Soil Analysis

Flashcards covering key concepts from soil analysis, including definitions, classifications, and characteristics.

In soil profile, the layer labeled 'A' represents __.

Surface soil.

Organic matter is found in the __ horizon of a soil profile.

O (Organic) horizon.

In terms of soil composition by volume, water typically makes up __% of soil.

20-50%.

The percentage range of air in soil composition is __% to __%.

10-25%.

The three main textural classes of soil are __, __, and __.

Sands, Clays, Loams.

Sandy soils contain __% or more of sand particles by weight.

More than 70%.

Clay soils consist of __% to __% of clay particles by weight.

35-40%.

Loams are best described as a mixture that is approximately and .

Half sand, half clay.

The physical nature of sand is that it is when wet and has a water-holding capacity.

Not sticky; low.

The texture triangle helps to classify soil based on its __ content.

Sand, silt, and clay.

The particle size of silt is smaller than sand, typically ranging from mm to mm.

0.02; 0.002.

Hydrometer analysis is used to measure the __ size distribution of soil particles.

Fine.

According to Munsell analysis, the notation for hue, value, and chroma is written as __.

Hue Value/Chroma.

A soil that retains 3.75g finer than 200 μm out of a total mass of 5g has a percent finer of __%.

75%.

The purpose of the Munsell Soil Color Book is to judge __ of various natural products.

Color.

Coarse separates in soil include __, __, and __.

Boulders; gravel; sand.