Name:____________________

                                                                                                            Period: _____________

 

Soil Formation

 

Standard 6.3.7:  Earth is mostly rock…

Standard 6.3.15: Weathered rock is the basic component of soil and is influenced by organisms…

Standard 6.1.7: Technology is essential for data collection and analysis…

Standard 6.3.3: Artificial satellites orbit the earth…

 

Pre-lab

 

I. Weathering- the process that breaks rocks into smaller pieces to eventually 

          create soil.

A.    Mechanical weathering- breaks rock into smaller pieces that are identical to the

     parent rock.

1.    Ice wedging- freezing and thawing of water in cracks of rock

2.    Plants- roots grow, become larger, exert pressure, and wedge rocks apart

3.    Animals- burrowing animals break apart rock

 

B.    Chemical weathering- the chemical composition of the rock is changed

1.    Climate- warm/moist vs. cool/dry

2.    Natural acids- carbonic acid- acid rain

3.    Plant acids- moss- tannic acid

4.    Oxidation- “rust”

 

II. Soil formation- a mixture of weathered rock, organic matter, water, and air

A.    Parent rock

B.    Slope of land- hills vs. flat, wind

C.    Climate- tropical vs. cold

D.    Time- Less erosion, deeper soils

E.    Organisms

1. Lichens, fungi, bacteria (decomposers)

                  2. Humus

                  3. Organic matter

III. Soil horizons

A.    A Horizon-

B.    B Horizon-

C.    C Horizon-

 

Lab Activity #1

1.  Classifying soils- complete the lab activity on page 266 in your text.

 

Lab Activity #2

  1. Use the GPS system to locate your particular area (marked with an orange popsicle stick) where you will take a soil sample.  Make three observations about your area.

1.

2.

3.

  1. Use the moisture meter to determine the moisture content of the soil.  Record.
    1. Moisture content= _________

 

  1. Use the soil thermometer to measure the temperature of the soil.  Record.
    1. Soil temperature= _________

 

  1. Using the soil corer, collect a sample of the soil and place it in the plastic bag.

     When you return to the classroom, view your sample under the stereomicroscope. 

     Sketch one organic and one inorganic material that were found in your sample 

     below.

 

                       organic                                   inorganic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Use the soil auger to create a soil profile.  Note the horizons (if possible) and other changes you observe as you progress deeper into the earth.  List three observations.

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

  1. Neatly place your results of lab activity #2 (description of area, moisture content,

soil temp., soil profile observations) on the poster paper.  These will be shared with your classmates.