Natalie Williams, Evan Yatsko, Zane Gilbert, Israel Cazuela-Garcia, and Derek Hearley

Zach Seitz

AP Environmental Science

Mrs. Norris

9 September 2017

Soil Composition Lab

Purpose:

To determine the types of soil and the components that are within them from our samples.

​Hypothesis:

If we compare all the soils that Israel, Derek, and Evan got, then they will have different components of

soils because they are from three different habitats.

Data and Analysis:

Data Table 1: Soil Composition

Sample Density Volum mass % % %

Sample pH Name
Name (g/mL) e (mL) (g) Sand Clay Silt

sandy clay Hydrologic

60% 35% 5%
1 loam Test
sandy
1.36
clay 500 mL 682 g 6
Israel g/mL sandy clay Texture
loam 60% 40% 20%
loam Test

Hydrologic
2 0% 100% 0% clay
1.44 Test
Evan clay 600 mL 862 g 6
g/mL sandy clay Texture
60% 40% 20%
loam Test

Hydrologic
3 0.27 100% 0% 0% sand
sand 275 mL 75 g 7 Test
Derek g/mL
100% 0% 0% sand Texture
 Test

Conclusion

Our hypothesis that Israel's soil’s inorganic matter would be different than Derek’s soil’s inorganic

matter, and Evan’s soil components because they were in different habitats was correct. This data proves the

hypothesis because it shows how Israel's soil is made up of sand, clay, and silt, as Derek’s soil components are

made up of just sand, and Evan’s soil components are made of only clay. During this process of finding the

components of the soil we could of had human error when adding the water to the soil. Also, we could have not

let it settle for enough time, meaning that all the soil components might not have been able to settle and we

could have got different results.

In the source ​Effect of Soil pH on Adsorption of Lead, Copper, Zinc, and Nickel​, they were adjusting the

potential of hydrogen, pH, in the soils to see how different elements such as lead, copper, nickel, and zinc

would react to it, specifically the adsorption. Adsorption in the soil regarding to those specific elements is the

ability for them to attach themselves to the soils. In our lab we tested the soils to see their pH, the sandy clay

loam soil samples had a pH of 6, and the sand soil sample had a pH of 7. According to the ​Effect of Soil pH on

Adsorption of Lead, Copper, Zinc, and Nickel​,​ ​“The amount of all four metals retained was dependent upon pH

of the soil sample, with retention dramatically increasing above pH 7.0 to 7.5. With the exception of Ni, at least

70 to 75% of the retained metal was extractable in 0.01N HCl. Nickel was somewhat less extractable, with that

sorbed by the highest pH soils being the least extractable.” Harter was explaining how Nickel was becoming

difficult to remove from the soils with high pHs. In the soils used in our lab, the Nickel element would have

been easier to extract because our pHs range from 6 to 7, which is close to a neutral pH.

In the source ​Effect of Sediment Depth and Sediment Type on the Survival of Vallisneria Americana

Michx Grown from Tubers​ it speaks about the effects silt, clay, and sand on the growth and Survival of

Vallisneria. This relates to what we did because we got our components from the ground with something

growing out of them. In the article it says that the vallisneria had a harder time growing out of sand than out of
silt and clay(Rybicki and Carter). With the vallisneria not being able to grow in sand shows that certain plants

can only grow out of certain types of soils. The reason why our soil components are different is because we got

the soil from different places and from different types of plants growing out of them.

One of the most important components in soil is organic matter. Organic matter is a term that

encompasses a wide variety of living or dead plant and animal material, ranging from shredded leaves to

well-rotten compost. The reason why organic matter is so important is because organic matter causes soil to

clump and form soil aggregates, which improves soil structure (Funderburg). In the words of Eddie

Funderburg, the senior soils and crops consultant for the Noble Research Institute, “With better soil structure,

permeability (infiltration of water through the soil) improves, in turn improving the soil's ability to take up and

hold water.” (Funderburg). This is important for farmers and whoever needs to grow crops. In order to

maintain or improve organic matter levels in soil, reducing tillage can cause less erosion and allow organic

matter to build up.

The Texas Water Institute conducted a study regarding the salinity of irrigated urban soils in the El Paso,

Texas area. S. Miyamoto, the scientist behind this study, examined the soil within fairways in 17 golf courses,

37 city parks, 30 school grounds, and 13 apartment landscapes. Within these soil samples, the salinity was

found to be higher in soils that were more clay-like (Miyamoto). Comparing this evidence with our data, we can

confirm that this is true. In Israel’s soil, it was labeled as sandy clay loam, according to the hydrologic test.

Israel’s soil had a higher percentage of salt in his soil. This salt can affect farmers or everyday gardeners from

growing plants and crops. Salt can affect plant roots from collecting water in the soil, and then affecting its

overall growth.

Healthy soil is essential for producing healthy crops that nourish living things. Nutrient exchanges

between organic matter, water, and soil are important to soil fertility. If the soil is exploited without restoring its

nutrient contents, the soil won’t be as fertile and the ecosystem’s balance is disturbed. In a case study conducted

by ms. Budhathoki at Central Department of Environment Science of Tribhuwan University in China, titled

Study of Soil Analysis of Pauwa VDC​, ​different soil samples were tested to determine the nutrient content
(NPK) and the organic matter content in the various land. Soil analysis was conducted from four samples each

of forest and agricultural land. The samples were taken by digging a V-shaped pit of 30 cm from the surface.

Soil from each site was mixed properly and then analyses were performed. According to study, ”Agriculture is

the mainstay of the economy in Nepal providing the livelihood for more than 80% of Nepalese population

(Chaudhary et al. 1996). Hence, it is important to determine and regularly monitor soil quality as assessment of

nutrient level helps in the fertility management of soil.” From the analysis, it was found that soil from the forest

had the higher organic matter content and NPK compare to agricultural land due to regular cropping pattern in

the area. ​In order to grow good crops, it is important to take care of the soil all year.

Derek Soil solution Israel Soil solution Evan Soil solution

​ Derek’s Soil Solution Israel’s Soil Solution Evan’s Soil Solution

Works Cited

Budhathoki, Ranjana. “Soil Analysis Case Study.” ​Academia.edu​,

www.academia.edu/7294129/Soil_Analysis_Case_Study.

Funderburg, Eddie. “What Does Organic Matter Do In Soil?”. ​Noble Research Institute. ​1 August 2001

https://www.noble.org/news/publications/ag-news-and-views/2001/august/what-does-organic-ma

tter-do-in-soil/

Harter, Robert D. “Effect of Soil PH on Adsorption of Lead, Copper, Zinc, and Nickel.” Digital Library of

Science Societies, Alliance of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Societies, 17 Sept. 1982,

dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/sssaj/abstracts/47/1/SS0470010047

Miyamoto, S. “Salinization of Irrigated Urban Soils: A Case Study of El Paso, TX.” Texas Water Resources

Institute, Oct. 2012, ​http://twri.tamu.edu/reports/2012/tr433.pdf

Pearson, Krista E. “Basics of Salinity and Sodicity Effects on Soil Physical Properties.” Basics of Salinity and

Sodicity Effects on Soil Physical Properties - MSU Extension Water Quality | Montana State

University, ​http://waterquality.montana.edu/energy/cbm/background/soil-prop.html​.

Rybicki, Nancy, and Virginia Carter. “Effect of Sediment Depth and Sediment Type on the Survival of

Vallisneria Americana Michx Grown from Tubers.” ​Aquatic Botany​, Elsevier, 25 June 2003,

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0304377086900598.
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