When small pieces of rock break off larger ones, they form the basis of all soil. This breaking can occur in several ways: through the action of glaciers pushing rocks along the ground and grinding them against other rocks; through the action of chemicals in water eating away at rocks; through changes in temperature causing water to freeze in rocks and crack them open; through the force of wind throwing sand and pebbles against rocks; and through the movement of plant roots splitting rocks apart. This rocky, ground-up material is called the parent material of the soil.
When a plant or animal dies, its remains are attacked by bacteria which decompose, or break them down. This decaying matter combines with the parent material and provides the soil with many nutrients to help new plants grow.
Water and air fill in the spaces between the ground-up rock and decaying matter to provide places for tiny insects to live and for plant roots to grow.
Erosion (larger rocks being broken down into tiny particles by a number of different types of weathering). Combine these tiny bits of rocks with organisms, decaying plant matter, and a little water, and you've got soil!
1. Variation in temperature between day and night led to repeated expansion of rocks during the day and contraction, on cooling, during the night. Rocks, thus became brittle and broke down into smaller particles.
2. Water entered the cracks and crevices (cavities) of the rocks. In winter, water froze into ice and expanded. It exerted pressure on the rock resulting in its break down.
3. The roots of small plants grew and entered the cracks and enhanced the process of break down.
4. Many microorganisms and lichens grew on the surface of rocks. They produced acids which dissolved the minerals and helped in further breaking of rocks.
5. Due to rain and wind, broken pieces of rocks rolled down and hit each other. The rocks progressively broke into smaller particles. Decaying organic material from the plants and animals got mixed with it. The soil, thus formed, became rich in organic matter.
New Soil was created on 1959-05-02.
"Growth of the Soil" was created in 1917 by Norwegian author Knut Hamsun. It went on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920.
The base material from which soil is created is called parent material. This can be rock, sediment, organic matter, or a combination of these materials that undergo weathering and decomposition processes to form soil.
Soil horizons are created through the processes of weathering, organic matter accumulation, leaching, and translocation of materials within the soil profile. Over time, these processes result in the development of distinct layers or horizons in the soil, each with unique characteristics in terms of color, texture, and composition.
Alluvial soil is formed where transported sediment is deposited. This type of soil is created by rivers and streams carrying particles and depositing them over time, resulting in a fertile soil that is good for agriculture.
From the Soil was created in 1947.
New Soil was created on 1959-05-02.
The Living Soil was created in 1943.
Soil Stradivarius was created in 1714.
Soil - EP - was created in 1997.
Soil Association was created in 1946.
Sons of the Soil was created in 1919.
Soil Festivities was created in 1984.
On Native Soil was created in 2005.
Home Soil was created on 1988-02-22.
Good Soil was created on 2007-11-03.
Halo - Soil song - was created in 2000.