Soil

Question 1

What are the main components of soil?

Answer 1

Regolith, humus, water, and air

Question 2

What is the difference between residual and transported soil?

Answer 2

Residual forms in place; transported is moved from elsewhere

Question 3

Why is soil considered non-renewable?

Answer 3

It forms too slowly to replenish once lost

Question 4

Which climate factor has the greatest influence on soil formation?

Answer 4

Temperature and precipitation

Question 5

What is humus?

Answer 5

Stable, decayed organic matter in soil

Question 6

What does the O horizon in soil consist of?

Answer 6

Organic material such as decaying leaves

Question 7

Which soil horizon is known as the zone of accumulation?

Answer 7

B horizon

Question 8

What caused the Dust Bowl in the 1930s?

Answer 8

Overgrazing and drought

Question 9

What is a common source of soil contamination?

Answer 9

Pesticides and sedimentation from farming

Question 10

What is soil salinization often caused by?

Answer 10

Evaporation of irrigation water leaving behind salts