Lithosphere Flashcards
What is the effect of geological processes caused by plate tectonics?
Soil formation
Formation of rock and soil:
formed via weathering and transport of existing rocks, and then deposition, cementation, and compaction
Sedimentary rock
Formation of rock and soil:
Formed by cooling and crystallization of molten rock
Igneous rock
Formation of rock and soil:
formed when heat and pressure are applied to rocks
Metamorphic rocks
What is the phenomenon of the movement of continents and plates
Continental Drift
What plate is the most active and why?
Pacific plate; ring of fire
What are the three factors of soil formation?
- soil age
- climate
- topography
Soil horizon:
Decomposition takes place here
O: Organic Layer
Soil horizon:
Nutrients from previous layer mix with minerals in this layer
A: Top soil
Soil horizon:
Filtration from previous layer and leaching of minerals and organic matter
E: Eluviation Layer
Soil horizon:
Mineral and metal salts found here
B: Subsoil
Soil horizon:
More compact and has partly weathered rock
C: Parent Rock
Soil horizon:
Super solid and compact; unweathered rock found here
R: Bedrock
Type of soil parameter:
particle size used as basis, what are these?
Soil texture:
Clay, silt, sand
Type of soil parameter:
indicator or organic matter content, drainage, and aeration
Soil color
Soil color:
high in organic matter, more than 4%
Black
Soil color:
Good organic matter content and well drained
Brown
Soil color:
Low organic matter; well drained, color due to presence of ferric oxide (Fe2O2)
Red
Soil color:
Low organic matter; poorly drained, color due to excess water, poor aeration and Iron oxide (FeO)
Gray
Soil color:
Low organic matter, well drained
Yellow
Soil color:
well and poorly drained due to fluctuations in water table
Mottling/smearing of color
Soil nutrients:
Non-mineral
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
Soil nutrients:
Primary Nutrients
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
Soil nutrients:
What is the role of nitrogen
building block of proteins and is part of amino acids which is important for chlorophyll
Soil nutrients:
What is the role of phosphorus
Used to form DNA and RNA and store and transfer energy, promotes early plant growth
Soil nutrients:
What is the role of potassium
Plant translocation of sugars and starch formation, and helps efficiency of water by opening and closing small apertures (stomata)
Soil Nutrients:
Secondary nutrients
Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur
Detachment and displacement of soil particles and transported by various means
Soil erosion
Breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces mechanically and chemically WITHOUT displacement and transportation
Weathering
5 man induced erosions
- deforestation
- clearing land for agricultural purposes and construction
- dam construction and diversion of natural course of river
- faulty farming
- mining activities
Soil erosion prevention:
Planting organisms that are native and that can adapt to environment
Tree planting
Soil erosion prevention:
respecting topography of area and no leveling of ground.
Buffer strips - plants below because of water accumulation
Soil erosion prevention:
Plowing with respect to natural topography of land. Furrows are plowed perpendicular to the slope of the land rather than in the downslope direction.
Contour plowing
Soil erosion prevention:
larger crops used to protect soil like trees to minimize wind and water that cause erosion
Shelter belts/vegetative barriers
Soil erosion prevention:
System that eliminates plowing altogether to reduce soil erosion.
No-till agriculture
Soil erosion prevention:
Soil erosion on steep slopes can be managed and minimized by producing flat areas and walls that retain water and soil with retaining walls
Terracing slopes
Soil erosion prevention:
planting of several crops to allow land to recover after several years
Planting of more than one type of crop
Uncontrolled waste dumping and landfill leachate
Soil Contamination
