GA Geology Flashcards
What are the 5 soil types?
Sand, Sandy loam, Loam, silt Loam, and clay
What is the ideal soil composition?
50% pores, 45% minerals, 5% organics + microbes
Loose and single grained, falls apart when dry and will briefly mold but fall apart even when moist
Sand
Mostly sand with some silt and clay to make it stickier, still falls apart when dry but maintains a bit more hold if wet
Sandy loam
Mixture of sand, silt and clay, it will hold a form whether wet or dry
Loam
Fine-textured clay with less sand or silt, when dry it forms clods
Silt loam
Finest textured soil that forms clods when dry and is usually elastic and sticky when wet
Clay
What is the order of smallest to largest particle sizes of soil?
Clay (<.002)- Silt (.002-.05mm)- Sand (.05-2mm)- Gravel (2mm-3”)
What constitutes of acidic pH range?
<6.6
What constitutes of neutral pH?
6.6-7.3
What constitutes of basic/ alkaline soil range?
> 7.5
Acidic soils lack ____ & reduces _____
- Nutrients
- Microorganisms & worms
Most compost have a _____pH
Neutral
Microorganisms and earthworms thrive off ________ pH
Neutral
Hardwood trees leave ____ compost
Alkaline
Pine trees leave ______ compost
Acidic
True or false- Alkaline and acidic soils both lose nutrients and reduces microorganisms and worms
True
Few plants survive outside the range of __________ pH
4.0 - 8.5
Georgia soils run a wide range of pH values from ______
3.5 - 8.4
Adding ______ raises the pH of acid soils
Lime
Adding _____ lowers the pH of alkaline soils
Sulfur
T or F: some minerals can be found more available at either end of the spectrum
True
What is soil association?
Landscape that has a distinctive proportional pattern on soils (broad- “appling-cecil”)
What are soil series?
Soils with similar horizon profiles (mid- “appling”
What are soil types?
Define difference in surface layer texture (specific- “appling Sandy clay loam”
What is erosion?
Process by which surface is worn by wind, water, ice, or gravity
What element is the most damaging to erosion?
Water
What influences erosion?
Climate, topography, soils, and vegetation
When was the Erosion Sediment Control Act created?
1975
What does the Erosion Sediment Control Act do?
Local implementation and local enforcement to protect soil and water resources
What do land disturbing activities require?
Permit
Land disturbing activities are
Any land change that can result in erosion
What types of activities are exempt from getting a land disturbance permit?
Mining, quarrying, single family construction by owner, agriculture/ forestry, a project 1.1ac or less
Who approves erosion & sedimentation plans for permit?
Soil and water conservation
How many soil and water districts are in Georgia?
40
What did the 1995 Amendment to the Erosion & Sed. Control Act do?
Complies with Clean Water Act and focuses on BMP instead of turbidity standard for site runoff
What is the 2003 Amendment to the Erosion & Sediment Control Act?
All individuals involved in LDA must get a certification
How many levels are certification are in the 2003 amendment? What are they?
3 levels- fundamentals (1A), advanced fundamentals (1B), & introduction to design (2)
What does the Fundamentals (Level 1A) of the 2003 amendment cover? How long is it?
1 day - BMPs - to contractors and developers
What does the Advanced Fundamentals (Level 1B) of the 2003 amendment cover? How long?
2 days - regulatory enforcement
What does the Introduction to Design (Level 2) of the 2003 amendment cover? How long?
2 days- for plan reviewers and design professionals (how to review plans)
