Soil

Question 1

Soil composition

Answer 1

Mineral particles of sand silt + clay
Water- binds the soil together + dissolves minerals + nutrients into the soil
Air - found in the pores between the soil particles
Organic matter- worms + plants

Question 2

How soil is formed

Answer 2

rocks are weathered + eroded to form mineral particles
Organisms change plant litter into hummus
Water mixes with the mineral particles + hummus

Question 3

topsoil

Answer 3

Topsoil, most fertile, darkest

Question 4

Subsoil

Answer 4

Under the topsoil less hummus, some rocks

Question 5

bedrock

Answer 5

Solid rock at the base, smaller rock at the top

Question 6

leeching

Answer 6

When there is a high amount of rainfall, water percolates through the soil + deposits at the bottom of the subsoil forming a hard pan of built up iron oxide.

Question 7

negative effects of leeching

Answer 7

Nutrients are drained from the topsoil, making it weak + acidic
Hard pan prevents water from passing the subsoil, making it waterlogged

Question 8

Brown soil

Answer 8

Ireland’s most common soil type. Found in areas of limited rainfall, eg. midlands. It is found in areas of deciduous trees, is very fertile + great for farming