The attraction of particles to water and it decreases as the particle size increases
1 of 14
Pedogenesis is soil formation but what 5 factors influence its formation and determine the type of soils sequence that is produced?
Climate, Topography, Biota, Time and the Parent Material
2 of 14
What soil characteristics may there be if the soil formed in humid climatic conditions?
The parent material may become leached or oxidised causing yellow or red soils
3 of 14
If the soil closely resembled the parent bedrock what environment was it likely to form in?
Cold and Dry
4 of 14
How does the topography (sloping) of the land affect soil formation?
Causes different thickness of horizons, the C horizon is especially thickest at the steepest part of the slope
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How do you determine something is a chronosequence?
The formation of master horizons in a soil is dependent on the amount of exposure time the parent material receives
6 of 14
What are the fractions/constituents that make up soil?
Pore space = air and water. Solid particles = minerals and Organic matter
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What is the normal percentage of soil fractions?
Solid = 50%. Air and Water are each 25%
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What are the basic characteristics of the Air constituent?
Contains all the gases in the soil, is needed for respiration by the Biota in soil and is held in pore spaces or within the humus (SOM).
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Why is not all the water in the soil available to plants?
The water is held strongly around soil particles due to the electrostatic attraction between the particles and polar molecules in the soil solution (water).
10 of 14
What nutrients does Organic Matter largely govern in terms of their abundance in soil?
Nitrogenous ions, Phosphorus, sulphur and organic acids
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What is Humus?
The organic component of soil where all the organic constituents are mixed together in a colloidal structure
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Which answer best describes how water can be retained well within humus?
Humus has a charged surface attracting water molecules and holds them in place with that electrostatic attraction
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Which answer best describes what a Micelle is?
electrically charged colloidal particle formed from an aggregate of molecules
14 of 14
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Pedogenesis is soil formation but what 5 factors influence its formation and determine the type of soils sequence that is produced?
Back
Climate, Topography, Biota, Time and the Parent Material
Card 3
Front
What soil characteristics may there be if the soil formed in humid climatic conditions?
Back
Card 4
Front
If the soil closely resembled the parent bedrock what environment was it likely to form in?
Back
Card 5
Front
How does the topography (sloping) of the land affect soil formation?
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