Earth Environment - Chapter 4 Flashcards
describe the terrestrial environment from an integrated physical, biological and chemical perspective .
- increase O.matter, H2O and nutrients = increased microbial activity
- surface area affects ration : adsorptions and retention of H2O
- air pockets/porous envi and H2O carrier nutrients needed for aerobic microbial growth
- Cation exchange: bac = -, charged metal (PB2+)= +, soil=- charge
Why might water move so quickly into the saturated zone?
- pores
- mineral particles are layer, therefor, doesn’t hold up H2O
What are some sources of increased acidity in the soil?
- microbes metabolite(fermentation–> acid)
- increased nitrogen(anthropogenic)–> nitracficiation (add lime to neutralize)
- increase with time
- acid rain
- base cation(Ca2+, K+, Na+) are more easilu released than acid cation
Define surface soil
- weathered end product
- high O Carbon content
Define vadose zone
- low O.carbon content
- decreased H2O movement
Define saturated zone
- shallow or intermediate/ deep aquifers
- porous parent materials
- wetlands
- oligotrophic condition
Id components of soil as it related to microbial activity
- texture: size of mineral particles
- pore size distribution:
- organic matter
- soil structure: aggreigate/size
- interaggregrate pore
- intra-aggregrate pore
- cation exchange
- soil H2O potential
How can the components of soil vary?
- O matter varies
- pores can vary based on mineral type (sand/small space vs. clay/large spores)
explain how microbial activity can influence the soil atmosphere
- bac attach to porous media
- leaching: micro-pore exclusion, competitive affinity
- precipitation of minerals/pesticides–> affect soil solution chem
- microbial alters N2, O2 and CO2 gases [ ] in saturated levels
soil properties
- texture: size mineral particles
- structure: aggrigate /size
- porosity: H2O movement
- chemistry: cation exchange capacity
- colour:O..contents, minerals
Soil forming factores
- parent material: rock/mineral that is weathered
- climate: precipitation +temp
- Organisms
- Topography: slide angle and length
- Time
Weathering created what? and what is released
- sand, silt, clay
- releases:
1. minerals in solution
2. oxides of Fe and Al (negative charge)
3. silica
4. stable waste
Phases of typical soil
- pore space
- mineral
- organic material
Phases of typical soil
- pore space
- mineral
- organic material
Distinguish b/n soil particles and soil aggregrate
- particles: makes up pore
- Aggregrate: inter/intra aggregrate pores
