SOIL

LESSON 4
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
 TABLE OF
CONTENTS
01 02
Composition of soil Properties & Structure
of soil

03 04
Soil color, moisture &
porosity Soil Conservation
SOIL COMPOSITION

SOIL is a combination of
minerals particles, organic
matter, water, and air.

Forms from weathering of

rocks and decomposition of
organic materials.

Soil particles are categorized

into sand, silt, and clay based on
their size.
 Biological properties of soil
Refers to the living organisms found in the soil .
Includes both the micro and macro plants and animals.

 Microorganisms: soil contains diverse microorganism

such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

 Flora and Fauna: soil hosts a range of plants(roots) and

animals (earthworms, insects).

 Organic Matter: decomposed plants and animals residues

form organic matter in the soil.
 Chemical properties of soil
 pH level: soil pH influences nutrient availability
 Nutrient content: soil contains essential nutrients like
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and etc.
 Water-holding capacity: it indicates how well the soil can
retain water.
 Soil structure: The arrangement of soil particles into
aggregates.
Soil particles
● Sand
○ size: 0.05 – 2.0 in diameter
○ Driest & Coarsest particle
○ Too large to stick together
○ Provides good drainage & aeration.
● Silt
○ 0.002 – 0.05 mm in diameter
○ Feels smooth and fine particle
○ Holds water well& fertile soil but prone to erosion
● Clay
○ < 0.002 µm
○ Sticky, very fine & compact
○ High water retention capacity
Sand, Silt, and Clay
Sand large
particles
settles in
1 minute
coarse
and gritty
water moves
through quickly

Silt medium particles settles in

3-4 hours
smooth,
soft, and
holds water

slick

Clay tiny
Particles
settles in
3-7 days
sticky difficult for water to
flow through
● Loamy soil
○ Made of different types of soil
○ Holds water well
○ Ideal for gardening/construction
● Chalky soil
○ Extremely alkaline in nature
○ Dries out very easily & low fertility
○ Have stones of varying sizes
● Peaty soil
○ High in organic matter with large
amount of decaying plants
○ High acid content & not rich in
nutrients
○ Water can be forced out & low
bearing capacity
 SOIL HORIZON
O HORIZON ( Organic Layer)
Composed of organic matter: leaves, plant
debris, & decaying materials.
A HORIZON ( TOPSOIL)
The topsoil is the outermost layer that is
made up of sand, silt clay and humus.
Humus is made up of rotting plants and
animals remains.
B HORIZON ( SUBSOIL)
The subsoil is under the topsoil that is made up of
larger rocks, sand, and clay. No humus can be
found. Often called the zone of accumulation where
chemicals leached out of the A horizon
 SOIL HORIZON
C HORIZON (PARENT MATERIAL)
Parent material that lacks the
properties of the A and B horizon. It is
the soil foundation for soil development
that contributes to the mineral content
of the upper layer.

R HORIZON(bedrock)
Last layer underneath the subsoil consisting
consolidated rocks made up boulders. No
organic matter and it is tightly packed.
 SOIL STRUCTURE
The way in which the individual particles (sand, silt, and clay) are
arranged into larger distinct aggregates.

1. GRANULAR 2. BLOCKY 3. PRISMATIC

Can be found in B Can be found in B horizon

Can be found in A horizon having square/ where clay has accumulated
horizon where water angular blocks and have vertical
circulates very easily. relatively large blocks columns/pillars. Water
that indicates the soil circulates with greater
resist penetration and difficulty and drainage is
movement of water poor
SOIL STRUCTURE
4. PLATY 6. SINGLE GRAINED
Commonly found in Consists of separate non
forest soils in part of A adhering particles that has poor
horizon where having a water retention and fertility.
thin plates/sheets piled
horizontally and greatly
impairing water
circulation
5. COLUMNAR
Soil forms vertically/cylindrical columns
that is common in arid region with shrink-
swell clay soil. These structures help in
water retention during scarce rainfall.
GRADE OF STRUCTURED SOIL
Weak structured
Has poor water drainage & limited root penetration

Moderate structure
Has good balance of water retention and drainage.

Strong structure
Promotes excellent water drainage and root development
 SOIL CAN BE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING
SOIL pH TO PH VALUE

 6.5 to 7.5 – NEUTRAL

 OVER 7.5 – ALKALINE
 LESS THAN 6.5 – ACIDIC
 LESS THAN 5.5 – STRONGLY ACIDIC
 SOIL POROSITY

SOIL POROSITY – Refers to the amount of open space

or voids within the soil.

Types of Porosity
1. Macrospore
Generally contains air, >30
o Found in sandy soil that provides pathway for
root exploration and soil aeration
o Enhances the flow of water through soil
2. Microspore
Generally contains water, <30
o Prevalent in finer textured soil that holds
moisture/nutrients around soil.
 SOIL COLOR
• The Munsell Soil Color Charts is a book of
soil colors based on the soil classification
system used by scientists for describing soils.
SOIL COLOR
BROWN - DARK
• High organic matter content that are often fertile.
• Generally compacted and stable
RED - YELLOW
• Iron oxide gives soils a reddish/yellowish color that
indicates well drained and aerated condition.
• Has low load bearing capacity.
WHITE / LIGHT
Common with soil with salt, carbonate
accumulation which often in arid environments.
 SOIL MOISTURE
Refers to the water content present in the soil.
TYPES OF SOIL MOSITURE
 GRAVITATIONAL WATER
The excess water that drains through the soil under the influence of gravity
after soil is saturated. It moves downward through soil pores.
CAPILLARY WATER
Held in the small spaces between soil particles due to capillary forces. It
moves upward against the gravity.
HYGROSCOPIC WATER
The water absorbed by soil particles from the air. It is tightly held by the
soil particles surfaces.
 SOIL MOISTURE
SOIL MOISTURE LEVEL
SATURATION MOISTURE
Occurs when all soil pores are filled with water and there is no air
present.
FIELD CAPACITY
The moisture content retained by the soil after excess water drains away.
WILTING POINT
The moisture content at which plant can no longer extract water from the
soil.
OPTIMAL MOISTURE CONTENT ( OMC)
The moisture content at which the soil compacted most effectively to
achieve maximum density and stability.
SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES
Contour Plowing – plowing along
the contour lines of slopes to
reduce the erosion.
Terracing – constructing level
platforms on the steep slopes to
create flat areas for cultivation
Crop Rotation – alternating the
crops grown in a field to improve
soil fertility.
Conservation Tillage –
eliminating tillage to minimize soil
disturbances and erosion.
END