Soil Analysis Case

Soil Analysis Case
Question 1
Low CEC demonstrates that the soil would be a sandy Chromosol
Low pH (4.6), the optimum level between 4.8 and 7.8 (CaCl2). Low because of the white clover
Mg (%) is very high. It can lead to poor drainage which results in compaction and waterlogging limiting growth
Ca (%) is deficient and low in the soil analysis
S (%) and K (%) are marginal but in soil analysis Sulfate–S and K are low, therefore is recommended to add fertiliser to rise nutrient to optimum levels
Recommended to use lime to rise pH and calcium levels and add gypsum to drive excess Mg off exchange sites. High Ca lime is recommended.
It is not recommended to use dolomite as it is high in Mg
Economic for the grazier to put gypsum and lime out together ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It is made worse in high pH and high phosphorus soils. Zinc will cause pale leaves because it plays a part in the chlorophyll function, carbohydrates
and starch production which will cause stunting
CEC is high because it is a black vertosol
Mo is slightly high. Mo acts to improve nutrient metabolism in plants so it makes other nutrients like P more available, which can further reduce the
Zn levels
To increase organic carbon as it is low, leaving stubble of previous seasons can increase organic carbon over time but may increase disease and pest
pressures
Recommended to add gypsum to increase S and decrease P which binds P up, although can increase Ca content which is high, therefore may just need
to add S fertiliser
Recommended to foliar apply Zn
Rotating with a legume crop, a leafy crop (eg groundnut) as these pastures has been found to be especially responsive in high Ca soils and will help
balance Zn and P
Question 3
K deficiency as it is localised on the older leaves and the plant is still displaying a green pigment. Although, the leaves are chlorotic on the outer edges
and necrotic spots along the

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The Environment Of A Soil Ecosystem
A soil ecosystem is composed of both living and non–living matter with a diversity of interactions (The Environmental Literacy Council, N.d.). This is
a place where energy and matter are transformed and transported. Analyses that can be used to assess the functioning of land ecosystems is abiotic
indicators, biological indicators, and atmospheric indicators. Abiotic indicators can include pH, moisture,and temperature. Soil temperature and
moisture are important environmental factors that affect the conservation and physiology of earthworms (M.L. Presley et al, 1996). Biological
indicators can include earthworms, plants, and leaf litter. Atmospheric indicators includecarbon dioxide emissions. Interactions among these three
indicators can also help to assess if the ecosystem is functioning. It is hypothesized that a functioning ecosystem is related to many types of
interactions, such as earthworms eating leaf litter and leaf litter falling from the plants. It is predicted that IU has good soil quality based on the fact
is is near Jordan River, and there is a diversity of plant life growing. What is the ecosystem's quality based on the interactions between leaf litter, soil,
and worms? The ecosystem is claimed to be functioning based on the biomass of the earthworms and leaf litter and the pH, moisture, and temperature
of the soil.
Methods
The location sampled was on campus in a forested area near Jordan River. The pH, moisture, and temperature of the soil was collected. As

Soil Case Study
Sandy soils in the Southeast are characterized by low nutrient and water holding capacity which is further reduced by intense rainfall patterns and has
been exacerbated by long–term farming in the region. These conditions lead to rapid nutrient loss in soils below the root zone. Nutrient run–off is a
well–established cause of non–point source pollution affecting bodies of water and negatively impacting water quality.
Modern crop cultivars with higher yields also frequently demand increased use of fertilizers, contributing further to nutrient run–off and pollution. In
addition, soils in the Southeast range in composition from deep sands to sandy loams, necessitating the development of a range of soil management
solutions tailored for the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In addition, certain particularly effective nematicides have been unavailable or in short supply, increasing the need for alternative, cost–effective
solutions for controlling these pest.
This study proposes an examination of the soil amendments biochar, gypsum, and fly ash for improving nutrient retention and water holding capacity
in sandy Southeastern soils producing cotton and testing biochar gypsum, and fly ash, with and without poultry litter and measuring the soil nutrient
profile, compaction, and pest populations before, during, and after each growing season for two years in dryland farmed cotton.
The biochar, gypsum, and fly ash treatments will be applied with and without poultry litter to compare the treatments as an alternative or adjunct to
poultry litter fertilizer. The effect of both treatments on thrip count and nematode populations will also be assessed.
The evaluation of biochar application to soil as a method for reducing N loss from fertilizers, improving soil quality and fertility, and increasing yield
and farm profitability have not been thoroughly addressed (Hue, 2016).
2)Statement of Solution
The central idea of this study is to examine methods of making more efficient use of poultry litter as a fertilizer in cotton production by reducing the
amount of nutrient leaching and improving the water holding capacity of the soil. Biochar, gypsum, and fly ash will be evaluated for enhancing soil

The Effects Of Soil On The Environment
In the natural environment, one of the most important elements that constitute it is soil. It contributes greatly to the sustenance of living components
as well as influencing their distribution on the world's surface. Being a habitat provider, soil also controls and regulates the circulation of water as
chemical components present within the atmosphere (Nadimi & Farpoor, 2011). Some of the vital gases within the environment also rely on soil for
their circulation. The include oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are crucial to the biological and cellular processes within living organisms. Another
role carried out by soil includes recording the human activities that occurred in the past up until the recent time. Due to this, soil enriches the cultural
essence and heritage of various communities.
From the brief detailed discussion on the importance of soil to the low and higher life forms as well as to the environment, it is important to
understand its formation and the factors involved in this process. Soil formation is an intricate process that allows for the development of soil based
on several factors, which influence it ( Nadimi & Farpoor, 2011). The paper delves deeper into understanding the process of soil formation and the role
each factor plays in determining the overall soil development process and composition. Comprehension of these factors and soil formation process
allows the global community to appreciate the environment and equips the society with information

Soil Conservation In South Texas
What is soil? Soil is a mixture of broken rocks, minerals, living organisms, and decaying matter. Look around you; do you think that we need soil in
our everyday lives? Sure we do. Natural flowing water is filtered through the soil thus making it drinkable. We breathe the air that is produced by
plants that grow in soil. Our clothes wouldn't be made if the cotton plant had no soil to grow in. Did you know that soil makes up the outermost layer
of our planet? Texas is home to more than 1,000 different kinds of soil which are classified into 9 soil orders. Out of the 1,000 types of soil only 6%
are able to sustain crop life. In South Texas the most common type of soil is sandy loom soil which is classified as a molliols. Sandy loom soil ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
No till farming uses double–disc openers to cut out the last crop planted and dropping the new seed in its place. This farming technique does not
disturb the soil as much as normal tilling. Many soil conservationists argue that soil tillage destroys the aggregation and microorganism of the soil.
This in later terms reduces the sustainability of our food production and reduces the intake of water by the crop. No till farming benefits all farmers
when used with cover crop, crop rotation or windbreaks.
It may seem like we will never run out of soil, but soil conservation is a critical issue in Texas today. So if the entire farming community
implemented at least one type of soil conservation effort we would widely improve our agriculture benefits. These benefits would include saving
energy, by using less diesel fuel for tractors. Implementation of these farming practices could save water and reduce several types of diseases and pests
that farmers encounter when planting their crops. This is no time to be cutting corners on expenses because the United States spends about $37.6
billion each year on soil

Soil and Glaciers Essays
Soil and Glaciers Worksheet
From Visualizing Earth Science, by Merali, Z., and Skinner, B. J, 2009, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Copyright 2009 by Wiley. Adapted with permission.
Part 1
Size grades of soil are named sand, silt, and clay, which includes colloids. Size grades are defined using the metric system. Use Figure 4.8 from the
textbook to fill in the following chart. Specify the type and size and description of the particle. In some cases, particle size will be less than some
value or greater than another value. For instance, gravel is greater than 2.0 mm.
Name
Size
Description
Gravel
>2.0 mm
A loose aggregation of small water–worn or pounded stones.
Sand
0.05mm
A loose granular substance, resulting from the erosion ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Regolith comes from the underlying rock whethers in its place. Transported develops on sediment that has been transported regolith develops on
sediment.
Climate
Soils with poorly or well–developed horizons causes changes in the soil.
Living organisms
Micro–organisms like bacteria and fungi break the organic matter down. Animals like worms, mice, moles burrow in soil which help mix components
and also provide ways for water and air to pass.
Topography

The slope helps the ability of water to soak into regolith.
Time
It takes thousands of years for a mature soil to develop.
Part 4
Investigate two ways in which water shortages, erosion, water diversion, floods or contamination of a water resource, or other water processes have
affected human history. How did humankind meet the challenges of the impacts? Part 5
In 150 words, how do glaciers form, grow, and shrink throughout time? Cite any references used and provide a References page.
~ Glaciers are formed when snow builds up for several years from snowfall that exceeds snow melt. Over time, as new snow compresses the existing
snow, the weight causes the snow underneath to turn to ice. The hardening effect is similar to what happens when you pack a snowball in your hand.
The pressure from additional layers of snow builds for up to thousands of years. Glaciers can grow and shrink as a result of changes in the amount of
snowfall or changes in the amount of melting because of

Essay On Raw Gley Soil
The Main Soil Types of the UK
Terrestrial Raw Soils
These are soils consisting predominantly of unaltered mineral material that have no surface/sub–surface horizon attributed to soil forming processes
(unless buried under a 730cm thick deposit from the Holocene) (Avery, 1980;). These soils do not normally have continuous vegetation cover (Avery,
1980). They occur in very recently formed soil and may have a superficial organic or organo–mineral layer less than 5cm thick. Sometimes they have a
buried horizon below 30cm of depth. (Thompson, 2007; Jarvis, 1984).
Raw Gley Soils
Raw gley soils are found within mineral material that has remained waterlogged since deposition (Thompson, 2007). The soils are missing a
distinctive top soil and contain gleyed subsurface horizons (Avery, 1980). They also contain a mineral horizon which starts at <20cm and extends
below 30cm (Avery, 1980). Jarvis (1984) also states that the soils are distinctly mottled above 40cm depth. Raw gley soil types are mostly confined to
intertidal flats (Avery, 1980) or areas that represent various stages in the development of salt marshes (Thompson, 2007).
Lithomorphic Soils
Contain a distinctive top soil that is humose or peaty and a substratum starting at 40cm in depth which has been altered little (Avery, 1980; Buol,
1997). The soils do not contain a disturbed surface layer, the B horizon is not podzolic, weathered or argillic (Avery, 1980; Buol, 1997) and the soil
profile is shallow (Ashman & Puri, 2002).

Soil Amendments Essay
3.Soil amendments may need to be made depending on what you want to grow and what your soil test reveals. Lime or sulfur can be added to raise
or lower pH respectively. Gypsum, perlite, vermiculite, and sand can be added to improve aeration, drainage, or moisture retention. Peat moss or
compost can be added to improve fertility and soil structure over time. All of these amendments can be purchased at your local garden store; just
remember to follow label directions to avoid over–amending your soil and causing conditions unfavorable for plant growth.
4.It may become necessary to store tools and supplies on your lot. In this case, consider building or purchasing a small toolshed. Make sure to keep it
locked at all times with a cut–proof ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
http://www.captainplanetfoundation.org/apply–for–grants/
5.https://www.kidsgardening.org/garden–grants/
6.https://www.seedsofchangegrant.com/
7.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/apply–garden–sponsorship/
8.http://illinois.grantwatch.com/collection.php?region=all
9.http://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/sponsor–a–hive/sponsor–hive–frequently–asked–questions/
10.https://communitygarden.org/resources/funding–opportunities/
b.Planning your site
i.Size
1.Start small! Gardens take a lot of work, and the learning curve for beginners is steep. After your first year, expand the size if you feel you need more
space. You'll be less overwhelmed in your first year, and learn what grows well on a specific lot if you do. Try to tend to your garden twice a week, as
this will reduce the amount of time spent there each week and keep it looking more neat and tidy.
2.When designing your layout, be sure to account for the boundaries of the lot and shade from nearby trees or buildings. Most gardens need a
minimum of six hours of daylight. Drop by the site throughout the day to make sure shade won't be a problem. If it is, consider shade tolerant plants!
ii. Row spacing
1.Row spacing, or raised bed placement, is an important thing to consider when designing the layout of your site. You want your plants to have
plenty of room to grow without competing for water or air. If you read the seed packet or plant ID tag, you're sure to find the appropriate row

Microbial Analysis of Soil
Microbial analysis of soil, of top layer from selected sites of
Area near Dahisar River
Saika N. Esani
University of Mumbai (Email – saikae@ymail.com)
Abstract: soil samples were collected fortnightly from area near Dahisar River, A river in suburb of Mumbai. laboratory analysis started from July
2010 to September 2010. Total bacterial and fungal count were estimated by standard spread plate isolation. Isolated bacteria were subject to colony
characterization and were estimated by their morphological and biochemical characters. As being a monsoon the occurrence of variation of different
species were high. The microorganisms isolated from the soil were of staphylococcus strain and were gram positive, aerobic, coccus shaped ... Show
Preparation of Pure Culture
It is necessary to isolate organisms in pure culture before studying and identifying them because a pure culture originates from one cell.
Characteristics colonies from the original culture on the plates were picked with a sterile wire loop (using surface streaking method) and this loop
was used to make streak of the colony on the surface of newly prepared sterile agar plates of NA,MA & MSA.
These streak will space out the inoculants and discrete colony of a particular specie of organism and then incubated at 35–37oC for 24hours to enhance
microbial growth.
Distinct colonies were re–inoculated on another fresh agar plates in order to obtain a pure culture. The isolates were picked with sterile loop and
streaked into prepared agar slants, labeled and incubated for growth after which they were kept in the refrigerator for future use and identification.
Identification of Isolates
These isolated bacteria were identified using both morphological culture characteristics (i.e. the color, shape, elevation, capacity, consistency, edge) and
biochemical test (i.e. citrate, oxidase, indole, sugar fermentation, test etc.)and the bacteria were identified based on the results obtained from the above
mentioned biochemical characterization results and the procedures include. Grams Staining Techniques
A drop of distilled water was

The Effect Of Soil On The Soil Formation Of Soil
The soil is a complex mixture of minerals, water, air, organisms and organic matter that are decaying remains of once–living things. The soil is vital in
supporting plant life and all forms life. The soil is not consistent throughout the world because of the way that it is formed and environmental factors
that vary through the process of soil formation.
The factors that play the most important role in the formation of soil are climate, organisms, relief, parent material and time. These factors form the
acronym CLORPT that is used to describe the processes. Climate includes factors such as temperature and moisture; they are important in determining
the speed of weathering and the decay rate of the organic material. Organisms include animals that burrow through the soil that affects the
permeability and amount of air in the soil. Other organisms in the soil are bacteria that affect the rate of decay of organic matter. Relief is the
direction and slope of the surface. This factor determines the amount of sunlight and how much water is kept in the soil. Parent Material influences
the chemical characteristics of the soil. For example, a soil formed from limestone will have higher calcium concentration than soils that are formed
from a parent material with lower calcium than limestone. Time affects soil by how much time it had to develop. Older soil will be different than
younger soil because it has had more time to breakdown parent material and decay organic matter. CLORPT

The Effects of Soil Erosion
Over cultivation, over grazing, and deforestation are all the leading causes of soil erosion, or wearing down of the earth's soil (Wright & Boorse,
2011). Why are farmers over cultivating? Why is over grazing such a problem? Why is deforestation becoming a problem in the world? The answers
are very simple. The solutions are even simpler. The first thing farmers do is cultivate, or till, the land to control the weeds and to bring oxygen to the
soil (Wright & Boorse, 2011). The only problem, it leaves the soil unprotected from wind and water, which can have a negative effect by
compressing the soil (Wright & Boorse, 2011). On top of that, aeration and filtration can be worse for the land. Aeration and filtration are meant to
bring oxygen to the soil, which is what soil needs to stay healthy (Wright & Boorse, 2011). When it has a negative effect, splasherosion occurs. Splash
erosion ruins the soil by sealing the top layer and not allowing oxygen through (Wright & Boorse, 2011). Another issue is poor crop rotation. Every
few years it is recommended to lay hay and clover to increase the flow of nitrogen. When neglected, the soil degrades (Wright & Boorse, 2011).
Where land receives little rainfall, this is called a dryland area (Wright & Boorse, 2011). This is an ideal place to raise livestock. However, taking
advantage of this area, by over grazing, poses negativity on the land. When the grass growth doesn't keep up with the feeding, or not giving back what

The Consequences Of Soil Diversity
The human population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050. This growth will demand almost twice of currently globally produced agricultural
products. However, long periods of intensive agriculture have resulted in soil nutrient depletion, salinity accumulation, and acidification of agricultural
soils, resulting in an overall reduction of the soil's ability to support a growing population (Godfray et al., 2010; Smith et al., 2013, Tillman et al 2011,
Ray et al 2013). Despite the fact that soil is one of the mankind's most essential and threatened resources, supporting food production, wildlife
biodiversity, and playing a central role in biogeochemical cycling (Carpenter et al., 2009). Currently, one of the main practices applied to ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Moreover, these studies have only a limited focus on the fate of environmental mobile element under environmental changes. Thus, in order to access
the real complexity of species interactions the future studies MUST consider simultaneous measurements of multiple functions (Cardinale et al. 2012,
Duncan et al. 2015) including rates of genetic information exchange encoded by mobile elements. Thus, throughout my scientific career, I have been
motivated to address fundamental and practical questions associated with soil microbial ecology that are pivotal to many ecosystem services. My
primary research projects have involved: increasing carbon dioxide sequestration by enhancing the photosynthetic efficiency of plants (M. Sc. thesis);
stimulating plant productivity and disease resistance through biochar soil amendments (Ph.D. thesis); and determining the fate of phenolic compound
in soils (B.Sc. project); Finally, during the last 3 years I have been studied, the boreal peatland ecosystem response to climate change perturbations
(Post.Doc. project)
Role of root associated bacteria in agriculture ecosystem functioning – Graduate research
My PhD research project has been dedicated to understanding the ecology, physiology and genetics of root–associated bacteria with the overall goal of
elucidating their effect on plant productivity and ensuring food stability for future generations. Applying a combination of

Soil Conservation
Soil, which is one of the most important natural resources, is often less heeded. The importance of soil conservation is relatively less talked about as
compared to the conservation of water and other natural resources. The almost–omnipresent soil is mostly taken for granted. Its omnipresence is
ironically the reason behind us, human beings, taking it for a ride. We rarely even think of it as a natural resource that needs to be conserved, a part of
the natural wealth that needs to be preserved.
The concept of the conservation of soil takes into account, the strategies for preventing the soil from getting eroded and preventing it from losing its
fertility due to an adverse alteration in its chemical composition. Here are some ways to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Salinity of soil is detrimental to the vegetative life in the soil. The death of vegetation is bound to cause soil erosion. Hence, salinity management is one
of the indirect ways to conserve soil.
Soil organisms: Organisms like earthworms and others benefiting the soil should be promoted. Earthworms, through aeration of soil, enhance the
availability of macronutrients in soil. They also enhance the porosity of soil. The helpful organisms of soil promote its fertility and form an element in
the conservation of soil.
Indigenous Crops: Planting of native crops is known to be beneficial for soil conservation. If non–native plants are grown, the fields should be
bordered by indigenous crops to prevent soil erosion and achieve soil

Questions On Properties Of Soils
2.3 Results and discussion
2.3.1 Physicochemical properties of soils
Soil properties are shown in Table 2.1. These soils had a loamy texture with different contents of clay, sand and silt. pH values ranged from 4.45 to
7.73. TC was in the range of 1.6 to 8.37 % without significant amounts of TN and TS detected. TOC varied between 1.48 and 8.37% whilst DOC
showed a wide range from 106 to 400 mg kg–1. CEC values ranged from 2.9 to 17.9 cmol kg–1. Concentrations of Fe oxide, Al oxide, and Mn oxide
were 0.28–12.49 g kg–1, 0.5–12.6 g kg–1 and 0.0252–0.302 g kg–1, respectively. Total concentrations of As and Cd in control and spikedsoil after
one–year aging were listed in Table S1 (Appendix 2). The difference between the spiked concentrations and measured ones may be due to the particle
size (spiked soils were sieved to < 250 Ојm particle size was used for all measurements.
2.3.3 Relationships between the bioaccessibility, total concentrations and selected soil properties
Strong linear relationships between bioaccessible As/Cd (both gastric and intestinal phases) and total As/Cd in soils were observed with R2 varying
between 0.72 and 0.98 (Figure 2.1). Therefore, within the spiked concentrations of As and Cd in this study, the soluble As and Cd during UBM
extraction increased proportionally along with total concentrations in soils. Relations in gastric phase was stronger than that in intestinal phase
probably due to the high solubility of both As and Cd in the gastric phase. These

Soil Analysis : Soil And Soil
Soil Analysis
Introduction– The purpose of this investigation was to identify the texture of the soil we collected, while learning the different methods used to
determine soil texture. I hypothesized the soil we collected from the North side of the school would be Clay Loam. In the Soil Introduction Power
Point we learned about the pedosphere. We discovered thatsoil houses both organic (materials containing carbon compounds) and inorganic matter
(materials like minerals: phosphates and nitrates). Also, we found the components that make up the ideal soil. (Diagram A below). It must have pore
space for the exchange of gases and water movement to keep it healthy. Then we talked about the five factors that make soil, or how it forms. A... Show
The last part of the Power Point was the layers soil forms as it develops including duff, topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock. Duff is top layer of organic
matter, which isn't always there because it could have been mowed or washed away. Topsoil is the second layer and the most fertile layer with a
lot of nutrients where most of the plant's roots are. The third layer, also called subsoil, is less nutrient rich and has less organic material; it is
possible for some roots to reach this layer. The final layer is bedrock, a solid layer of rock beneath some soils. (Note: Some soils not all soils; these
layers can vary at different locations) During the Soil Water Absorption Power Point on the other hand, we learned how a soil's texture could
control the amount and how quickly water can seep into the layers of soil (the duff, topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock). A soil's capability to collect
and store water is vital to the other parts of the ecosystem like the plants growing there and the topography. An example of that could be erosion.
The texture of the soil also affects the other parts of the soil as well, such as the pore space. Poor space is the bare space between the particles of
soil that can be infiltrated by the air and water. If there is a lot of poor space then the soil can absorb a lot of water but too much poor space is not a
good thing. If there is too much, water will carry through so quickly the plants can't exploit it. Similarly,

Soil Erosion
What is soil erosion? Soil erosion is a natural process, occurring over geological time, and indeed it is a process that is essential for soil formation in
the first place. With respect to soil degradation, most concerns about erosion are related to accelerated erosion, where the natural rate has been
significantly increased mostly by human activity. Soil erosion by water is a widespread problem throughout Europe. Soil is naturally removed by the
action of water or wind: such 'background' (or 'geological') soil erosion has been occurring for some 450 million years, since the first land plants
formed the first soil. Even before this, natural processes moved loose rock, or regolith, off the Earth's surface, just as has happened ... Show more
[pic]
Diffuse overland flow. Note the raindrop impacts
Firstly, if rain arrives too quickly (i.e. with too high an intensity) for it to infiltrate: the runoff which results is then known as infiltration excess
runoff, or Hortonian runoff. Secondly, runoff may occur if the soil has already absorbed all the water it can hold (i.e. because it is fully saturated, or
if the soil is frozen). Runoff which results from this situation is known as saturation excess runoff. As runoff moves downhill, it is at first a thin
diffuse film of water which has lost virtually all the kinetic energy which it possessed as falling rain. Thus it moves only slowly, has a low flow
power, and is generally incapable of detaching or transporting soil particles.
The micro topography (i.e. small–scale pattern of irregularities) of the soil's surface tends to cause this overland flow to concentrate in closed
depressions, which slowly fill: this is known as 'detention storage' or 'ponding'. Both the flowing water, and the water in detention storage, protect the
soil from raindrop impact, so that rainsplash redistribution usually decreases over time within a storm, as the depth of surface water increases. There
are, however, complex interactions between rainsplash and overland flow. If rain continues, the increasing depth of water will eventually overtop the
micro topographic depressions. Overland flow that is released in this way is likely to flow downhill more quickly and

The Diversity Of Soil Invertebrates
Introduction: The diversity of soil invertebrates is very important to our ecosystem, because most soil invertebrates are responsible for key soil
processes such as nutrient recycling, nutrient retention, formation of soil structure, and decomposition rates. Invertebrates are one of the most
dominant groups of animals in the world. Recent studies show that animals may constitute as much as 23% of the total diversity of living organisms
(Lavelle et al., 2006).
Common soil invertebrates include arthropods and nematodes. These soil invertebrates provide major ecosystem services. For example, ants, dung
beetles, ground beetles, earthworms, and slugs aid in seed dispersal, which is important because seed dispersal is known to affect food production and
nutrient recycling as well as decomposition rates. Bees, butterflies, moths, and ants aid in pollination. These invertebrates are very important because
about three–fourths of all plants are pollinator dependent and insects tend to provide most of the animal pollination globally. Without pollinators plant
species would be more susceptible to extinction. In agricultural systems, invertebrate pollinators are responsible for the successful production of
vegetables and fruits that maintain livestock production. Nematodes, annelids, and arthropods aid in decomposition (Prather et al., 2012)
Materials and Methods: The experiment began with the construction of a Berlese funnel, which is an apparatus used to extract

Terra Preta Soils
The higher fertility of Terra preta soils originally attracted the attention of geographers, soil scientists and archaeologists, where in general tropical
soils can be low in fertility (Glaser et al. 2003). The addition of char seems to be very effective and productive in humid tropical areas, where soils
tend to be highly weathered and infertile. The major challenge of agriculture within these regions is the high rates of decomposition of soil organic
matter (Zech et al. 1990). This is a consequence of temperatures and rates of precipitation. In undisturbed Venezuelan soil, the mean residence time
of organic matter has been calculated at 4 years (Tiessen, Cuevas and Chacon 1994). Biochar is significantly more stable and thus the mean
residence time of organic matter is far greater. Singh and Cowie (2014), study over a 5 year period showed biochar can have a mean residence time of
approximately 100– 1800 years; variance largely depends on conditions of pyrolysis and composition of feedstock. The Terra preta soils are
characterised by their high levels of soil organic matter, as they can contain up to 150 g/ kg of C in comparison to 30 g/kg of the surrounding
5
Amazonian ferrisols. They also contain enhanced levels of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, calcium and potassium centuries after the char was
laid down in the soil (Lima et al. 2002; Smith, 1980).
The soil micro biota is composed of bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa comprising complex interconnected

Soil Analysis Lab
Hypothesis
The more silt soil contains gives a longer water holding capacity for the soil and the more clay it contains gives a shorter water holding capacity.
Procedure I
Take separate samples of humus and forest ground soil and place into cups. Using spray bottle filled with water, take a handful ofsoil into your hand
and mist it with water. Squeeze the samples and try to form it into a ball or a ribbon and determine its texture. Afterwards, do the same test again and
determine the consistence and observe the soil structure.
Questions
Considering the samples analyzed, the relationship between texture and consistence varies directly because larger particles may affect the texture to the
point where it is rough and the opposite when the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Clay generally has a much higher water holding capacity than that of silt or sand because the particle size of the clay is much smaller allowing much
less water to escape. Sand, in comparison, has very large particles which creates space that the water very easily flows out of.
Procedure V
Use the same procedure as described before to prepare the fresh columns of soil and humus. Weigh the columns of dry soil and humus. First, using the
forest soil, use twist ties to suspend the dry columns and the water–saturated columns from the previous day in plastic vials. Put 10 mL of water in the
60–cc cup. Record how long it takes for the first drop of water to come out the bottom to the column. Watch until there is no more water standing on
top of the column. Do this for the dry forest soil and humus. Repeat with the wet soil column.
Question
In chart. The relationship between particle size and percolation rate is that the smaller the particle size, the lower the percolation rate. the high
permeability of wet sand and the low permeability of wet clay. Rain on sandy soil will be quickly absorbed, while rain on clay will be more likely to
run off. Therefore, the ditch at the bottom of the clay soil field would be more likely to

Report On Soils And Their Management
Week 8: Soils and Their Management (21 April 2016)
This week topic is about soil, with three presenters; Richard Greene, Julia Jasonsmith and Craig Strong. Ricard start his presentation with Carbon in
soil, while Julia was focused on contamination in soil, finally Craig discussed about dust observation in Australia.
The first presenter talk about carbon sequestration and the capturing carbon using trees and how the Carbon concentration decreased from soils. He
also explained about how carbon credit works for Australian farmers. Further, theSoil Carbon Matrix Method (Keith, H., et al, ND) was explained in
terms of soil assessment to increase soil quality by carbon sequestration.
Julia Jasonsmith talked about contamination in soil, and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The reason why dust should be trace because agricultural dust could be seen as indicators for soil quality and wind erosion in Australia is major threat
for soil asset. Further, the pace of soil eroding is faster than its forming pace. The method on dust monitoring in Australia is Dust Watch with
community based science (DW–CBS). This method is affiliation program from community, scientist and government.
The lesson that I get from this topic is soil management could work if we have basic data on soil quality and it could help traditional farmers to
manage their land. In my hometown, agriculture was manage traditionally and the farmers not using fertilizer because the soil is fertile and they used
ancient techniques to manage their land. However, if we can combine the traditional way and modern technique such as soil carbon matrix method it
could help to increase the quality of soil and will help the farmers to increase their agriculture products.
Week 9: Energy (28 April 2016)
Presentation by Dr Kyle Catchpole and Professor Ken Baldwin this week is focused on energy. Dr Kyle Catchpole start with renewable energy and she
mentions about the potency of renewable energy in Australia such as wind turbine, and solar energy. In recent year renewable energy are cheaper due
to the improvement of technology.
The second presenter talks about future energy in Australia and the world, he stated that spectrum of energy

Soil Erosion Essay
Soil erosion is a natural event that affects all land. In farming and other agriculture, soil erosion refers to the weathering away of topsoil by the natural
forces such as wind, water or through acts associated with farming such as tilling. Soil erosion can be something that happens slowly over time or
something that can happen in the blink of an eye causing severe land damage. This article shows the cause and effect of soil erosion on farm and
agriculture land.
Wind erosion occurs mostly in flat, dry areas with fine, sandy soil. Wind erosion is caused when the wind moves topsoil from one place and
deposits it to another. The speed and extent of the wind depend on the amount of soil erosion done. Extreme wind erosion can cause severe amount
damage to land and crops. Wind erosion damages land and crops in many ways, one such way is soil drifting. Soil drifting can lead to soil
infertility which in turn can lead to poor crop growth and production, especially in areas where wind erosion is very common. Continual wind
erosion in one area over time can change the texture of the soil by loss of sand, silt, nutrients and organic matter. The removal of such matter from
the soil makes it harder for the soil to hold moisture, making it more difficult for crops to grow. Wind erosion also damages crops by burial of plants
and seeds or unearthing of newly planted seeds, resulting in expensive delays and making it necessary to replant. Abundant woods and vegetation
around

Soil Moisture Lab Report
Soil moisture also affects the yield and competitiveness of the introduced strain. Cowie et al. (1996a, b) reported that waterlogging at any time have
an adverse effect on the seed yield. Drought conditions severely affect the viability of different species and strains of rhizobia (Joshi et al., 1981;
Osa–Afiana and Alexander, 1982). Singh et al. (1992) reported that at a availablesoil moisture of 45 per cent nodule number and dry weight of
nodules increased while at 30 per cent available soil moisture, seed yield increased. Strains isolated from arid areas are more tolerant to dessication and
high temperature than strains isolated from cooler and wet region. Bitorrini and Beringer (unpublished, cited by Dowling and Broughton, 1986) ... Show
(1997)
Calcium carbonateIncrease in nodule weightAlmendras and Bottomley (1985)
Trace elements Zinc
Iron
Molybdenum
BoronIncrease in nodulationKumpawat and Manohar (1994) Bhuiyan et al. (1998)
Sonboir and Sarawgi (1998)
CadmiumInhibits nitrogen fixationMario et al., 2013
Almendras and Bottomley (1985) also concluded that there was a correlation between pH and phosphorus application. Phosphorus limitation was
exacerbated by low pH and the combination of pH and phosphorus levels could have strong influence on competition for nodulation.
Iron plays an important role in micro–organisms and plants. This is a component of cell and its deficiency can cause growth inhibition, sporulation,
decrease in RNA and DNA synthesis and, can also change the cell morphology. Iron exists in two states (Fe2+ and Fe3+) and therefore, it is suitable
as an electron transporter. Iron is also known to regulate the bio–synthesis of porphyrins, toxins, vitamins, antibiotics, cytochromes, pigments,
siderophores and aromatic compounds. Iron is present as a cofactor or required by different enzymes and proteins such as peroxidase, superoxide
dismutase, nitrogenase, hydrogenase, glutamate synthase, rhibonuclotide diphosphate reductase, aconitase, DAHP, synthatase, cytochromes, ferridoxin
and flavoproteins. Iron storage protein like ferritin in animals and bacterio–ferritin in micro–organisms have also been discovered (Stiefel and Watt,
1979).
Although iron is

Causes Of Soil In Africa
There are many reasons that the soil in Africa has seen decreased nutrients quality, ranging from Africa's seasonal effect on soil, climate change and
poor farming practices are all factors that contribute to this phenomenon. Firstly, I will cover the natural reasons that Africa's soil tends to be
degraded as this is commonly debated to be the main reason for the soils degradation. Africa is unique in that it has one of the strongest seasonal rain
systems (very dry when rain isn't occurring but when it does it rains heavily) in the world. This in and of itself can cause huge amounts of soil erosion
so it makes a lot of sense that much of Africa has poor soils. Furthermore, there was a study done by M E Meadows that found "According to the
united nations, areas subject to desertification are so called 'susceptible dry lands" meaning they have an aridly index of .05 – .65" she also discovered
that around " 91% of Africa could potentially classify as an affected dry land." Dry lands combined with highly seasonal rains are major causes of
erosion, which in turn causes soil to lose nutrients fast i.e. desertification. These are not the only natural causes. Over the course of thousands of
years the continuous leeching of the nutrients in the soils has caused the soil to lose its quality. All of these compounds because Africa's soils are
relatively poor to start with the land forms and location of Africa make it harder to regenerate its natural nutrition. It is getting to the point where
some areas have become so degraded that there is no easy fix for this problem. Later, I will cover what steps we can take to alleviate some of these
effects and hopefully reverse this problem, but for now Africa's soil is continuing to steadily decline. It should be noted that there are some areas of
Africa that are still incredibly fertile. The problem lies in the fact that much of Africa is losing its arable land which will present problems in the very
near future.
Poor farming practices are also one of the leading causes of the desertification of sub Saharan Africa. Much of Africa is still using practices which are
quite harmful to the overall soil quality in Africa. Most notably slash and burn techniques, this has especially

The Soils Of Putney Vermont
The Soils of Putney Vermont
The town of Putney is situated in the south eastern corner of Vermont, in the Connecticut River Valley. Although the town occupies just 26.8 square
miles, the diversity of its soils is remarkable. The variation of Putney's soils has led to a wide range of land uses depending on the soil type, and its
position on the landscape. By exploring the factors that contributed to the formation of Putney's soils, and by discussing the characteristics of
those soils, this paper will explain the significance of the town's land use. Much of the diversity of Putney's soils can be attributed to the
movements of the Laurentide ice sheet that, 20,000 years ago, covered the region in several thousand feet of ice. As the glaciers proceeded south,
they reconfigured the land's surface layer by scraping away the existing soil. As the world's climate warmed, the ice retreated, redepositing glacial
till across the landscape. Topography played an integral role in the distribution of soil following glaciation. In the hills, this unsorted till, a
collection of boulders, cobbles, gravel, sands, silt, and clay, began the slow process of pedogenisis (soil formation) as plants and animals brought
life to this barren world. In the valleys, material was sorted by the water from the melting ice as it flowed down from the hills (Stewart 55). Below, in
figure 1, the areas of unsorted till are represented in orange while areas of sorted sediment such as gravel, sand, outwashes,

Soil Stabilization : Soil Adjustment
Soil Stabilization
Soil adjustment a general term for any physical, substance, organic, or joined strategy for changing a characteristic soil to meet a designing purpose.[1]
Improvements incorporate expanding the weight bearing capacities and execution of in–situ subsoils, sands, and other waste materials with a specific
end goal to reinforce street surfaces.
General information[edit]
The prime goal of soil adjustment is to enhance the California Bearing Ratio of in–situ soils by 4 to 6 times. The other prime goal of soil adjustment is
to enhance site materials to make a strong and solid sub–base and base courses. In specific districts of the world, normally creating nations and now all
the more much of the time in created nations, soil adjustment is being utilized to develop the whole street.
Before, soil adjustment was finished by using the coupling properties of mud soils, concrete based items, for example, soil bond, and/or using the
"slammed earth" strategy (compaction) and lime.
A percentage of the 'green advancements ' are: proteins, surfactants, biopolymers, engineered polymers, co–polymer based items, cross–connecting
styrene acrylic polymers, tree pitches, ionic stabilizers, fiber fortification, calcium chloride, calcite, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and that 's
only the tip of the iceberg. Some of these new balancing out systems make hydrophobic surfaces and mass that keep keeps street disappointment from
water entrance or overwhelming ices by

The Effects Of Soil And On The Environment
Ever since human beings left their hunter–gatherer lifestyles and adopted intensive agriculture, their practices in general have not always been kind to
the soil and environment. Agricultural practices completely disrupt the natural soil process and, therefore, altering the natural cycle of nutrients. A
healthy soil is a fundamental and necessary part of our entire ecosystem. Not only is soil crucial for the functionality of our environment, but so many
aspects of daily human life are affected by the soil around us. The healthy soil beneath us assists the process of decomposing biological waste and
turning it into nutrients, which then serves as rich organic matter that supports all kinds of plant and animal life in and on the ground. Soil ... Show more
These roles include breaking down biodegradable waste and then turning that waste into nutrients for growing plants. The microscopic organisms
function to help support a soil system and create stability that reduces erosion and maintains water–holding capacity. Agricultural practices are behind
the biological degradation of soils. Soil being used for agricultural production requires replenishment of the nutrients or organic matter lost in the
process. Failure to replenish the soil with its loss of nutrients results in dysfunction of the nutrient cycle of the soil, reduction of soil fertility, and an
imbalance among the system.
In order to use land for agriculture, one must cut and clear out all natural vegetation in the area. Following the conversion from natural vegetation to
agriculture, the top soil is exposed to the elements. Consequently, the topsoil will be washed away by rain or carried out by wind, a process called
soil erosion. By definition, soil erosion is a steady process that occurs when water and wind break down and wash away the land, resulting in soil
deterioration and ultimately the disappearance of the soil completely. Plants such as coffee, soybean, and cotton have replaced the natural vegetation,
but these new plants cannot keep the fertile soil in place. With the major losses of fertile soils, farmers move on and clear more natural vegetation and
continue the cycle, or they

The Decomposition Of Soil Organic Matter
The decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM), or plant litter, by soil organisms, influences soil chemistry and its physical properties. The
breakdown rate of SOM affects plant nutrient availability, the moisture holding capacity of soils, soil structure and the biological activity of soil
organisms.01 According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), these microorganisms carry out processes that are
essential for soil health and biodiversity, performing vital functions in the soil, such as soil fertility, plant growth, maintaining soil structure, soil
resilience and carbon storage. 01 There are three biogeochemical cycles that are essential to life – carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)–and
have been the focus of many studies, which have found organic C, N, P and sulfur (S) to be strongly related. Having a better understanding of this soil
ecosystem, including processes and the C–N–P–S stoichiometry of SOM , is important to shedding light on the nature of nutrient limitation in
terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, it has applications to the "capture of the benefits of soil biological activity for sustainable and productive
agriculture" and to the reduction of negative impacts from human intervention (FAO). 01
When I first arrived at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) in Lancaster, United Kingdom, I had limited knowledge of the implications of
nutrient cycling in soils and waters. Although I was no stranger to environmental

Soil Erosion In Iowa
Iowa became a state in 1846 and by 1860 almost the entire state was settled and farmed by Euro–Americans. The settling led to the devastation of
prairie in Iowa. The beautiful lush grasses, forbes, and sedges were being cultivated and planted with crops along with severe overgrazing and
much more. Prairie is a habitat type that gets a lot of focus in Iowa today. It gets so much focus because it is such a huge part of Iowa's ecological
history. "Before the advent of white man, prairie covered approximately 84 percent of the area of Iowa". (Aikman, 1959) "Tallgrass prairie is one of
the most endangered ecosystems in North America (Sampson and Knoppf, 1996), with less less than one percent of its original extent remaining."
(Rowe, Fargione, Holland,... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The Conservation Reserve Program or CRP is a great way to conserve soil not just in Iowa, but all around the nation. Referring to farmers around
the nation taking land out of production and putting it into CRP: "As a result of these sweeping changes in the landscape, soil erosion in the
United States has decreased by about 648 million tons a year, dwindling bird populations have more safe areas for their nests, and less carbon
dioxide enters the atmosphere, government and university studies show" (Adler, 1996) Although, the amount of CRP and Prairie is nothing
compared to what it used to be, we have started to make a dent into soil erosion and ecological processes that we have destroyed. In my opinion, a
certain amount of acres in CRP in Iowa should be mandatory for a certain percent of the cropland that you farm. For an easy example, if you have
100 acres of cropland that you own, 10% of that cropland should be mandatory CRP or Prairie, especially along waterways and floodplains. In
today's farming industry, small time farmers have around 800 acres of cropland. In all actuality, all farmers have some land that has some
environmental virtue that farming threatens. "This land may sit in a state conservation preserve, for example, or serve as a buffer between
agricultural property and a river or lake." (Adler, 1996) Those farmers with that have 800 acres or more in crop

Essay On Soil Detection In Soil
PMTV detection in soil
Soil Samples collection and preparation
Soil samples used in this study were collected from a PMTV infested potato field in North Dakota in 2016 and 2017. Additionally, comparable soil
samples were collected from the nearby field in 2017 where PMTV has never been detected. Collected soil was dried at ambient temperature then
pulverized and stored at cold room (4 в„ѓ). Subsamples of soils were sterilized by autoclaving twice at 121 C for 60 minutes before storing at 4 в„ѓ.
Soil was artificially contaminated with PMTV using Sporosori of Spongospora Subterranea (Vector of PMTV). Sporosori of S. Subterranea used in
this study was harvested from the surface of infected potato tuber by scraping with a scalpel followed by ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
2004). One– tube single step RT–PCR assay was carried out in 50 ВµL reaction mixture using QIAGEN OneStep RT– PCR kit (Qiagen,Ca). RT–PCR
was carried out using a thermal cycler (T100 thermal cycler, Bio–Rad) to amplify cDNA fragments using the following conditions: RT at 50 В°C for
30 min for reverse transcription followed by initial PCR activation for 15 min at 95 В°C; 40 cycles of PCR, with each cycle at 94 В°C for 60 s, 52
В°C (while using PMTV2F and PMTV3 R)or 57В°C ( while using C819 and H360 ) for 60 s, and 72 В°C for 60 s; and a final extension at 70В°C for
10 min. RT–PCR assay products were resolved by standard electrophoresis technique in 1% agarose gels pre– stained with gel red and the DNA bands
were visualized under a UV–transilluminator. PCR products were cleaned by QIAquick PCR purification Kit (Qiagen) and subjected to Sanger
sequencing (Retrogen, Inc. San Diego, and CA). The sensitivity of RT–PCR technique for detection of PMTV from soil extracted RNA was
determined by using total RNA extracted from series of spiked soils.
Real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR)
Attempt was also made to detect PMTV from the soil extracted RNA using qRT–PCR. The primers and probes were designed targeting coat protein
read through protein gene with the help of sequences obtained from

The Effects Of Soil Ph Soil Moisture, Organic Horizon...
In this experiment we tested the effects of soil pH, soil moisture, organic horizon thickness, and slope of the hill, on the species dominance of specific
trees along a hill in Charlottesville, Virginia, a city within the Appalachian mountain range. There were 5 transects, distinguished by pink tape, that
started at the North end of the Hill and progressed down, then up the south side of the hill. Our data was then reflected upon F.E. Clements organismic
approach, And Ramensky and Gleason 's individualistic approach. The patterns between each variable and the survivability of the trees there, allow us
to understand the species variation and each species dominance at the site. We hypothesized that the variations in community ecology would influence
other variables, and the tree species surviving in that space. However, we found that the p–values for each variable we tested against each other,
moisture vs. pH, moisture vs. organic horizon, and pH vs. organic horizon, were not significant values, rejecting our null hypothesis. These findings at
Ohill show the influence each variable has on the tree relative frequency and basal area. Understanding the various environmental conditions that
affect our forests is doubtfully one of the most important factors in the survivorship of our forests ecosystems as they cover 30% of the land area on
earth (Sandrine et al. 2006). The variables tested, although only sampled in a small sample size, reflect key issues in forests around the

The Effects Of Soil And On Soil Classifications
Research Report: –1
1.Vegetation causing change of Soil classifications
Every year Australia suffers from 50,000 house damages and these damages may be caused by building defects and design and material problems or
inappropriate construction techniques can be prime issue. But, most often movement in soil can be the cause.
Roughly one fifth of the country is covered in clay which expands and shrinks as the moisture amount changes by weather cycles going through wet to
dry.
Influence of trees can cause movement up to 40–60mm in H1 and 60–75mm in H2 depending on soil. (Standards, AS2870)
Cause of the moisture change can be trees while growing as well as when decomposed; roots create uneven moisture content by water suction. Drying
up by ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The same outcomes can occur when trees are uprooted by a machine. It is vital to guarantee that the stump and noteworthy roots are evacuated and the
dirt is compacted in the void. The excavator ought to be told to evacuate any natural material while cutting or skimming. What 's more, especially
where a sandy establishment exists, it is great practice to test the subsoil in the prompt range around where a stump has been uprooted. A decent
instrument to utilize is a 1 m length of 6–10 mm round support bar. Driven with a sledge, this will find tree roots, as well as floaters and voids or
inadequately compacted zone (CSIRO) Numerous years back, establishment experts would see a bigger shade tree that is near the house and naturally
suggest evacuation. (QBCC) Today, examine demonstrates that evacuation of the tree is not generally the answer. Since numerous trees and
establishments have existed together for a long time, any progressions that happen do as such after some time and they can be minor, contrasted with
the evacuation of the tree. In the event that an extensive shade tree, that is near an establishment is uprooted, more sensational changes can strike the
dirt and establishment than if the tree was allowed to sit unbothered, much of the time. Thought must be given to the full, long haul impact of
evacuating a current tree almost an establishment. At the point when an establishment has an inadequacy,

What Are Soil Nutrients For Healthy Soil?
Soil consists of billions of minute living organisms, bugs and rodents. (Weather video clip–soil, 2004) It is necessary that the mixture of these
organisms, bugs and rodents work together to produce healthy soil. As plants, trees and carcass' decompose, they produce phosphorus, which is
required to have healthy vegetation in soil. Another key ingredient for healthy soil is nitrates produced by nitrogen in the air mixing with condensation
of water leaking into soil, which also produces healthy soil. Too much of these chemicals, along with trace minerals, will pollute the soil. Humans rely
on healthy, fertile soil to grow fruits and vegetables in as well as raise animals who eat from the products grown in healthy soil. When the organisms,...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Sustainability will be contingent on the soil being healthy and fertile for humans and animals. This information is only a small part of the issues
associated with soil contamination.
5
Healthy Soil
For billions of years, the earth has had one third of it covered in soil. This soil consists of bacterial organisms, fungi, algae and elements, then the soil
is cultivated by billions of microorganisms, insects, worms and rodents. There are approximately 1 billion living microorganisms for each cubic meter
of soil that keep the earth's soil fertile. (Weather video clip–soil, 2004) "The soil is the surface layer of earth that results from the degradation of the
basement rock. Microorganisms decompose organic matter, creating minerals that feed plants, whose roots are in the soil." (Weather video clip–soil,
2004)
Fertile soil consists of naturally occurring elements such as organic phosphorus and nitrates, which is absorbed by plants facilitating the proper
growth and health of the plant. Most organic phosphorus forms when decaying plant or animal life is returned to the soil. Nitrates form when the
nitrogen in the air condenses on the ground and mixes with organic matter to become nitrogen. The insects, worms and rodents provide holes in the
soil, allowing air in, to provide oxygen in the composting material, in turn making fertile soil. The earthworm plays a large part as it burrows deep in
the soil, making way oxygen and water necessary for plant life.

Soil Pollution
Presently, most cars run on gasoline and thus gas stations are vital to our everyday life. In urban cities, gas stations are found in just about every other
corner. It has already been documented that burning gasoline produces toxic fumes that contributes to air pollution, global warming, and many health
concerns. Soil surrounding a gas station can also be contaminated with gasoline and generate soil pollution. In comparison with air, soil is more
complex in composition and function. It functions as a sink for pollutants, as a filter which delays the passage of chemicals to groundwater, and as a
bioreactor for organic life. Just as gas is a source of fuel for cars, soil is an essential component of the earth's ecosystem. It serves as a home to many
microbes and provides the necessary nutrients to plants that dwell in it. The pondus hyrdogenii (pH) indicates a solution's acidity and alkalinity. A pH
value of 7 is considered neutral. A solution with a pH between 0 to 7 is acid and one between 7 to 14 is alkaline. Most biological organisms
including plants have a very narrow range of pH values in which environmental substrates can survive. Plants prefer acidic substances. This leads to the
following questions: Are gas stations in El Paso, Texas a contributing factor tosoil contamination?
Do Gas Stations Cause Soil Contamination?
Soil around the world is a habitat for numerous plants and animals. However, every day, certain patches of soil are perhaps being

A Study On Expansive Soil
1.INTRODUCTION
Expansive soil is considered one of the most common causes of pavement distresses. Depending upon the moisture level, expansive soils will
experience changes in volume due to moisture fluctuations from seasonal variations. The objective of this research was to evaluate existing repair
projects on selected roadways. Those roadways experienced failures in the form of fatigue and rutting in the wheel path, and longitudinal (faulted)
cracking including edge cracking. The causes of those failures were mainly linked to high plasticity expansive soil and narrow pavement. The study
involved visual survey, field and laboratory testing, surface condition/ride data and structural design calculations for three project sites. The study...
Expansion potential is dependent on mineralogical composition of soil which influences the index properties of soil. Several investigators proposed
criteria for qualitative assessment of Expansion Potential making use of index properties of soil .Uncertainties arise in making use of these criteria,
since the soil properties cannot be used separately but collectively to assess Expansion Potential. (Venkata, 2009)
1.1 Origin and Distribution:
Expansive soils are made up of clay particles that result from the alteration of parent materials. Alteration takes place by several processes: weathering,
diagenesis, hydrothermal action, neo formation, and post depositional alteration. Most clay minerals are transported by air or water to areas of
accumulation. Once deposited, the materials are subjected to the local conditions of accumulation (overburden) 1nd erosion which make up the
geologic stress history of the materials. Thus, the existing clay soil at a site is the product of parent material, mode of alteration, and geologic history.
Interaction between the soil and the local environment produces continual change in the soil and determines future behavior. Expansive soils are
distributed all over the world. Usually the areas with the most severe problems are those with local climates that produce desiccation. A recent report
provides the results of a study of the distribution of expansive soils in the

Soil Conservation
INTRODUCTION
Soil is the precious gift of nature to the mankind. All the plant family, animal kingdom and human society at large depend upon soil for their sustenance
directly or indirectly. Ironically, soil is the most neglected commodity on the earth. Shifting cultivation on the hill slopes, non–adoption of soil
conservation techniques, and over exploitation of land for crop production due to population stress, leads to enormous soil erosion. It will take
hundreds of years to form an inch of soil, but in no time it gets washed away down the slope due to erosion.
SOIL CONSERVATION
Soil Conservation is the process by which the loss of soil is checked, reducing the velocity of run–off through erosion control measures for maximum ...
A terrace reduces the length of the hill side slope, thereby reducing sheet and rill erosion and prevents formation of gullies.
There are different types of terraces as follows:
вњ“ Bench terracing: It consists of transforming relatively steeps land into a series of level or nearly level strips or steeps running across the slope.
The soil materials that are excavated from the upper part of the terrace is used in filling the lower part and a small bund is also raised along the outer
edge of the terrace to check the downward flow of rainwater and also soil erosion. вњ“ Channel terrace: It consists of making of wide but shallow
channels across the slope of the land either exactly on contour line or with a slight grade (0.1 to 0.2 per cent). In this process, the excavated soil is
placed along the lower edge of the channel in the form of low ridge. вњ“ Narrow based terrace: It consists of making a number of narrow based ridges
or bunds at a distance of 1m to 2m across the slope of the land at suitable intervals in high rainfall areas. вњ“ Broad based ridge terrace: It consists of
making wide but low bunds on the contour lines by excavating soils from both sides of terrace. This is practiced in areas where the rainfall is
relatively low. вњ“ Contour trenching: It consist of making a series of deep pit (i.e. 2ft. wide and 1ft. deep) or trenches across the slope at convenient
distance. The soil excavated from the

Essay On Web Soil Survey
atory Final Report: Web Soil Survey
Introduction: The location of the land used to determine several projects location was in Floyd county with the coordinates defined as (34В° 6' 21'' N.
latitude, 101В° 24' 57'' W. longitude), (34В° 6' 21'' N. latitude, 101В° 23' 29'' W. longitude), (34В° 5' 33'' N. latitude, 101В° 24' 57'' W. longitude), and
(34В° 5' 33'' N. latitude, 101В° 23' 29'' W. longitude). The major soils located within the area of interest(AOI) were identified as PuA, RaA, and LoA,
with the soils texture identified as clay loam for PuA and LoA, and clay for RaA. The soils identified all had low slopes ranging from 0–1%. The use
of web soil survey allows users to be able to identify soil properties of a specific area and the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The ratings of the construction building are based upon the soils capacity to support weight. What affects the soils capacity to support weight would
be the water table, ponding, shrink swell capacity, and compaction. One of the limitations for builing housing on PuA was found the high shrink
swell. High shrink swell is the capacity clay has to increase once the soil has become saturated which can create foundation problems. Though this
soil was made an ideal location for the construction due to the low slope rate which creates low errosion potential, as well as the location of the
housing being located next to a road can create a high compaction rate due to traffic. This would help the stability of the housing.
In relation to the sanitary facilities it was found that 'sanitary landfills (area)' was identified to be built on soil LoA. Sanitary landfills (area) is
described as a waste being depositied in successive layers on the surface of soil (Web soil survey). Figure 6 below, shows the location of the sanitary
facility.
Ratings for the sanitary facility are based on trafficability, risk of pollution and flooding. While PuA was identified as a possible soil that the facility
could be built upon it did experience frequent flooding. Therefore, the soil LoA, would be the most ideal for the sanitary facility because it does not
experience frequent flooding, though it does have the limitation dusty.
Pond

Factors That Affect Soil Development
Factors Affecting Soil Development
Studies on the research of soil have shown that the profile of soils is influenced by five factors interacting with each there. These are: parent material,
climate, topography, organisms, and time.
Parent material:
This refers to the mineral material, or organic material from which the soil is formed. Soils will carry the characteristics of its parent material such as
color, texture, structure, mineral composition and so on. For example, if soils are formed from an area with large rocks (parent rocks) of red
sandstone, the soils will also be red in color and have the same feel as its parent material.
Time:
Soils can take many years to form. Younger soils have some characteristics from their parent... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It also means more runoff, more percolation and more water erosion. They all help to determine the kind of soils in an area.
Relief:
This refers to the landscape position and the slopes it has. Steep, long slopes mean water will run down faster and potentially erode the surfaces of
slopes. The effect will be poor soils on the slopes, and richer deposits at the foot of the slopes. Also, slopes may be exposed to more direct sunlight,
which may dry out soil moisture and render it less fertile.
Organisms:
The source and richness of organic matter is down to the living things (plants and animals) that live on and in the soils. Plants in particular, provide lots
of vegetative residue that are added to soils. Their roots also hold the soils and protect them from wind and water erosion. They shelter the soils from
the sun and other environmental conditions, helping the soils to retain the needed moisture for chemical and biological reactions. Fungi, bacteria,
insects, earthworms, and burrowing animals help with soil aeration. Worms help breakdown organic matter and aid decomposition. Animal droppings,
dead insects and animals result in more decaying organic matter. Microorganisms also help with mineral and nutrient cycling and chemical reactions.
The Water Cycle
The water cycle, also called the hydrologic cycle, operates similarly to biogeochemical cycles in which plant and animal nutrients move through the

atmosphere, the earth, and through living things. The

Classification Of The Soil Drainage Class
Part 1
Question 1 – LENZ classification
LENZ classification– F7.1
Regional average elevation– 520m
Climate– Mild temperatures, high solar radiation, slight annual water deficits.
Landform– Undulating volcanic plateau.
Parent material– Rhyolitic rock
Question 2 – Soil types
Describe the main soil characteristics for the region including their soil texture, depth, plant available water and drainage.
Soil texture– The soil around the Taupo area is a sandy loam which is normally made up of sand along with varying amounts of silt and clay.
Soil depth– greater than one meter.
Plant available water– the profile of available water for soil depth of 0–100cm or to the root barrier is very high at 162.5 mm.
Drainage– The soil drainage class is well drained.
Question 3 – Land Evaluation, what it consists of, and what it is capably of
a)The land use capability classification (LUC) system has 8 classes, 1–4 is arable land, 5–8 is non arable and 8 is conservation. The higher the class the
less versatile the land is. The majority of the land in the Taupo area is class 5–7 which is non arable and unsuitable for cropping but can be productive
pastoral hill country, with class 7 having severe limitations. There is also some class 3 which is arable land with some limitations such as restricted
crops that can be grown. There is also small amounts of conservation land which is class 8 and has severe to extreme limitations.
b)Currently the majority of land in the Taupo area is in planted

Suitability And Future Soil Management
The purpose of this report is to determine the suitability of the clients soil, indicated with in the marked area in fig 1. (google,2016), where they
propose to transplant two semi mature trees, which would otherwise be felled due to a major rail development near by. This survey aims to provide the
client with information on existing soil profiles, obtain site specific soil samples, which will be analysed recommendations for suitability and future soil
management will then be made in a conclusion based on site information and lab results.
Site Location
Ranton Abbey Stafford, ST20, UK.
Grid Reference:
SJ 83801 24257
Site is accessed via the B5405, between Great Bridgeford and Woodseaves. Fig.1 Sample site
Current Land Use
The site is located on a rural estate, historically the sample site (seen in Fig.2) was part of the Abbey's garden and is an area of very little footfall.
The surrounding grass and parkland shown in Fig.1 (google 2016) and beyond have predominantly been used for livestock grazing (cattle and sheep)
and hay production but the site it's self is also grazed by cattle. Patches of mature mixed deciduous woodland and mature Quercus plantations are dotted
around the estate along with a very small number of conifer plantations. These are now managed for wildlife and sustainably harvested for timber.
The Manor house to the north seen in Fig.1 is now inhabited by estate staff and the grounds are now used for grazing, and undergo maintenance

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