Soil and Soil Forming

Processes

By HO Pui-sing
Soil and Pedogenesis
Soil as a Dynamic Body
Physical and Chemical Properties of
Soils
Soil Profile
Factors affecting Soil Formation
Soil Forming Processes – Pedogenesis
World Pattern of Soil
Soil as a Dynamic Body
Soil is a dynamic layer in which many
complex chemical, physical and
biological activities are going on
constantly.
Soils become adjusted to conditions of
climate, landform and vegetation, and
will change internally when those
controlling conditions change.
Soil Matters
Solid
Organic and Inorganic
Water
Complex chemical solution from precipitation, runoff,
seepage and groundwater
Air
Pore spaces – air or water

Field Capacity
The percentage of water remaining in the soil 2 or 3
days after the soil has been saturated and free drainage
has practically ceased
Physical and Chemical
Properties of Soils
Soil Colour
Soil Texture
Soil Structure
Colloids, Bases and Acidity
Soil Water
Soil Colour
Black – much humus
(Cool climate) – temperate grassland
Light – little humus
(Hot climate) - Desert
Reddish – feric compounds
(Well drained) - TRF
Greyish or bluish – reduced ion compounds
(Poorly drained) - Swamp
Soil Texture
Name of Grade Diameter (mm)

Coarse gravel Above 2

Fine gravel 1.0 - 2
Coarse sand 0.5 - 1
Medium sand 0.25 - 0.5
Fine sand 0.1 - 0.25
Very fine sand 0.05 - 0.1
Silt 0.002 - 0.05

Clay Below 0.002

Soil Texture
Soil Texture
Ratio of sand, silt and clay
Soil Texture Water-retention properties

Loam textures are the best for plant growth

Soil Texture
Soil Structure
Soil Structure
Individual soil particles aggregate
together in lump or peds.

Important for the ease of cultivation

Crumb structure: best for seed germination
Soil Colloids, Bases and Acidity
Colloids
Inorganic: chemical properties of clay (Clay
minerals)

Organic: Humus
Bases
Clay minerals which are negatively
charged.
This is neutralized by the attraction to
their surface of positively-charged ions
(cations) of minerals.
Calcium (C), magnesium (Mg),
potassium (K) and sodium (Na) - Bases
Bases
Bases are recycled to the soil by the
decomposition of plants and animals.
Bases can be replenished by artificial
supply – fertilizer
Bases are essential as nutrients for
plant growth.
Acidity
Acidity is measured on the pH scale.
Soil Water
It is a complex chemical solution.
It is a dilute solution of such substances
as bicarbonates, sulfates, chlorides,
nitrates, phosphates and silicates of
calcium, magnesium, potassium,
sodium and iron……..
Soil Profile
Layer-like horizons
of differing texture,
colour and
consistency

Soil horizons
Regolith
Bedrock
Soil Profile
Horizon A
Zone of eluviation
Horizon B
Zone of illuviation
Horizon C
Weathered material
Horizon D
Unweathered rock
Factors affecting soil formation
Passive Formers
Parent materials
Topography/ Landform
Time
Active Formers
Climate
Biotic factor
Passive Formers
Parent Material

Topography / Landform

Time
The clear horizons are absent or poorly
developed in young soils
Active Soil Former - Climate
Moisture
Chemical and biological activities
Excess precipitation – eluviation and illuviation
Excess evaporation – capillary action
Active Soil Former - Climate
Temperature
Chemical reaction
Bacterial activities
Rate of decomposing
Active Soil Former - Climate
Wind: Minor factor
Increase evaporation
Reallocation of soil (removal and
accumulation)
Active Soil Former – Biotic Factor
Vegetation
Provide humus, bind soil and counteract
percolation by transpiration
Maintain fertility
Different types of vegetation require
different proportions of bases.
Tree: little calcium and magnesium
Grass: much calcium and magnesium
Active Soil Former – Biotic Factor
From bacteria to large animals
Mechanical
Eg. Burrowing by earthworms
Eg. Excavation by man
Chemical
Eg. Organic acid
Soil Forming Processes
Weathering
Physical, chemical and biological
Soil genesis
Additions, losses, transformation, translocation

Refer to CUHK Powerpoint

Oxisols and Aridisols
Refer to CUHK Powerpoint

Soil Formation Factors with special

reference to Oxisols and Aridisols
World Pattern of Soil
Zonal Soil
Well developed and reflect the influence of
climate as the major factor
Azonal Soil
Immature or poorly developed soil
Intrazontal Soil
Well developed by the local factors
dominant
World Pattern of Soil