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SOIL PROFILES

SOIL PROFILES. Objectives. Determine what layers a soil profile contains Identify various types of soil profiles Explain the role that water plays in the formation and movement of soil Create a “soil profile” Observe how liquid travels through the “soil profile”. What is a soil profile?.

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SOIL PROFILES

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  1. SOIL PROFILES

  2. Objectives • Determine what layers a soil profile contains • Identify various types of soil profiles • Explain the role that water plays in the formation and movement of soil • Create a “soil profile” • Observe how liquid travels through the “soil profile”

  3. What is a soil profile? • O horizon – organic material • A horizon – topsoil • E horizon • B horizon • C horizon – parent material • R horizon - bedrock

  4. Soil Layers • O Horizon – where plant roots grow • top layer of soil • where animals live • fresh to partially decomposed organic matters • color varies from brown to black Organic soil is produced by the build-up of plant material and are the most productive/fertile soils.

  5. Soil Layers • A Horizon – Topsoil • made of highly decomposed organic matter • color range from brown to gray • E Horizon – area of topsoil that has little organic material leached out • made up of mostly sand and silt • lost most of its minerals and clay due to eluviation

  6. Soil Layers • B Horizon – where leached materials gather • more clay and bigger bedrock • reddish brown or tan in color • C Horizon – parent material • mostly weathered bedrock • cracked and broken surface of the bedrock

  7. Soil Layers • R Horizon – bedrock • last layer in the profile • consists of unweathered rocks • The process of weathering rocks is slow and occurs over thousands of years.

  8. Water Movement • Water is the major force responsible for moving soil from one place to another. • Infiltration – the process of water entering the soil • If soil is dry the water will infiltrate faster but once the soil is wet infiltration will slow • Water is leading cause of erosion • Erosion is the process of soil particles being moved by water or wind.

  9. Water Movement • Water movement is affected by three factors • Gravity – forces water to move downward • Capillary action – Movement of water along microscopic channels by two forces • Adhesion • Absorption • Soil porosity - volume of water that can be held in a soil

  10. Create a Soil Profile • Horizon C • Horizon B • Horizon A • Horizon O

  11. Objectives • Determine what layers a soil profile contains • Identify various types of soil profiles • Explain the role that water plays in the formation and movement of soil • Create a “soil profile” • Observe how liquid travels through the “soil profile”

  12. Review – Identify layers of a soil profile and one distinguishing characteristic

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