals, and clearing and ploughing on the hillsides.

PREVENTION OF SOIL EROSION: reducing soil erosion and conserving soil:

● REFORESTATION: planting of new trees after they have been removed through cutting or burning for
crops and vegetation.
● CROP ROTATION: ensures soil fertility
● CONTOUR PLOUGING, TERRACING OR STRIP-PLANTING
VIDEO: Soil erosion : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAjkJdseR4Q
 terracing

strip planting

● Cover soil with MULCH

● Prevent overgrazing of animals

VIDEO: Soil Review : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg7XSjcnZQM

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