Expansive Clay Soil

Expansive Clay Soil
To err is human, to forgive divine. When it comes to homeowner mistakes that cause foundation
damage, at least the first half of that well–known quote is true. Few however, will be in a forgiving
mood when dealing with the damage to one's house and foundation caused by a number of common
oversights.
If you have made some of the mistakes listed below, don't be too hard on yourself because unless
you've completed a fair amount of research on the topic, any one of these oversights are easy to
make. Before getting to them, some background information on expansive clay soil is necessary.
Expansive Clay Soil
Texas has a north–south strip of land extending from Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico that varies in
width from one hundred to several hundred miles that has a high concentration of expansive clay
soil. Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
A pool too close to your house releases more than enough water to cause damaging heaving of the
soil against the foundation.
Improper Home Renovation/Remodeling
Structural changes to your house must take into account the soil around it. Local home and
foundation construction techniques are adapted to the properties of expansive clay soil. Any changes
you make must not defeat the purpose of these methods. Otherwise, foundation damage will follow
and will require Dallas foundation repair. Make sure that the contractor is thoroughly familiar with
local building methods.
Not Paying Attention to or Acting on Signs of Foundation Problems
If you see large cracks appearing on exterior and interior walls, or floors becoming uneven or
separating from the walls, this is structural damage caused by foundation problems. You may also
notice doors and windows sticking with cracks that come out from their corners. The foundation
walls themselves will have cracks and may lean or
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...

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 : 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 that soil 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 more content on Helpwriting.net ...
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,

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

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
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
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

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 available soil 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 more content on Helpwriting.net ...
(1997)
Calcium carbonate Increase in nodule weight Almendras and Bottomley (1985)
Trace elements Zinc
Iron
Molybdenum
Boron Increase in nodulation Kumpawat and Manohar (1994) Bhuiyan et al. (1998)
Sonboir and Sarawgi (1998)
Cadmium Inhibits nitrogen fixation Mario 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

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 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

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

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, the Soil 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
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 content on Helpwriting.net ...
[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

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

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 ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
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 ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
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:
✓ 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. ✓ 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. ✓ 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. ✓ 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. ✓ 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

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,

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).

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

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 ℃). Subsamples of soils were sterilized by autoclaving twice
at 121 C for 60 minutes before storing at 4 ℃.
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 µL 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 °C for 30 min for reverse transcription followed by initial PCR activation for 15 min at 95 °C; 40
cycles of PCR, with each cycle at 94 °C for 60 s, 52 °C (while using PMTV2F and PMTV3 R)or
57°C ( while using C819 and H360 ) for 60 s, and 72 °C for 60 s; and a final extension at 70°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 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, splash erosion 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

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

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 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 (34° 6' 21'' N. latitude, 101° 24' 57'' W. longitude), (34° 6' 21''
N. latitude, 101° 23' 29'' W. longitude), (34° 5' 33'' N. latitude, 101° 24' 57'' W. longitude), and (34°
5' 33'' N. latitude, 101° 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 ...
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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

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 of soil 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

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

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 spiked soil
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
μm 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

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 include carbon
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

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 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

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 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

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 content on Helpwriting.net ...
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 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,

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

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 to soil 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

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.

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 ...
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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

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

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

Expansive Clay Soil

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