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Soil

Soil, by definition, is a earthly compound comprised of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) matter that is formed in several layers over millions of years. It is the very component of the Earth that plants need to root themselves and grow in in order to feed all animal life. There are many different types of soil across the globe for each continent and biome, and each type has its characteristics that depict what plants can grow where, when, and how. Questions and answers about soil can be asked and answered here.

10,730 Questions

What is the soil that holds sand and silt and clay.?

Loam soil is a type of soil that contains a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay particles. It has good water retention, aeration, and nutrient-holding capacity, making it ideal for plant growth.

How does carbon dioxide get back into the soil?

Carbon dioxide can get back into the soil through a process known as carbon sequestration. This can occur when plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and then store some of that carbon in the soil through their roots or when organic matter decomposes into the soil, releasing carbon dioxide in the process.

What can be done to make soil more fertile?

To make soil more fertile, you can add organic matter such as compost or manure to improve soil structure and provide nutrients for plants. You can also rotate crops to prevent nutrient depletion and practice cover cropping to protect and enrich the soil. Additionally, testing the soil's pH and nutrient levels can help you determine specific fertilization needs.

What is the percentage of peat soil in India?

Peat soil covers a very small percentage of total land area in India, estimated to be less than 1%. Peatlands are primarily found in the northeastern states of India such as Assam and parts of the Western Ghats. These peatlands are important for biodiversity and carbon storage.

Why would expect to find very fertile soil at the mouth of a river?

The soil that can be found at the mouth of a river, or perhaps a creek (or any other water source, as a matter of fact), is extremely fertile. Fertile, yes, but also extremely wet. It is in fact absolutely impossible for plants to grow at the mouth of a water source, because the ground is too wet. Impossible, except for one complicated answer : the water frog. This specific type of amphibian can only be found in Brazil or in Peru (or rarely found in Equator and Venezuela). Its only purpose in life, other than reproducing, in sitting directly on a source of water and absorbing the chemical found in the water that disables plants to grow in water : asterion. The water frog absorbs asterion and then makes it leak out of its pores as a new chemical, called desasterion. This liquid does not make plants not grow in water, in fact, it enables them to grow.

What does black soil have in it?

Black soil, also known as black cotton soil or regur soil, is rich in nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. It also contains a high percentage of organic matter which helps improve soil fertility and water retention. The dark color of black soil is due to its high organic content.

What breaks up soil?

Soil can be broken up by physical processes such as tilling, digging, or erosion. Additionally, biological factors like plant roots and burrowing animals can also break up soil. Chemical weathering can also contribute to the breakdown of soil particles.

How is flower color variation in hydrangea related to pH of the soil?

Forget ph. Take iron nails, copper and zinc or aluminum and place it on 3 sides of the plant near the outside drip line. You will get three different colored blooms on one plant.

The National Arboretum suggests that you can vary the pH to change the availability of aluminum in the soil.

Flower color in H. macrophylla is dependent on cultivar and aluminum availability. Aluminum is necessary to produce the blue pigment for which bigleaf hydrangea is noted. Most garden soils have adequate aluminum, but the aluminum will not be available to the plant if the soil pH is high. For most bigleaf hydrangea cultivars, blue flowers will be produced in acidic soil (pH 5.5 and lower), whereas neutral to alkaline soils (pH 6.5 and higher) will usually produce pink flowers. Between pH 5.5 and pH 6.5, the flowers will be purple (see image at left) or a mixture of blue and pink flowers will be found on the same plant.

What is the wearing of soil by wind and water?

Erosion~ The prosses know as weathering breaks up rocks so they can be carried away by the process know as erosion.Water, wind, ice, and waves are the agents of erosion that wear away the surface of the Earth.

How does soil composition affect the number and types of organisms and environment can support?

Soil composition influences the amount of nutrients available for organisms, which in turn affects the types and number of organisms that can thrive in that environment. For instance, soils rich in organic matter can support a greater diversity of organisms compared to nutrient-poor soils. Additionally, soil pH, texture, and moisture content also play a role in determining the types of organisms that can inhabit a particular soil environment.

What effect did the free soil party have on American politics?

It settled the question of slavery in American politics. -apex (:

How do human activity contribute to soil erosion?

yes.

Humans can contribute to erosion in many ways. One of which is when land is used for industrial agriculture such as: livestock, poultry, fish, and crops.

An example of this would be when land is used for crops. When the land is plowed it disturbs soil and plant roots which cause the soil to become loose which in effect cause it to be more easily moved, i.e erosion.

What are the differences between sandy soil and clay soil?

Sandy soil isn't a typical and a soil to be recommended if you're planting because it has generally a huge amount of sand in it which makes it relatively and almost infertile, or is usually not good when it comes to absorbing water. Clay on the other hand, absorbs water well, because it's thicker and it can hold and sustain water.

~x~

Why are soil samples required to be air-dried and not sun-dried?

Soil samples are required to be air-dried instead of sun-dried to prevent potential alterations in the soil properties due to exposure to direct sunlight, which can lead to changes in moisture content, microbial activity, and nutrient levels. Air-drying allows for a more controlled and uniform drying process that better preserves the original characteristics of the soil sample.

Which is the greater bearing pressure soft clay or dry sand?

Soft clay typically has a higher bearing pressure compared to dry sand due to its higher cohesive properties. Soft clay can deform easily under load, leading to higher bearing pressures on the underlying foundation. Dry sand, on the other hand, has lower cohesion and tends to distribute loads more evenly.

What type of soil would most gardeners prefer to have?

Most gardeners prefer loamy soil, which is a mix of sand, silt, and clay. This type of soil provides good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient availability for healthy plant growth.

What is the element notrogen in nitrogen compounds in the soil released?

There is no element called 'notrogen.' I am not aware that it is even a word.

Nitrogen is sometimes released to the atmosphere as N2, NH3 and N2O. N2 is just gaseous nitrogen. NH3 is ammonia. N2O is nitrous oxide.

Nitrogen is also lost from soils as NO3-, which is nitrate. Nitrate is highly soluble in water, and it can leave the soil as water percolates through it.

Do you need dirt in composter for it to work?

No, a composter can still work without adding dirt. The microbes and bacteria responsible for breaking down organic material are naturally present in the compost ingredients themselves. However, adding a layer of soil can help introduce beneficial microorganisms and provide additional structure for the compost pile.

How can soils with poor water retention properties be improved?

In order to make a soil retain more water, you have to add a substance to it that retains more water. Typically this is done by adding organic matter, though in some situations clay can be added.

The addition of composted organic matter increases the water holding capacity of soils, as well as increasing soil fertility.

What is the function of bacteria in soil?

Bacteria in soil play important roles in nutrient cycling, decomposition of organic matter, and enhancing soil structure. They can also help plants by fixing nitrogen, promoting root growth, and suppressing harmful pathogens. Overall, bacteria contribute to the overall health and fertility of soil ecosystems.

What conditions are typical of the soil the deeper you dig into it?

As you dig deeper into the soil, conditions typically become more compacted, with less organic matter and vegetation present. The soil may also have lower oxygen levels and more clay content. Nutrient availability and microbial activity can decrease as you move further down.

What happens when sedimentary rocks are physically and chemically changed?

When sedimentary rocks are physically changed, their size and shape may be altered through processes like weathering and erosion. When they are chemically changed, minerals within the rocks may be dissolved or precipitated, leading to the formation of new minerals and the alteration of the rock's composition. Both physical and chemical changes can result in the transformation of sedimentary rocks into new rock types through processes like metamorphism.

What types of germ or dirt is found on money?

Various types of germs can be found on money, such as bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as viruses like the flu virus. Dirt, grime, and even traces of drugs can also be present on money due to its frequent handling and exposure to various environments. Regular hand washing after handling money can help reduce the risk of transferring these contaminants.

What does soil consist of the most?

Soil consists mostly of minerals, organic matter, air, water, and living organisms. Mineral particles like sand, silt, and clay make up the majority of the soil composition, while organic matter from decaying plant and animal material plays a vital role in soil fertility and structure.