Download Soils in the Environment Review

Soils in the Environment Review
Three Different Types of Soil
1. sand - loose, tiny grains of crushed or worn
rock
2. loam - soil that has almost equal parts of
sand, silt, and clay
3. clay - very fine pieces of earth that are
much smaller than pieces of sand.
The Four Parts of A Soil Profile
1. Surface material
2. Top soil
3. Sub soil
How Is Soil Made?
Soil can be made by rocks being broken down by
a change in the temperature. Plant roots can then
grow into the cracks and split the rocks apart.
Sometimes soil can be made by water running
over the rocks and bumping pebbles against each
other and breaking up the pebbles.
What Types of Soil Contain Nitrogen?
The best kind of soil to grow plants in contains
nitrogen. Loam or organic matter contain lots
of nitrogen. Soil that contains lots of sand and
clay does not contain much nitrogen.
4. Parent material
What is Erosion?
Erosion can happen when water runs over
rocks and causes the rocks to become smooth.
Erosion can also happen when water or wind
moves soil from one place to another.
What Is Organic Matter
Organic matter is bits and pieces of things that
were once alive, like an insect, a piece of a leaf,
or a small piece of wood. It can also contain the
remains of small rodents or animals.
How Do Animals Help The Soil?
How Do Humans Affect The Soil?
Bacteria and fungi ar e tiny or ganisms that eat or ganic matter. Earthworms eat soil and it passes through
their system and becomes new soil that is richer. Earthworms also make holes in the soil that allow air and
water to get into the soil. Insects stir up the soil and let
in air. Their droppings also add nutrients to the soil.
Moles and rodents stir up the soil by digging tunnels
in it. They eat insects and worms. Their droppings put
nutrients back into the soil. Birds dig holes and help
spread the seeds of plants and trees that grow in the soil.
Large mammals eat the other animals and their
droppings put nutrients back into the soil.
Humans affect the soil by moving it around, building on it,
and by creating pollution. People move soil to make gardens and add rich soil to their yards. When humans build
houses, roads, shopping malls, large buildings or parking
lots, they affect the use of the soil. When people put garbage where it is not supposed to go, they create pollution
that is not good for our soil.