SOIL and SOIL

DEVELOPMENT
Presented by:
Group 3
OUTLINE :
Major Soil Components

Characteristics of a Soil

Development of Soil Horizons

Factors Affecting Soil Formation

What are the four most important
natural constituents that permit
life as we know it to exist on
earth?

 Air  Sunlight

 Water  Soil
 Soils

 Soil: dynamic
natural body capable
of supporting a
vegetative cover

 It contains chemical
solutions, gases,
organic refuse, flora,
and fauna
 SOILS
• Soil integrates:
– Atmosphere
– Hydrosphere
– Lithologic
– Biotic

• Soil is home to
organisms, forming
environments in which
they live
 Major Soil Components

• Four major components

of Soil:
– Inorganic materials
– Soil water
– Soil air
– Organic matter
• Interaction and proportion
of each are important
factors
 Major Soil Components

• Inorganic Materials
– Insoluble materials
– Rock fragments and
minerals that will not
readily dissolve in water
– Chemical composition of
soil result from:
• Weathering
• Old deposits
• Dissolved minerals
– Soil Fertilization
 12.1 Major Soil Components

• Soil Water A
– Original source is
precipitation
– Open system
– Capillary water
– Hygroscopic water
– Gravitational water
– Eluviation
– Illuviation
– Hardpan
– Stratification
A
 12.1 Major Soil Components
Q: What are some examples of energy and matter
that flow into and out of the soil system?
 12.1 Major Soil Components
Q: How does deposition by capillary water differ from
deposition (illuviation) by gravitational water?
 Major Soil Components

• Soil Air
– As much as 50% of soil may consist of spaces
between soil particles and clumps
– Supplies microorganisms with oxygen and
carbon dioxide
• Organic Matter
– Humus: decayed remains of plant and animal
material
– Humus supplies nutrients and minerals to soil
 Characteristics of Soil

• Readily Testable
properties:
– Color
– Texture
– Structure
– Acidity
– Alkalinity
– Capacity to hold and
transmit water
 Characteristics of Soil

• Color
– Red or yellow (iron)
– Black (decomposed)
• Texture
– Soil texture: particle size
– Clay (< 0.002 mm)
– Silty (0.002 to 0.05 mm)
– Sandy (0.05 to 2.0 mm)
– Rocks (> 2.0 mm)
 12.2 Characteristics of Soil

• Texture and
proportion of particle
size
– Soil grade (% sand,
silt, and clay)
– Loams
– Soils with a higher
proportion of large
particles tend to be
well aerated and
allow for infiltration
 Characteristics of Soil
• Structure
– Soil peds
– Porosity
– Permeability
– Classified by form:
• Columns
• Prisms
• Angular blocks
• Nutlike spheroids ● Crumbs
• Laminated plates
● Granules
 Characteristics of Soil

• Acidity and Alkalinity

– pH scale (0-14)
– Lower pH (higher
acidity)
– Higher pH (alkaline
conditions)
– Soil acidity or alkalinity
helps determine available
nutrients
 Characteristics of Soil

• Acidity and Alkalinity

– Optimum pH varies
by plant species
– Leaching
– Soils in the east tend
to be acidic
– Soils in the west tend
to be alkaline
 Development of Soil Horizons

• Parent material
• Soil profiles show:
– Color
– Structure
– Composition
– Other characteristics
with depth
 Development of Soil Horizons

• Soil Horizons:
– Distinct layers
distinguished by their
physical and chemical
properties
– Designated by set of
letters that refer to:
• Composition
• Dominant process
• Position in the soil profile
 Development of Soil Horizons

• Soil Horizons:
– O horizon
– A horizon
– E horizon
– B horizon
– C horizon
– R horizon
Factors Affecting Soil Formation

• Weathering
• Chemical reactions
• Physical Processes
• Soil development is a function of:
– Climate (Cl)
– Organic matter (O)
– Relief (R)
– Parent material (P)
– Time (T)
 Factors Affecting Soil Formation

• Parent Material
– Residual parent material
(e.g. physical or
chemical breakdown)
– Transported parent
material (e.g. carried by
water, wind, etc.)
– Sandstone
– Chemicals & nutrients
reflect composition
 Factors Affecting Soil Formation

• Organic Material
– Plant die and
decompose
– Leaves fall to the
ground
– Most fertile soil are
typically grasslands
– Microorganisms (e.g.
bacteria)
– Earthworms, ants…
 Factors Affecting Soil Formation

• Climate
– Global vs. Local scale
– Equatorial:
• Higher temps increase soil microorganisms,
preclude thick accumulations of humus
– Middle Latitudes:
• Cooler temps slow decay and produce rich humus
– Polar Latitudes
• Cold temperatures and limited plant growth result in
thin humus
 Factors Affecting Soil Formation
• Climate, Temperature, and organic material
Q: What range of mean annual temperature is
most favorable for the accumulation of humans?
 Factors Affecting Soil Formation

• Climate
– Moisture Conditions
• Ample precipitation
supports plant growth
which increases organic
content
• Too much precipitation
will cause leaching
– Evaporation rate
 Factors Affecting Soil Formation

• Land Surface
Configuration
– Slope
– Aspect
(direction of its
faces)
• Time
– Young &
mature soils
– Alluvium