6 - LITHOSPHERE

Lithosphere

Solid outer part of the earth

Rocks

Solid naturally occurring substances on the Earth’s lithosphere

Types of Rocks

Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic

Soil

Mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air in the uppermost layer of the Earth

Pedology

Study of soil and its importance in various fields

Formation of Soil

Weathering and Pedogenesis processes

Soil Moisture

Volumetric water content in soil, indicator of soil quality and fertility

Soil Gas

Different gases present in soil pores, including carbon dioxide and oxygen

Soil Matrix

Solid particles in soil including soil particles, organic matter, and inorganic materials

Soil Composition

Mineral matter, organic matter, air, and water in soil

Major Types of Soil

Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Functions of Soil

Medium for plant growth, water holding tank, habitat for organisms

Land Use

Human activities and arrangements on land for various purposes

Weathering

The disintegration of parent rocks by physical, chemical, or biological agents.

Pedogenesis

Also known as soil development, influenced by factors like parent material, climate, topography, living matter, and time.

Clay Soil

A heavy type of soil with high water retention capacity and nutrient concentration.

Loam

A fertile soil type consisting of a mixture of sand, silt, and clay.

Sand

A light, dry, and warm soil type with low water retention capacity

light soil with high fertility rate and fine particles, larger than clay but smaller than sand.

Bedrock

The lowest layer or R Horizon, consisting of solid rock that underlies the soil profile. Roots of plants generally do not penetrate this layer.