CA State SoilCA State Soil
Fine, mixed, active, thermicFine, mixed, active, thermicAbruptic Durixeralfs Abruptic Durixeralfs
San Joaquin SeriesSan Joaquin Series
Course Objectives
• To comprehend the physical, chemical, and biological processes functioning within soils
• To define factors influencing elemental (contaminant and nutrient) cycling within terrestrial ecosystems
• To obtain an appreciation for soils as dynamic, non-renewable natural resources
• To learn the appropriate use of the terms “soil” and “dirt”
Soil Profile DevelopmentSoil Profile Development contains characteristic contains characteristic
layers called layers called horizonshorizons
BedrockBedrock
A
EE
B
C
BedrockBedrock
soil
development
Soil Forming Factors
•Time
•Parent Material
•Climate
•Biota
•Topography
•Time
•Parent Material
•Climate
•Biota
•Topography
What Defines a Soil?
The difference between “Soil” and “Dirt”?
“ dynamic natural bodies having properties derived from the combined effects of climate and biotic activities, as modified by topography, acting on parent material over periods of time”
Soil is a living entity that is continually undergoing development; dirt is stagnant remnants of organic and mineral matter
Soil Ecosystem
Major ComponentsMajor Components
representative, representative, medium-textured medium-textured surface soil (by surface soil (by volume)volume)
soil solids50%
pore space50%
Major ComponentsMajor Components
representative, representative, medium-textured medium-textured surface soil (by surface soil (by volume)volume)
mineral45%
pore space50%
organic 5%
Major ComponentsMajor Components
representative, representative, medium-textured medium-textured surface soil (by surface soil (by volume)volume)
for optimum plant for optimum plant growth growth
mineral45%
air25%
water25%
organic 5%
Fertilizer
H2O
Retention within Soils
Nitrogen,Phosphorus,Potassium...
* Soils act as a storagebank for plant nutrients
* retain water
* filter contaminants