Name _____________________________

Physical Geography – In-Class Assignment

Soils

Part A. Soil Texture

1. Why are the empty places in the soil so important?

 Water Retention: Soil pores hold water, which is essential for plant growth. The
availability of water in these spaces ensures that plants can absorb moisture through their
roots. Adequate water retention is vital for maintaining healthy crops and ecosystems.

 Air Circulation: Pore spaces allow for the exchange of gases, including oxygen and
carbon dioxide, between the soil and the atmosphere. This aeration is important for root
respiration and the activity of soil organisms, which contribute to soil health and nutrient
cycling.

 Nutrient Availability: Nutrients in the soil are dissolved in water and can be
absorbed by plants. The presence of pore spaces facilitates the movement of water and
nutrients to plant roots, supporting their growth and development.

 Soil Structure and Stability: The arrangement of particles and the distribution of pore
spaces contribute to soil structure. Well-structured soils are more stable, reducing erosion and
promoting root growth.

 Microbial Activity: Soil pores provide habitat for beneficial microorganisms, such as
bacteria and fungi. These organisms play a vital role in decomposing organic matter,
cycling nutrients, and enhancing soil fertility.

 Drainage: Proper pore space allows excess water to drain away, preventing
waterlogging and root rot. This drainage is essential for maintaining optimal conditions
for plant roots.

2. Clay contributes many good characteristics to the soil, but if there is too much it can
cause problems. What are some of the negative effects of too much clay in the soil?
  Poor Drainage: Clay particles are very small and compacted, which can inhibit water
movement through the soil. This results in poor drainage, leading to waterlogged
conditions that can suffocate plant roots and promote root rot.

 Soil Compaction: High clay content can lead to compaction, making the soil dense
and hard. This compaction restricts root growth and reduces the ability of plants to absorb
water and nutrients effectively.

 Reduced Aeration: The tight arrangement of clay particles limits the amount of air in
the soil. Poor aeration can hinder root respiration and reduce the activity of beneficial soil
microorganisms.

 Nutrient Availability Issues: While clay can hold nutrients well, if the soil is overly
compacted or waterlogged, the availability of nutrients can be limited. Excess moisture
can also lead to leaching, which can wash away essential nutrients.

 Slow Warm-Up: Clay soils tend to retain cold temperatures longer than sandy soils.
This can delay planting and slow down the growth of crops in the spring.

 Increased Erosion Risk: When clay soils become saturated and lose structure, they
can be prone to erosion, especially on slopes. The cohesive nature of clay can make it
susceptible to surface runoff during heavy rains.

 Soil Structure Degradation: Excessive clay can lead to the formation of a hardpan, a
dense layer that can further impede root penetration and water movement.

 Difficulty in Cultivation: Clay soils can become very sticky when wet and hard when
dry, making them challenging to till and cultivate. This can hinder agricultural practices
and impact crop yields.

3. What are some of the negative effects of too much sand in the soil?

 Poor Water Retention: Sandy soils have large particles and a low capacity for water
retention. This means they drain quickly, leading to inadequate moisture levels for plants
and requiring more frequent watering.
  Nutrient Leaching: Because sandy soils drain quickly, nutrients can leach away with
excess water. This can result in nutrient deficiencies for plants, as essential minerals are
washed out of the root zone before they can be absorbed.

 Low Fertility: Sandy soils typically have low organic matter content, which can limit
their fertility. Without sufficient organic material, sandy soils may struggle to provide the
necessary nutrients for plant growth.

 Increased Erosion Risk: Sandy soils are more susceptible to wind and water erosion
due to their loose texture. This can lead to the loss of topsoil and valuable nutrients,
further degrading soil quality.

 Poor Water Retention: Sandy soils have large particles and a low capacity for water
retention. This means they drain quickly, leading to inadequate moisture levels for plants and
requiring more frequent watering.

 Nutrient Leaching: Because sandy soils drain quickly, nutrients can leach away with excess
water. This can result in nutrient deficiencies for plants, as essential minerals are washed out of
the root zone before they can be absorbed.

 Low Fertility: Sandy soils typically have low organic matter content, which can limit their
fertility. Without sufficient organic material, sandy soils may struggle to provide the necessary
nutrients for plant growth.

 Increased Erosion Risk: Sandy soils are more susceptible to wind and water erosion due to
their loose texture. This can lead to the loss of topsoil and valuable nutrients, further degrading
soil quality.

4. Using the soil texture triangle provided, determine the soil texture for the following combinations
of sand, silt, and clay:
 a. 25% sand, 30% silt, 45% clay _____________________________
b. 40% sand, 30% silt, 30% clay _____________________________
c. 60% sand, 10% silt, 30% clay _____________________________
d. 70% sand, 12% silt, 18% clay _____________________________
e. 90% sand, 5% silt, 5% clay _____________________________
f. 80% sand, 15% silt, 5% clay _____________________________
g. 10% sand, 85% silt, 5% clay _____________________________
h. 5% sand, 75% silt, 20% clay _____________________________
i. 40% sand, 40% silt, 20% clay _____________________________
j. 55% sand, 5% silt, 40% clay _____________________________
k. 10% sand, 60% silt, 40% clay _____________________________
l. 5% sand, 45% silt, 50% clay _____________________________

Soil Texture and Related Properties

San
Property Silt Clay
d
Soil Fertility: Ability to sustain plant growth Low Moderate- Moderate-
High High
Porosity: Air spaces (gaps between particles) High Moderate- Low
High
Permeability: Ability for water to flow through the High Moderate- Low
soil High
Water Holding Capacity: Ability to hold water Low Moderate- High
against the force of gravity High
Part B. Soil Color and Profile
Soil color is another physical property of soil. The mineralogy of the parent material and the
rates of weathering are the two main factors that determine a soil’s color.

5. What colors are commonly seen when iron (Fe) is present in the parent material of a
soil?
6. What color is commonly seen when calcium (Ca) is present in the parent material of a
soil?

The process of soil formation generally

involves the downward movement of clay,
water, and dissolved ions. The common result
of that is the development of chemically and
texturally different layers known as soil
horizons. The commonly developed soil
horizons are as follows:
 O: the layer of organic matter
 A: the layer of partially-decayed
organic matter mixed with mineral
material
 E: the eluviated (leached) layer
from which some of the clay and
iron have been removed to create a
pale layer that may be sandier than
the other layers
 B: the layer of accumulation of
clay, iron, and other elements from
the overlying soil
 C: the layer of incomplete
weathering
 R: the parent material or bedrock

7. Based on the descriptions provided in the Soil Horizon Labeling Exercise table, label the soil
horizons on each of the four soil profile diagrams.

Soil Horizon Labeling Exercise

 Profiles and Descriptions Profiles and Descriptions
Soil Profile 1. Few horizons have formed Soil Profile 2. This is an arid environment
because the parent material was recently with low rates of weathering. Caliche
exposed to weathering. There is some biological (calcium carbonate) deposits are found in
weathering activity initiated by moss growth. the B horizon.

Soil Profile 3. This is a well-developed soil in a Soil Profile 4. This is a soil in a tropical
temperate environment. environment with aluminum oxide
deposits (bauxite) in the B and C
horizons.
Part C. Chemical Properties of Soil

8. Use Your Critical Thinking Skills: Review the four physical properties of soil (horizons, color,
texture, and structure). Which characteristics of those physical properties would you expect to
increase the CEC of soil? Explain your response in one to two sentences.

The characteristics of soil texture and organic matter content are expected to increase the cation
exchange capacity (CEC) of soil. Soils with a higher proportion of clay tend to have a greater
surface area and more negative charge, allowing them to hold and exchange more cations, while
organic matter enhances CEC by providing additional binding sites for nutrients.

9. Use Your Critical Thinking Skills: Based on what you know about cation exchange
capacity, why are soils with higher levels of clay and organic matter less likely to have
fluctuations in pH levels when compared to sandy soils? Explain your response in one to
two sentences.

Soils with higher levels of clay and organic matter have greater cation exchange capacity (CEC),
which allows them to retain nutrients and buffer against changes in pH more effectively than
sandy soils. This retention prevents significant fluctuations in pH levels because the abundant
negative charges in clay and organic matter can attract and hold onto cations that influence
acidity or alkalinity, whereas sandy soils, with their lower CEC, drain quickly and are less able
to stabilize pH.

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