Soil

Question 1

What does soil contain?

Answer 1

Biotic and abiotic things (living and non-living things)

Question 2

What is loam?

Answer 2

Fertile top soil filled with clay, sand, and silt

Question 3

The darker the top soil the more what?

Answer 3

Humus

Question 4

Describe the A horizon

Answer 4

• Contain mineral particles (inorganic)
• Living organisms (Organic)
• Humus- decaying organic material
  (Top soil)

Question 5

Describe the B horizon

Answer 5

• Less organic
• Less weathered
  (Nonliving material)

Question 6

Describe the C horizon

Answer 6

• Partially broken down rock (parent rock)

Bed rock

Question 7

Does a tropical rainforest have (much or very little) humus?

Answer 7

Very little humus

Question 8

Where is most of the biomass found in a rainforest?

Answer 8

Above the ground

Question 9

What are cations?

Answer 9

Positive charged ions

Question 10

What are anions?

Answer 10

Negative charged ions

Question 11

What are some examples of anions? Cations?

Answer 11

Anions- Phosphate, Nitrogen ion, Clay, Nitrate

Cations- Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium

Question 12

Cations adhere to ______ charged soil particles

Answer 12

Negative

Question 13

What is leaching?

Answer 13

Loss of anions

Question 14

What kind of soil is preferred?

Answer 14

Slightly acidic

Question 15

What is the role of clay in soil?

Answer 15

Clay helps keep cations from washing away after rainfall

Question 16

What is humus?

Answer 16

Dead decaying living (organic) things

Question 17

Why is humus important? 3

Answer 17

1. Contains minerals that return to soil
2. Retain moisture
3. Prevents clay form making large clumps

Question 18

What are some living things in soil?

Answer 18

Worms, Spiders, fungus

Question 19

Why are worms important in soil?

Answer 19

Move large amounts of material and mixing soil

Question 20

What do worm movements promote?

Answer 20

Better gas diffusion, water retention

Question 21

What is the American Dust Bowl?

Answer 21

top soil was eroded by the wind

Question 22

What can help with wind erosion for soil?

Answer 22

Roots to add stability

Question 23

What is the reason for fertilization?

Answer 23

Restore nutrients that could be depleted

Question 24

What is NPK?

Answer 24

NPK is a type of soil that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

Question 25

What takes longer to be absorbed by plants? Synthetic or natural fertilizers?

Answer 25

Natural Fertilizers (feed soil then those nutrients will feed plant)

Question 26

What is irrigation?

Answer 26

Ground water with a current

Question 27

Where does the water come from in irrigation?

Answer 27

Aquifers

Question 28

What is one potential land subsidence issue?

Answer 28

Sink hole