Table of Contents
Soil and Its Formation
Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. The proportions of these components vary depending on the type of soil. Soil forms over time as rocks and minerals weather and break down. The weathering process is affected by the climate, the organisms living in the soil, and the physical environment.
Soil forms in three ways:
- By the weathering of rocks
By the deposition of sediment
By the growth and decay of plants and animals
Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces. This can be done by physical means, such as wind or water, or by chemical means, such as rain or ice.
Sediment is deposited when particles of rock, soil, or other materials are carried by wind or water and deposited somewhere else.
Plants and animals both contribute to the formation of soil. Plants release organic matter from their leaves and roots as they grow. This organic matter breaks down over time, providing nutrients for the soil. Animals also contribute to the formation of soil by leaving behind their droppings and by disturbing the soil with their paws or hooves.
Percolation Rate of Water in the Soil
The percolation rate of water in the soil is the rate at which water seeps down through the soil to the groundwater. The rate of percolation is affected by the texture and structure of the soil, the amount of organic matter in the soil, the amount of water present in the soil, and the climate.
Soils with a high clay content have a high percolation rate, because clay particles are small and have a lot of surface area. Soils with a high organic matter content also have a high percolation rate, because organic matter helps to bind soil particles together and increases the amount of water that the soil can hold.
Soils that are wet have a high percolation rate, because water is able to move through them more easily than soils that are dry. And finally, soils that are warm have a high percolation rate, because warm soils expand and allow water to move more freely through them.
Below Quick Summary of the Percolation Rate of Water
The percolation rate of water is the speed at which water seeps through soil. The faster the water seeps through the soil, the higher the percolation rate. The percolation rate of water is affected by the type of soil, the amount of water, and the amount of pressure.
The Formula to calculate Percolation Rate
The percolation rate of a soil can be calculated using the following formula:
P = (Ci / A) (D / L)
Where:
P = percolation rate (in/hr)
Ci = infiltration rate (in/hr)
A = area of soil (in2)
D = depth of soil (in)
L = length of soil (in)
Percolation Rate (ml/min) =\[\frac{\text{amount of water(ml)}}{\text{percolation time(min)}}\]
The percolation rate is the rate at which water seeps through a soil. It is measured in milliliters per minute.
Absorption of Water in Sandy Soil
Water will be absorbed into sandy soil at a rate that depends on a number of factors, including the soil’s texture, the amount of organic matter present, the soil’s water-holding capacity, and the amount of water already in the soil. Sandy soils typically have a low water-holding capacity, so they will absorb water quickly. However, if the soil is saturated with water, it will not be able to absorb any more.
Absorption of Water in Loam Soil
The water absorption in loam soil is the process of water being drawn into the tiny pores in the soil. The water absorption in loam soil is affected by the type of soil, the amount of water present, the temperature, and the atmospheric conditions.
Soil:
The type of soil affects the water absorption in loam soil. Soils that have a high percentage of sand will have a lower water absorption than soils that have a high percentage of clay. Soils that have a high percentage of organic matter will have a higher water absorption than soils that have a low percentage of organic matter.
Water:
The amount of water present affects the water absorption in loam soil. The more water that is present, the more water that will be absorbed.
Temperature:
The temperature affects the water absorption in loam soil. The warmer the temperature, the faster the water will be absorbed.
Atmospheric Conditions:
The atmospheric conditions affect the water absorption in loam soil. The drier the air, the less water will be absorbed.
Water in Soil
Water is essential for all life. The amount of water in soil is affected by the amount of water in the air and the amount of water that the plant takes up. The water in soil can also be affected by the type of soil and the amount of organic matter in the soil.
Experiment on the Absorption of Water by Soil Procedure
1. Obtain four soil samples from the same area.
2. Weigh each soil sample to the nearest 0.1 grams.
3. Record the weight of each soil sample.
4. Pour 100 milliliters of water into a beaker.
5. Place one soil sample in the beaker of water.
6. Observe and record the amount of time it takes for the soil to fully absorb the water.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other three soil samples.
8. Calculate the average amount of time it took for each soil sample to absorb the water.
Experiment on the Absorption of Water by Soil Calculation
The absorption of water by soil can be calculated by the following equation:
A =
Where:
A = the absorption of water by soil (in cm3)
W = the weight of water absorbed by soil (in g)
D = the density of water (1,000 g/cm3)
V = the volume of soil (in cm3)
