Results and Discussions

Table 1. Data Set and Calculation

Observed Hydrometer 40 seconds 2 Hours
Reading (OHR)
a. Soil suspension 38 25
(OHRs)
b. Blank solution 2 2
(OHRb)
Temperature
a. Soil suspension (Ts) 30°C 29°C
b. Blank solution (Tb) 29.5°C 29°C
Correction factor (C) 2.18 2
Corrected Hydrometer 35.82 23
Reading (CHR)
Oven Dry Weight Sample 43.5 g
(Odw)

Table 1 shows the data set for this exercise. It was tabulated and computed by the students
using the different formula below:

A. Computations for Correction Factor (C) and Corrected Hydrometer Reading (CHR)
40 Seconds
C= OHRb + (0.36 (Ts - Tb))
= 2 + (0.36 (30°C - 29.5°C))
= 2 + (0.36) (0.5)
= 2+ 0.18
C= 2.18
2 Hours
C= OHRb + (0.36 (Ts - Tb))
= 2 + (0.36 (29°C - 29°C))
= 2 + (0.36) (0)
= 2+ 0
C= 2
40 Seconds
 CHR= OHRs – C
= 38- 2.18
CHR= 35.82
2 Hours
CHR= OHRs – C
= 25- 2
CHR= 23

B. Computations for the Percentage Clay, Silt and Sand

𝐶𝐻𝑅 𝑎𝑡 2 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
%𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑦 = 𝑥 100%
𝑂𝑑𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

23
= 𝑥 100%
43.5

= 0.53 𝑥 100%
%𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒚 = 53%

𝐶𝐻𝑅 𝑎𝑡 40 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠 − 𝐶𝐻𝑅 𝑎𝑡 2 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠

%𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑡 = 𝑥 100%
𝑂𝑑𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
35.82 − 23
= 𝑥 100%
43.5

12.82
= 𝑥 100%
43.5

= 0.29 𝑥 100%

%𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒕 = 29%

%𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑑 = 100 − (% 𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑡 + % 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑦)

= 100 − (29 + 53)
= 100- 82
%𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒅 = 18%
 Figure 1. Soil Texture Triangle
(from: http://lagardennotes.blogspot.com/2013/10/using-soil-triangle.html)
 Figure 2. The soil textural triangle with plotted point indicating a clay textural class

The results of the mechanical analysis of the soil sample for A horizon were the following:
Clay = 53% Silt =29% Sand =18% from these calculated percentage of each soil separate, the
texture of the soil sample was identified by plotting the data on the soil textural triangle (Figure 2)
which falls as "Clay". The soil texture triangle (Figure 1) is one of the tools that soil scientists use
to visualize and understand the meaning of soil texture names.

The clay texture correlates with the group's results for the feel method in Exercise 3: The
Soil Profile wherein they conclude a silty clay. Clay soil is composed of tiny particles that are hard
and able to become easily compacted. It can hold onto the roots of plants better and provide a more
stable environment than many other types of soil.

In addition, the wet soil sample from the A horizon was observed to have a sticky and
plastic property. The members were able to form a ribbon using the soil sample. However, this
does not correlate with the expected soil texture property of an A horizon. As a background, the A
horizon is characterized to be more coarse or less clayey (Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary, 2019).
According to Combalicer et. al (2010), the dominant soil texture of the Makiling forest is clayey
loam which is from the volcanic tuff. Moreover, clay fraction varies with location along the slope.
There may be an inconsistent dispersion of mineral particles which permits inconsistency in clay,
silt, and loam fraction (Timbas et. al, 2016). Therefore, the results may vary and deviate from the
expected soil texture of a soil sample from the A horizon.

In this exercise the students were able to identify the textural class of the soil sample using
mechanical method and compare it to the result of feel method.

References
Timbas NL, Sta. Cruz P and Sanchez P. (2016), "Variability of Soil Properties along Selected
Transects in Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Philippines" Retrived from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310582268.

Combalicer, E.A. & Cruz, Rex & Lee, Su-Kyoung & im, Sanghyun. (2010). Modelling
hydrologic processes distribution in a tropical forest watershed in the philippines. Journal of
Tropical Forest Science. 22. 155-169.
Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary (2019), "Soil Genesis and Development, Lesson 4 - Soil
Profile Development" Retrieved from
http://passel.unl.edu/pages/informationmodule.php?idinformationmodule=1130447025&topicor
der=4

King (2013). Using the Soil Triangle. Retrieved from:

http://lagardennotes.blogspot.com/2013/10/using-soil-triangle.html