ENV 220 Properties of Soil Lab Report

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Southern New Hampshire University *

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220

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Geography

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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Properties of Soil: Agricultural and Water Availability Impacts Lab Report 9/24/2023

1 Abstract An abstract is generally written after the lab has been completed. In this section, write a one or two-paragraph summary related to the lab activities that were completed. The abstract should include the following elements:  Objective : the main point or central question of the lab  Methods : a brief statement on what was done during the lab  Results : a brief statement on what was found  Discussion : a brief statement of what was concluded The objective of this lab was to get a better understanding of the properties of soil. For this lab, three soil samples were used to determine porosity, particle size, pH level, and makeup of different types of soil. It was found that sandy soils have much more porosity but do not contain many nutrients. Clay soil is much less porous than sandy soil. The collected sample was found to be loamy sand and had a pH level that was basic and did not contain many nutrients. Introduction Provide a brief summary paragraph that includes the following elements:  Background : Why is this topic (and the results of the lab activities) of interest to environmental scientists?  Purpose : How are the techniques performed in this lab used to evaluate environmental conditions? Soil properties are vital for determining land use and are necessary for agriculture. By looking at the properties of soil we can determine water availability for any given area. We care about looking at these properties because we can use them to determine if an area is viable for human activities or not. Texture, particle size, and shape play major roles in determining the ability of an area to retain water and air which are necessary for multiple agricultural systems which are vital to human life. We use the technique of recording these properties for three different types of soil to learn more about the differences between sandy soil, clay soil, and the collected soil. There are five different horizons of soil. The upper-most horizon is called the O-horizon and is the most nutrient rich horizon of soil. Below the O-horizon is the A-horizon. This horizon is commonly referred to as “topsoil” and contains organic matter and minerals. Going further down, there is the B-horizon which is commonly referred to as the “subsoil”. Most of the soil here has gone through at least one form of weathering. The second to last horizon is © 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company

2 called the C-horizon and is mostly composed of weathered rock fragments and material from the above horizons. The final horizon is called the R- horizon, although it is sometimes referred to as the D-horizon, and mostly contains untouched bedrock material. Materials and Methods Describe the experimental procedures in enough detail that someone else could repeat the experiment. Include the following elements:  Materials : Describe the materials and equipment used in the lab  Steps : Briefly explain the steps taken to perform your lab and collect your data, including all safety measures  Calculations : Describe all mathematical equations and statistical tests used  Bag of clay  rapidest® Soil Test Kit  3 Plastic tubes  Bag of sand  6 Twist ties Cheesecloth  3 Rubber Bands  Graduated Cylinder, 100 mL  Sheet of White Paper  Liquid Hand Soap  2 Soil Samples  Scissors  Distilled Water  Tap Water  Timer or Stopwatch To complete this lab, you will need three test tubes, one with sand, one with clay, and one with your collected soil sample. Fill each test tube with tap water until it reaches 1cm below the top. Place your thumb over the test tube and shake for approximately 30 seconds. Add one drop of hand soap to each test tube and allow to settle overnight. After giving the samples time to settle overnight, place a sheet of white paper behind the tubes and observe the settled layers. You will use the sand and clay samples as controls and use your collected sample to identify the layers. Use a ruler to determine the depth of the sand, silt, and clay layers. Then divide each layer depth by the total depth of soil and multiply by 100 to determine the soil texture. To determine the porosity of each soil type, cut two 3-cm squares from the cheesecloth. Put the cheesecloth pieces on the bottom of the test tube and secure it with a rubber band. Pour 10 mL of tap water into the tube © 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company

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