Unit 1 Flashcards
Munsell Color Chart
A chart consisting of color chips. Color chips are arranged based on HUE, VALUE, and CHROMA.
Ped
aggregate of soil particles that display characteristics of that soil sample
hydration
a process in while intact water molecules may bind to a mineral
pedon
smallest sampling unit that displays the full range of properties characteristic of a particular soil
Tilth
the ease with which the soil is tilled
Texture/Soil Texture
describes the size of the soil particles
Soil structure
describes the manner in which the soil particles are aggregated
Micropore
Usually filled with water. Even when not filled with water, they are usually too small to permit much air movement
metamorphic
formed from other rocks by a process of change called metamorphism. happens when the earth’s plates shift and collide
Sedimentary
form when weathering products released from other, older rocks collect under water as sediment and eventually form a new rock
An ideal handful of soil has:
25% air
25% water
45% mineral matter
5% organic matter
regolith/solum
the rock exposed at the earth’s surface with has crumbled and decayed to produce a layer of unconsolidated debris overlaying the hard, unweathered rock.
Soil horizons
contrasting layers in the soil
soil pit
a large hole, several meters deep and about a meter wide, to study soil horizons
soil profile
The vertical section exposing a set of horizons in the wall of the soil pit
topsoil
the organically enriched A horizon at the soil surface
subsoil
soil layers that underlie the top soil
humus
usually black or brown. a collection of organic compounds that accumulate in the soil when partially broken down plant and animal residues are protected from complete decay by various factors in the soil environment
Acidic Soil
Soil measurement below pH 7
Alkaline soil
soil measurement above pH 7
Neutral Soil
soil measurement of 7
Hydrolysis
A reaction with water that splits the water molecule into H+ and OH- ions
dissolution
process by which molecules of a gas, solid, or another liquid dissolve in a liquid, thereby becoming completely and uniformly dispersed throughout the liquid’s volume