UNIT 9:

CHEMISTRY OF
THE SOIL
Unit Objectives:
1) To describe the chemical composition and
properties of soil.
2) To identify kinds, sources and effects of soil
pollutants.
3) To discuss prevention of soil pollution and
remediation.
Lesson 9.1 The Chemical
Composition and
Properties of Soil
 The geosphere, or solid earth, is that part of the earth upon which
humans live and from which they extract most of their food, minerals, and fuels.
Once thought to have an almost unlimited buffering capacity against the
perturbations of humankind, the geosphere is now known to be rather fragile
and subject to harm by human activities. For example, some billions of tons of
earth material are mined or otherwise disturbed each year in the extraction of
minerals and coal.
 The interface between the geosphere and the atmosphere
at earth’s surface is very important to the environment. Human
activities on the earth’s surface may affect climate, most directly
through the change of surface albedo, defined as the percentage
of incident solar radiation reflected by a land or water surface.
The earth is divided into layers, including the solid iron-
rich inner core, molten outer core, mantle, and crust.
Environmental chemistry is most concerned with the
lithosphere, which consists of the outer mantle and the
crust.
The Chemical Composition and Properties of
Soil
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil

Soil
Air
About ½ of the Mineral 25% About ½ of the
Matter
soil volume is 45% soil volume is
Soil
solid particles Water pore space
25%

Organic
Matter
5%
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
• Mineral matter and organic matter together form the solid part of soil.

• Soil air and soil water occupy the spaces between the solid particles. This
space is the pore space.

• A good agricultural soil will be about half solid particles and half pore space.
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Soil Composition
• mineral matter is obtained by the disintegration and decomposition of rocks;
• organic matter, obtained by the decay of plant residues, animal remains and
microbial tissues;
• water, obtained from the atmosphere and the reactions in soil (chemical, physical and
microbial);
• air or gases, from atmosphere, reactions of roots, microbes and chemicals in the soil
• organisms, both big (worms, insects) and small (microbes)
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Nutrients that plants obtain from the soil
Macronutrients: Micronutrients:
(needed in large amounts) (needed in small amounts)
• Nitrogen (N) • Chlorine (Cl)
• Phosphorus (P) • Cobalt (Co)
• Potassium (K) • Copper (Cu)
• Calcium (Ca) • Iron (Fe)
• Magnesium (Mg) • Manganese (Mn)
• Sulfur (S) • Molybdenum (Mo)
• Nickel (Ni)
• Zinc (Zn)
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil

Texture
Texture refers to the relative proportions of particles of various sizes such as sand, silt and clay
in the soil.

Volume and weight composition of a soil

(Percentage of air and water varies according to
moisture saturation of soil)
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil

Texture

Mineralogical composition of soil (area within the

figure denotes the relative abundance of minerals)
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil

Texture

The settling of particles in a soil suspension

The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil

Texture
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Structure
Structure refers to the aggregation of primary soil particles (sand, silt and clay)
into compound particles or cluster of primary particles which are separated by the
adjoining aggregates by surfaces of weakness.
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Particle Density
• Is the mass per unit volume of soil particles (soil solid phase) - expressed in g/cc.
• Most soils have particle density of about 2.6 g/cc.
• Presence of organic matter decrease the density and iron compounds increase the
density.
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Bulk Density
Mass of soil per unit volume of soil (volume includes both soil and pores)
-Expressed in g/cc
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Pore Density
the ratio of the volume of pores to the volume of bulk rock and is
usually expressed as a percentage.

Pore Density Formula

Pore Density = (Bulk Density/ Pore Density)×100
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Soil Color
Soil color gives an indication of the various processes going-on in the soil as well
as the type of minerals in the soil.
• red color - abundance of iron oxide under oxidized conditions
• dark color- is generally due to the accumulation of highly decayed organic
matter
due to hydrated iron oxides and hydroxide;
• black nodules- due to manganese oxides
mottles coupled with very low pH are indicative of
possible acid sulfate soils.
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Soil Permeability
• Is the ability of the soil to transmit water and air. An impermeable soil is good
for aquaculture as the water loss through seepage or infiltration is low.
• Clayey soils with platy structures have very low permeability.
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Soil Acidity
A soil is said to be acidic if its pH is less than 7. Soil acidity can be
further divided into:
pH
Extremely acidic
Very strongly acidic
0 <4.5
4.5 – 5.0
Strongly acidic 5.1 – 5.5
Moderately acidic 5.6 – 6.0
Slightly acidic 6.1 – 6.5
Neutral 6.6 – 7.5
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Soil Acidity
Acidity in the soil is caused by the following:
Adsorbed H+, Fe3+ and Al3+ as well as solution H+, Fe3+ and Al3+. Hydrolyses of
Fe3+ and Al3+ produces H+
Al3+ + H2O = Al (OH)2+ + H+
Al(OH)2+ + H2O = Al (OH)+2 + H+
Al(OH)+2 + H2O = Al (OH)3 + H+
precipitate
• Leaching of basic cations such as Ca, Mg, K and Na from the soil by
heavy rainfall leaving acidic cations to remain in the soil.
• Oxidation of NH+4 and S2- in soils by micro-organisms.
NH+4 + 3O2 → 2NO-2 + 4 H+ + H2O
The Chemical Composition and Properties of Soil
Properties of Soil
Soil Salinity
• The salt content is normally measured by the specific conductivity of soil
extract.
• Saline soils generally occur in arid and semi-arid regions. It may also occur in
localised areas in other regions due to poor drainage etc.
• These soils can be reclaimed by leaching the salts using good water and
removing the leached salts by drains.
Lesson 9.2 Soil
Pollutants
SOIL POLLUTION
Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants
or contaminants) in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human
health and/or the ecosystem. In the case of contaminants which occur naturally
in soil, even when their levels are not high enough to pose a risk, soil pollution
is still said to occur if the levels of the contaminants in soil exceed the levels
that should naturally be present.
 Soil pollution is a complex phenomenon, and it
can be triggered by a variety of things and activities,
from the littering of cigarette butts to excess use of
chemical fertilizers. Every cause is linked with another.
Pinpointing at one particular cause is quite difficult.
MAIN CAUSES OF SOIL POLLUTION
1. Industrial Activity
Industrial activity has been the biggest contributor to the problem in the last
century, especially since the amount of mining and manufacturing has increased. Most
industries are dependent on extracting minerals from the Earth.
Whether it is iron ore or coal, the by-products are contaminated, and they are
not disposed of in a manner that cannot be considered safe. As a result, the industrial
waste lingers in the soil surface for a long time and makes it unsuitable for use.
MAIN CAUSES OF SOIL POLLUTION
1. Industrial Activity
2. Agricultural Activities
The utilization of chemicals has gone up tremendously since
technology provided us with modern pesticides and fertilizers.
They are full of chemicals that are not produced in nature and
cannot be broken down by it. As a result, they seep into the
ground after they mix with water and slowly reduce the fertility of
the soil.
2. Agricultural Activities
3. Waste Disposal
While industrial waste is sure to cause contamination, there is another
way in which we are adding to the pollution. Every human produces a certain
amount of personal waste products by way of urine and feces. While much of it
moves into the sewer system, there is also a large amount that is dumped
directly into landfills in the form of diapers. Even the sewer system ends at the
landfill, where the biological waste pollutes the soil and water.
3. Waste Disposal

0
4. Accidental Oil Spills
Oil leaks can happen during the storage and transport of
chemicals. This can be seen at most of the fuel stations. The
chemicals present in the fuel deteriorates the quality of soil and
make them unsuitable for cultivation. These chemicals can enter
into the groundwater through the soil and make the water
undrinkable.
4. Accidental Oil Spills
5. Acid Rain
Acid rain is caused when pollutants present in the air mix up
with the rain and fall back on the ground. The polluted water could
dissolve away some of the essential nutrients found in soil and
change the structure of the soil.
5. Acid Rain
DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF SOIL POLLUTION
1. Effect on Health of Humans
Considering how soil is the reason we are able to sustain ourselves, the
contamination of it has major consequences on our health. Crops and plants
that are grown on polluted soil absorb much of the pollution and then pass
these on to us. This could explain the sudden surge in small and terminal
illnesses.
2. Effect on Growth of Plants
The ecological balance of any system gets affected due to the
widespread contamination of the soil. Most plants are unable to adapt when
the chemistry of the soil changes so radically in a short period of time. Fungi
and bacteria found in the soil that bind it together begin to decline, which
creates an additional problem of soil erosion.
3. Decreased Soil Fertility
The toxic chemicals present in the soil can decrease soil fertility and
therefore decrease in the soil yield. The contaminated soil is then used to
produce fruits and vegetables, which lacks quality nutrients and may contain
some poisonous substance to cause serious health problems in people
consuming them.
4. Toxic Dust
The emission of toxic and foul gases from landfills pollutes the
environment and causes serious effects on the health of some people.
Besides, the unpleasant smell causes inconvenience to other people.
5. Changes in Soil Structure
The death of many soil organisms (e.g., earthworms) in the soil can lead
to alteration in soil structure. Apart from that, it could also force other
predators to move to other places in search of food.
 Land pollution has a number of repercussions, including groundwater
contamination, topsoil erosion, water nutrient enrichment, and an increased danger of
wildfires (due to the dry conditions caused by pollutants in the soil).
Animals are compelled to change habitats and adapt to new conditions when
land degradation and soil erosion worsen. As a result, certain species are in danger of
becoming extinct.
Breathing problems, birth deformities, skin ailments, and cancer are all possible
repercussions of soil contamination on human health.
 9.3 SOIL
POLLUTION
CLEANUP
 Soil can be thought of as a component in the
production of fresh products such as vegetables
and fruits. When soil is polluted, numerous types
of bacteria emerge, causing illness in consumers
and eventually leading to various diseases.
Furthermore, it is necessary to take care our
mainland.
There are several principal strategies for remediation:
• Excavate soil and take it to a disposal site away from ready
pathways for human or sensitive ecosystem contact. This
technique also applies to dredging of bay muds containing
toxins.
There are several principal strategies for remediation:
• Aeration of soils at the contaminated site (with attendant risk of
creating air pollution)
There are several principal strategies for remediation:
• Aeration of soils at the contaminated site (with attendant risk of
creating air pollution)
• Thermal remediation by introduction of heat to raise subsurface temperatures
sufficiently high to volatize chemical contaminants out of the soil for vapor
extraction.
• Bioremediation, involving microbial digestion of certain organic chemicals.
Techniques used in bioremediation
include landfarming, biostimulation and bioaugmentating soil biota with
commercially available microflora.
• Extraction of groundwater or soil vapor with an
active electromechanical system, with subsequent stripping of the
contaminants from the extract.
• Containment of the soil contaminants (such as by capping or paving over in
place).
-Containment treatments are often performed to prevent, or significantly
reduce, the migration of contaminants in soils or ground water. Containment is
necessary whenever contaminated materials are to be buried or left in place at
a site.
• Phytoremediation, or using plants (such as willow) to extract heavy metals.
• Mycoremediation, or using fungus to metabolize contaminants
and accumulate heavy metals.
-Fungi are among the potential candidates of bioremediation as
they are natural decomposers of waste matter and secrete several
extracellular enzymes capable of decomposing lignin and cellulose,
the two essential components of plant fiber.
Phanerochaete chysosporium

Trametes versicolor
Bjerkandera adjusta

Pleurotus sp.
• Remediation of oil contaminated sediments with self-collapsing
air microbubbles.
• Surfactant leaching is a method of water and soil decontamination
 GROUP 9:
Anthony Rafols
Lyndon Ungon
Abraham Upao
Hernoe Tango-an
THANK YOU!!