2: Formation of Soils from Parent Materials Flashcards
5 Soil Forming Factors
Parent Material, Climate, Organism, Topography, Time
Which soil forming factor shows traces of human influence?
Organism
Water splits and protons attack; increases pH
Hydrolysis
Water sticks; swelling occurs
Hydration
All minerals dissolve to some extent
Dissolution
OM breaks down to generate carbonic and organic acids
Carbonation
Life in soils generate organic molecules that bind up metal cations
Complexation
3 Types of Rocks
Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
What does TDS stand for?
Total Dissolved Solids
Given enough time, all primary minerals (except quartz) will weather into…
Fe/Al oxides and clay
The accumulation of transported P.M. at the foot of a steep slope.
colluvium
Fluvial stream deposits
alluvium
Deposits of insoluble material in the ocean
marine sediments
Deposits formed by glacial meltwater
glacial till and outwash
Deposits formed by lakes
lacustrine deposits
Deposits formed and transported by wind
loess deposits
Soils formed in place via weathering of their underlying parent material
residual soils
How do parent material dominate differences in soils?
regionally, climate and vegetation, and topography/drainage.
5 VA Regions
Coastal Plains, Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau
Coastal Plain characteristics:
sandy surface; flat
Piedmont characteristics:
crystalline igneous/metamorphic rocks
Blue Ridge characteristics:
same as piedmont; higher elevation
Valley and Ridge characteristics:
folded and faulted sedimentary rocks
Appalachian Plateau characteristics:
flat lying sandstones
The linear extent of waterfalls where major rivers literally fall off the Piedmont and become tidal in the Coastal Plain.
The Fall Line
The decomposition and “turnover” of organic litter, roots, and organisms over time.
Acid Engine
What does Acid Engine do?
accelerates weathering and leaching processes
True/False: Most (not all) soils in VA are young (< 100 k y), somewhat weathered and basic by nature.
False: soils in VA are young, highly weathered, and acidic by nature.
The addition of materials to soil; such as decomposing vegetation/organisms or new mineral deposits.
Additions
The decrease of materials in soil; such as erosion.
Losses
Changes in soil; such as rocks weathering to soil.
Transformations
The movement of materials from one location to another.
Translocations
