Soil

Sandy soil typically has larger pore spaces compared to clay soil. This is because clay particles are much smaller and more tightly packed together, reducing the size of the pore spaces between them. This difference in pore space influences factors like water drainage, aeration, and root penetration in the soil.

They are "similar" - kind of part and parcel of one another - but they are not the same. Soil is a mixture of varying proportions of sand, silt, clay and organic matter. Compost is fully broken down organic matter - the "black gold" of good soil. The very best soil for growing will have a high percentage of compost, or "humus". Hence, compost by itself is a very important part of good soil. But compost by itself is not "soil".

The dark decaying matter in soil is called humus. Humus is a rich organic material that forms as plant and animal remains decompose, contributing to soil fertility and structure.

Permeability is a measure of how quickly water can move through porous soil or bedrock. It is determined by the size and connectivity of the pore spaces within the material, with greater permeability indicating faster water flow. Materials with high permeability, such as gravel or sandy soils, allow water to move more quickly compared to materials with low permeability, like clay or solid rock.

Carbon enters soil through the decomposition of organic matter like leaves, roots, and dead organisms. This process is carried out by soil organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, which break down the organic material and release carbon into the soil. Carbon also enters soil through plant residues and root exudates.

A Hutton soil profile is a type of soil profile that typically consists of three main horizons: A horizon (topsoil), B horizon (subsoil), and C horizon (parent material). These profiles are common in areas with moderate to high rainfall and have well-developed soil layers. They are named after the scientist R. J. Hutton who studied soil formation processes.

Leaving aside the obvious (wet soil looks darker), the amount of organic matter or humus in a soil controls how dark the soil is. Generally the darker a soil is, the "richer" it is considered to be.

Clay soil is the least permeable because it has smaller particles that are closely packed together, reducing the spaces for water to flow through. Silt and loam soils have larger particles and more pore spaces, making them more permeable than clay soil.

Generally, soils in mountains tend to be less fertile than in plains due to erosion, steep slopes, and colder temperatures which limit organic matter accumulation. However, certain mountain regions with volcanic activity or mineral-rich soils may have fertile soils. Overall, soil fertility can vary greatly based on specific conditions and geological history of the area.

Yes, energy production activities such as mining, drilling, and storage of fuels can release harmful contaminants into soil, affecting soil quality and crop productivity. These contaminants can alter soil pH, nutrient levels, and microbial communities, leading to reduced crop yields and potential health risks from consuming contaminated produce. Proper waste management and environmental protection measures are essential to mitigate soil contamination from energy production activities.

well say you put banana peals and maybesome bits of bread and fruit that will break down and dissolve into a mixture of dirt what also people may say is if animals most like bugs and rocks break down and dissolve also and i hope that solves your problem

People use soil for gardening to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Soil is also used for building foundations, making bricks, and creating pottery. Additionally, soil is used in land reclamation projects, for example, to restore areas that have been damaged by mining or construction.

Tilling can help break up compacted soil, improve aeration, and promote better root growth for crops. It also helps to incorporate organic matter into the soil, improving its fertility and water retention capacity, which can ultimately lead to healthier plant growth and higher crop yields.

The process you are referring to is called sedimentation. It occurs when soil and rock particles are deposited by wind, water, or ice, leaving them behind in a different location from where they originated. Over time, these deposited materials can accumulate and form sedimentary layers.

The top layer of soil, known as topsoil, is darker because it contains more organic matter such as decomposed plants and animals. This organic matter helps to enrich the soil, providing nutrients for plants to grow. As you move further down into the soil profile, there is less organic matter and the soil tends to become lighter in color.

In percolation, a fluid or gas slowly filters through a porous material, like soil or rock. This process helps in understanding how substances move through porous media and can be used in various fields such as hydrology, geology, and material science. Percolation is also used in the study of network theory to understand connectivity and flow in complex systems.

Dumping of toxic waste is not a common cause of soil mismanagement, as it often involves intentional illegal activities that are not typical of everyday agricultural or land management practices. Common causes of soil mismanagement include overgrazing, deforestation, improper irrigation practices, and excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

To prevent soil erosion, you can implement measures such as planting cover crops, building terraces or retaining walls, installing erosion control blankets, and using mulch. These methods help to protect the soil from being washed away by water or blown away by wind, preserving its integrity and fertility.

the soil

While leaf litter does contain nutrients which can be used by plants, plants can't get to the nutrients until the leaves are composted. But when the leaves are composted, they are no longer leaves but are now soil!

When leaves fall on the soil, they break down and decompose, releasing nutrients like nitrogen and carbon back into the soil. This enriches the soil, improves its structure, and provides a natural mulch layer that helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. It also supports the diverse ecosystem of microbes and organisms that live in the soil.

The A horizon, the uppermost layer in the soil profile, often is called the surface soil. It is the part of the soil in which life is most abundant in such forms as plant roots, bacteria, fungi, and small animals. It is the part in which organic matter is most abundant.

The B horizon lies immediately beneath the A horizon and often is called the subsoil. Lying between the A and C horizons, it utilizes the properties of both. Living organisms are fewer than in the A horizon but more abundant than in the C horizon.

THE C horizon is the deepest of the three major horizons. It consists of the loose and partly decayed rock beneath the A and B horizons. The rock material in the C horizon is of the same kind which now forms the bulk of the soil above it.

Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium are among the most causative pollutants in soil. They can accumulate in soil through various human activities such as industrial processes, mining, and improper waste disposal, leading to contamination and posing risks to both the environment and human health.

When soil is impermeable, it means that water or other liquids cannot easily pass through it. This can lead to poor drainage, waterlogging, and potential flooding in the area. It can also limit the growth of plants and affect soil quality.

Rocks break down over time due to weathering and erosion, forming smaller particles like gravel, sand, silt, and clay. When these smaller rock particles mix together with organic matter and minerals, they create soil. This process occurs through physical, chemical, and biological processes over a long period of time.

To maintain healthy soil, it is important to practice crop rotation, use cover crops, minimize tilling, and add organic matter such as compost or manure. These practices help improve soil structure, increase microbial activity, and enhance nutrient availability for plant growth. Regular soil testing can also help identify any deficiencies or imbalances that need to be addressed.