Soils Flashcards by Jerick Galindez | Brainscape

Q

Soils

What does soil composition depend on? (5)

A

Parent material

Climate

Other organisms

Topography

Age

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Q

Soils

4 Soil horizons?

A

O horizon

A horizon

B horizon

C horizon

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Q

Soils

O horizon (2) =

A

Leaf litter

Very little mineral

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Q

Soils

A horizon (3) =

A

High organic content

Some mineral

“Top soil”

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Q

Soils

B horizon (2) =

A

Subsoil

Less organics, more minerals

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Q

Soils

C horizon (2)

A

Parent material, rock

Maybe stored water in an aquifer

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Q

Soils

Parent material =

example?

A

Minerals

Serpentine

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Q

Soils

Serpentine =

A

High in heavy metals

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Q

Climate

Some rain =

A

Well developed soil

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Q

Climate

A lot or too much rain =

A

Minerals wash away

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Q

Climate

Frost wedging =

A

Frozen water (ice) breaks apart rocks

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Q

Living Organisms

1/1000 of soil is ___

A

Alive - bacteria

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Q

Living Organisms

Decomposers purpose

A

Make organic molecules available to plants

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Q

Living Organisms

Decomposers provide ___ (molecule)

A

CO₂

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Q

Topography =

A

The lay of the land

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Q

Topography

Steep slope causes…

A

Small particles to wash away

Q

Topography

Standing water prevents… (2)

A

Gas exchange

Limits bacterial activity

Q

Soil Structure

Sand size

A

0.05mm-2mm

Q

Soil Structure

Sand characteristics (2)

A

Drains quickly

Holds air

Q

Soil Structure

Sand benefit

A

Gas exchange

Q

Soil Structure

Sand disadvantage

A

Nitrogen might be depleted

Q

Soil Structure

Silt size

A

0.002mm - 0.05mm

Q

Soil Structure

Clay size

A

Less than 0.002mm

Q

Soil Structure

Clay characteristics (2)

A

Drains slowly

More empty space

Q

Soil Structure

Clay benefit

A

More time for plants to absorb water

Q

Soil Structure

Clay disadvantages (2)

A

Less gas exchange

Less nitrogen availability

Q

Soil Structure

“Best soil” Composition (3)

A

40% Sand

40% Silt

20% Clay