Lithospheric Chemistry Flashcards
Topic 2 - Andrea Folli
1
Q
How much of the land’s mass is soil?
A
80%
2
Q
Importance of studying soil
A
- Essential to plant growth and the nutrient cycle, crop production
- ## Plays a role in the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous cycle.
3
Q
Composition of the earth’s crust
A
Mainly silicon and aluminium, also oxygen, calcium and iron
4
Q
Forms of physical weathering
A
Freeze thaw, fire, deposition of salts, abrasion, plants.
5
Q
Hydrolysis
A
Transformation of igneous material into secondary clay material.
6
Q
Oxidation and reduction
A
Change the solubility and thus the mineral distribution through the soil layer, common with Fe oxides.
7
Q
Hydration
A
Changes chemical properties of certain materials.
8
Q
Three-phase mixture
A
Inorganic, organic matter and water.
9
Q
Physical properties of soil
A
- Particle size: allows for classification
- Texture: defines the proportion fo different particle size components.
10
Q
A
