How is soil created?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Soil is the result of erosion, the processes of breaking down rocks into smaller rock particles by natural means like rainwater acidity, water erosion, wind erosion, freeze/thaw cycles, and plant growth.

Answer 3

It is the slow process of weathering of the rocky material on the earths surface, mixing with dead or dying organic matter that makes up soil. This is a simplified answer, that whole books have been written on.

Answer 4

Topsoil can take a long or short time to form. [1] Over the long term, it's formed by weathering of the Earth's surface. That puts minerals into soil. [2] Over the long and short term, it's formed by the contributions of air and water. Both also put nutrients into soil. Healthy soil needs 16-17 nutrients. One is nitrogen, which is our most common element. Rain and snow fall and other nutrients [or toxins if the air's polluted] let it infiltrate into and percolate through soil. [3] Over the long and short term, it's also formed by living things. Animals and plants, and their byproducts add organic matter to soil. They also give soil healthy structure. Healthy structure is characterized by solid content, and by access to solid content through passageways. For example, earthworms and microarthropods open up air and water pore spaces. Or, as another example, insects and plants in and on soil die and decompose. Their decomposition puts nutrients such as carbon into soil. Or, as still another example, nitrogen-fxing bacteria and nematodes make nitrogen available to plants in the necessary soluble form. In turn, they become the food of bacteria-feeding and predatory nematodes. What's inside their bodies passes through their predators' bodies, and back into soil. Or, as yet another example, plant roots put carbohydrates ka exudates into soil. They open up air and water pore spaces. And they give all their nutrients back to soil when they decompose. [4] Anyone can help in the formation of topsoil. What's needed is air, life above and below ground, minerals, and water. Mixing compost into soil aerates at the same time that it adds organic matter. Mulching adds to soil fertility and health by breaking down over time, and thereby feeding nutrients into soi.

Answer 5

The soil is formed by breaking of the rocks in many ways

Answer 6

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